The audio can either be recorded straight into your PC via a microphone and soundcard, or recorded on a Minidisc recorder and then digitised into computer. Once there you can add music, voiceovers, cuts and fades with a program like Adobe Audition or Sony Soundforge. Music can be bought online for just a few pounds and you can even use free audio editing programmes, like Audacity.

What was once preserve of BBC and other high-end radio studios is now available on a desktop computer near you – but only if you have skills to match.

FAQs (291 words)

Q. What is streaming audio? A. It is audio delivered to your computer that can be listened to while it is still downloading.

Q. What’s advantage over other audio formats? A. You don’t get an annoying delay while whole file downloads.

Q. What do listeners need to have on their computer? A. A soundcard and speaker(s) or headphones, their normal browser software and a so-called plug-in – a small piece of software that converts data into sound.

Q. This all sounds expensive – is it? A. Not really. You can get free programs to record your sound, a computer microphone costs less than a tenner and there are free audio editing programs available on net. You then need to convert audio file to a streaming format, but there is an increasing amount of software available to do that too. You also need to think about a MiniDisc recorder as these have superseded cassette tape for most applications. Royalty-free background and intro music is available on CD and via web for a small fee.

Q. What is quality like? A. Judge for yourself – visit www.infotechcomms.co.uk/info10.htm and listen to demonstration programmes. The trick is to get quality as high as you can, but still make it playable on an average modem-equipped home computer. Once everyone has broadband it will be CD-quality for all.

Q. How do I find out more? A. There is a list of useful links at http://www.infotechcomms.co.uk/info11.htm

ENDS