I'm trying to build a subwoofer with integrated LEDs which will pulse to the beat. I've seen a few projects for this around the net, but everybody seems to be 'winging it' and not necessarily creating a circuit that will last.
So, if it's possible I'd like to do this the 'right' way. The extra twist I've got going on is I'm using RGBW strip lights with a controller.
The intent is to have the strip color (and initial brightness) controlled by the LED controller. For this portion the controller has a dedicated 12v DC input. The complicated part that I'm trying to achieve is to have the strip intensity driven by the amplifier output, such that the LEDs would 'pulse' with the subwoofer output. What I presume is that the output from the controller needs to be regulated, and the most promising solution so far seems to be a transistor, controlling the power sent to the leds based on the input from the audio amplifier. In my limited electronics experience the common wire in the 4-conductor output from the LED controller was the candidate for this regulation.
The amp would be putting out ~0-18v AC for this application.
I plan to use this controller.
And these LEDs.
A helpful user on another forum submitted this sketch for a possible circuit, with amp power coming from the left and the LED controller on the right.
Does this look like something that will do what I'm looking for? Any suggestions or ideas for improvement?