LED driver
for music synthesizers.

LED driver

DISCONTINUED
 

This is a tiny ancillary board that contains a single transistorized LED driver. It is designed to be connected to any output that puts out a voltage that ranges between 0V and over 2V. As presented in the diagrams, the module is designed for gate signals where the LED will have an ON/OFF action.

If the lower 100k resistor in the input divider is replaced with a reverse biased 1N4148 diode, the module can be used to monitor the positive excursions of bipolar CVs and audio signals.

It can also be connected to some internal circuit elements to indicate how that part of the circuit is behaving.

The drive current can be adjusted for different types of LEDs. If using super bright LEDs, increase the 1k resistor to 10k.


The schematic of the LED driver.

Construction


The component overlay.
Connections can be determined from the circuit diagram.

Notes:

  • This will work with +/-12 volts systems too.
  • PCB info: 0.5" x 1.2" with 3mm mounting holes 0.15" in from the edges at one end.

Parts list
Hardware Kit BOM

This is a guide only. Parts needed will vary with individual constructor's needs.

Article, art & design copyright 2004 by Ken Stone