Creating LED Cloud Lights that Sync with Music: My Capstone Project

Thank you to those who attended the Capstone Showcase on May 5th! In case you missed it here is a link to some pictures and links to the websites of everyone's projects! Link to Capstone Presentation Showcase

Meet The Cool People Behind The Project :)

Brandon Boyd

Kadejha Jones

Project Summary

CapstonePresentation.pdf

Creating Music-Responsive LED Cloud Lights with Arduino and C++

In this project, we created LED cloud lights that change colors in response to music. Imagine a cloud-shaped light fixture with multiple LEDs inside, which can change colors and patterns in sync with the music being played. To make this project work, we used an ELEGOO UNO R3 board, which is similar to a small computer called an Arduino UNO, and programmed it using a language called C++. C++ is a common programming language used for creating software, games, and electronic projects like ours. We connected the ELEGOO UNO R3 board to the cloud lights and a DAOKI High Sensitivity Sound Microphone Sensor, which allowed the lights to change colors and patterns based on the sound levels of the music. Essentially, the board "listened" to the music and used the information it gathered to control the LEDs inside the cloud lights. Overall, this project was an exciting and challenging experience that required some technical knowledge and programming skills. But the end result was a unique and impressive display of creativity and innovation, using technology to create an interactive and visually striking experience that responds to music in real time.

Overview

Our project encapsulates a growing understanding of how coding, circuits, and a bit of engineering can create a masterful exhibition that uses LED lights. Let’s be honest LED lights are absolutely captivating, and learning how to code LED Lights based on music will not only showcase creativity and the logic behind it. By captivating our audience we can showcase that coding isn't known as the stereotypical “boring” subject but is actually fun while being logic based. Currently, we are looking into the decision of using an Arduino vs a raspberry pi to create multiple LED clouds that showcase an LED light show based on the music it receives.

Skills

Circuits • Debugging • Programming

Subjects

Electronics • Computer Science • Technology

Learning Objectives

- Build a basic LED circuit.

- Connect and program an Arduino to control the circuit.

- Expand the circuit to add more LEDs.

- Build neat, organized circuits.

- Troubleshoot when things don't work as expected.

Step 1: Gathering Supplies

First, we need to gather all of our supplies! So make sure you have all of your supplies before you get started with the project.

The link to these items can be found at the bottom of the page

Supplies Needed

16 assorted White Paper lanterns
Hot glue gun + glue sticks
Clear zip ties
Classic Fiberfill
2 GBF Led Light Strips
Clear finishing wire
Circuit board
assortment of wires
2 Arduinos
1 speaker
Scissors

Step 2: Creating the Paper Lanterns

Let's get started!!

Supplies needed for this step:

16 White Paper Lanterns
Lantern Instructions

Steps:

First, we need to create all of our paper lanterns. Follow the instructions given on your packages to create them. This will make the process of placing them all together so much faster!

Once all of the lanterns are made you can move on to the next step!

Step 3: Placing the Paper Lanterns Together

Items Needed for This Step

16 Made White Paper Lanterns
Clear Zip Ties
Scissors

Steps:

It's time to place them all together!
Attach the lanterns with zip ties at each of the side openings to creating the framework of the cloud. (look at the picture on the side for reference)
Next, you can attach some clouds to the ribbing of the lantern by creating a small hole in the paper around a rib
1. place the zip tie through the small opening
2. and around the lantern being attached
3. pull the zip tie through pulling them together
Lastly, any zip tie ends that are hanging out unwanted can be cut with the scissors and thrown away

SoftwareOpen-source electronic prototyping platform enabling users to create interactive electronic objects.

Installing Libraries | Arduino DocumentationLearn how to install additional libraries in the Arduino IDE 1.

Step 4: Downloading :)

After creating the framework of our clouds it's time to start creating the mechanisms that go inside our clouds to make them light up!

Items Needed for This Step

Computer with Internet Access
1. Make sure you also have a charger close by this may take a while
Time & Patience
1. This will may take anywhere from 1-2 hours

Steps:

1. Download the Arduino IDE
  1. Click the Arduino Software link
    1. Please Note: This may take an hour or 2 to download
2. Once the IDE is downloaded you want to make sure you add the libraries you need
  1. You can do this by clicking the Arduino Installing Libraries link
  2. Next, you will need to import them
    1. To Do This you will need to click Sketch in the toolbar
    2. Next, click Include library
    3. Then, click Add .ZIP Library
    4. Lastly, select the library you just downloaded and now you're done
  3. Side Note: We used arduinoFFT & FastLED

Step 5: Hardware

Supplies needed for this step:

1 Arduino UNO or ELEGOO UNO R3 (Both are equivalent) with USB plug-in charger
Scissors
ARGB LED light strip (with 150 LEDs Recommended)
Charging Source

Steps:

Connect the Arduino UNO or equivalent to its power source
Grab the LEDs and cut the end wires making sure they stay together
Insert the male and female ends of the cord together
1. this is depicted in the second image
Next, connect the red wire to the 5V port
Connect the black wire to GND, which stands for ground port
Lastly, connect the middle green wire to the port PWM, which stands for pulse with modulation port

My Capstone Project So Far

Click the Video Above

To see what the project should look like after you download and run the example code.

Step 6: Check If the LEDs Work

Supplies needed for this step:

Internet Access to GitHub
Arduino Uno/Equivalent + Charger
ARGB LED Lights
Computer

Steps:

Go to the GitHub link at the bottom of the website and download the file named: sampleCodeToCheckIfWorking.ino
Once this is downloaded please open it on your IDE
Side note: please select your board and port
1. First, select the board you have
  1. In this example, we are selecting the Arduino UNO
2. The port should automatically be selected if it isn't
3. A
Verify your code
Next, upload the code

Step 7: Next Up Microphone

Items Needed for This Step

Computer + charger
Arduino UNO/Equivalent
DAOKI High Sensitivity Sound Microphone Sensor
3 Spare Bradboard Wires

Steps:

Connect the wire placed in the OUT header to the Analog Signal A0
place the wire connected to the GND header to the GND power port
Lastly, place the wire connected to the VCC header to the 3V
Watch the light on your DAOKI High Sensitivity Sound Microphone Sensor light up to show that it is working

Click the videos down below to see our Youtube shorts

Testing out the sectional frequency cloud effect

Testing out our lightning cloud effect

Step 8: Coding

At this point if you want to use our sample code to complete your journey or you can look on Google for how to code them yourselves.

Supplies needed for this step:

Internet Access to GitHub
Arduino Uno/Equivalent + Charger
ARGB LED Lights
Computer
DAOKI High Sensitivity Sound Microphone Sensor

Steps:

Go to the GitHub link at the bottom of the website and download the cloud time you'd want to use
Once this is downloaded please open it on your IDE
Side note: please select your board and port
1. First, select the board you have
  1. In this example, we are selecting the Arduino UNO
2. The port should automatically be selected if it isn't
Verify your code
Next, upload the code
Now watch the magic happen

Step 9: Putting It All Together

Lastly, once our LED light strips have been coded and put into our cloud lantern structures, it's time to place them in our classic fiber fill to make it look like a real cloud structure.

Supplies needed for this step: