SparkFun spectrum shield

The Spectrum Shield enables your Arduino to split a stereo audio input into 7 bands per channel.

You can then control the amplitude of each channel using the ADC on your Arduino. This allows you to control everything from LEDs to motors and pumps, relays, or even fire, all with sound. With this shield, you can make almost any project respond to music or sound!

The Spectrum Shield features the graphical equalizer MSGEQ7 filter. Two of these ICs allow the splitting of a stereo audio input into 7 bands per channel and read the amplitude of each with the ADC on your Arduino. The shield is equipped with two 1/8" stereo jacks, similar to those found on headphones. One serves as the stereo input, and the other is a pass-through output, allowing you to use the Spectrum Shield in-line between your audio source and your stereo system without interruption. This revision of the Spectrum Shield has been updated to the Arduino R3 layout but still requires soldering onto your own headers. As always in the Play Zone, we provide the necessary stackable headers with this shield for free.

This shield can be used to create sound visualizers, detect patterns in music, or add sound activation to your microcontroller projects.