General
- What is Soundmap?
- What will I need to get going with Soundmap?
Buying Your Walk
- How do I buy a walk?
- Are my credit card / debit card details safe?
- What do you need my email address for?
- Do you accept international payments?
Downloading
- What happens when I purchase a walk?
- What format is the walk in?
- What is a Zip file?
- What do I do once I have downloaded the file?
- How do I get the walk onto my MP3 Player / iPod?
- How do I print out the PDF map?
- What happens if I cannot download the file?
Doing the Walk
- How long does the walk last?
- Do I have to do the whole walk in one go?
- Do I have to print the map and bring it with me to do the walk?
- When is the best time to do the walk?
Further Information
- How do I contact you?
GENERAL
1. What is Soundmap?
Soundmap is a unique way to experience London. We’ve created a series of audio walks that are full of interviews, music and stories and are narrated by someone linked to the area. These walks are available for download from this site.
To do the walk, you simply go to the start point; press play on your MP3 player and then the narrator will tell you everything you need to know.
Each walk is approximately an hour in length and is designed to be one continuous experience giving you an insight into the area.
2. What will I need to get going with Soundmap?
It’s a very simple process: Soundmap is an audio walk and map that you download to your computer. You then transfer the audio files to your MP3 player, such as an iPod, or burn to a CD. Once you’ve done this, print out the map, head to the start point, press play and off you go. We do recommend that you use a broadband connection for the download.
BUYING YOUR WALK
3. How do I buy a walk?
Easy. Just put the walks you would like in your basket and follow the check out buttons. We will then send you an email that contains a link to where you can download your walk.
4. Are my credit card / debit card details safe?
Yes. Your payment details are taken through a secure server. Payment is made via an industry leading secure connection provided by Protx and Natwest. Soundmap does not store or hold any of your card information.
5. What do you need my email address for?
Don’t worry; we hate spam as much as you. The only reason we need your email address is to provide you with the link to where you can download your walk. Soundmap will never give your email to any third parties.
6. Do you accept international payments?
Yes. We accept payments in US Dollars. Simply select your chosen currency from the drop down menu on the checkout screens and you will be charged in your chosen currency.
DOWNLOADING
7. What happens when I purchase a walk?
After you purchase a walk you will receive an email that contains a link that you need to click to begin downloading your walk. The download will be a single ‘zip’ file that contains the audio files and a map of the route for you to print out. Remember to save it somewhere on your computer where it’s easy to find!
8. What format is the walk in?
Our walks are supplied in the MP3 format. This is the standard format of digital music. The walks will work on any MP3 software such as iTunes, Windows Media Player or RealPlayer and can also be transferred to any portable player that supports this format such as an iPod. Alternatively you can burn the files to an audio CD.
9. What is a Zip file?
A Zip file is a compressed directory that allows us to send you the audio walk and map in one convenient download. On most modern computers you just need to click on the folder and it will automatically ‘unzip’. If you do need to download extra software then try the following:
10. What do I do once I have downloaded the file?
It’s very simple and if you ever download music you’ll have no problems. Once you have your zip file saved on your computer do the following:
- Click on the file to ‘unzip’ the folder and then save the files to your computer. The folder contains your audio MP3 files and a map.
- Open the software you normally use to listen to music, for example iTunes, Windows Media Player or Realplayer.
- In your music management software there will be a menu item such as “Add to Library”, select this and then add the Soundmap folder to your music library.
11. How do I get the walk onto my MP3 Player / iPod?
Once you’ve got the walk into your music software such as iTunes or Windows Media Player you can transfer it to your portable player. Most software, such as iTunes, will automatically ‘sync’ with your MP3 player / iPod when you plug it in to update it with your walk. Then, print out the map, put your shoes on, head to the starting point and press play!
12. How do I print out the PDF map?
The map comes in the form of a PDF. You will need Adobe Reader to view and print the map. Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free from here (
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)
13. What happens if I cannot download the file?
The file should download fine from any computer connected to the internet and on any web browser. You have three attempts to download the walk and we do advise that you have a broadband connection, as the file size can be quite large. If you have problems downloading your walk then please do
contact us.
14. How long does the walk last?
The walks last approximately one hour although please do leave time afterwards to get back to the tube station or to wherever you’re heading.
15. Do I have to do the whole walk in one go?
Our walks are designed to be one continuous experience that you can just press play and go. However there are track markers at various points along the walk so if you do wish to stop for whatever reason, note where you are in the walk and simply skip to that track. If you are only going to be stopping briefly then press PAUSE on your MP3 player whilst you stop and PLAY to resume.
16. Do I have to print the map and bring it with me to do the walk?
The narrator provides all the directions on where you need to go. However whilst it is not essential, most people like to print out the map to be absolutely sure they are following the correct route.
17. When is the best time to do the walk?
Each walk has recommended times to take it included on the map. Some of our walks go through market areas that only open at certain times so do check beforehand if you’re unsure. However always take care and be aware of your surroundings and we recommend doing the walks during daylight hours.
FURTHER INFORMATION
18. How do I contact you?
We’d love to hear from you. Let us know what you think of our walks and website!
Click here to be taken to our contact page and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.