Analog PC stats and VU Meter using arduino

This is my project based on Arduino Micro using vu meters from an old recorder. This flicker is only visible on camera due to software pwm controlling led. The Case is 3D printed with wood filament.

[@cosminbirla6574]

Hi. I try the code with arduino nano and 2 old analog vu meters from a deck. It works good but backwards. If i pause the music the neddle goes to 100 %, if the music has some loud pasage it goes to 0%. In conclusion the nedle indicate to left, :))). Do you think it is a software (code) twick or hardware. I am still debuging ...

[@victor_glekler]

Hi! You can simply invert the pwm values that control the needles by writing (255 - pwm_value) instead of just (pwm_value). Another trick with hardware is to rotate the vu meter by 180° =)

[@cosminbirla6574]

@@victor_glekler thank you for the fast response. I will try when a get home.

[@cosminbirla6574]

It works! It works well.
Now i must manage smart LED WS28xx.
Can you tell me what platform you use for windows software?

[@victor_glekler]

@@cosminbirla6574 nice! For this windows forms app I used Visual Studio with C#.

[@cosminbirla6574]

@@victor_glekler not verry familiar with VS, i used Delphi 7 long time ago :)) . If you want, can share source code, i what see how you comunicate with arduino and how converd sound to data

[@caberful]

Actually the flickering looks pretty cool, I will don't mind if it does it IRL. Nice project.

[@victor_glekler]

thanks! I added a led driver PCA9634 to drive leds with 97kHz, so flicker is gone

[@caberful]

@@victor_glekler I usually use the NeoPixel libraries from adafruit for these type of proyects, but as I see your method is at a lower level than that.

[@7Segment555]

you code is support aduino uno?
Which board is support?
Spec of analog meter 1ma or 5vdc?
Thank you!

[@victor_glekler]

Hi! It is now supporting Arduino Uno. The problem was, I used FastPwm library to controll the vu_meters with high frequency PWM, but ATMega328 does not support this library, so I have fixed the code and It runs on ATMega328 devices. Here is the link: mega.nz/#F!s1FgQYTY!meZcIjeiXhMSJ26h62xgqw
You can use any analog meter. You should only adjust the current for your meter for 5V output from Arduino pin, so it shows 100% if there is 5V on output pin.

[@petrvlacil1037]

code?

[@victor_glekler]

if you want I can give you the code, but it is not documented. In the folder you find the host windows app also. mega.nz/#F!wlFQFARD!nKbGuHrVBFTHAFpwyYoFFw

[@QGMODS]

thank you

[@victor_glekler]

You're welcome!

[@victor_glekler]

Did you do a similar project?

[@QGMODS]

@@victor_glekler yes i'm the first stages of doing so. It's quite a big project so it will take some time. I've tested your code with the windows app and it works great, now i gotta find some vu's that will work with it (although i wouldn't know which ones to look for, TIPS ARE WELCOME). The general project is inspired by an ibm 5150 and retro audio equipment. it's a combination of many smaller projects that will be housed in a 3d printed enclosure.

[@victor_glekler]

@@QGMODS I wish you good luck! You can use any vu meter. You have just calibrate it with a small potentiometer to work with 5v

[@QGMODS]

@@victor_glekler do i need a driver board for this?