how do i use processing to control a string of LEDs to match sound frequencies?

ninjabutcher

i have begun a project for my first electronics class and need help. my plan is to read audio input, calculate the frequencies inputted and have led's light up with certain frequencies. i have circuitry needed, but i am new to processing and am not familiar with it. i appreciate any help.

Lord_of_the_Galaxy

The topic seems too broad... For example, can you define exactly how you want to control the LEDs? As in, do you want an FFT analysis, or do you just want to LEDs to flash at the same frequency as the sound? Or something else?

ninjabutcher

i am looking to light a particular color when a certain frequency is read. my intent is to have each color of the rainbow tied to each whole note A thru G. half steps are going to be lit by a white led. 13 leds in total. i found a math formula to calculate frequency. but there is probably something in the processing library that i can use. something in the guitar tuner software category, maybe.
i appreciate your feedback

koogs

minim FFT will get you frequencies from waveforms.

http://code.compartmental.net/minim/index_analysis.html

there's a newer sound library too, but people have problems with it.

https://processing.org/reference/libraries/sound/index.html

Lord_of_the_Galaxy

I would certainly recommend minim FFT, as the official sound library still does not work on all systems. However, if you wish, you could test it too and use it if all you need it on is a single system.

kfrajer

You could search for previous post related to FFT and check available sample code:

https://forum.processing.org/two/search?Search=FFT

This next post could be of interest to you:

https://forum.processing.org/two/discussion/comment/78678/#Comment_78678

Kf