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Question of the Week Archive

Topic: Using the Java^TM 2 Sound API.

Question: How can I use the NewAudioClip method to read a local audio file?

I'm wondering how to use the NewAudioClip(URL) method to read a sound file into an application without having to use import java.net.

I'm also wondering if there is a way to track the sound loading so I can be sure it's available to play.

Answer:

There is now a convenience method to convert File objects to 'file:' URL. However, you still have to catch and handle any MalformedURLExceptions, for example:

File f = new File("mysound.au");
AudioClip theSound;
try {
  theSound = Applet.newAudioClip(f.toURL());
} catch (java.net.MalformedURLException e) {
theSound = null;
}
if (theSound != null) {
theSound.play();
}

If you have a small application and the play method is your last line you might need to put in a sleep statement after loading the audio file. This allows the sound to be loaded before the application exits.

Thread.currentThread().sleep(100000);

Many thanks to JDC members akw5c and kriff for contributing to this answer.

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