MSGEQ7 and Arduino question

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Software Syntax & Programs
1

Hello,

I am new to Arduino. I just got my Uno earlier this week. I have been working through the tutorials, and learning more and more. I am working on a project for Christmas 2011. I have a few strings of GE Color Effects lights. They basically are RGB LEDs that are programmable with the Arduino. I have hooked a string up and got them working with the Arduino.

Now, this is what I would like to do. I have a MSGEQ7 chip on order, and plan on using it to make it a color organ. I am not worried about how to connect it to the Arduino, as I have a schematic for that. What I would like to do is the following:

if (is_music_playing)
{
  // Forward the MSGEQ7 output to the string
}
else 
{
  // Have a pre-programmed blinks, twinkles, chasers, etc sequence run
}

What I can't figure out right now is the"is_music_playing." Is there a way to tell if the MSGEQ7 is not outputting anything?

Please let me know if I am missing info, as I am new to this. I do not have much, if any code, I am just starting to write that now.

Thank you in advance,

Erik

2

Now that you have made your first post, you can post links. A link to the chip in question would be a good thing.

3

Here are some links to the chip.

http://www.mix-sig.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=145:msgeq7-&catid=52&Itemid=55

Connecting it to an Arduino:
http://skoba.no-ip.org/msgeq7/index.html

Thanks,

Erik

4

Where is the data coming from that would influence the "is_music_playing" variable?

Knowing whether you are sending data to the chip, or not, seems trivial.

5

Where is the data coming from that would influence the "is_music_playing" variable?

That is the core of the question. The MSGEQ7 chip will be hooked up to a 3.5 mm headphone jack that will be connected to something to playing music (stereo, mp3 player, etc). I want to know how I know if there is output coming from the chip or not.

Knowing whether you are sending data to the chip, or not, seems trivial.

The data will be coming from the MSGEQ7 chip, I am not sending data to it, the music player is.

Thanks,

Erik

6

I am not sending data to it, the music player is.

So, what exactly IS the Arduino doing? Looks to me like it's sitting on the sidelines spectating.

7 
So, what exactly IS the Arduino doing? Looks to me like it's sitting on the sidelines spectating.

It will be taking the output from the MSGEQ7, and translating it to the protocol needed to drive the Christmas lights. When there is no music, the Arduino will send the lights other sequences like blinking, chasing lights etc.

Thanks,

Erik

8

It will be taking the output from the MSGEQ7

OK. The MSGEQ7 has an output pin. It appears that that pin can be connected to an analog pin. When the analog pin reads 0 (or some small value), the chip isn't getting any input (music in) either, so, do something different.

9

OK, so something like this should work:

int read_value = analogRead(my_analog_pin);
if (read_value) // or read_value < (some acceptable low threshhold)
{
   // Translate read_value to output for lights
}
else
{
   // Send other sequence data to the lights
}

That seems obvious now, but I was having a serious brain fart before.

Thank you for your help,

Erik

10

Let me know how the project turn out :slight_smile: And document!!

I got 2 sets of G-35 lights as well, got it to work with the Arduino already and gonna do four eight segment display with them.

I didn't plan on making it output to music... but this MSGEQ7 sounds interesting.