Hi! I had a question that I needed some guidance on. I am planning to make a circuit that will play an audio aloud and light up certain color LEDs for different time intervals throughout the audio. I was wondering if there are any modules that could make this easier or if the best way is to just use an Arduino and code it accordingly. I would really appreciate any input!
It might not be easy. Some audio modules/library plays the file to the end before returning execution.
That calls for an interrupt based timer to execute the LED action. Syncronization will not be possible.
Maybe more experienced audio helpers have a solution.
There is one chip I know of that will drive an LED matrix with audio modulation. This is the data sheet:-
31FL3731 (144 Leds).pdf (735.2 KB)
You can get it in an ssop28 pin surface mount package, so that could be hand soldered to a break out PCB, commonly found on eBay, which would convert it into a 0.1" pitch for normal bread board, or strip board use.
Or this is an AdaFruit break out board.
Note this is a monochrome LED matrix, but if you make your matrix from individual LEDs it can be used to drive different colours.
But on the whole it is probably best to use your own display and code. I would use the dotStar LEDs rather than the normal Neopixel ones because they can be driven without turning the interrupts off.
Do some research on color organs, they are relative easy to build and can be inexpensive.
Sounds like a project for using the DFRobot Mini MP3 Player.
Audio could be played at random or scheduled times. While a track was playing, LEDs could be controlled at times based on the start of play.