Guidelines to setup sound buttons

Question

Are there any guidelines for positioning of sound buttons (play, pause, mute)?

What platform is this for? Web, moble, desktop? What are you making? — jonshariat, Apr 26, 2011 at 20:00
Oh then I would add that you dont want to play audio right off the bat. Many people play at work, school, library, coffee shop. — jonshariat, Apr 26, 2011 at 20:11

bendur · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-26 20:22:21Z

2

I'm not sure what the standard is for this, but when I'm annoyed by sound I always look in the upper left, then right-hand corners for a mute button.

Failing that, I look for a settings area.

You should also consider where you have put other user controls, and whether or not it makes contextual sense to group this with them.

answered Apr 26, 2011 at 20:22

bendur

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jonshariat · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-26 20:20:30Z

5

General Guidelines:

Play and pause should toggle
Volume control should be separate from mute (dragging the volume down is not clear on how to stop the sound)
Play button should be in close proximity to the timeline.
UI design should blend into the background of what is being viewed.
Small, but big enough click area for users to miss with their selecting device.

For many different design patterns of audio controls, check out this wonderful collection by Toxboe on http://www.UI-Patterns.com

answered Apr 26, 2011 at 20:07

jonshariat

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Thanks for your answer, but I need information on positioning. I have seen the buttons in corners, on top, in the botton etc.
– RedDragon
Apr 26, 2011 at 20:10
Check out my edit above, there is a great collection of ideas here -> ui-patterns.com/users/1/collections/347
– jonshariat
Apr 26, 2011 at 20:20
1

We had a good question a while back about whether play and pause should toggle. ux.stackexchange.com/questions/1215/…
– Patrick McElhaney
Apr 26, 2011 at 20:35

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