Facebook Youtube Linkedin Instagram Github

micro:bit How-to: Create Sound-Reactive LED Displays

Description

This project is a beginner project to show how to use the sound sensor on the micro:bit to trigger a behavior based on the sound level. We will use the sound sensor to turn the LED array lights on in response to a loud sound, then turn them off when the sound level gets quiet.

Programming Language

MakeCode Blocks

Difficulty Level

Beginner

Age Range

9 and up

Watch the tutorial

Materials

Optional materials:

Programming the micro:bit

Develop the problem statement

The problem I am trying to solve is getting the lights to turn on when a loud sound is made, then go off when the sound gets quiet.

Write the algorithm

The design of this algorithm is based on events happening, so

  • When a loud sound is heard
    • show LED icon
  • When the sound level is quiet
    • Turn the LEDs off

Note that this is a pretty simple algorithm. A more complex algorithm might need to be turned into pseudocode prior to writing the actual computer program.

Write and test the code

Here is the code I wrote