LED Project-- is it possible?

Hello! I am completely new to arduinos or any sort of micro processors.

I have this idea to make an arduino system to amplify the input from a car stereo so that LEDs will blink to the beat of music at a relative brightness no matter the volume.

My question is if this is even possible to do with an arduino, specially for some one who is completely new to this and how would i go about starting this.

What setup and micro processor should i use, etc. Any help will be useful :slight_smile:

Thanks,
Daniel

If you want to monitor the relative volume, like a vu-meter, you can get some inspiration from this project:

If you want to monitor frequencies, like an audio spectrum analyzer, arduino may not be the best choice, but you can get some inspiration from this project:

Thanks, florinc, my project is more like the first one. However, is it possible to have the signal come from the stereo instead of a microphone? They both output a rhythm of electricity.

What I want the arduino to do is basically this:

If the PEAK voltage is below a certain number, it should output a higher voltage to the LEDs. I want the LEDS to have a certain maximum brightness regardless of the volume.

Did you consider LM3914 for your project?
http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/nationalsemiconductor/DS007970.PDF

I think that may work! Ill see if i can order one and play around with the stuff.

Thanks again!

You don't need an arduino for that. There are several VU meter ICs out there. Most work with line out - which I am not sure what a car stereo would have. Line out is not an amplified signal. To do a spectrum analyzer you will have to look into different filters. High pass, low pass, and band pass I believe.

I don't think the signal is amplified. I have stuck LEDs onto the signal directly and it gives a great effect, the problem is that the volume has to be really loud for there to be enough current to light them up.

I guess what I'm going for is a simple amplifier that will keep the current at a certain range of voltage.