CodingTom on Instructables lays out Broomstick, an LED driver that makes great effects.
Boomstick is a project for creating an animated string of programmable RGB LEDs, powered by a small Arduino, and reactive to music. This guide focuses on one hardware configuration that you can assemble in order to run the Boomstick software. This hardware is a great size for putting into a wearable item such as a robe or spirit hood, or lighting up the length of a portable totem pole. The components include a mic (to pick up music), a knob (to adjust brightness) and a button (to switch animations). The whole unit (including LEDs) is powered from a single micro USB port, which can be plugged into a wall adapter, or a portable USB battery charger.
The project uses Adafruit parts including:
- Adafruit Perma-Proto Half-sized Breadboard PCB
- Adafruit ItsyBitsy 32u4 – 5V 16MHz
- Electret Microphone Amplifier – MAX5566 with Adjustable Gain
- USB Micro-B Breakout Board
- Breadboard Trim Potentiometer – 10K
- Tactile button switch (6mm)
- 10K ohm resistor
- 3-pin JST SM Cables
- NeoPixel RGB strip – select according to your project needs, but I find 30LED/m works well for wearables
