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Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

wegi1 8421 8

TL;DR

  • A minimalist LED-to-music flasher uses a microphone and a tiny one-sided 34x25 mm PCB to make LEDs pulse to sound.
  • The circuit relies on 3 resistors, 2 NPN transistors, and 2 capacitors; Q1 amplifies the mic signal and drives Q2 to switch the LEDs.
  • At 5 volts, the whole circuit drew less than 1 mA at rest and up to 91 mA under the loudest test.
  • The measured load stays within the 9014C transistor’s 0.1 A limit, but the design is for flashing only, not audio playback.
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Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
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  • Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    The topic is related to:

    edu elektroda.pl # 04 operational amplifiers - LED current stabilization
    FAQ LED flashing to the beat of the music

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    As you can see, a lot of space is devoted to LED flashing to the rhythm of the music and why set up a new, related topic? The reason for this is the designed chip, the Chinese putty, which needs the fewest parts for this. The presented diagrams in related threads are more advanced, complex and may have other possibilities, while the unique feature of this kit is its minimalist design, with the same effectiveness. I wouldn't like to use phrases like "the beauty of design" here, but the design is really well done, despite the suspicions of LED or output transistor burnout. You can see that it is a well-thought-out design, even though it is simple, but the simplicity is the result of good knowledge of electronics.

    To pulsate the LED to the rhythm of the music, the author only needed:
    3 resistors
    2 NPN transistors
    2 capacitors
    Microphone
    LED lights
    The size of the PCB is 34x25 mm (one-sided).

    Diagram:

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    I decided to check the suspicion of excessive current that could damage the diodes or the Q2 transistor (NPN 9014) by measuring the current consumption of the entire system at rest and during the highest load:
    - at rest, the system consumed less than 1 mA [milliampere]
    - with the greatest possible noise that I was able to produce 91 mA [milliamps], which is unrealistic, because even by directly rubbing and tapping the microphone itself, the intensity did not exceed 80 milliamps.
    The manufacturer foresaw the possibility of supplying 3 to 5 volts, I measured the consumption at 5 volts to measure the worst case.

    Having two values - supply voltage and current intensity - using the simplest formulas, you can calculate the circuit impedance and the power dissipated.

    Calculating the impedance from Ohm's law:

    R = U / I = 5V / 0.091A = 55?

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    Now that we have made an effort to calculate the impedance, we can calculate the power of the circuit:

    P [W] = I * I [A * A] * R [?] = 0.091 [A] * 0.091 [A] * 55 [?] = 0.45545 [W] ?0.45 [W]

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music


    In fact, you didn't even have to work hard to calculate the impedance, because having the value of the consumed current and the supply voltage, you can calculate the power consumption using the formula:

    P [W] = U [V] * I [A] = 5 [V] * 0.091 [A] = 0.45545 [W] ?0.45 [W]

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    Knowing that the current consumption by the system at rest was negligible, it can be seen in the diagram that the transistor Q2 9014 is the most loaded element.

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    In any case, we have two important results to try to verify the load on the circuit:
    1. Power 0.45 W
    2. Maximum current 0.091 A
    Having the product card from 9014C (I checked, they are installed"C" versions ;) you can look for 3 parameters of this transistor:
    1. The maximum current that can be "passed" through it = 0.1 A
    2. Power dissipation 0.45 W
    3. You can take a look at the HFE, although this is just for reference as the spread is too large (200-600).

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    We do not exceed the maximum current of the transistor , in fact it does not exceed 80 mA, the power dissipated is like a pin, we must know that this power is not all the time, but at the highest peak in the voice wave chart. My point is this is not a continuous load as you can see in the oscillogram taken from the collector of output transistor Q2.

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    By the way, you can see what the microphone signal level looks like.

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    The layout is very simple and can be simulated, see below for simulation link.

    https://everycircuit.com/circuit/4631294967021568/minimal-led-blink

    Simulation screenshoot:

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    You can see that the signal from the microphone oscillates around the mass of ? 25 mV. After cutting the DC component downstream of the 1 uF capacitor, the oscillation is still 50 mVpp, but it has moved to 0.75 V by biasing the base with a 1 M? resistor and controls the base of the transistor. At the collector Q1 and the base of Q2, the signal oscillates from 0 to over 1 V alternately opening and closing the output transistor Q2, which has a polarized base through a fairly large 10 K resistor, thanks to which Q2 will not enter a state of deep saturation. By using such larger resistors, you can minimize the number of components and you don't need to use a collector-emitter current limiting resistor, that's the trick.
    More or less, but rather more, it should be assumed that the currents flowing through D1 to D5 are proportionally divided into 5 equal currents, so that we do not exceed the current that could damage the LEDs. 90 mA (in peak) divided into 5 diodes does not even exceed 20 mA. In this way, we came to the point that we know that we can be confident about the most loaded elements of the circuit, the Q2 output transistor and LEDs, although it must be admitted that we had to think about it a bit.
    Whatever the inaccuracies and distortions this circuit has, we need to know that it does not transfer the voice for listening, but uses the voice signal to flash the LEDs, for which the circuit is perfectly sufficient.

    Since the system is very simple to build, and at the same time it is quite unusual, it is not difficult to make it on a PCB:

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music

    Minimal set to flash the LED to the beat of the music


    A video showing how the system works.
    [movie: d56c788336] https://filmy.elektroda.pl/79_1658700405.mp4 [/ movie: d56c788336]

    Gerber files in the attachment, if someone would like to order the PCB of the discussed system.
    Attachments:
    • _15_Gerber_PCB_LED_LINK_MSX.zip (8.69 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.

    Cool? Ranking DIY
    About Author
    wegi1
    Level 13  
    Offline 
    wegi1 wrote 41 posts with rating 56, helped 3 times. Been with us since 2004 year.
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  • #2 20115949
    TechEkspert
    Editor
    Posts: 7025
    Help: 16
    Rate: 5450
    Board Language: polish
    Diversity is always a good approach, sometimes complex articles appear and sometimes reviews of simple products.
    Interestingly, in simple projects there is often a lot of room for experimentation, there is already an extensive topic about LEDs flashing to the beat of the music, and yet there is still something to add.
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  • #3 20116714
    szeryf3
    Level 30  
    Posts: 2046
    Help: 12
    Rate: 670
    Board Language: polish
    Nice little layout.
    I see you've figured it out in every possible way.
  • #4 20117148
    398216 Usunięty
    Level 43  
    Posts: 34007
    Help: 3912
    Rate: 9179
    Board Language: polish
    szeryf3 wrote:
    Nice little layout.
    [...] you figured it out in all possible ways.

    Agreed, it is a pity that the author did not notice the disadvantages of this solution.
    It will work because there is no other option, but it is far from ideal - to act with meaning. All in all, it's such a glimpse for a total amateur - let it only work - somehow.
    Nevertheless, you have a plus for developing the topic.
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  • #5 20118223
    ArturAVS
    Moderator
    Posts: 25982
    Help: 2292
    Rate: 7706
    Board Language: polish
    It is not exactly the minimum set to "blink" in rhythm. Who remembers the 90s knows that the first "effects" of this type appeared along with the so-called "dachshunds" where the diodes were directly connected in parallel with the loudspeakers to the outputs of the power amplifiers, and often even without resistors limiting the LED current. Even the pop star used in the video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDwb9jOVRtU
  • #6 20120807
    Casimirvs
    Level 6  
    Posts: 12
    Board Language: polish
    Hello forum members
    On the subject and the layout itself, as a freshman, I have a question.
    I would like to make such a sound spectrometer, but in the macro version, i.e. not with 5 LEDs but with 30, the sound is picked up by the microphone. I would like to close the performance itself in front of the wall by covering it with white plexiglass.

    However, it is about the circuit itself, whether you can recommend something proven, or do it yourself on the basis of an arduino (although with this number of LEDs you will need 3 pcs), or make the circuit yourself on the PCB. When it comes to soldering and electronics basics, I can do it (I can replace a capacitor or a resistor), but when it comes to choosing the current and voltage for the system so that it works and does not burn out during startup, I do not fully understand it.

    Thanks for the hints.
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  • #8 20129475
    wegi1
    Level 13  
    Posts: 41
    Help: 3
    Rate: 56
    Board Language: polish
    Having grown up children, nobody expects gifts for themselves, and here you are:

    Electroda.pl promo set with Kingston microSD card.

    Many thanks to Elektroda Team.
  • #9 20158152
    gulson
    System Administrator
    Posts: 29225
    Help: 148
    Rate: 5978
    Board Language: polish
    No problem, we recommend ourselves for the future and invite you to the next presentations :)
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around creating a minimalistic circuit to flash LEDs in sync with music. The original poster highlights a simple design that requires fewer components compared to more complex existing solutions. Responses from forum members express a mix of appreciation for the simplicity and concerns about the design's limitations. One user reminisces about older methods of connecting LEDs directly to speaker outputs, while another seeks advice on building a larger sound spectrometer with 30 LEDs, considering both analog and digital approaches. Recommendations for proven kits and resources are provided, emphasizing the ease of digital solutions over analog ones.
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FAQ

TL;DR: A 5-LED music-beat flasher runs on 3-5 V and draws a measured peak 91 mA [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222] “Far from ideal” [Elektroda, 398216, post #20117148] yet it works; keep Q2’s 0.1 A limit in mind. Build with 3 resistors, 2 NPN 9014C transistors, 2 capacitors, and a mic.

Why it matters: You get a pocket-sized light effect with parts that cost under €1 and fit on a 34 × 25 mm PCB.

Quick Facts

• Supply range: 3–5 V DC, single rail [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222] • Peak current: 91 mA (audio burst), idle <1 mA [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222] • PCB footprint: 34 mm × 25 mm, single-sided [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222] • Q2 transistor limit: 0.1 A Ic, 0.45 W Pd @25 °C [HTC-Korea 9014 Datasheet] • Component count: 3 resistors, 2 capacitors, 2 NPN 9014C, 1 electret mic, 5 LEDs [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222]

What is the absolute minimum parts list for a music-beat LED flasher?

You need 3 fixed resistors, 2 NPN 9014C transistors, 2 electrolytic capacitors, one electret microphone capsule, and 5 LEDs wired in parallel [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222]

How does the circuit amplify the microphone signal?

Q1 biases the electret mic through a 1 MΩ resistor, AC-couples via 1 µF, and swings 0–1 V at its collector, which drives Q2’s base through 10 kΩ; this gives single-stage amplification without deep saturation [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222]

What supply voltage and current should I budget?

Run the board from any regulated 3–5 V source; worst-case bursts draw 91 mA, average music load stays below 20 mA [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222]

Will the 9014C output transistor overheat?

No, bursts stay under its 0.1 A Ic and 0.45 W Pd ratings, and duty cycle is low, so junction temperature rise is modest [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222] Continuous 100 % volume could exceed 0.45 W and fail the part—an edge case to avoid.

How many LEDs can I drive safely from one Q2?

Five standard 5 mm LEDs divide the 90 mA peak to ≈18 mA each—within typical 20 mA limits [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222] For more LEDs, use series strings or add driver stages.

I want a 30-LED wall spectrometer—what’s the easiest route?

Use a digital strip (e.g., WS2812) plus an MCU board like Arduino; one AVT-2864 kit drives 30 channels from a microphone and costs about €10 [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20120819]

What are the main drawbacks of the minimalist design?

It lacks frequency filtering, brightness control, and reverse-polarity protection; an expert called it “far from ideal” for serious work [Elektroda, 398216, post #20117148]

Can I simulate the circuit before soldering?

Yes. An EveryCircuit model shows mic input (~50 mVpp) and Q2 collector pulses; run it online at the shared link [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222]

How do I build the board?

  1. Etch or order the provided single-sided Gerber (34 × 25 mm). 2. Solder the lowest parts first: resistors, transistors, mic. 3. Add LEDs last, then power at 3–5 V and test with music. [Elektroda, wegi1, post #20115222]

Is there a ready-made kit alternative?

Yes, the AVT-2864 audio-reactive bargraph kit ships with PCB, MCU, and firmware; assemble in 30 min and drive up to 40 LEDs [AVT Manual].

What happens if I connect LEDs straight across speaker outputs?

In the 1990s people did that, but DC offsets and >20 V peaks can instantly destroy LEDs or short the amplifier [Elektroda, ArturAVS, post #20118223]

How can I tweak sensitivity without adding many parts?

Reduce the 1 MΩ bias resistor to 470 kΩ for lower gain, or raise the 10 kΩ base resistor to 22 kΩ to limit Q2 drive; both are single-component changes.
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