Jaqkar, Inc.

Drupal can do just about anything you need it to do, and do it in several different ways.  Lately we were tasked with creating a library of audio recordings (mp3s), the results of which can be seen here. The basic requirements were:

1. Title and long description
2. Ability to listen online
3. Ability to download
4. Allow commenting

We started by installing and enabling the following contributed modules:

1. CCK
2. Filefield
3. SWFTools (do not enable this module until after you have installed your players)
   1. One Pixel Out Player (additional information will be provided later in this article).
   2. Other players can be added but are not needed for an audio only library.

Step 1: Installing and Configuring SWFTools

(You can read the full documentation at Drupal.org.)

In addition to the SWFTools module, you will also need to install the 1 Pixel Out player.  The link below will take you to the download for this player. You will need to install this player on your server at: sites/all/modules/swftools/shared . If the shared folder does not exist you will need to create it.

In order for the player to work, your path should look like: modules/swftools/shared/1pixelout/player.swf . In order to achieve this, you may need to change the name of the folder you installed on your server.

After installing the player and enabling the necessary modules and components ( at least: SWFTools and 1 Pixel Out audio player - see attached image #1), you can happily proceed to the file handling configuration (admin/settings/swftools/handling) .   Select 1 Pixel Out player as the default player for mp3 files.

Step 2: Create a Custom Content Type

Create a custom content type - or add a custom content field to an existing content type. 

The field type will be "file" and method "file upload". In the field configuration make sure you list mp3 in the file type. Once the field is created you will need to go to the "Display Fields" tab. Under the field you just created you select one of the SWFTools display options. (See attached image #2)