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Play/Mute multiple sound files

I need to have multiple audio files (minimum 5, more would be better) that play simultaneously.  All but one will be muted at any given moment, and the user would switch between files via GPIO buttons.  The key is that when the user presses a button, it needs to trigger the new sound file already in progress.  That is, I don't want it to start the new sound file at the beginning, I want it to play the sound file from whatever point it happens to be at. I need the audio to play via the analog stereo out.  The only way I've figured out to make this work is to put each sound file in a different audio zone, set them to play in a loop, and then use GPIO events to set the zone volume to zero for all zones except the one that I want to hear.  This works great, but the devices that I have only support a maximum of 3 audio zones, whereas I need at least 5.

Is there a better way to achieve my goals?  I currently have an LS322 and an HD222.  They both have a limit of 3 audio zones.  I'd prefer to use my existing hardware, but I'm willing to purchase a new device if I must. I can't find any documentation telling me the maximum number of audio zones for the current hardware models.

2 comments

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    Brandon

    Hi Ari,

    Even the current models are capable of decoding only 3 stereo audio tracks simultaneously.

    I would look at using both of your players together, in a sync type arrangement, but using Send>UDP to start them instead of Link>Synchronize if you only have audio files.

    Then use UDP messages to mute all the zones except for the desired one.  The second player would also be set up to recognize the UDP messages to mute/unmute its zones as well.

    Of course you'll also need to connect the analog outputs to a mixer to get all the sound to your output device, unless that device has multiple mixable inputs already.

    All your GPIO would be handled by one of the players, which would be the one that sends the UDP commands.

    I would use the HD222 so you can use the video output to track what's (supposed to be) going on via Live Text.

  • 0
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    Ari Morris

    Thanks Brandon.  That sounds like a workable solution.

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