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Audio Visualizer

As a musician and electrical engineer, I love any project that intersects these two fields. I've seen some DIY audio visualizers (here, here, here, and here), but each had missed at least one of the two goals I established for myself: a professional build quality and a relatively large display (a wimpy 8*8 LED matrix would not suffice here!). With some vintage flair, and sitting at 40" x 20", this audio visualizer accomplishes both of those goals.

01 / DEMO

02 / PROTOTYPING

Soundbar - Debut

03 / SOUNDBAR DESIGN

Soundbar - JTM45.jpg

What you see above is a prototype because we were still "hacking" a solution together: the stereo was from Craigslist, and Bluetooth connectivity was provided via Logitech adapter.

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To mark this project complete, I intend to build a Bluetooth soundbar. Pictured here is my mockup, modeled after a Marshall JTM45 amp head.

Autodesk EAGLE nicely interfaces with Fusion360. Once I'd completed my schematic and done some floorplanning, I ported my design over to ensure I was meeting datasheet guidelines.

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This 3D view helped me realize I needed to move the BT receiver (far right) further out from the copper layer.

Soundbar - Layout
Soundbar - Schematic p3

This project presented several hardware challenges:

  • Integrated analog, digital, RF, and power subcircuits

  • Meeting manufacturer guidelines

  • Mitigating ESD for a complex user interface

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