I currently have 4 leds in series that are connected to a transitor that allows the leds to pulse to music. I am trying to figure out how to have each led light up with the voltage rises. Ex. 1st led lights up at 3V 2nd at 5V 3rd at 7V and 4th at 9V. I am unsure on how to connect the leds together please help.

 

Hello,

Did you already have a look at the LM3914?
That will let you connect upto 10 leds.

Bertus

 

Im looking for a way to do it with out any special chips!

 

Hello,

Do you want to use opamps or comparators?

Here is a schematic I made some time ago for a thermometer.

The number of opamps can be changed.
Also the voltage steps can be adjusted.

Bertus

 

You would actually be better using an LM3915 logarithmic dot/bar display driver.

Our hearing is not linear; we can hear from very quiet sounds to very loud sounds. If you use a linear scale, it will seem as if there is hardly any difference in the sound level between the first LED lighting and the highest LED lighting.

 

I agree with what has been said. Take a look at chapter 3 of this...

.LEDs, 555s, Flashers, and Light Chasers

It is a resistor/LED only bargraph, but the chip will work much much better.