Hi,
I was looking at the VU meters such as this or this.
Can anyone tell me if it's possible to use them with the output from a regular PC sound card? My plan would be to have them mounted on the case so preferably the wiring would be inside the case. Which means I'd need to get output from the soundcard from somewhere inside.
But regardless of that I also can't quite figure out the wiring either. First, I need to split the channels, left and right. Then I need a ground in also?
And for the power supply, it says AC/DC but I'm not sure if it takes DC. The Aliexpress ones mention a transformer that goes from 110 or 220 AC to 12AC.
If they take DC could I just power them from straight from the PSU?
Thank you.
I was looking at the VU meters such as this or this.
Can anyone tell me if it's possible to use them with the output from a regular PC sound card? My plan would be to have them mounted on the case so preferably the wiring would be inside the case. Which means I'd need to get output from the soundcard from somewhere inside.
But regardless of that I also can't quite figure out the wiring either. First, I need to split the channels, left and right. Then I need a ground in also?
And for the power supply, it says AC/DC but I'm not sure if it takes DC. The Aliexpress ones mention a transformer that goes from 110 or 220 AC to 12AC.
If they take DC could I just power them from straight from the PSU?
Thank you.
The unit with the board attached to the meter connects to the speaker terminals,. It seems to be passive (no built-in amp). It needs about 9VAC for the lamp.
The one from Ali (separate pcb) has amplification and should work with line-level drive. The supply (9-20VAC/DC) is for the lamps and the amp. IMO this is the better choice. E
The one from Ali (separate pcb) has amplification and should work with line-level drive. The supply (9-20VAC/DC) is for the lamps and the amp. IMO this is the better choice. E
Your posts are rather laconic. What is it you do not understand? E
Thanks for the answer!
Getting an AC source inside seems too much trouble. I'd probably be happy with the passive ones, I just want to see the needles flick around some.
Is there any way of getting the channel inputs from somewhere on the soundcard or do I need to get them from the line-out?
On the other hand, if the backlight NEEDS AC, then I don't know, this might be too complicated for me. I also found this which says " VU Meter Backlight voltage: AC6V-12V", but then a bit lower it says "Pay special attention not to connect the output DC12V backlight voltage to the wrong VU meter when connecting the line, because the current will burn the meter head".
Can you tell from the board if the AC from the power supply is converted to DC before getting to the backlights?
These meters are everywhere. For these which are sold on their own it says "Back Light Filament Voltage: DC/AC 6~12V".
Just in case, though, what did you mean by "line-level drive"? Where can I get that out from?
Getting an AC source inside seems too much trouble. I'd probably be happy with the passive ones, I just want to see the needles flick around some.
Is there any way of getting the channel inputs from somewhere on the soundcard or do I need to get them from the line-out?
On the other hand, if the backlight NEEDS AC, then I don't know, this might be too complicated for me. I also found this which says " VU Meter Backlight voltage: AC6V-12V", but then a bit lower it says "Pay special attention not to connect the output DC12V backlight voltage to the wrong VU meter when connecting the line, because the current will burn the meter head".
Can you tell from the board if the AC from the power supply is converted to DC before getting to the backlights?
These meters are everywhere. For these which are sold on their own it says "Back Light Filament Voltage: DC/AC 6~12V".
Just in case, though, what did you mean by "line-level drive"? Where can I get that out from?
This link you provided seems to be a fully designed board ready to go.
Has DC regulator you just provide AC power
which they say around 500 ma
and of course the case to mount it in.
9 to 12 volts at 500 ma AC is just a basic AC to AC wall transformer
line level signal comes from whatever line level output or outputs
you sound card has
Has DC regulator you just provide AC power
which they say around 500 ma
and of course the case to mount it in.
9 to 12 volts at 500 ma AC is just a basic AC to AC wall transformer
line level signal comes from whatever line level output or outputs
you sound card has
You can get them from the line-out socket solder pins on the sound card or PC motherboard.
If it can powered by AC voltage, shouldn't be any problem to powered from DC.