Noob here, need advice on parts and approach on DFplayer, remote and light effec

Hi Guys,

Just getting into arduino and needed some advice on parts, integration and suggested approach on project.

Background:

What I wanted to create is something similar to this sound /light kit for the LEGO UCS Millennium Falcon

The functionality is via IR remote which plays different sounds and the back led strip illuminated to the sound output. This is shown in the video below at 3:17

I understand that we can use something like DFplayer, arduino nano, ir remote, speaker like this video here:

However I had the following questions:

  1. How can i strictly control the led effect based on mp3/wav output only? or add a reactive led effect to the circuit?

  2. I thought about having 2 separate circuits one with a microphone input that drives the led effect next to the speaker BUT that would also feedback to the led based on background noise so not ideal.

Would anyone have a suggested approach or solution to this? or know of a project or video on youtube to something similar?

Thanks in advance
Konrad