Hey everyone! I'm working on a DIY project that reacts to sound levels by changing the color of lights from white to amber to red, which is ideal for classroom management. I'm a complete newbie when it comes to coding and electronics, so I'm reaching out for help on whether my parts list will work and if the code I've put together (with some help from ChatGPT) is good enough. If you have suggestions for a simpler method, I'm all ears! Here's what I've got for the parts: an Arduino Nano, a microphone module (either MAX9814 or KY-038), a WS2812B LED strip, a 3.7V Li-ion battery with a TP4056 charger, a 5V boost converter, an On/Off switch, a 330Ω resistor, a 1000μF capacitor, and a USB charging port. Thanks for any insights!
1 Answer
You’ll need an amplifier for the microphone since it produces a very low AC signal. Instead of trying to build everything from scratch, consider using a sound detector module, which combines the necessary components into one board. I recommend checking out options from SparkFun or Seeed Studio. Also, the Neopixel strip has a resistor and capacitor built in, so you won't need extras for that. For powering your setup, as a beginner, I’d suggest using a USB power bank that already has battery management integrated. The Arduino Nano is a solid choice despite being older—there are plenty of tutorials out there. As for a simpler approach, why not just buy a pre-made device? Plenty of options exist that could save you time!
Great advice, thanks! I hadn't thought about using a sound detector module, but I'll definitely look into that. A ready-made device might be the way to go if it's too complex. Appreciate your help!