Audio newbie here. I'm using an Arduino to make a countdown timer. I'd like to be able to generate beeps in a couple of frequencies (like what you often hear at the start of a 100 yard dash, e.g.), so quality isn't as important as volume. It doesn't have to be as loud as at an actual track meet, but louder than a cell phone speaker. Can't quantify it more than that, I'm afraid.
I was thinking of running a square wave from an IO pin into a simple amplifier circuit, then to a speaker, but the circuits I've been coming across (LM386 e.g.) seem to assume a traditional audio level. I don't know what that is, nor do I know what effect a 5V square would have, even if it's within the specs of a particular chip. Before I jump down this rabbit hole to experiment, I thought I'd check to see if anyone here can offer some suggestions or point me in the right initial direction. Thanks!
I was thinking of running a square wave from an IO pin into a simple amplifier circuit, then to a speaker, but the circuits I've been coming across (LM386 e.g.) seem to assume a traditional audio level. I don't know what that is, nor do I know what effect a 5V square would have, even if it's within the specs of a particular chip. Before I jump down this rabbit hole to experiment, I thought I'd check to see if anyone here can offer some suggestions or point me in the right initial direction. Thanks!