Audio Guides

An audio guide provides pre-recorded information to visitors. The guide may take the form of a tour with a narrative that leads the visitor on a journey, or it may be responsive to the visitor - providing information on request. An audio guide has a number of advantages including the ability to enhance a visit by adding value and communicating information in a lively and engaging way, and enabling interpretation into many languages, age ranges and abilities including persons with visual impairments. The guide can be produced in-house, or by a commercial producer.

The range of audio guides is increasing all the time. Some exisiting formats are:

Tapes: These tend to be inflexible as they play through the recorded text in one direction and do not offer any secondary levels of information, though the tape can be paused or rewound if necessary. An advantage to audio guides on tape is the familiarity with and ease of use of tape players.

Digital: Information is accessed by punching in numbers on a keypad that correspond with numbers around the tour site. Information can be layered, and individual paths can be constructed for each visitor. The visitor is also in control of what and how long they listen for. One drawback to these systems is the sometimes inaccessible design of the handset.

Automatic: These handsets have recorded information that is activated by signals positioned around the tour site. This means visitors are always sure of their position and do not have to hunt around for visual clues, however there is a cost implication for this level of technology.

Guides must meet the visitor's needs and provide the correct depth and breadth of information. They must also be presented in a suitable tone and style, which can include: context setting by an objective narrator, dramatisation, directing the visitor to particular features and the use of sound effects.

Index of manufacturers

Acoustiguide Limited
Espro Acoustiguide Group, 2 -3 North Mews, London WC1N 2JP, UK.
Tel: +44 20 7269 5150
Email: info@acoustiguide.com
Web: www.acoustiguide.com

Audio Tours
Providing creative production services to write, produce, narrate and translate audio tours. Acoustiguide develops and maintains the widest selection of audio tour equipment, from low-cost portable cassettes to solid-state digital players. Acoustiguide can hire and train employees to sell audio tours and perform day-to-day maintenance. They can also provide supervision and training for staff and volunteers, and test equipment and work with clients on visitor research and signage.
Last updated: 21/06/2006

Antenna Audio
J307-309 Tower Bridge Business Complex, 100 Clements Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG, UK.
Tel: +44 20 7740 1155
Fax: +44 20 7394 6746
Email: uk@antennaaudio.com
Web: www.antennaaudio.com

Audio Tours
Produces interpretive audio tours and other self-guided audio and audio-visual experiences.
Last updated: 21/06/2006

ATS-Heritage
1 South Lane, Clanfield, Waterlooville, Hants PO8 0RB, UK.
Tel: 023 9259 5000
Fax: 023 9259 5656
Email: enquiries@ats-heritage.co.uk
Web: www.ats-heritage.co.uk

Audio Guides
Our range of services includes: Complete design services; Interpretative materials - from signage to audio visual; National Curriculum based educational resources; Provision, installation and maintenance of all types of interactive entertainment (including sensory media for the visually and hearing impaired) and audio guides; Virtual tours; Special lighting effects; Multimedia Touchscreen displays and Stand alone or networked visitor kiosks.
Last updated: 06/06/2006

Audio Visual Consultants
107-111 Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh EH9 1AT, UK.
Tel: +44 131 447 6211
Fax: +44 131 452 8372
Email: info@avc-edinburgh.co.uk
Web: www.avc-edinburgh.co.uk

Audio Visual Systems
Designers, suppliers and installers of integrated AV systems for corporate and heritage applications.
Last updated: 21/06/2006

BarZ Adventures Inc.
3811 Bee Caves Road, Suite 209, Austin, Texas 78746, USA.
Tel: +1 512 732 0135
Fax: +1 512 732 0132
Email: ranger@barzadventures.com
Web: www.barzadventures.com

GPS Ranger
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The GPS Ranger is a handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) video tour guide device. The Ranger can be programmed with unlimited content including documentary-like video, audio, text, animation and still photography that is automatically delivered as visitors approach pre-determined locations. GPS coordinates correspond to points of interest or tour stops (buildings, landmarks, exhibits). The system allows for daily updates and time-sensitive announcements. The GPS Ranger can offer sign language, captioning and audio description. Accessibility information, such as locations of wheelchair ramps, handicap restrooms or accessible elevators, can be featured on the unit’s interactive maps.
Last updated: 24/02/2009

Black Box AV Ltd.
25 Aberavan Road, Baglan Industrial Park, Port Talbot SA12 7DJ, UK.
Tel: +44 1639 767007
Fax: +44 1639 767008
Email: sales@blackboxav.co.uk
Web: www.blackboxav.co.uk

Tourmate SC550
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With high quality MP3 sound, the SC550 provides random access audio via a new DDA compatible keypad in a small and light hand held package. The SC550 is powered by rechargeable battery packs, which last all day and can be recharged overnight in the charger storage units supplied as part of the product package. Up to 64 hours of audio tour in up to 99languages can be stored on the new units depending upon the memory capacity specified when purchased. Options on the SC550 include an internal antitheft device and headphone/induction loop socket.
Last updated: 23/06/2006

Describe-Online
Terry Robinson, 82 Albert Road, Crosshill, Glasgow G42 8DR, Scotland, UK.
Tel: +44 141 423 2683
Email: terry@describe-online.com
Web: www.describe-online.com

Online Audio Guides
Describe Online is publishing text guides to public premises, on a website which is accessible to all who can benefit from this information.
Last updated: 17/07/2006

Dog Rose Trust
83 Greenacres, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1LZ, UK.
Tel: +44 1584 874567
Web: www.dogrose-trust.org.uk

Audio Courses
A course for those involved with museums, galleries, heritage sites and outdoor venues to produce their own audio guides. The course will include researching, scripting, recording, use of sound effects and music, editing and duplication as well as the use of sound for outreach and publicity. Emphasis will be on in-situ recording to give acoustic information and working with people with visual impairments.
Last updated: 27/07/2006

Audio Guides
Wayfinding and audio projects for internal and external sites.
Last updated: 27/07/2006

Fieldsman Trails
Colin Antwis, Fron Deg, Clayton Road, Mold, Flintshire CH7 1SU, UK.
Tel: +44 1352 75 62 02
Fax: +44 1639 767008
Web: www.dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/ni30/fieldsman

Voice Trails
Trails and guides to the countryside which Fieldsman has produced and which are available to buy or loan on tape cassette, in large print and braille with Trailmessenger™ Maps. Also offers: live commentaries, audio described theatre and guided walks.
Last updated: 23/06/2006

Flexi Audio Tours
Highview House, Charles Square, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1DF, UK.
Tel: +44 1344 390510
Fax: +44 1639 390732
Email: office@flexiaudio.com
Web: www.flexiaudio.com

Audioguides
Offering a total audio tour package, working with the client from conception through to completion, equipment installation and post installation care. Flexi is noted for its exceptional productions, sound quality and state-of-the-art equipment on its standard adult tours, tours for children, the visually impaired and for those with special needs.
Last updated: 23/06/2006

Narrowcasters
1 Wolseley Street, Point Piper, Sydney, NSW 2027, Australia.
Tel: +61 2 9327 8897
Fax: +61 2 9327 8871
Email: info@narrowcasters.com
Web: www.narrowcasters.com

Audio Tour Guides
Narrowcasters is the dominant audio tour company in the Asia-Pacific region. A Narrowcasters tour will always inspire, entertain, educate and add value to the visitors' experience. Every tour is uniquely crafted to communicate in a voice that reflects the spirit of each site. We create unique stories to inform on multiple levels, which can be heard in as many languages as required. The minimum standard is a digital MP3 audio player designed for heavy visitor use at a wide range of indoor and outdoor sites. After the launch of the service, Narrowcasters provide ongoing, on site, operational and management support, plus proven marketing strategies to increase visitor-based revenue. They undertake staff training, provide regular management reviews, reports on your tour's financial and interpretive performance, and offer advice on integrated security solutions to prevent theft of the MP3 players. The also conduct visitor surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of the audio programming.
Last updated: 06/06/2006

Ophrys Systemes
6 Rue Valerien Perrin, Seyssinet 38170, France.
Tel: +33 438 12 40 60
Fax: +33 476 96 22 34
Email: ophrys@ophrys.net
Web: www.ophrys.net

Orpheo Classic
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Dedicated to "classical" audiotour visit Orpheo Classic comes with a keypad. It is a device comparable with a mobile phone, able to store and restore pre-recorded audio comments relating to the points of interest of the tour site. The handset is started either by an action on the keyboard, or automatically, according to the model selected and the needs for your site. The contents and the nature of the comments can be decided on and recorded by staff. Each device can contain up to 8 hours of commentary (in digital quality). Classical keypad has 12 tactile buttons, a high resolution graphical screen and 2 headphone sockets.
Last updated: 23/06/2006

Orpheo Compact
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Orpheo Compact is for automated and or linear tours. The device is able to store and restore pre-recorded audio comments relating to the points of interest of the site. The handset is started either by an action on the keyboard, or automatically, according to the model selected and the needs for the site. Controls enable location of following track or preceding track or command to stop, or pause and adjust the volume. The contents and the nature of the comments can be decided on and recorded by staff. Each device can contain up to 8 hours of commentary (in digital quality). Compact handset has a high resolution graphical screen and 2 headphone sockets.
Last updated: 23/06/2006

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