im getting handy with audio and such, and i decided to buy an ESP32 board for the DACs, how do i start and not burn it?
Google looking for ideas. If you find an example close to what you want just start there. If you have a specific hardware related project in mind, do some research to determine which library is good (I like Adafruit and through experience certain authors) In the libraries are example sketches (the ... menu) in library manager. Have fun.
Burning a board is not that easy, just understand if it is a 3.3V or 5V logic pin and keep the 5V away if it's 3.3V.
I recommend you get a copy of the Arduino Cookbook and skim it cover to cover and stop on what is interesting. After you get then get a multimerter, a cheep one is ok. While you are at it consider an adjustable power supply for the devices you may hook up. Do not order it until you know what you will need.
Be careful which ESP32 you buy. Not all variants have an (I2S) sound output.
Leo..
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You should start with a simple Arduino board like the NANO or UNO.
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When you master these boards, peruse this documentation to help with the ESP.
DroneBotWorkShop.com has great information.
Please, post the picture of the board to know the start up procedures.
if you want to use C/C++ with Arduino IDE, see this ESP32 totorials series .
If you want to use MicroPython, see this ESP32 MicroPython tutorials series .
When using ADC with ESP32, please pay attention to attenuation.
C/C++:
// set the ADC attenuation to 11 dB (up to ~3.3V input)
analogSetAttenuation(ADC_11db);
MicroPython:
# Set the attenuation to 11 dB, allowing input range up to ~3.3V
adc.atten(ADC.ATTN_11DB)
Hi @spacesailor123643 !
There's an overwhelming amount of sources available for the use of ESP32 boards.
I recommend the pages
https://wolles-elektronikkiste.de/en/programming-the-esp32-with-arduino-code
in addition to the other recommendations.
It's available in English and has lots of excellently written and well ordered information.
E.g. you get data about the linearity issues at the lower and upper edges of the ADC as provided by the ESP32 and much more useful information around Arduino boards and peripherals.
Good luck and enjoy getting into the ESP world...
ec2021
ESPs are not known for having high quality ADCs, this may be a bad choice.
While the "old" ESP32 has created a very bad image and there are better external ADC chips available the ADCs of younger ESP32-chips have been improved over the years.
You can get a good technical insight here
https://developer.espressif.com/blog/2025/08/adc-performance/
where you find details for these versions:
- ESP32
- ESP32-S2
- ESP32-S3
- ESP32-C3
- ESP32-C2
- ESP32-C6
- ESP32-H2
- ESP32-P4
- ESP32-C5
Bon Jovi would probably say: "You gave ESP a bad name..."
This a diagram taken from the source mentioned above:
In a nutshell: C2 gives best accuracy but is limited from 0 ... ~2800mV, C5/P4 are in the same accuracy range but go from 0 ...3300mV.
What still remains with the ESPs is the influence of using the onboard WiFi while ADC readings are done. WiFi use effects the internal DC voltage. So the application has to make sure not to use WiFi while reading ADC pins. If you do not intend to use the Wifi/Bluetooth part in your sketch this problem will not appear.
I agree with @LarryD The 5V boards are generally more rugged and will tolerate some mistooks better then others. For the most part the code is the same. The initial learning curve will be much easier and the Nano has 6 analog inputs and the Nano has 8. The only real difference is the UNO did not pin out two of the A/
d. If you use I2C you lose 2 of the A/Ds on either. The hardware design is a bit easier as well and what you learn will also apply to the ESP devices later.
Typo error:
==> UNO
i got a multimeter a while ago, got it for 5.5 bucks
i have both, an Arduino UNO and an ESP32, i was working with AVR with my UNO to be able to make songs with multiplexing (being able to get more tones when it can only make one), and its kinda neat, i surpassed 16+ channels with multiplexing before resetting itself cuz of the load
i meant a DAC sorry, i am experimenting with audio rn
As said, most ESP32 chips have I2S audio (not to be confused with I2C).
The ESP32 can do much more than just tones. Talking (robot), stereo CD quality music and internet radio are a few examples.
Leo..