Is there a product out there that does this?

[pinnacle]

I tried googling but no dice (it's kind of hard to type in a search query for this)

Anyway what I'm looking for is something that I can plug into my computer that will react to the audio being played. A simple hardware visualizer, so to speak. Specifically I'm looking for a vertical array of LED's or something to that effect.

Preferably the system should be versatile (say I want to have one bar on either side of my monitor, or maybe a bar for each frequency range of the audio to make a complete equalizer-looking thing (http://www.pixelhivedesign.com/tutorials/Simulated+Flash+Audio+Spectrum+Analyzer/)) but I'm open to anything at this point. I even tried making my own but when I was planning the needed parts it became way too expensive considering I only kinda know what I'm doing.

Anyone know of a product that does this?

[toniglandyl]

an oscilloscope ?

[Airmoran]

The closest I can think of are LCD front panels. Here's an example (http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2008/05/04/matrix-orbital-gx-typhoon-display/1), although I have no idea how good it is. Alternatively, you can just buy an LCD and do the wiring yourself.

The LCD on the G15 keyboard could also work.

[Agent_5]

Google results for 'computer sound reactive lighting' (http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=computer+sound+reactive+lighting&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8).

Tutorial to make a sound reactive led (http://www.instructables.com/id/Sound-reactive-led/).

[pinnacle]

Google results for 'computer sound reactive lighting' (http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=computer+sound+reactive+lighting&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8).

Tutorial to make a sound reactive led (http://www.instructables.com/id/Sound-reactive-led/).
Both of those are a little off from what I described. There were a few links in that google search result that I had seen before, specifically the Lightbus CCFL controller but what I'm looking for is something to decorate my room, not my computer. I guess if I can't find anything else I could put the Lightbus in an external 5.25" enclosure then run a long molex cable from my power supply to the Lightbus but obviously that's not an elegant solution.

As for the second link it wasn't the 'how' that tripped me up when I was looking into building my own... it was the 'what'. I could very easily get one LED to work but in order to get the look that I wanted it would take a hell of a lot more effort than that.

Thanks for the help though... there's gotta be a product out there that does what I want...

[Lizard Of Oz]

Bob's your uncle! (http://www.farmfreshstuff.com/)


Edit:

Oops, after re-reading your post I see that this (http://www.electronics-lab.com/blog/?p=350) is closer to what you're looking for.

Or maybe something from here: http://www.shopwiki.com/search/Chauvet+LED+Color+Tube+2

Do you have a spare $800.00 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3032558&siteID=WUqD6wTpSTg-Q1UexDoohcFUIodghKkriQ) Laying around?
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[DaJMasta]

A VU meter is cheap enough, but only does volume, not frequency ranges.



Why do you need an external one instead of just a program to show it?

[pinnacle]

Bob's your uncle! (http://www.farmfreshstuff.com/)


Edit:

Oops, after re-reading your post I see that this (http://www.electronics-lab.com/blog/?p=350) is closer to what you're looking for.

Or maybe something from here: http://www.shopwiki.com/search/Chauvet+LED+Color+Tube+2

Do you have a spare $800.00 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3032558&siteID=WUqD6wTpSTg-Q1UexDoohcFUIodghKkriQ) Laying around?
.
.
Yep, all of those are good suggestions. The Chauvet stuff is really close to what I'm looking for but the only problems are obviously the price and the fact that I'd need to buy a whole bunch of other equipment to connect the thing to my computer. The specs for the controllers looked like they didn't have any 3.5mm input. That ColorTube EQ thing is pretty much exactly what I had in mind though, except for those problems.

DaJMasta - In the cases where I'd use what I'm describing I wouldn't actually sitting at the computer. I'm going to be queuing up a whole bunch of music then turning off the monitor.