I need some help. I am trying to get timed outputs from music. I want to create an interface from the computer to control approx 40-50 relays. If anyone has ideas to make this easy they would be appreciated, but ill probably figgure it out soon. I bolded the important questions for easy reference


What i really need is help finding/creating a program that i could animate these 40-50 (or more if i decide to expand) relays to the music. I want to manually choose the animation sequence, but i need the computer to time it perfectly to the music. I also need to figgure out how the computer will interface to them. I know there is DMX512 and such lighting protocols but that is a whole lot more than i need (for a whole lot more money than im willing to spend). THis will just be for my friends dance/DJ party i am going to create the intro for... basically a light show set to music.

Any help you could provide, or point me to existing programs would be great.

I dont know any off the top of my head, what programs have you looked into so far? One of my supervisors is a professional DJ, I could ask him about something next time I see him

The 'hard' way to do this is to build an LCR circuit for each frequency response band you want to capture (divide all the audible frequencies up evenly), then run that signal from each sub-circuit to an amplifier that would have enough current to trigger a relay. SSR'* would simplify this, but increase the cost.

well i dont want it to animate the song FOR me necessarily.

I will pick the outputs and program them to parts of the song...

I do have preliminary printed circuit board designs already though... a weekend at my friends house with a few drinks works wonders for productivity!