Color music on LEDs with your own hands. Color music using powerful LEDs

The inexhaustible potential of LEDs has once again been revealed in the design of new and modernization of existing color and music consoles. 30 years ago, color music, assembled from multi-colored 220-volt light bulbs connected to a cassette recorder, was considered the height of fashion. Now the situation has changed and the function of a tape recorder is now performed by any multimedia device, and instead of incandescent lamps, super-bright LEDs or LED strips are installed.

The advantages of LEDs over light bulbs in color music consoles are undeniable:

wide color gamut and more saturated light;
various design options (discrete elements, modules, RGB strips, rulers);
high response speed;
low power consumption.

How to make color music using a simple electronic circuit and make the LEDs blink from the source audio frequency? What options for converting an audio signal are there? Let's look at these and other questions using specific examples.

The simplest circuit with one LED

First you need to understand a simple color music circuit, assembled on one bipolar transistor, resistor and LED. It can be powered from a DC source with a voltage of 6 to 12 volts. This color music works on one transistor according to the principle of an amplification stage with a common emitter. A disturbing influence in the form of a signal with varying frequency and amplitude arrives at the VT1 base. As soon as the oscillation amplitude exceeds a certain threshold value, the transistor opens and the LED flashes.

The disadvantage of this simplest scheme is that the rate of blinking of the LED depends entirely on the level of the sound signal. In other words, a full-fledged color-musical effect will be observed only at one volume level. Lowering the volume will result in a rare wink, while increasing the volume will result in an almost constant glow.

Scheme with single-color LED strip

The simplest color music above on a transistor can be assembled using an LED strip in the load. To do this, you need to increase the supply voltage to 12V, select a transistor with the highest collector current exceeding the load current and recalculate the resistor value. Such the simplest color music made from LED strip is perfect for beginner radio amateurs to assemble with their own hands, even at home.

Simple three-channel circuit

A three-channel audio converter allows you to get rid of the shortcomings of the previous scheme. The simplest scheme of color music with the division of the sound range into three parts is shown in the figure.
It is powered by a constant voltage of 9V and can illuminate one or two LEDs in each channel. The circuit consists of three independent amplifier stages assembled on KT315 (KT3102) transistors, the load of which includes LEDs of different colors. As a pre-amplification element, you can use a small step-down network transformer.

The input signal is fed to the secondary winding of the transformer, which performs two functions: galvanically isolates the two devices and amplifies the sound from the line output. Next, the signal goes to three parallel-connected filters assembled on the basis of RC circuits. Each of them operates in a specific frequency band, which depends on the values of resistors and capacitors. The low-pass filter passes sound vibrations with a frequency of up to 300 Hz, as indicated by the blinking red LED. Sound in the range of 300-6000 Hz passes through the mid-pass filter, which is manifested in the flickering of the blue LED. The high-pass filter passes a signal whose frequency is greater than 6000 Hz, which corresponds to the green LED. Each filter is equipped with a trimming resistor. With their help, you can set the uniform glow of all LEDs, regardless of the musical genre. At the output of the circuit, all three filtered signals are amplified by transistors.

If the circuit is powered from a low-voltage DC source, then the transformer can be safely replaced with a single-stage transistor amplifier.
Firstly, galvanic isolation loses its practical meaning. Secondly, the transformer is several times inferior to the circuit shown in the figure in terms of weight, size and cost. The circuit of a simple audio amplifier consists of a KT3102 transistor, two capacitors that cut off the DC component, and resistors that provide the transistor with a common emitter. Using a trimmer resistor, you can achieve overall amplification of a weak input signal.

In the case when it is necessary to amplify the signal from the microphone, an electret microphone is connected to the input of the previous circuit, applying potential to it from the power source. Two-stage circuit preamp shown in the figure.
In this case, the trimming resistor is located at the output of the first amplifier stage, which gives more opportunities for adjusting sensitivity. Capacitors C1-C3 pass the useful component and cut off the direct current. Any electret microphone is suitable for implementation, for normal operation which requires a bias of 1.5V.

Color music with RGB LED strip

The following circuit of a color music console operates on 12 volts and can be installed in a car. It combines the main functions of the previously discussed circuit solutions and is capable of operating in color music and lamp modes.

The first mode is achieved through contactless control of the RGB strip using a microphone, and the second mode is achieved through the simultaneous illumination of red, green and blue LEDs at full power. The mode is selected using a switch located on the board. Now let’s take a closer look at how to make color music that is perfect even for installation in a car, and what parts are required for this.

Structural scheme

To understand how this color music console works, let’s first consider its structural diagram. It will help trace the full path of the signal.
The source of the electrical signal is a microphone, which converts sound vibrations from the phonogram. Because This signal is too small and must be amplified using a transistor or operational amplifier. Next comes the automatic level controller (AGC), which keeps the sound fluctuations within reasonable limits and prepares it for further processing. Filters divide the signal into three components, each of which operates only in one frequency range. In the end, all that remains is to amplify the prepared current signal, for which transistors operating in switching mode are used.

Schematic diagram

Based on the structural blocks, we can proceed to a consideration of the circuit diagram. Its general appearance is shown in the figure.
To limit current consumption and stabilize the supply voltage, resistor R12 and capacitor C9 are installed. R1, R2, C1 are set to set the microphone bias voltage. Capacitor C fc is selected individually for a specific microphone model during the setup process. It is needed in order to slightly muffle the signal of the frequency that prevails in the microphone’s operation. Usually the influence of the high-frequency component is reduced.

Unstable voltage in the vehicle network can affect the operation of color music. Therefore, it is most correct to connect homemade electronic devices through a 12V stabilizer.

Sound vibrations in the microphone are converted into an electrical signal and, through C2, are supplied to the direct input of the operational amplifier DA1.1. From its output, the signal goes to the input of the operational amplifier DA1.2, equipped with a feedback circuit. The resistances of resistors R5, R6 and R10, R11 set the gain DA1.1, DA1.2 equal to 11. The elements of the OS circuit: VD1, VD2, C4, C5, R8, R9 and VT1, together with DA1.2, are part of the AGC. At the moment a signal of too large an amplitude appears at the output of DA1.2, transistor VT1 opens and, through C4, closes the input signal to the common wire. This results in an instantaneous reduction in the output voltage.

Then the stabilized alternating current of audio frequency passes through the cut-off capacitor C8, after which it is divided into three RC filters: R13, C10 (LF), R14, C11, C12 (MF), R15, C13 (HF). In order for the color music on LEDs to shine brightly enough, you need to increase the output current to the appropriate value. For tape with a consumption of up to 0.5A per channel, medium-power transistors such as KT817 or imported BD139 without mounting on a radiator are suitable. If the do-it-yourself light-music assembly involves a load of about 1A, then the transistors will require forced cooling.

In the collectors of each output transistor (parallel to the output) there are diodes D6-D8, the cathodes of which are connected to each other and connected to switch SA1 (White light). The second contact of the switch is connected to the common wire (GND). While SA1 is open, the circuit operates in color music mode. When the switch contacts are closed, all the LEDs in the strip light up at full brightness, forming a total white stream of light.

Printed circuit board and assembly parts

To make a printed circuit board, you will need a single-sided PCB measuring 50 by 90 mm and a ready-made .lay file, which can be downloaded. For clarity, the board is shown from the side of the radio elements. Before printing, you must set its mirror image. Layer M1 shows 3 jumpers placed on the parts side.
To assemble color music from an LED strip with your own hands, you will need accessible and inexpensive components. An electret type microphone, suitable in a protective case from old audio equipment. Light music is assembled on a TL072 chip in a DIP8 package. Capacitors, regardless of type, must have a voltage reserve and be designed for 16V or 25V. If necessary, the board design allows you to install output transistors on small radiators. A terminal block with 6 positions is soldered on the edge for supplying power, connecting an RGB LED strip and a switch. A complete list of elements is given in the table. In conclusion, I would like to note that the number of output channels in a homemade color music set-top box can be increased as many times as desired. To do this, you need to divide the entire frequency range into a larger number of sectors and recalculate the bandwidth of each RC filter. Connect LEDs of intermediate colors to the outputs of additional amplifiers: violet, turquoise, orange. Do-it-yourself color music will only become more beautiful from such an improvement.

The given diagrams belong to the site cxem.net

Advantages of LED products

The modern electronics market presents a wide variety of LED strips that have a wide variety of color effects. With their help, you can create high-quality spot lighting; it is possible to create color music with flashing or blurry effects.

Unlike conventional light bulbs, LEDs have many positive characteristics. Among the main advantages of LED strips are:

wide and varied range of colors;
rendering rich colors;
different design options - rulers, modules, discrete elements, RGB strips;
high response speed;
minimum amount of energy consumed.

The ribbons can be used at home, in clubs and cafes, and can be used to effectively illuminate shop windows. This article will describe in more detail the option of LED color music for ordinary home use.

Simple circuit with one lamp

To begin with, it is worth studying simple diagram color music. This is a device that consists of one LED, transistor and resistor. Power for such color music can be supplied from a constant current source with a voltage of 6-12 volts. The device operates on the principle of an amplification stage with a common emitter. The impact in the form of a signal varying in frequency and amplitude arrives at the main base. As soon as the oscillation frequency exceeds a certain threshold value, the transistor opens and the LED immediately flashes.

This scheme has one drawback - the LED blinking rate depends entirely on the level of the sound signal produced. In other words, the light effect will only be activated at a certain level of output music center volume. When the sound intensity decreases, the glow will be constant with occasional winks.

Scheme with one-color ribbon

This color music on a transistor is assembled using an LED strip in the load. To organize such color music, you will need to increase the power supply to 12 V, find and install a transistor with a maximum collector current that exceeds the load current, and you will also need to recalculate the total value of the resistor. This color music is quite simple, made on one single-color LED strip and is ideal for beginner radio amateurs. You can assemble it without any problems at home.

Simple three-channel circuit

To get color music that is free of all the disadvantages listed above, you should use a special three-channel sound converter. Such a circuit is powered by a constant voltage of 9 V and is able to effectively illuminate one or two LEDs in each channel. Among the main structural elements that characterize such a color-musical scheme are:

three independent amplifier stage, which are assembled on transistors of the KT315 category (KT3102);
LEDs of different colors are included in the transistor load;
For the pre-amplification element, a network small step-down transformer can be used.

The incoming signal is fed to the secondary winding of the transformer, which in turn performs two main functions - it decouples two devices at the galvanic level, and also amplifies the sound from the main linear output. After this, the signal is sent to three parallel and connected filters, assembled on the basis of RC circuits. They operate on an individual frequency band, which directly depends on the value of the capacitor and resistor.

Color music with RGB tape

This attachment circuit operates on 12 volts and is ideal for installation on a car. This color music optimally combines the main functions of the previously discussed schemes and is able to work both in the lamp mode and in the color music mode. The second mode is achieved through special non-contact control of the RGB strip via a microphone. As for the lamp mode, it is based on the simultaneous launch of the green, red and blue LED at full power. The mode can be selected using a special switch located on a special board.

To understand how this attachment works, it is worth studying its sequence of actions. The main source of the signal here is a microphone, which converts sound vibrations emanating from the phonogram. The received signal is insignificant and therefore requires amplification. This can be achieved by using a transistor or a special operational amplifier. After this, the automatic AGC level controller starts. It effectively keeps sound fluctuations within reasonable limits and prepares it for subsequent processing. Built-in filters divide the signal into three parts, each of which operates in one specific frequency range. Finally, you just need to amplify the previously prepared current signal. For this purpose, special transistors are used that operate in key mode.

Purchase of a ready-made CMU

If you don’t want to make a color music system for use at home, you can purchase a CMU, that is, a color music installation. This is a ready-made functional solution that includes a controller. It will process the sound, converting it into a light and music visual representation. In the process of reproducing the light, its intensity and color scheme will change, thereby creating the effect of a real disco. The CMU device also includes a panel with built-in diodes.

These devices may be based on a spectral decomposition into frequencies, where each of them will have a specific color scheme or preset adjustments with a variety of effects and their alternation. They can be configured using the included remote control.

Important! Modern CMUs are very simple to install and configure. This is an ideal solution for organizing a home party or disco.

Conclusion

There are quite a lot of schemes for independently performing color music settings. You can choose a fairly simple option, where the color of the RGB tape will simply change, to quite complex ones, which in the process of work will create a large number of different effects, overflows and attenuations. Depending on your skills, you can choose and execute the appropriate option. It is enough to work a little and create something truly unique; it will be lighting equipment that delights with the shimmer of a wide variety of color shades. Also, do not forget that there is always the opportunity to buy a ready-made color music solution and fill your home with color shades and joy.

We present to you a simple version of the color music installation, which was assembled in an unusual case. Recently we came across scrap metal profiles 20×80 and used them. In the project, it is assembled using 10W LEDs of different colors (green, blue and red).

LED color music scheme

LED color music circuit 3 channels 10 watts each

Now the strobe - it is made on the NE555 timer. As for the problem of limiting the LED current, we use the simplest solution, limiting the current through selected resistors. The resistors are bolted to the profile for heat removal and do not overheat at all, operating at a maximum temperature of 60C. The current for each LED was limited to 800 mA.

LED strobe circuit on NE555 timer

Device design

Toroidal transformer 14V 50VA. The NE555 strobe along with the IRF540 MOSFET drives two 10W cool white diodes through 5W 1.5 Ohm resistors.

CMU housing made of aluminum

All LEDs are mounted on aluminum strips, which are mounted into a common aluminum profile. After 3 hours of testing, the structure remains cold.

CMU on LEDs with a strobe in the housing

Set-top box controls

The case was equipped with potentiometers for adjusting levels, a microphone input, a power switch, a fuse, a 220 V network socket and an operating mode switch (strobe-CMU). The entire body is 700 mm long. The effect is very beautiful and powerful. You can easily illuminate a room of at least 200 square meters.

Step-by-step assembly of a simple design of LED color music, with a passing study of amateur radio programs

Good afternoon, dear radio amateurs!
Welcome to the website ““

We assemble LED light music (color music).
Part 1.

At today's lesson in Beginning radio amateur school we will start collecting LED light music. During this lesson, we will not only assemble light music, but also study another amateur radio program "Cadsoft Eagle"– a simple, but at the same time powerful, comprehensive tool for the development of printed circuit boards and we will learn how to make printed circuit boards using film photoresist. Today we will choose a circuit, look at how it works, and select the details.

Light and music (color and music) devices were very popular during the Soviet Union. They were mainly three-colored (red, green or yellow and blue) and were most often assembled using the simplest circuits on more or less affordable KU202N thyristors (which, if my memory serves me correctly, cost more than 2 rubles in stores, i.e. were quite expensive) and the simplest audio frequency input filters on coils wound on sections of ferrite rods from radio receivers. They were made mainly in two versions - in the form of three-color spotlights on 220-volt light bulbs, or a special case was made in the form of a box, where a certain number of light bulbs of each color were located inside, and the front of the box was closed with frosted glass, which made it possible to obtain a fancy look on such a screen. light accompaniment of music. Also, ordinary glass was used for the screen, and small fragments of car glass were glued on top of it for better light scattering. It was such a difficult childhood. But today, in the age of the development of incomprehensible capitalism in our country, it is possible to assemble a light and sound device for every taste, which is what we will do.

We will take as a basis LED light circuit diagram published on the website:

To this diagram we will add two more elements:

1. . Since we will have a stereo signal at the input, and in order not to lose sound from any channel, or not to connect two channels directly to each other, we will use the following input node (taken from another light-music circuit):

2. Device power supply . We will supplement the light and music circuit with a power supply assembled on a KR142EN8 microcircuit stabilizer:

This is approximately the set of parts we need to assemble:

LEDs for this device can be used of any type, but they must be super-bright and of different colors. I will use ultra-bright, highly directional LEDs, the light from which will be directed towards the ceiling. You, of course, can use a different option for the light display of the sound signal and use a different type of LEDs:

How does this scheme work? . The stereo signal from the sound source is supplied to the input node, which sums the signals from the left and right channels and feeds it to variable resistances R6, R7, R8, which regulate the signal level for each channel. Next, the signal goes to three active filters, assembled according to an identical circuit using transistors VT1-VT3, which differ only in capacitor values. The meaning of these filters is that they pass through only a strictly defined band of the audio signal, cutting off the unnecessary frequency range of the audio signal from above and below. The upper (according to the diagram) filter passes the band 100-800 Hz, the middle one – 500-2000 Hz and the lower one – 1500-5000 Hz. Using trimming resistors R5, R12 and R16, you can shift the transmitted band in any direction. If you want to obtain other signal bandwidths of the filters, you can experiment with the values of the capacitors included in the filters. Next, the signals from the filters are sent to microcircuits A1-A3 - LM3915. What kind of microcircuits are these?

LM3914, LM3915 and LM3916 chips from National Semiconductors allow you to build LED indicators with various characteristics - linear, stretched linear, logarithmic, special for monitoring an audio signal. In this case, LM3914 is for a linear scale, LM3915 is for a logarithmic scale, and LM3916 is for a special scale. We use LM3915 chips - with a logarithmic scale for monitoring the audio signal.

The initial page of the microcircuit datasheet:

(327.0 KiB, 4,279 hits)

In general, I advise you that when faced with a new, unknown radio component, look for its datasheet on the Internet and study it, especially since there are also datasheets translated into Russian.

For example, what can we glean from the first sheet of the LM3915 datasheet (even with minimal knowledge of English, and in extreme cases, using a dictionary):
- this microcircuit is an analog signal level indicator with a logarithmic display scale and a step of 3 dB;
– you can connect both LEDs and LCD indicators;
– indication can be carried out in two modes: “dot” and “column”;
– maximum output current for each LED – 30 mA;
- and so on…

By the way, what is the difference between a “dot” and a “column”. In the “dot” mode, when the next LED is turned on, the previous one goes out, and in the “column” mode, the previous LEDs do not go out. To switch to the “point” mode, just disconnect pin 9 of the microcircuit from the “+” power source, or connect it to “ground”. By the way, these microcircuits can be used to assemble very useful and interesting circuits.

Let's continue. Since alternating voltage is supplied to the inputs of the microcircuits, the glowing column of LEDs will have uneven brightness, i.e. As the input signal level increases, not only will successive LEDs light up, but their brightness will also change. Below is a table of the threshold activation of each LED for different microcircuits in volts and decibels:

Characteristics and pinout of transistor KT315:

This concludes the first part of the lesson on assembling LED light music and begins to assemble the parts. In the next part of the lesson, we will study the PCB design program “Cadsoft Eagle” and make a printed circuit board for our device using film photoresist.

Beginner Radio Amateur Competition
“My amateur radio design”

Competition design for a beginner radio amateur
“Five-channel LED color music”

Hello dear friends and site guests!
I present to your attention the third competition work (second competition of the site) of a novice radio amateur. Author of the design: Morozas Igor Anatolievich:

Five-channel LED color music

Hello radio amateurs!

Like many beginners, the main problem was where to start, what my first product would be. Started with what I wanted to buy a home first. The first is color music, the second is a high-quality headphone amplifier. I started from the first one. Color music using thyristors seems to be a hackneyed option, so I decided to put together color music for LED RGB strips. I present you with my first job.

The color music scheme was taken from the Internet. Color music is simple, with 5 channels (one channel is white background). You can connect an LED strip to each channel, but for it to work at the input you need a low-power signal amplifier. The author suggests using an amplifier from computer speakers. I went from a complicated point, to assemble an amplifier circuit according to the datasheet on a TDA2005 2x10 W microcircuit. This power seems to me to be enough, even with a reserve. I diligently redraw all the diagrams in the sPLAN 7.0 program

Fig. 1 Color music circuit with an input signal amplifier.

In the color music circuit, all capacitors are electrolytic, with a voltage of 16-25v. Where it is necessary to observe polarity, there is a “+” sign; in other cases, changing the polarity does not affect the blinking of the LEDs. At least I didn't notice it. KT819 transistors can be replaced with KT815. Resistors with a power of 0.25 W.

In the amplifier circuit, the microcircuit must be placed on a radiator of at least 100 cm2. Electrolytic capacitors with voltage 16-25v. Film capacitors C8, C9, C12, voltage 63v. Resistors R6, R7 with a power of 1 W, the rest 0.25 W. Variable resistor R0 - double, with a resistance of 10-50 kohms.

I took a factory switching power supply with a power of 100W, 2x12v, 7A

On a day off, as expected, a trip to the radio market to purchase radio parts. The next task is to draw a printed circuit board. For this I chose the Sprint-Layout 6.0 program. It is recommended by radio specialists for beginners. It is easy to study, I am convinced of this.

Fig 2. Color music board.

Fig 3. Power amplifier board.

The boards were manufactured using LUT technology. There is a lot of information about this technology on the Internet. I like it when it looks factory, so LUT did the parts too.

Fig 3.4 Assembling radio components on a board

Fig 5. Checking functionality after assembly

As always, the most “difficult” thing when assembling a radio circuit is to assemble everything into a housing. I bought the case ready-made at a radio store.

I made the front panel this way. I drew it in Photoshop appearance front panel where variable resistors, a switch and LEDs should be installed, one from each channel. The finished drawing was printed with an inkjet printer on thin glossy photo paper.

I glue photo paper onto a degreased prepared panel with holes using wood glue:

Then I place the panels under the so-called press. For a day. As a press, I have a 15 kg barbell plate:

Final assembly:

Here's what happened:

Attachments to the article:

(2.9 MiB, 2,909 hits)

Dear friends and site guests!

Don’t forget to express your opinion on the competition entries and take part in voting for your favorite design on the site’s forum. Thank you.

Some suggestions for those who will repeat the design:
1. You can connect speakers to such a powerful stereo amplifier, then you get two devices in one - color music and a high-quality low-frequency amplifier.
2. Even if the polarity of connecting electrolytic capacitors in a color music circuit does not affect its operation, it is probably better to observe the polarity.
3. At the color music input, it is probably better to install an input node for summing signals from the left and right channels (). According to the author, judging by the diagram, the high-frequency color music channel (blue) is supplied with a signal from the right channel of the amplifier, and the remaining color music channels are supplied with a signal from the left channel of the amplifier, but it is probably better to supply a signal to all channels from the audio signal adder.
4. Replacing the KT819 transistor with KT815 implies a reduction in the number of possible LED connections.