Sound Reactive LED's for Art Installation: PROTOTYPE

I wanted to add a lighting and sound element to a digital display of my artwork. Using a sound sensor for input, an Arduino Uno, and some addressable LED's as an output I was able to create a display of lights to accent my artwork that reacted to whatever music I chose for the piece. With the lights being addressable LED's, I'm able to chose the colors fairly quickly if I decide to display a different piece.

This tutorial gives a step-by-step walk through and demonstration oh how I constructed it. I've also includes the code I used for this project with my customizations on it.

All parts used (with the exception of the sound sensor and LED's) were included in the ELEGOO Super Starter Kit. I will also link where to purchase these parts individually for those not wanting to get the full kit:

1 x Arduino Uno (I used the Elegoo Uno R3)

1 x Sound Microphone Sensor

1x Strip of addressable LED's (There are several to chose from, but the specific one's used in this project can be found here)

3 x Male to male dupont jumper wires

3 x Male to female Dupont jumper wires

1 x Breadboard

There are several effects that can be made, but the basic setup requires an input of the sound sensor into the Arduino and an output to the LED through a digital pin. I set up my breadboard as follows:

• Arduino
  • GND (to '-' on breadboard)
  • 5V (to '+' on breadboard)
• Sensor
  • GND ('-' on breadboard)
  • VCC ('+' on breadboard)
  • A0 (on Arduino)
• LED strip
• GND (to '-' on breadboard)
• Power ('+' on breadboard)
• Data Output (Digital pin ~5 on Arduino)

Please see the diagram and pictures for further visual reference.

*Note: Make sure all GND and power hookups are on the same line as the Arduino.

*Note: The order in which the LED hookups are depends on the kind you buy. The component in Fritzing diagram has them in order of DIN, 5V, GND and the ones I used in order by GND, DIN, 5V. check your specific part for the order.

Once I found a code that produced the visual effect I wanted, I downloaded the code and made a few adjustments to tailor them to my specific needs. For example, the number of LEDs used and the colors to be produced by the lights.

After downloading the code and the initial tweaks, I uploaded the code to the Arduino. If everything uploads ok, I go through this process a few times until I'm satisfied with the results.

Code below:

The finished product should look something like the following video, depending on the colors chosen. Being just a prototype, it still needs finishing touches to the display.

Example audio used:

Song to The Siren - Rose Betts

Digital Painting:

"Weightless" By Sara Thompson