UPDATE: Houndbite is now defunct. However, there are some great alternatives in place. Try Audioboo, SoundCloud, or Chirbit for hosting files.
………
Here’s the dilemma – I’m not diligent enough about creating audio files to get into podcasting. Podcasting really requires consistency, focus, and dedication in order to keep your audience engaged. However, I do have the occasional audio file that I’d like to share. I would rather not clutter up my limited web space on RandomConnections with audio files, so I was searching for a free host for the occasional clip. Enter Houndbite. Houndbite does for audio what YouTube does for video – allow users to upload audio clips in a social sharing environment.
As with YouTube the service is free. You can upload MP3 files, as long as these are no larger than 8 MB and no longer than 15 minutes. The clips can include tags and descriptions, and you can place them into categories such as music, news, interviews, jokes, etc. You can browse other users’ Houndbites and leave comments.
As with any site built on user contributions, there is a fair amount of junk and inappropriate material. So far it doesn’t look like they have allowed any blatant copyright violations – folks uploading MP3’s ripped from CD’s, etc. There does seem to be a good bit of original music uploaded.
In addition to to trying to find a place to hold my audio files, I was looking for a place that would provide embeddable HTML code for the files. Houndbite does provide this. More importantly for me, the embed code works with Google Earth, so I can add the code to placemarks. Unfortunately, the service does not offer and RSS feed for the clips.
To test out Houndbite I uploaded two audio files. The first was a recording I made of our family singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus a capella one Christmas…
The next was my leading a singing of The Morning Trumpet at the Southern Harmony singing at Furman a couple of weeks ago…
I don’t understand why there isn’t more buzz about this service. Apparently it’s been around since 2006, but I just haven’t heard about it. I guess it’s because audio just doesn’t have the pizazz that video does, or perhaps it’s because podcasting has become so commonplace. Or, it could be that the top audio clips on Houndbite are prank phone calls.
Whatever the reason, Houndbite seems to fill an important social sharing niche’ that has been lacking. While a prank phone calling crowd may not provide the same stimulating feedback as one might get on Flickr, just the ability to store and embed audio clips while ignoring the social aspects makes this an application worth checking out.
[tags]Houndbite, audio, audio sharing, podcast, MP3[/tags]
I think you’re right, audio just doesn’t have the appeal that video does, but, it was fun listening to the Hallelujah Chorale – still can’t believe we just started singing and got through it like that! Thanks for posting it.
Vocalo.org is another really great site for this sort of thing. And they actually broadcast your stuff on the web.
Flots – thanks for the link. Vocalo.org is intriguing, and I signed up for an account. I love the ability to record audio from a cell phone.
The only problem is that it doesn’t seem to have any way to embed the audio clips into websites. Unless there is a way that I’ve just missed, this would be a deal-killer for me.
I use hounbite all the time it’s awesome….check out http://yourlisten.com this site has every audio clip imaginable it’s pretty funny…
The problem with Houndbite is it looks ugly.
Here’s what I do to put sound on my sites: Upload it to (or find it on) YouTube, as video. (Any image will do.)
Then change the embed html so the size is 0 x 0.
Then set to autoplay. (Info on the net if you don’t know how).
Presto. Sound, with no hosting registration required, and totally invisible.