gistfile3.m

// Step 1: Place sound files into your resources folder.
// Step 2: right mouse click on "Frameworks" in your project, then select Add -> Existing Framework. Choose "AVFoundation.framework"

#import "Player.h"

// Example use
Player *player = [[Player alloc] init];

// Preload sounds
player.preloading = YES;
[player playSound:@"boom" ofType:@"mp3"];
[player playSound:@"whack" ofType:@"mp3"];
[player playSound:@"blonk" ofType:@"mp3"];
[player playSound:@"bang" ofType:@"mp3"];
player.preloading = NO;

// Play sound - plays immediately as sound has been preloaded
[player playSound:@"whack" ofType:@"mp3"];

Player.h

#import <AVFoundation/AVFoundation.h>

@interface Player : NSObject <AVAudioPlayerDelegate> {
	AVAudioPlayer *_audioPlayer;
	BOOL preloading;
}

@property (nonatomic) BOOL preloading;

- (void)playSound:(NSString *)soundName ofType:(NSString *)type;

@end

Player.m

#import "Player.h"

@implementation Player

@synthesize preloading;

- (void)playSound:(NSString *)soundName ofType:(NSString *)type {
	if([_audioPlayer isPlaying]){
		[_audioPlayer stop];
		_audioPlayer = nil;
	}
	
	NSURL *url = [NSURL fileURLWithPath:[[NSBundle mainBundle] pathForResource:soundName ofType:type]];  
	
	_audioPlayer = [[AVAudioPlayer alloc] initWithContentsOfURL:url error:nil];
	_audioPlayer.delegate = self;  
	
	if(preloading){
		[_audioPlayer prepareToPlay];	
	} else {
		[_audioPlayer play];
	}
}

-(void)audioPlayerDidFinishPlaying:(AVAudioPlayer *)player successfully:(BOOL)flag {
	[_audioPlayer release];
	_audioPlayer = nil;
}

- (void)dealloc {
	[super dealloc];
}

@end