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]

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.