MP3 Node
Hardware Installation and User Guide
9000-0000-127 Revision 01
7 of 21
Genave Electronics
Overview
How it Works
The MP3 Node is a stand-alone MP3 player which has 8 independent inputs (Channels)
which are used as triggers to play 1 of up to 255 different MP3 files stored on a microSD card,
or to play 1 of 8 internally stored files. There are actually 16 channels but only the first 8 are
available as external inputs for user interfaces.
Each MP3 Node has an output port which is used to control an external amplifier.
The MP3 Node has the ability to change the acoustics of the MP3 file by altering the volume
treble and bass.
Additionally, the MP3 node has a microphone input which can be used to record MP3 files as
well as be used for Live PA messages.
Each of the 8 external inputs has 3 different audio files that it can play:
1) When an SD card is installed, the unit can play an MP3 (SFX) file that begins
with the same number as the input…
i.e. Input 4 (Channel 4) can play “004-
Hotel California.MP3”
2) When there is no SD card installed, the unit can play an MP3 file that is stored
in its internal memory that is associated with the input.
3) Play an MP3 file that was created with the microphone that is associated with
the input….. i.e. Input 4 can play “MIC-004.MP3” (Requires SD card)
There are methods to associate any of the 255 MP3 files on a card with any input. This is
called “Masking”. This user guide is a beginner’s guide and does not delve deeply into
masking. For more information see “Custom Source”
When one of the 8 inputs is triggered (Pulled low to pin 9 of the input port), the unit looks to
find which audio file has been assigned to the input (SD card file, Internal SFX file, or
Microphone file). The Node then turns on the external amplifier, waits for a short time to let
things settle, then it begins playing the MP3 file out of the amplifier port. At the same time, it
plays the file out of the “Line Out” port, but the line out audio is raw audio. It has no volume
control nor treble and bass adjustments.
