user8762: What is the best / simplest way to play audio files from an SD card?
I'm currently working on a sound board, where each button plays a different sound. But I have yet to find the right combination of shields / hardware to do this efficiently.
Is there a shield that supports this directly (SD card -> speaker)? Note that I also need additional pinheads for my buttons to connect to. I think I will be using the Arduino Mega for that purpose.

user3500: There are several audio products/shields.  Because you mention "speakers", the first one listed can come with an on-board amplifier to drive speakers directly.  Most shields just give line-out to drive a pre-amp.

Adafruit Music maker shield plays MP3/WAV/OGG from microSD http://www.adafruit.com/products/1788
Adafruit Wave shield plays WAV files on SD card http://www.adafruit.com/products/94
SparkFun MP3 trigger board supports 256 tracks and a serial protocol for running individual tracks. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11029
SparkFun MP3 shield board plays MP3/WAV/OGG https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10628


8762: <p><strong>What is the best / simplest way to play audio files from an SD card?</strong></p>

<p>I'm currently working on a sound board, where each button plays a different sound. But I have yet to find the right combination of shields / hardware to do this efficiently.</p>

<p>Is there a shield that supports this directly (SD card -> speaker)? Note that I also need additional pinheads for my buttons to connect to. I think I will be using the Arduino Mega for that purpose.</p>
 3500: <p>There are several audio products/shields.  Because you mention "speakers", the first one listed can come with an on-board amplifier to drive speakers directly.  Most shields just give line-out to drive a pre-amp.</p>

<ul>
<li>Adafruit Music maker shield plays MP3/WAV/OGG from microSD <a href="http://www.adafruit.com/products/1788" rel="nofollow">http://www.adafruit.com/products/1788</a></li>
<li>Adafruit Wave shield plays WAV files on SD card <a href="http://www.adafruit.com/products/94" rel="nofollow">http://www.adafruit.com/products/94</a></li>
<li>SparkFun MP3 trigger board supports 256 tracks and a serial protocol for running individual tracks. <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11029" rel="nofollow">https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11029</a></li>
<li>SparkFun MP3 shield board plays MP3/WAV/OGG <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10628" rel="nofollow">https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10628</a></li>
</ul>
