Putting Your Audio Files on PRX
You've got the audio; now how do you get it to us? It's a matter of drag and drop.
1.) Download the PRX Member Tools
First off, you'll want to download the PRX Member Tools, the free PRX audio encoder and uploader. We built these tools, and they work seamlessly with our system. You may have to right-click or control-click on the download link and select "save as" in order to specify that the file should be downloaded.
Windows (95/98/ME/2000/XP) - download
Macintosh OS X - download
Macintosh OS 9.2 - download (there are outstanding issues with the encoder on OS 9. OS X is preferred.)
2.) Encode to MP2
We store audio on our site as broadcast-quality MP2 files. MP2s are the industry standard for public radio.
Drag a .WAV, .AIFF or CD audio file (Mac only) onto the encoder icon and the encoder will create an MP2 of that file in the same folder as the original file.
If you're starting with an audio CD on a Windows system, you'll need to import (or "rip") the CD files to .wav before encoding them. Your computer most likely uses Windows Media Player or Realplayer to do this; make sure the import preference on either program is set to .wav and NOT .mp3. Once you have imported from the audio CD to a .wav file, you can use the PRX encoder.
3.) Upload MP2 Audio to Your Loading Dock
The easiest way to get your file onto PRX is to go directly to "My PRX" and click "add a piece." There, you can upload your MP2 directly through your browser. For a demonstration of this, see the video demonstration.
Or, you can use the PRX uploader, a drag-and-drop FTP program. Just drag an MP2 audio file onto the uploader icon on your desktop and the file is uploaded into your "loading dock" on the site. Note: The "loading dock" is a temporary space for your audio files, you'll need to attach your audio file to a piece within 3 months of uploading. Files found in your loading dock that are more than 3 months old will be deleted from the system and you'll need to re-upload them.
Every producer, producer group and station has a PRX loading dock; it's a bullpen for the audio that's waiting to become a listed, searchable piece. If you use the PRX uploader, you'll see your audio waiting for you when you click "add a piece" to fill out your audio's information (title, producer, length, etc) and you can select which file(s) you'd like to attach to that information.
Encoder and Uploader FAQ
I get an error when I try to upload my file. What now?
If you suspect that you're having problems because your file is very large, or because you may have a firewall, we recommend uploading with an FTP client. FTP stands for "file transfer protocol" and this basically allows you to connect your computer to another – like, say, our servers. You can download this software for free. Cyberduck and RBrowser are good options for Macs, and FileZilla works on PCs.
How do I connect to your site with another FTP client?
Open your FTP client, and enter this information:
Server: www.prx.org
Username: (your PRX username)
Password: (your PRX password)
Important: If you are using an FTP program other than the "PRX Audio Uploader" to send your files to PRX you need to make sure that your FTP client does not adjust file permissions on upload. For example, if you are using CyberDuck, you'll need to go to Preferences, Transfers, Permissions and uncheck the box for "Adjust file permissions on upload". This will allow PRX to properly process your audio files. Check your client's documentation on how to do this if you're not sure.
I have the audio on a CD. How do I get that into the right format?
If you have a Mac, you can simply insert the CD, open it on your desktop, then drag the tracks onto your computer. The files will appear as AIFF files, which you can drag onto the PRX Encoder.
On a PC, follow these steps:
1. If you don't already have it, download and install iTunes--it's a free download at http://www.itunes.com.
2. Open iTunes, and under the "Edit" menu ("iTunes" menu on a Mac), select "Preferences."
3. Click the tab called "Advanced" and then the sub-tab called "Importing."
4. Click the drop-down menu next to "Import Using:" and select "WAV Encoder." Click OK.
5. Insert your CD into your computer. If Windows prompts you to do anything, just hit cancel.
6. The CD should appear on left panel of iTunes. Click on it, then click on "Import Disc" in the upper right hand corner.
7. iTunes will take a few minutes to import. Once it's done, the audio files will appear in your library. You can drag these onto your desktop.
Congratulations, you've created a WAV file! You can now open the PRX Encoder and drag this file onto it to create an MP2.
Can I upload an MP3 instead of an MP2?
Nope, sorry.
I have an MP3. Can I convert that into an MP2?
We highly, highly recommend that you start out by using an uncompressed format like AIFF or WAV, not a compressed format like MP3. (For an explanation on the difference, see Compressed versus Uncompressed.) Regardless, the take-home point is that when a piece of audio is compressed, it loses a lot of sound quality. It doesn't matter if it's converted back into a WAV or AIFF; it will still sound just as bad.
If you have no other option, and all you have access to is an MP3 file, you can still convert it into the right format for PRX (MP2), but again, please don't do this unless you don't have an original AIFF, WAV, or audio CD.
1. If you don't already have it, download and install iTunes--it's a free download at http://www.itunes.com.
2. Open iTunes, and under the "Edit" menu ("iTunes" menu on a Mac), select "Preferences."
3. Click the tab called "Advanced" and then the sub-tab called "Importing."
4. Click the drop-down menu next to "Import Using:" and select "WAV Encoder." Click OK.
5. Drag the mp3 onto iTunes.
6. Locate the mp3 you just imported in your iTunes library and right-click (ctrl-click on a Mac) on the file. Select "Convert selection to WAV".
7. iTunes will take some time to convert the file. Once it's done, drag the new file (not the old one!) onto your desktop.
Congratulations, you've created a WAV file! You can now open the PRX Encoder and drag this file onto it to create an MP2.
How do I make an MP3 Audition file?
Don't worry, you don't need to! Our system will do that for you automatically when you upload your MP2. The MP3 audition version is a lower quality version that station staff can download for their convenience. As the name implies, audition files aren't for broadcast. Stations are only allowed to broadcast your piece once they agree to your license terms.
Where do files go after they've been uploaded?
The PRX site of course! You'll see it again when you create the profile for the piece. Just log into prx.org with your username and password, click on "My PRX," and click on "Add a Piece" under "Quick Links." Follow the onscreen instructions.
Your uploaded files also appear in your loading dock. This is located under My PRX > My Pieces.
I get an error message about my file type when I try to upload my audio file.
Please make sure the file you dragged onto the uploader was an MP2.
Help! I've lost my copy of my audio file! Can I download the file I uploaded to PRX as a backup?
Yes, if you have a paid account. Just log in and go to your piece listing page, then click the "license/download" link. Right or control-click to save the MP2 or MP3 version of your audio file.
