12-LED VU Meter
This VU (Volume Unit) meter uses the UAA180 integrated circuit to drive 12 LEDs, providing a visual representation of audio signal levels.
Circuit Operation
The IC controls the LEDs in a thermometer-style display, where the number of lit LEDs corresponds to the input voltage. As the audio signal level increases, more LEDs light up, forming a moving light band that indicates the instantaneous amplitude of the signal.
Key Features
- Displays audio signal amplitude using 12 LEDs
- Thermometer-style light band for intuitive visualization
- IC: UAA180 — specialized LED driver for VU meters
- Operates with standard audio line-level signals
- Compact and easy-to-build circuit for audio monitoring
Construction Notes
- Use LEDs with similar brightness for uniform display.
- Ensure proper current-limiting resistors for each LED as per the IC datasheet.
- Keep audio input lines short and shielded to reduce noise pickup.
- Supply voltage should match the IC specifications (typically 12V or as indicated in the datasheet).
