Make Your Own LED Sign VU Meter

Intro: Make Your Own LED Sign VU Meter

In this project I will show you how to create a custom LED sign that reacts to the loudness of your music, just like a VU meter does. Let's get started!

STEP 1: Watch the Video!

The video gives you all information you need to build this project. But in the next steps you can find a parts list, schematic and reference pictures for your convenience.

STEP 2: Order the Components!

Here is a list of all the parts you will need to recreate the project (affiliate links).

Aliexpress:

1x Stripboard: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dY2kgvt

100x 5mm Green LED: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dV63r7D

1x Perfboard with copper dots: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXx2Zv5

1x 3.5mm Audio Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6P8Gwx

1x DC Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6cVZVl

2x LM324 OpAmp: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTfU1ML

1x 47µF Capacitor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7dOwRz

1x 100kΩ Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF

7x IRFD220 N-channel MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d8bd2m3

11x 10kΩ, 1x 47kΩ, 4x 1kΩ, 2x3.3kΩ, 3x 4.7kΩ, 2x 2kΩ, 1x 6.8kΩ, 1x 2.2kΩ, 1x 51kΩ Resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dTPpXjt

1x 12V 2A Power Supply: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYHJ45t

1x: Buck Converter: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZOxkKj

Ebay:

1x Stripboard:-

100x 5mm Green LED: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x Perfboard with copper dots: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 3.5mm Audio Jack: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x DC Jack: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

2x LM324 OpAmp: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 47µF Capacitor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 100kΩ Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

7x IRFD220 N-channel MOSFET: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

11x 10kΩ, 1x 47kΩ, 4x 1kΩ, 2x3.3kΩ, 3x 4.7kΩ, 2x 2kΩ, 1x 6.8kΩ, 1x 2.2kΩ, 1x 51kΩ Resistor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x 12V 2A Power Supply: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

1x: Buck Converter: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...

Amazon.de:

1x Stripboard: http://amzn.to/1Ky7A8A

100x 5mm Green LED: http://amzn.to/1SW1GH4

1x Perfboard with copper dots: http://amzn.to/1WhVmwA

1x 3.5mm Audio Jack: http://amzn.to/1WhVr3q

1x DC Jack: http://amzn.to/1NtXgmx

2x LM324 OpAmp: http://amzn.to/1WhVsnX

1x 47µF Capacitor: http://amzn.to/1SW1Q1l

1x 100kΩ Potentiometer: http://amzn.to/1WhVJXY

7x IRFD220 N-channel MOSFET: http://amzn.to/1TwZeDp

11x 10kΩ, 1x 47kΩ, 4x 1kΩ, 2x3.3kΩ, 3x 4.7kΩ, 2x 2kΩ, 1x 6.8kΩ, 1x 2.2kΩ, 1x 51kΩ Resistor: http://amzn.to/1E9uEhN

1x 12V 2A Power Supply: http://amzn.to/1TwZhPB

1x: Buck Converter: http://amzn.to/1TwZi66

STEP 3: Build the LED Sign and the Circuit!

Here you can find the schematic of the circuit and reference pictures. Use those to create your own circuit. The average time to make the LED Sign VU Meter should be around 4 to 5 hours if you do not face any problems.

STEP 4: Success!

You did it! You just created your own LED Sign VU Meter!

Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:

http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[gaurakhj294]

Will this work with 9.5 v and 1 amp

[chiru53704035]

Can u plz tell me the use of a comparator??

[gaurakhj294]

Its a components which stored electricity depending on the value of it

[Jonnya12]

I decided to test the voltages before I connected the mosfets and the headphone jack has 8v coming out of it

[boasdelely]

Same! Did you solve it? I would be happy to know how!

[forathul]

Circuit not clear

[martin-podhola]

Hello Scott, this is great as all of your projects. I am totally beginner in electro (whole life unix programmer:)). I am going to do this for my 2 years old daughter, she loves music, singing (and making lots of noises) so I would like to use a microphone like input, it is possible to do this, please? I think it is but not sure

[Bluehusk]

Please can i have a clear schematics paper.Its all blur.

[SanalA2]

Clear picture of cricuit diagram

[vgregorio]

Is it possible to replace the IRFD220 MOSFETs with IRF540? Thanks

[Isitha ChamikaB]

yeah i guess i used IRFZ44N

[FilipKral]

can somebody help me what does this mean.

[Isitha ChamikaB]

main power for circuit is 12v

[Nikki2698]

Can any one tell me why a buck converter is used here

[Jonnya12]

So that if the voltage is too high it won't destroy the leds

[wildborego]

Did you watch the video?

[DaveGregson]

Does anyone have the Eagle schematic file that i can have please? The link thats on here doesn't work. Thanks

[Aiwin anil john]

In the scematic u have used 8 lm324 but in the images u have shown there is only 2 lm324.Please help me.Thanks in advancefor ur reply.

[Nikki2698]

Lm324 has 4 comparators.. so for 8 such comparators only 2 IC are needed... Check out the pin diagram of LM324

[AndréV97]

this is your best project with the worst explanation. You can barely see the schematics and you go really fast while soldering so no one can actually see what's going on...