MSGEQ7 output voltage level

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

So I'm using a MSGEQ7 with an audio input to drive an led strip, and I've been experiencing some led flicker when there is no audio input.

I used an oscilloscope on the output pin of the MSGEQ7 and I see the 7 bands all doing their thing as expected when I have an audio signal. Perfect all systems go...!

Now if I ground the audio input, I still see 7 bands fluctuating on the output at around 250mV.
this was not what I expected....

So having done a little Googl'ing and reviewing some example projects (russe11m blogspot demo) they mention an expected output of 50-80mV.
Hence they code a filter value or threshold to ingnore sampled values below 80mV

So I understand that and can code around the problem.
My question is, why is my output 250mV?

I've checked the circuit multiple times, I've replaced components etc etc.
It's not a code problem, so I won't bother posting it.
I'm just curious if this is common, or do I have another problem?

Cheers

2

do I have another problem

Lack of decoupling?

Schematic please.

3

It depends on the input voltage level.

The datasheet says 4V typical output swing and a typical gain of 22dB (a voltage gain of ~12).

4

TheRaven762:
It's not a code problem, so I won't bother posting it.

You'd be surprised how often this statement is proven false on this forum.

TheRaven762:
I'm just curious if this is common, or do I have another problem?

It's either a code problem or hardware problem.

The input stage to the MSGEQ7 is rather easy to damage. So without code or schematic that's the only advice I can offer.