Electronic – Why is the sound level LEDs bar indicator not working

amplifierledsound

I want to amplify a microphone signal and use the output to drive a speaker and an LEDs bar, all works nicely except for the LEDs bar:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

The LEDs bar is supposed to change level (number of illuminated LEDs) in accordance with the sound level, but all it does is either light all LEDs at once or none. How do I make it proper reactive to sound like this one on YouTube?

Best Answer

You have 8 evenly spaced (in voltage) comparators, you really want a log scale, try making each resistor in the series chain half the value of the one above, this will give you 6dB per LED which is likely to be more satisfactory.

Add a diode, a cap and two resistors to give the thing some dynamics.

Or use a LM3914 or such, lower parts count and that part is made for this job.

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