# Simple and small audio board? **URL:** \ **Category:** Audio\ **Created:** [December 13, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191 "2022-12-13T19:05:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![delingren](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/delingren/32/1098792_2.png) [@delingren](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/delingren)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/1 "2022-12-13T19:05:05Z")
I am working on a project where I want to be able to play a few short and low-quality mono sound clips. I did some research and came across a couple of options: - [PCM library](https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/libraries/pcm/) to play directly from the microcontroller. It looks like it only supports Uno and I'm hoping to use Pro Micro (ATMega32u4 based, more or less equivalent to Leonardo, I guess). And it uses a timer on the microcontroller, which might have conflicts with other libraries or causing timing issues with servo and motor logic. An async mechanism would be ideal. - [YX5300](https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-YX5300-Control-Serial-Arduino/dp/B0725RHR4D). It looks like it'll be sufficient. But it's definitely an overkill for me. I'm hoping to find something even smaller and less powerful. I don't really need mp3 decoding. I can store wav files. I also don't need it to be able to drive a speaker. My speaker is powered and has an NPN transistor connected. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![madmark2150](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@madmark2150](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/madmark2150)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/2 "2022-12-13T22:26:08Z")
leave the speaker off the card and just use the 1/8" (3.5mm) jack to drive your speaker. The type of file isn't going to impact the card size, power, or programing, you might not have a choice between mp3/wav. ![1647490204162](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/9/a/d/9ad5b21bf6f59009096f46334e6fe2be653d413c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![anon94801460](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@anon94801460](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/anon94801460)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/3 "2022-12-13T22:34:45Z")
The PCM library works with the ATmega32u4, but you always have to pay attention to the possibility of timer conflicts with other libraries. If you do run across a conflict,there are workarounds for most of them. ---
**Author:** ![patduino](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/patduino/32/215484_2.png) [@patduino](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/patduino)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 1:02am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/4 "2022-12-14T01:02:27Z")
I'm not familiar with what's been suggested so far, so this may be overkill or underkill. Have you looked at [DFPlayer](https://wiki.dfrobot.com/DFPlayer_Mini_SKU_DFR0299) ? I've used this a number of times and is really easy to use. ---
**Author:** ![madmark2150](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@madmark2150](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/madmark2150)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/5 "2022-12-14T01:18:11Z")
How do you mount the DFplayer? Its got to be mechanically sound to withstand repeated sd insert/removals. With no mounting holes you either have to design a PCB or have it floating at the end of a clump of duponts. Perhaps epoxy it down? Electrically and software wise it might be simple, but if I can't build without a PCB its not really suitable for a low to medium volume product. I'm trying to plug & chug with COTS parts, as few manual assemblies (soldering specifically) and custom parts as possible. I suppose for an embedded product that never needs to change the sd its ok, but how do you put that module into a user accessable device? ![1646281146335](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/1/9/7/197fb578e7be60205fb5643d34472fe6be3f261a.jpeg) This module has the sd card inserted in the side. You wind up having cables from two directions and need access from a third with the mounting holes only 2mm. 3D printed holder was (failed) attempt at easy access. ![1669250582892](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/7/3/b/73b713b74ff8902c4ba54cc26ee7177d8c4f3d81.jpeg) Sd card access is under cover shown in urhc above CR2032 label. Card is accessed monthly for captured data. ---
**Author:** ![patduino](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/patduino/32/215484_2.png) [@patduino](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/patduino)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 1:24am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/6 "2022-12-14T01:24:53Z")
I solder it to a PCB that can be mounted soundly. The miniSD card is easy to insert / remove. Maybe I missed something, but the OP was just looking for ideas and didn't ask anything about creating a medium volume product. In that case, it may not be the best option. ---
**Author:** ![madmark2150](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@madmark2150](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/madmark2150)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/7 "2022-12-14T01:35:47Z")
No you're right. But I'm STILL looking for a solve for MY product and I was hoping to hijack the thread if there was a better part than the DF one for the reasons mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![delingren](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/delingren/32/1098792_2.png) [@delingren](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/delingren)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 5:15am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/8 "2022-12-14T05:15:31Z")
Thanks for the suggestion. I came across it from my Google searches but there wasn't too much mentioning. Now you've suggested, I went ahead and read reviews on Amazon and it seems to be a solid product. It looks small enough that I can solder it on a perf board next to the microcontroller. I just ordered one from Amazon and will play with it a little. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![delingren](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/delingren/32/1098792_2.png) [@delingren](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/delingren)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 6:53am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/9 "2022-12-14T06:53:58Z")
It doesn't build out of box if I choose Leonardo. I did some searching and came across this: [Playing sound on Arduino Leonardo](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/playing-sound-on-arduino-leonardo/231378) which provided some general directions instead of working code. I understand the gist but don't have enough knowledge about these two MCUs or firmware in general to come up with a fix. Have you managed to make it build? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2023, 6:54am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/simple-and-small-audio-board/1065191/10 "2023-06-12T06:54:12Z")
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