Activating a fake elevator sound

I'm new.

Looking at how to add sound and light effects to a fake elevator installation. There's a painting of an exposed lift shaft on the floor of the installation, and some jagged remnants of the lift 'floor'. I just need to play the sound of an elevator voice going crazy and malfunctioning, ("Going dooooooown, dooown going ... etc etc) together with some flashing lights.

I'm exploring possibilities with arduino to get one sound file (mp3 or ad4 etc it doesn't matter) triggered through PIR motion detection; and a relay to some lighting.

Just looking at the hardware options.

The MP3 Trigger from Sparkfun seems a bit like overkill, given I only need one trigger and one track. Although I think I understand the electronics and software of how that would work. Monitor the PIR on an input pin; and send 5v to the MP3 Trigger shield, and 5v to the relay switch for lighting.

But I've seen something called the Somo 14d, which is cheaper to buy, (and which, like the MP3 Trigger, has serial commands which I don't really need). The only problem is that in its more simple 'key mode', the play trigger is 'active low'. I see how a simple button switch connected between the play terminal and ground achieves, when pushed, 'active low,' I'm not sure how I would do the same with the arduino pins and commands.

Given the little I know, am I better off going for the MP3 Trigger. I think I understand how that would work.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Even if that advice is "Go back to Arduino getting started tutorials page." :slight_smile:

Hi Toonewforcool,

Try doing a google search for 'Voice Recorder Chip IC' or look here Special Function IC's - Others in the Special Function - Voice Record/Playback section. This may be suitable for what you require and might work without need for arduino.

Active low just means that by default you giving out a HIGH on the appropriate pin and turn that to a LOW when the sound should be triggered.

You could also use a Wave Shield from Adafruit. Adafruit Wave Shield for Arduino Kit [v1.1] : ID 94 : $22.00 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

I made a "doorbell" using one last year. Sheep Doorbell | Electric Projects

Thanks a million guys for the help.

Thanks for the link, Riva: Ill look into that chip, see if an arduino's neccesary. Want to be able to switch lights as well ... and sync light and sound reaction, that was why I was thinking arduino.

Think Ive got active low now, Pylon.

And loved the sheep shecurity, Pauly - fantastic!

Thanks again.