Hey Everyone!
Totally new to arduino, but I would like to do an audio filter project and use my computers built in microphone to visualize sound with LEDs. Is this even possible? Or do I need to buy a microphone and connect it to the board. Either way, which would be easier?
Looking forward to learning some pretty cool stuff regardless.
Thanks!
Is this even possible?
Yes! I've made several sound activated lighting effects. VU meters and spectrum analyzers are popular. I've never made a spectrum analyzer, but you can find examples.
Your best bet is something like [u]this[/u].
If you want to make a 7-band spectrum analyzer, the [u]MSGEQ7[/u] is a slick little chip that does most of the hard work for you. (I've never used it.)
Were you thinking of an analog or digital connection from the computer? An analog connection (from line-out or headphone-out) is fairly straightforward but it generally requires that you bias the Arduino's input at 2.5V because the Arduino's ADC cannot accept the negative half of the audio waveform.
I use a [u]peak detector circuit[/u] to convert a line-level audio signal into a varying DC voltage. That way I can read the "volume" at about 10 times per second instead of sampling the actual audio waveform thousands of times per second. (The peak detector won't work if you need to read/detect the frequency information.)
I don't know how to make a digital connection from the computer to the Arduino so I can't help you with that.
It's probably more common to use a line-level (or headphone) electrical audio signal than to pick-up sound waves with a microphone.
@DVDdoug thanks so much! and as far as digital vs analog I have no clue. I literally just got my board and starter kit today haha, have a long way to go yet...
I really appreciate the advice and reference to the parts though! Thanks!