Possible Spectrum Analyzer Project?

Xlrator · 18th April 2006, 09:22 PM

Still some projects on the table, but I have TONS of these tri-color 5x7 displays. Not a lot of practical projects to use them in except maybe a caller ID for my grandma!

I haven't seen much information on a spectrum analyzer project, even if it was just for "eye-candy". Has anyone attempted this?

What about volume level meters?

Or someone give me an idea of something practical I could use them for!

lpm76 · 18th April 2006, 09:28 PM

I'll vote for the Grandma Caller ID - thats a wicked idea

SY · 18th April 2006, 09:38 PM

Do those arrays have built-in limiting resistors or are they bare LEDs?

Xlrator · 18th April 2006, 09:53 PM

I don't think so.

The 5x7's datasheet didn't say anything like that and the board they were pulled from had resistor networks on them (probably for that purpose).

I'm still waiting for LiteOn to find/send me a datasheet on the 2" 4x4s.

[edit] The 4x4 array has no resistors.

SY · 18th April 2006, 10:07 PM

Excellent! Do you like tube amps? If so, I've got an idea for you.

Xlrator · 19th April 2006, 12:51 AM

I haven't built a tube amp yet, but I want to build one for my guitar rig.

I almost bought one of those old Dynaco(?) amps off eBay a while ago.

What's your idea?

SY · 19th April 2006, 02:22 AM

I'll be publishing it soon, somewhere or other. Massive series-parallel LED array as cathode bias for an output stage. I posted a photo of a prototype I've been listening to; I'll try to dig up the link and edit it in.

edit: The Red Light District

dangus · 25th April 2006, 05:30 AM

Billions of years ago (ok, September 1979, pages 62 to 68 inclusive) Popular Electronics published plans for a real-time octave analyser that was based on a Gold Line model ASA-10, 10 bands, 7 LEDs per band. It used a bunch of bandpass filters, one LM3915 and a 4017 to scan and display the bands. It uses a lot of parts, but I'm pretty sure none are yet obsolete. PC board layout is provided.
http://www.gold-line.com/analyzer.htm
Call them up and ask them how much for the ASA10 kit... it used to be $139 complete (case and all).

I like the idea of a "bassometer" that just gives a readout below 100 Hz for the subwoofer addicts. I suspect that a microcontroller (maybe an ATmega) would be fast enough to sample, FFT and display on an LED matrix.

18th April 2006, 09:28 PM	#2
lpm76 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Copenhagen	I'll vote for the Grandma Caller ID - thats a wicked idea __________________ Perception is reality, not truth.

18th April 2006, 09:38 PM	#3
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Do those arrays have built-in limiting resistors or are they bare LEDs? __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

18th April 2006, 10:07 PM	#5
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Excellent! Do you like tube amps? If so, I've got an idea for you. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

19th April 2006, 02:22 AM	#7
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	I'll be publishing it soon, somewhere or other. Massive series-parallel LED array as cathode bias for an output stage. I posted a photo of a prototype I've been listening to; I'll try to dig up the link and edit it in. edit: The Red Light District __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

18th April 2006, 09:53 PM	#4
Xlrator diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Illinois	I don't think so. The 5x7's datasheet didn't say anything like that and the board they were pulled from had resistor networks on them (probably for that purpose). I'm still waiting for LiteOn to find/send me a datasheet on the 2" 4x4s. [edit] The 4x4 array has no resistors.

19th April 2006, 12:51 AM	#6
Xlrator diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Illinois	I haven't built a tube amp yet, but I want to build one for my guitar rig. I almost bought one of those old Dynaco(?) amps off eBay a while ago. What's your idea?

25th April 2006, 05:30 AM	#8
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	Billions of years ago (ok, September 1979, pages 62 to 68 inclusive) Popular Electronics published plans for a real-time octave analyser that was based on a Gold Line model ASA-10, 10 bands, 7 LEDs per band. It used a bunch of bandpass filters, one LM3915 and a 4017 to scan and display the bands. It uses a lot of parts, but I'm pretty sure none are yet obsolete. PC board layout is provided. http://www.gold-line.com/analyzer.htm Call them up and ask them how much for the ASA10 kit... it used to be $139 complete (case and all). I like the idea of a "bassometer" that just gives a readout below 100 Hz for the subwoofer addicts. I suspect that a microcontroller (maybe an ATmega) would be fast enough to sample, FFT and display on an LED matrix.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Spectrum Analyzer	Overd0se	Parts	3	3rd June 2011 04:27 PM
thoughts on this Spectrum Analyzer ??	redrabbit	Equipment & Tools	0	21st November 2007 01:52 PM
Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer	abmoggy	Parts	8	4th July 2005 08:08 PM
PC as scope and spectrum analyzer?	roly94	Solid State	9	16th August 2002 09:38 AM
Spectrum Analyzer opinions	tortello	Equipment & Tools	9	14th April 2002 03:06 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read