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Featured User: kurt
Open-source hardware project hosting is my passion. I spend most of my free time building neat gadgets or planning what I'll build next. I love building things, and I want to make Open Hardware Hub a place that inspires others to build, ...
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Updates 2013 February 18
It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, that's ok because we've got a lot of updates to talk about. Most of these have been effective on the site fora couple weeks now. A few may or may not be active when this article gets posted, but they'll certainly be applied in the ...
Mono VU Meter
By: kurt
A VU meter is used to display the loudness of an audio signal. This open source VU meter lights up ten LEDs to show how loud a mono audio signal is. Two of these can be made to show the loudness of each channel in a stereo signal.
Download project description w/o images
Download project description w/ images
Files
- VU Meter.sch - VU Meter EAGLE Schematic
- VU Meter Schematic.pdf - VU Meter PDF Schematic
Bill of Materials
Qty | Part # | Description | Schematic ID | Source | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SJ1-3523N | CONN JACK STEREO R/A 3PIN 3.5MM | J1 | Source | |
1 | BS6I | SNAPS 9V 6" LEADS I-STYLE | JP1 | Source | |
1 | 50-0015-00 | SWITCH PB SPST ALT ACT PC MOUNT | S1 | Source | |
1 | SK100M035ST | CAPACITOR ALUM ELEC 10UF, 35V, RADIAL | C1 | Source | |
1 | EVN-D8AA03B14 | TRIMMER 10K OHM 0.1W TH | P1 | Source | |
1 | LM3916N-1 | LED BAR GRAPH DRIVER, 3916, DIP18 | IC1 | Source | |
10 | WP7113LID | 5MM LOW CURRENT RED LED, LAMP THOLE, BULK | LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4, LED5, LED6, LED7, LED8, LED9, LED10 | Source | |
1 | 6LR61XWA/1SB | BATTERY IND ALKALINE 9 VOLT | Source | ||
1 | Y-Audio Cable | 6inch 3.5mm Stereo Jack/Two 3.5mm Stereo Plug Cable | Source |
Download BOM w/o images
Download BOM w/ images
Steps
18. Insert capacitor
Insert the 10uF capacitor as shown. The negative leg of the capacitor (indicated by the white stripe on the side of the case) connects to pin 2 of the LM3916 IC. The positive leg connects to pin 3.
19. Insert potentiometer
Insert the trim pot (potentiometer) as shown. In this circuit, the trim pot serves a dual role. It adjusts the brightness of the LEDs as well as the maximum range of the VU meter itself.
20. Insert wires
Insert a red wire into the rail that the LEDs are plugged in to. This will serve as the +9V rail. Plug a green wire into the other rail. The green wire will be ground for this circuit.
Download steps w/o images
Download steps w/ images
Revisions
7 - updated description
6 -
5 - added youtube link. updated line numbers.
4 - changed LED part
3 - added description to project image
2 - added file descriptions
1 - Initial project release
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