Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

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Spaceboy64
 
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Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by Spaceboy64 »

I got the 5V 2.4A Switching Power Supply with 20AWG MicroUSB Cable PID: 1995

will this power the
Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board + 2x2W Amp - WAV/OGG Trigger - 2MB
PRODUCT ID: 2210

if I plug it into the MicroUSB port?

I was a little concerned about the 5.25 volts that puts out.

Also, I have tried plugging the Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board into my computer. I can put sounds on it, but can't get the sounds to play. Is this because it doesn't play sounds when plugged into a computer?

Thanks.

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

Yeah, that power supply will work with the FX Board. The extra 200-ish millivolts won't cause any problems.

You're right that the FX Board doesn't play sounds while it's connected to a computer. Under those conditions, the main chip is busy acting like a USB drive.

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Spaceboy64
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by Spaceboy64 »

Thank you!

I had previously only seen examples of this board being powered by wires directly soldered to the board. No examples of the board being powered by a USB power supply.

I know I'm kind of a novice at this type of thing, but information like this would not only help the hobbyist, but probably sales as well. Taking some wisdom from Amazon, an "Also purchased with this product", or "accessories that work with this product" would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Don

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Spaceboy64
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by Spaceboy64 »

I have this powered up and connected to a speaker now, and it works,
however, the volume is too low.

How do I change the volume on this board?

I have tried connecting the volume up pin to the ground, that did nothing.

Thanks.

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Skadar
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by Skadar »

Adafruit Audio FX Mini Sound Board - WAV/OGG Trigger 16MB Flash
PRODUCT ID: 2341

Same Question. How is the volume changed? In other words, what are the Vol +/- pads for and how can they be used? Does the board ship at max volume? Connecting a Gnd to Vol+ didn't seem to do anything. Does the selected volume level remain after power off?

There are so many question and so little documentation.
Last edited by Skadar on Thu Jun 29, 2017 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Spaceboy64
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by Spaceboy64 »

Skadar wrote:Same Question. How is the volume changed?
Haven't heard from anyone yet.

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

You use the '+' and '-' pins at the edge of the board to raise and lower the volume. Each time you connect one to GND, the volume changes by one step (about 0.5db).

You can also set the volume with the Serial interface, but that requires a microcontroller.

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Spaceboy64
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by Spaceboy64 »

Thanks Mike. I couldn't notice any difference in the volume either way.

This might be loud enough for a prop, or something, but for a crowded room it's just not very loud, even after removing the solder from the G1 pins.
If anyone plans on using this board, I'd get the one without the amplifier, and just buy an external amplifier with a volume control knob. They have them on Amazon for $13.

I would like to know if raising the volume on the sound files runs the risk of "blowing the amplifier" on the board. My client will most likely want to record their own sounds.

Thanks,
Don

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board power question

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

No, the volume recorded in the audio tracks can't damage the FX Board's output. It just means the sound will spend more time near the output's 100% level.

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