There are several methods to play continuous background sounds (like music, or storm sounds). One method is to simply use a compact disc player, and repeat the same track over and over. There may be a slight gap in the sound as the player repeats the track. Or you can use an auto-reversing tape player. Simply record your sound effect over the entire length of the tape, on both sides. Again, there will be a gap of several seconds, as the tape player rolls past the leader at the beginning of the tape. Or you can use a continuous tape, such as the kind used for outgoing messages in phone answering machines. However, once again there will be a gap in the sound as the tape rolls past the non-recording foil sensing strip on the tape.

To overcome the gaps caused by the leaders and foil sensing strips on the audio tapes, is to cut them out. You can buy splicing tape and a splicing kit at Radio Shack for a few bucks. For the regular audio tape, you will need to open the tape case, detach the leader from the reel, cut it off, and reattach the tape to the reel. For the continuous tape, simply hand roll the tape around until you can see the foil strip. Pull the strip out, cut with the splicing kit, and tape back together. Record your sound effect after splicing the tape.

You can use several battery operated 'Walkman' type tape players, together with battery operated speaker (available at Radio Shack) to supply sound effects from different areas of your yard. You can have crickets chirping from the bushes, an owl in the tree, wolves in the distance or an evil giggle or growl from that dark corner of your yard. This is what I used in my yard. I recorded wolves howling, evil laughing, witches cackling, and screams. The sound effects were spaced about 20 seconds apart on a 3 minute loop tape. I used 2 portable tape players and 2 pairs of battery operated amplified speakers.