Sound/Audio Level Indicator
![Sound-level Indicator (Schematics available - FREE)](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F74/1AK0/JWUYKWUA/F741AK0JWUYKWUA.jpg&filename=Sound-level Indicator (Schematics available - FREE))
In this project, I will show you how to build a simple sound-level indicator using operational amplifiers.
Note: To ask questions, please visit my site at Ask the Expert.
Helpful Supplemental Videos:
- Simulated Circuit Set Up On A Bread Board (Proto-typing board)
- Multi-Source and Multi-Loop Bread board (Proto-typing board) Circuit Setup
Equipment:
- Dual Power supply or two power supply sources.
- Proto-typing board
- Connection wires
Downloads
Supplies
- (11) - 741 Op-amps
- (10) – 330Ω Resistors or (1) 4116R-1-331 and (2) 330Ω Resistors
- (1) – 1KΩ Resistor
- (1) – 1MΩ Resistor
- (1) – DC-10-IDA (10-bar LEDs)
- (1) – replacement headphone plug
- (1) – replacement headphone jack
Connect the Amplifier Circuit From the Schematic Below One Part of the Proto-typing Board.
![sound level - amp.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGQ/3TYA/JXOYP1MH/FGQ3TYAJXOYP1MH.png&filename=sound level - amp.png)
![amp-image.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F0X/Q51Y/JXOYP55P/F0XQ51YJXOYP55P.png&filename=amp-image.png)
Connect the 10-bar LED Display Driver Circuit As Shown Below on a Different Portion of the Board.
![sound level2 - amp.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F7S/WHQJ/JXOYP6HQ/F7SWHQJJXOYP6HQ.png&filename=sound level2 - amp.png)
![top-two-level-indicator.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FCB/GITG/JXOYP6IH/FCBGITGJXOYP6IH.png&filename=top-two-level-indicator.png)
Note 1: Area in the yellow box in the schematic represents the area connected in the photo. You will need to connect the remaining 8 using the same or similar connection pattern.
Note 2: The images shows the 4116R-1-331 with the two 330Ω resistors in the lower left area of the image.
Helpful How to Videos:
Connect the Output of the Amplifier Circuit to the Input of the 10-bar LED Display Driver Circuit.
![amp-out-soundlevel-in.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FEN/G6BR/JXOYPA2U/FENG6BRJXOYPA2U.png&filename=amp-out-soundlevel-in.png)
Solder Wires to the Pins on the Replacement Headphone Plug and Jack.
![plug.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FNK/HWZZ/JX56ZX6P/FNKHWZZJX56ZX6P.png&filename=plug.png)
![jack.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FAJ/IPP9/JX56ZX1F/FAJIPP9JX56ZX1F.png&filename=jack.png)
Note: The plug shown is a mono plug and the jack is configured for a mono input. You may choose to configure your set up for stereo.
Helpful How to Videos:
At the Input of the Amplifier Circuit, Connect the Wires From the Replacement Headphone Plug and Jack.Note: Grounds(black Wires From the Plug and Jack and Ground From the Amplifier and Driver Circuits) All Connected Together.
![jack-plug-added.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FG3/NWF3/JXOYP9FA/FG3NWF3JXOYP9FA.png&filename=jack-plug-added.png)
Connect the Replacement Headphone Plug to the Music or Sound Source (example: Mp3 Player, Cell Phone, Stereo, Etc.).
![source.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FTR/32A9/JXOYPAJP/FTR32A9JXOYPAJP.png&filename=source.png)
Connect Speakers or Headphones to the Replacement Headphone Jack.
![player-headphone.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F0X/COQH/JXOYPAKD/F0XCOQHJXOYPAKD.png&filename=player-headphone.png)
Turn on the Power Supply (or Power Supplies) to Power the Circuit.
![power-supply-1-on.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FUZ/8K40/JXOYPEHK/FUZ8K40JXOYPEHK.png&filename=power-supply-1-on.png)
![power-supply-2-on.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FCU/PC8Y/JXOYPEMV/FCUPC8YJXOYPEMV.png&filename=power-supply-2-on.png)
Your power supply should be able to produce positive voltages (5V and variable voltage up to at least 10V) and negative voltage (variable to at least -10V).
Turn on the Music or Sound Source and Adjust the Volume Until at Minimum One Led Is on When No Sound Is Generated by the Music Source.
![source-on.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZT/ZN4P/JXOYPFDN/FZTZN4PJXOYPFDN.png&filename=source-on.png)
![volume-adjust.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2Q/0PDW/JXOYPFS5/F2Q0PDWJXOYPFS5.png&filename=volume-adjust.png)
Note: See video on how to make the adjustment to ensure one LED is on.
Play Sound or Music. Make Additional Adjustments to the Sound Level If Necessary.
![volume-adjust.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJX/B8U5/JXOYPFYJ/FJXB8U5JXOYPFYJ.png&filename=volume-adjust.png)
Note: Make additional adjustments on the music source.