Audio delima!

[freak 'n' stein]

Okay, I did a QUICK search for audio solutions. Here is our problem for 2011...we want to centralize the audio to include ONE system that plays multiple channels to multiple rooms in our haunt for 2011. IS THERE SUCH A SYSTEM?! What it boils down to is replacing our multiple CD units with MP3 units that play different audio throughout our show and does it exist? If so, where can I find this system? Thank you! Scareproducts already provides the LED light system we want...we just need the same comprehensive system for audio!!! thanks in advance

[Allen H]

This is exactly what you want
http://www.hauntworld.com/haunted_ho...ad.php?t=13582

[bhays]

I researched this a couple of years ago and found a centralized solution that has been working great for us for a few seasons now. I had looked at Alcorn McBride and theme park based solutions and they were just out of our budget. I put together a 16 zone solution for about $6000 including speakers and it is awesome, I can direct any one channel to all 16 zones, (which we do to play the radio in the whole building sometimes) or one channel per zone or any combination thereof... really flexible. I am adding an additional rack this season as we have outgrown the 16 zones this year.

I use American Audio SDJ1 players (SD card digital) for sources and Samson Servo amps, and a Behringer mixing board and an Audio Matrix for switching. All of these items are out there inexpensive used and make for a really nice solution.

Here's our current system before wiring as I was installing it.

[beardedbil]

Hey Freak 'n' Stein,
I PMed you.

[rwrussom]

Computer Option

This year I put together the head unit for 32 channels of audio with used equipment for around $500.

Got an old athon computer and a rack case from craigs list. My main requirment was that it have 4 - PCI slots.

The audio output is with four M-Audio 1010lt cards that can be found for 80-120 on ebay. Each card outputs 8 anolog tracks to your basic RCA jack. (they also have 8 inputs if needed)

Software use to control it is Reaper, an open sorce free or low cost very powerful product.

Basically nothig else running on it. Never failed all season. Each track easily switched out and controllable.

Can be set up for on button mute and switch to mike input for PA (or whole haunt music during build season)

[Allen H]

Randy- may I say you rock sir. I have a spare PC laying around and this seems like a perfect use. Reaper is a free download to try, then $150 for the liscence to use it (still a bargain).
http://www.reaper.fm/download.php

Allen H

[freak 'n' stein]

this year i put together the head unit for 32 channels of audio with used equipment for around $500.

Got an old athon computer and a rack case from craigs list. My main requirment was that it have 4 - pci slots.

The audio output is with four m-audio 1010lt cards that can be found for 80-120 on ebay. Each card outputs 8 anolog tracks to your basic rca jack. (they also have 8 inputs if needed)

software use to control it is reaper, an open sorce free or low cost very powerful product.

Basically nothig else running on it. Never failed all season. Each track easily switched out and controllable.

Can be set up for on button mute and switch to mike input for pa (or whole haunt music during build season)

...pm sent!!!

[bylogic]

Any suggestions on inexpensive amps? The Samson Servo amps seems a bit pricey.

[bhays]

Software use to control it is Reaper, an open sorce free or low cost very powerful product.

With Reaper do all of your tracks have to be identical in length so that they all cycle together? That's something I ran into a couple of years ago when trying to do a soundcard based solution..

In other words if one mp3 files was 27 seconds long and another was 30 seconds you would have three seconds of silence until the 30 second file looped.

[rwrussom]

Any suggestions on inexpensive amps? The Samson Servo amps seems a bit pricey.

Dont know how much power you are looking at but my system consists of 4 - 12 channel SpeakerCraft amps. They come as 35 or 65watt models for under $1000 on ebay. With some looking you might find a similar product there in the $600-$700 range.

The power of the more expensive amps would seem to be wasted in this application. The purpose is for multiple speaker localized sound, not blasting out over a large area. Besides, most of us budget minded builders are not using the quality of speakers that could use that power.

[rwrussom]

With Reaper do all of your tracks have to be identical in length so that they all cycle together? That's something I ran into a couple of years ago when trying to do a soundcard based solution..

In other words if one mp3 files was 27 seconds long and another was 30 seconds you would have three seconds of silence until the 30 second file looped.

Yes, Reaper is basically a multitrack mixing software that when combined with the M-audio cards can be used to pass the audio to multiple outputs instead of mixing it down. This is always the problem with mixing boards and most software that this setup overcomes.

So, to answer the question, all the tracks loop together. I just built out the tracks to something like a half hour long. Yes, they initially vary in length. With the software you can select all the items in a track and lengthen or shorten them (have them play faster or slower). This way the track lenths can be matched. The slight change change in pace lost over the half hour or more of an individual track is not noticed, especially with the type of audio most of us use.

[Allen H]

I use audacity to create, lengthen, layer, and shorten tracks as necessary for my shows. It s a great free program that EFXtek guys told me about. Its also my favorite color-FREE!
http://www.gofree.com/audacity.php?g...FUHr7QodolZtHA
Allen H

[rwrussom]

I agree, its one of the few other pieces of software on my audio dedicated computer. Yeah Free!

[Allen H]

Randy,
can the set up you describe below play 32 different mp3 tracks at once?

audio hardware is NOT my strong point.
Allen H

[DarkTikiEntertainment]

I researched this a couple of years ago and found a centralized solution that has been working great for us for a few seasons now. I had looked at Alcorn McBride and theme park based solutions and they were just out of our budget. I put together a 16 zone solution for about $6000 including speakers and it is awesome, I can direct any one channel to all 16 zones, (which we do to play the radio in the whole building sometimes) or one channel per zone or any combination thereof... really flexible. I am adding an additional rack this season as we have outgrown the 16 zones this year.

I use American Audio SDJ1 players (SD card digital) for sources and Samson Servo amps, and a Behringer mixing board and an Audio Matrix for switching. All of these items are out there inexpensive used and make for a really nice solution.

Here's our current system before wiring as I was installing it.

I'm a full-time video game Sound Designer/Composer (and a wannabe haunt owner), and I have to say... I am impressed with the sound system you put together! Prior to my game audio career, I used to do live sound, and I've worked with some pretty complicated rigs before (with audio stored on swapable hard drives, controlled by an automated digital mixing board, linked to lighting boards and stage automation, etc.), but for a haunt situation I think your solution is perfect! Your SD players should be rock solid, and you have total routing flexibility... All at a VERY reasonable price. Kudos to you! Out of curiosity, what model number mixer and audio matrix you are using? I can't quite tell from the picture. Again, I think your solution is great!