Audio modules for electronics project

In this video, I'm going to demonstrate various common audio modules - devices you can use to add music or sound effects to your Halloween scare props, escape rooms, model railways, or any other electronics projects!

Particularly, I'll be comparing the following:
DF Player Mini, Catalex Serial MP3 Player, (including the YX5200, YX6300, MH-ET LIVE MH2024K and AA20HF "variants"), DY-SV17F, DY-SV5W, DY-SV8F, DY-HV8F, DY-HV20T

Some of these devices can be controlled by code sent from an Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi, whereas others can be used as a completely standalone device - requiring you only to connect a power supply and speaker. Playback of different sounds can then be controlled by pressing different buttons (or any other inputs), which makes them ideal for use in an interactive museum exhibit or other installation.

Now, it's going to be impossible for me to convey the volume or quality of these modules in a video.... they're all just going to sound like the speakers you're currently listening on at the volume level you've set (possibly a little bit more distorted due to my microphone!). So, I'm going to concentrate on demonstrating these other features instead:
- how to wire them _correctly_ to minimise static noise, clicks, etc. and prevent erratic behaviour during playback
- comparing ease-of-use; some devices can be wired directly to the GPIO pins of a 3.3V or 5V microprocessor, whereas others need external components such as resistors or capacitors
- testing audio latency between flash memory and SD card devices

00:00:00 - 00:00:25 Introduction
00:00:26 - 00:07:22 DF Player Mini MP3 Player
00:07:23 - 00:09:18 Catalex Serial MP3 Player
00:09:19 - 00:14:21 Clones and Counterfeit chips
00:14:22 - 00:21:52 DY-SV17F
00:21:53 - 00:24:20 DY-SV5W and DY-SV8F
00:24:21 - 00:26:53 Comparing SD card and flash latency
00:26:54 - 00:28:14 DY-HV20T and DY-HV8F
00:28:15 - 00:29:48 Preparing Audio files with Audacity
00:29:49 - 00:32:47 The importance of file naming
00:32:48 - 00:35:45 Using DriveSort to correct file indexes
00:35:46 - 00:37:53 Wrapup

[wqwwqwqqpoppopoo]

One thing that I think is worth mentioning, is that the WAV Trigger lets you play up to 14 audio tracks from an SD card AT THE SAME TIME. This is extremely useful and I have not found a suitable alternative that can do the same thing.

[davidc]

Best youtube video on this topic by far. So comprehensive and helpful - thank you. So appreciated.

[ytfp]

Loved this video, it answers a lot of issues to do with audio player modules in a very in depth way. The longer more thorough explainations are very much appreciated.

[jamesmadethis]

Oh my god you have somehow made a video that speaks to exactly the issues I was having with DFmini player!! Thank you thank you. I couldn't find answers anywhere about why my audio was cutting out on it. 🙏🙏

[PaulStanos]

I have been encountering the sorting issue over time as I remove/replace/rename files, and my solution was to just delete all the files and begin again. Obviously, pretty annoying. Thank you for highlighting the DriveSort tool as a much better solution!

[modelmaker]

Great video. Very informative. I was losing my (small) mind with the DF Mini. Bought a DY-HV8F and I'm back in business. Just ordered more. Thank you!

[MakerProjectLab]

This is a fantastic resource! Thank you for putting this together.

[Thunderchops]

Thanks for this vid. Novice here about to start an mp3 player project and this is very helpful.

[Excalibur]

This video is precisely what I needed for my project. Thank you so much!

[spasticjackson]

Brilliant ! Thanks for the bit at the end about naming and indexing. I have just started messing with the AI Thinker Audio Dev Board and the Koobok SD version. Tons of potential with these playback boards. Thanks

[TBoy_]

Many thanks for your video. The DFPlayer mini has been my usual goto for sound and you’ve taught me something new about it (diode). My current project uses the DFPlayer Pro. It has some similarities to the Mini and some differences. Your section on naming was very informative and explained some of my Pro issues. It’s a pity the Pro was not one of your comparisons, but maybe another time. Thanks again 👍🏾🤓

[romanokonechnikov]

Very useful video. I'm tired of DFPLAYER modules, so now I know what to use instead. Thanks!

[LauraBrand-bi]

What a great video for explaining all those DF player quirks! Can’t wait to try some of the DY versions you recommend! Thank you!!!

[SjwNz]

12years ago I had to make a system to play safety messages and some other audio tracks and at the time I was using a bu9437akv chip by ROHM. took ages to get this going and I wish these modules were around back them. I may have to redo the project soon so I will be using one of those modules in your video.

[omot]

Thank you so much for this great introduction into different audio-boards and modules. That is and was so helpful. Great job!!!!

[millenniumfalconnotes]

Thanks for a genuinely useful video! So many other folks don't go into the actual nitty gritty on how to make the things work properly, but just hand-wave vaguely. This is far more useful!

Now - if I could find a board like the ones you described here, but capable of stereo amplified playback and which autoplays on power-up... :)

[russelldicken]

That’s really useful. I’ve not used audio much in projects. Thanks for sharing

[DreamsOfTheMind-video]

Thank you, it helps me to make a choice between all the players! Great explaining to!

[TheBadoumba]

Dear Alastair.
Thanks for all of that and your very useful comments.

Is there any device allowing to play and control independently multiple audio files or do we need one board for each? I was looking for a way to build a 8 steps loop sequencer launching individual audio files and build a more elaborated Raagini Tanpura.
Thanks 😊

[vigneshkarthi]

I was thing of create a cheap ipod shuffle, then I saw your video help me alot.