Is it possible to build an equalizer with LEDs?

[FinalYearStudent]

Hello all,

I am wondering if it is possible to create an equalizer with dimmable LEDs?

For example, when playing music, the LED lights will dim and glow along with the music.

It is best if the colors can change by control as well

Is it possible to create something like that? 

Thank you all for your time for reading this!

P.S. I am using labVIEW 4.0 so some functions might not be available. But this project is VERY VERY important.

[GerdW]

When this would be a "VERY VERY important" project you wouldn't use LabVIEW 4.0 😄

This is a ~15-20 year old version of LabVIEW and does not support any feature of modern PC systems. You will not find many people working with such an old version nor will NI really support you doing it!

But well:

You might look for Color control boxes. When they are available in LV4.0 you should use them instead of LEDs (aka boolean indicators). Then it is much easier to change colors: all you need to do is to program your logic to change those colors...

[BTC_Admin]

I had started using LabVIEW 2.0 when it came out, but that was eons ago - how do you even run LabVIEW 4.0? If I recall correctly, I worked for Ford and there was a Macintosh SE (one of those classic boxy little thing) - I believe it had a Motorola 68XXX processor in it.  If you still have LabVIEW 4.0, I'm guessing that you are still running Windows 3.1 or Windows 95..!!!???

In any case, I believe what you asked is possible with enough coding in that version of LabVIEW, although I don't remember if that version allows changing of colors. You could create a 2D boolean array and create an equalizer effect with some per column logic (maybe in a FOR loop).

OR you could take a huge risk and upgrade to LabVIEW 2012 - plenty of options would be available including custom controls...

-DP

BatchTest Corp.

NI Alliance Partner

[NIquist]

What you're describing sounds more like an old visual effect called a color organ.  It is not doing any equalization, it just detects a range of frequencies and lights a colored lamp depending on what frequency is playing.  Why would you even consider doing this in software???  Especially LabVIEW 4

You can make a simple 3 or 8 band unit with a handful of transistors and LEDs for pennies: 

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=color+organ&qpvt=color+organ&FORM=IGRE

Or just go buy on on EBay...

[FinalYearStudent]

My apologies..

It's the NI Elvismx that has a 4.3.1 Driver

My version of labView is the 2011 one.

EDIT: Btw, is there a place where i can learn about the logic functions? Like how to manipulate them with voltage fluctuations or how voltage can dim or brighten an LED?

[GerdW]

Hi student in your final year,

well, in your final year you should know enough 'bout "logic functions" (aka "boolean logic") to not mix them up with "voltage fluctuations" and "dimming a LED"... Let me guess: you've heard of Wikipedia before? Or even had a look into some books on "learning programming for beginners"?

Please ask specific questions. Ask questions on programming with LabVIEW. Because that's what this forum is all about!

[FinalYearStudent]

I just want to clarify that this is my first attempt to labView.

I have no experience with this software whatsoever and I am still trying out each of its functions, hence, I have arrived here in hopes of looking for some sort of inspiration or guidance on how I could go about my project.

Let me be specific then; how can a slider actually dim a LED when boolean functions with true/false logic? 

I am trying to get some answers from wikipedia but I came here because I felt that the answers here could be more relevant and useful. It is also because I initially felt people in this forum are more magnanious and open to help someone like me.

Thank you for understanding.

[GerdW]

Hi FYS,

you can't dim using just boolean functions. Booleans know either TRUE or FALSE, so your LED would be switched on or off...

You need some "analog" math in between. Look for the color box indicator and try to apply different color values. Then make up a "logic" (aka "math routines") to apply a color depending on a given input value. Start to make that logic on a sheet of paper before starting with LabVIEW...

[LordNobady]

No a Boolean led (front panel)  can not directly be dimmed. 
The only thing you can do is turn it off. ( this can be done with a slider and a comparator. )

you can try to simulate it by changing the color. ( use property's for this )

Boolean as the name suggest only has 2 states. 

It you are talking about a real led ( on some hardware ) it depends on the hardware how to set it. The use of PWM is then a good method and no need for Boolean logic only to convert the slider to the output. 

[FinalYearStudent]

Hello GerdW and LordNobady,

Thank you for your advices and your time, I will try them out.

Kudos to both of you for helping me out here.

This goes a long way for me.