#21

If you need 8 discreet outputs it might be cheapest to get two 4-output interfaces and use two computers to playback the audio. For smaller installation spaces I’ve gotten away with using small studio monitors. Although purchasing 8 would be expensive. As far as cables go you could most likely get by with using 1/4 inch cables. As fas as routing the audio you could designate each track of audio to a specific audio output in a DAW like Ableton. You could also use Max or Pure Data and build a simple playback patch with each audio track routed to a specific output. If you need any help feel free to message me! I have experience with multi-channel/spatial audio systems, currently working on a 32 channel system.

If you’re willing to really DIY it you could have raspberry pi’s running Pure Data dedicated to each speaker and just hide them by each speaker. The lack of cable mess can give the installation a real sleek look.

#22

This doesn’t seem to be suggested yet but the cHeapest way to do this might be to just get 8 (Or 4 Stereo!) old MP3 players and hook them up to 8 cheap speakers by Bluetooth or by wire.
But it depends on how long it needs to run, how secure the installation site is, how synced everything needs to be, etc.

1 Like
#23

There is this device:

It’s an 8 channel wav player board and could be a simple solution without a computer.

I’ve used this to build multi channel installations.
There is also many options for programming the player.

2 Likes
#24

Hello!

I have another question about a multichannel installation and hope this is the right thread still:)

I’m looking for a multichannel amplifier - open board or “box”, both works.

I did a piece last year where I was using multiple speakers with this 6ch 100W amplifier from Sure Electronics but then I was sending discrete signals, so that each speaker had its “own voice”

Now I would just like to have a stereo-signal input and then have that signal being sent to/split over preferably 8 channels simultaneously (4 left and 4 right) - I’m struggling to find this kind of amp and would like to ask you all if you have any suggestions?

Ideally I would like to drive smaller elements, like these Dayton transducers

Thank you!
Julia

#25

(Caveat: this is from an engineering perspective and I have no practical A/V experience doing this)

If you wire your speakers in parallel then the power used is just additive. So you might just need a more powerful stereo amp.

#26

thank you for this suggestion! but won’t I dig myself an impedance problem with that many speakers in parallel…?

#27

You might, yes. Here’s a different scheme to try:
image

#28

ok cheers, ill try to look for a device with multiple outputs first i think, i won’t be following them on the tour so i have to leave something that’s really simple to plug and play and don’t get tangled up.
but i would like to try this idea for another project im working on :slight_smile: