Building a VU meter

Thread Starter

tbw

Joined May 24, 2012
2
Not sure if this is the correct subforum, so an admin feel free to move the topic if its in the wrong place.

Project: VU Meter

Brief: Large LED-lit system that can have stereo sound input and output corresponding light levels.

Examples:

Video 1 - "LED VU - Color Music"
Video 2 - "RGB Vu meter Final test video"

Sketches: simple paint.net sketch


Materials needed: Not sure yet - need help

Circuit: Not sure yet - need help

Build: Not started yet


I have a GCSE qualification in Electronics, and I have *just* taken my exams for AS-level Electronics. I have test equipment at home and soldering irons etc. I would like to buy a pre-made kit but if that's not possible i am able to create my own and test on Circuit Wizard.

Could you guys help me out with the circuit i would need, parts etc.

PS what is a good program to simulate a circuit like this? The educational version of Circuit Wizard I have does not feature the LM3915 IC that I see is commonly used in VU circuits. I would also like to see how the circuit would react to music before i build it.

Thanks
 

KJ6EAD

Joined Apr 30, 2011
1,581
There are lots of kits available. The circuits in the videos appear to be Vu meters but what's with the color changes; they don't seem to track the music? It's not clear from your illustration, with the band references, whether you want strictly a Vu meter or some kind of color organ.

You also have some unusual colors there. Have you researched LEDs?
 
Last edited:

Thread Starter

tbw

Joined May 24, 2012
2
There are lots of kits available. The circuits in the videos appear to be Vu meters but what's with the color changes; they don't seem to track the music? It's not clear from your illustration, with the band references, whether you want strictly a Vu meter or some kind of color organ.

You also have some unusual colors there. Have you researched LEDs?
the colours are only there for illustrative purposes

I will just use blue LED's, probably 12v ones like THESE
 
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