I need advice on how to implement something like this as standalone (without a computer or mp3 player)? would this be possible or is it just not possible at all? I've been searching everywhere with no luck at all.
If the above is not possible and I do have to plug into the computer (or possibly a headphone jack) how would you suggest I get to a standalone project? I've seen ATtiny (45 & 85's) would I download everything to one of these to eliminate the arduino board? or will plugging in a headphone jack do the trick on its own?
Any help or links on the subject would be greatly appreciated!
This kind of thing normally uses FFT to analyze the sampled audio data and then represent the result/s either as a spectrum or intensity.
The problem you have is the Arduino does not have enough "horsepower" to sample and do FFT on three bands (low, mid and high).
However if you a prepared to use some hardware to help the Arduino along, then it is achievable.
Basically you make a audio pre-amp, then split the audio into three filters (a low pass, a band pass and a high pass), rectify the outputs and feed them to the ADCs of the Arduino.
The Arduino will then read the voltages (which represent the level of frequencies of each filter) and you can display it on three leds by way of brightness by using pwm.
