This project involves the creation of a Real-Time Audio Spectrum Analyzer, housed in an enclosure made from acrylic and wood. Due to the size of the analyzer, 3D printing was not a viable option. Instead, we chose a combination of materials to ensure both durability and visual appeal.
- Material: Wood
- Purpose: Provides a strong and rigid foundation for the spectrum analyzer.
- Benefits: Ensures stability and durability, supporting the structure and components securely.
- Material: Black Acrylic and Transparent Acrylic
- Components:
- Black Acrylic: Forms the outline of the towers.
- Transparent Acrylic Cubes: Lightweight and visually appealing, used to house the LEDs.
- Assembly:
- The acrylic tower consists of 100 transparent acrylic cubes.
- These cubes are held in place by a black acrylic outline and a transparent cube holder.
- The cubes and the outline are connected together using acrylic glue.
- Choice of LEDs: We opted for individual LEDs driven by LED driver ICs instead of microcontrollers.
- Reasoning:
- Using one-by-one LEDs allows for precise placement and drilling into the acrylic cubes.
- This setup provides a better visual output compared to using LED strips.
- Drilling: Holes are drilled into the transparent acrylic cubes to accommodate the LEDs.
- Gluing: The components of the acrylic towers are glued together using acrylic glue for a secure and seamless finish.
The dimensions of the acrylic tower are shown in the accompanying picture (include a reference to the picture file here).
This design ensures a robust and visually appealing enclosure for the Real-Time Audio Spectrum Analyzer, leveraging the strengths of both wood and acrylic materials. The choice of individual LEDs driven by LED driver ICs provides a superior visual output for spectrum visualization.
