Hi,
I'm working on a sound-art project with 16 channels. It's quite simple in terms of PD: I only need the patch to choose one audio file (out of many), then play it through the loudspeakers in a specific timing pattern, with some delay.

I have total of 120 audio files, around 5 min each, in mp3 format. I downloaded the files from various sources, so they are not normalized.

I'm not sure what would be the best way to read the files. I can:

(1) Play the mp3 from HD.
(2) Import the mp3 to PD as arrays, send [normalize( to all arrays and then use either [tabplay~] or [tabread4~]
(3) Use a DAW to normalize and convert the mp3 to WAV, then play the files from HD using [readsf~]
(4) Use a DAW to normalize and convert the mp3 to WAV, then import the files to PD as arrays and use either [tabplay~] or [tabread4~].

I've never worked with mp3 in PD (so I don't know how to do options 1 & 2). I read several posts which made me think mp3 is not very stable...The project is going to be exhibit in a museum, the timing is extremely important, so it cannot bear any undesired delays or lags. I don't mind working extra time converting all files with a DAW...I'm also not sure whether it's OK to have 120 arrays (will it slow PD down?) or better just to keep the files on the HD and read it from there.

Thanks!
ymotion

go with #3. Pd can only index arrays with 24-bit precision which quickly degrades the sound quality after a short time of playing the audio file, and I don't have any experience with mp3 but it seems WAV would be more stable and more efficient computationally

Hi Sebfumaster,
Thanks! That was my guess too...Which object would be the best for that? [readsf~]?
The object's help file states that the file needs to be open in advance. I guess I can have two [readsf~] objects so to make sure the following file is loaded in advance. I've never worked with [readsf~] so any comment is welcomed here!

Thanks a lot
ymotion

BTW, I'm not sure I understand all parameters in the open message: What is the difference between onset and header size?