I have a Sensor Board and am attempting to feed audio to it from my computer. It has an older sound card in it, but claims to be sending out the correct level. I took the advice from @wizard and ordered a Ground Loop Isolator, but it doesn’t help. Stepping up the game, I ordered a LOC (Line Out Converter) that takes a speaker-level, amp’ed signal and knocks it down to line-out levels.
I’ve sketched out a drawing of how the test was set up:
PC → Splitter → Ground Iso → LOC → PB
From what I can tell, there is simply too much noise from the PC to filter out with this setup. So noisy, in fact, that the equalizer pattern looks nearly the same if I am sending it music or not. (The splitter is so I can monitor the sound level coming out of the PC. Also note that the Red/White/Black wires are for one channel, I didn’t draw the other three wires. There are 6 wires on that side of the LOC - I tied the grounds together.)
Bad Sensor Board? NO!
Here’s the nail in the coffin: Straight from my phone’s headphone jack to the Pixelblaze works perfectly. The equalizer pattern is off when there is no music, and responds appropriately when there is!
So, must be this PC? NO! I’ve a second nearly identical PC and the results are the same with the first PC. Augh. Do I have an electrically noisy environment here? I don’t believe so, as I did take care when I moved here to limit what was run where, no fans, several isolaters, etc. sigh
I’m just wondering what to try next. Thoughts? Ideas? Incredulous Comments?
Thanks for your time.
I wanted to note what else I have tried, and what I am thinking of trying:
Adding a ground wire run from PC to Pixelblaze, utilizing the setup & drawing I previously posted
Using a Bluetooth receiver straight into the PB and send music to it that way
(That device already puts out Line Out level and utilizes a 3.5mm jack, so a straight M/M cable)
This I am actually going to try tonight
Hey @wizard, would it be even possible to add that as a feature to the Pixelblaze? Sending music straight to it via Bluetooth would be AWESOME!!
Buying a new sound card with better options (I once had a SoundBlaster Audigy with the external box with tons of connectivity! It was awesome, but got stolen )
Finding something like an “opto-isolator” circuit or device that simply wouldn’t let noise or DC pass.
Maybe invest in a small sound board? Ooof.
Wait and see if the forum folks come up with something!
That looks awesome, @bugilt !! But… at $75 for a refurb I think I will stick with what I have - here’s the link again - even that one is pricey at $55. I had it connected to my stereo rack system so will need to replace it.
The good news is that Bluetooth Receiver solved all of the issues I was having. Works perfectly. The equalizer pattern is quiet when there isn’t a sound and responsive when there is!!
I’ve taken a step back on my creation and am going to figure out how to incorporate that receiver. I will probably just set it on top of the cabinet I already have.
I should be able to tap into the 5V supply and power it from there (it uses a USB connection) - I doubt it draws much but will check. The 15A power supply I am using is way overkill as it is!
If I bodge together an “adapter” with USB on one end and bare wire on the other, I could sneak into the Pixelblaze’s terminal block!
)
