This is a tinkerers integration mod. It's helpful if you have some previous experience with ESP32/WLED setups.
These instructions should get you started. I'm happy to help with configuration and program setup once a few people get that far.
Its not difficult and everything is off-the-shelf, but it is not a plug-n-play solution. If you want plug-n-play, this isn't for you. Perhaps someone else will make a kit and license the software.
Example of end product on Foo Fighters Pro (I have also done this to my Rush Pro)
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Parts Needed:
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3 Meters - WS2812B RGB 5050SMD IP65 60pixels/meter BLACK PCB - example - https://www.amazon.com/BTF-LIGHTING-Flexible-Individually-Addressable-Non-waterproof/dp/B01CDTEKAG
- Its important to get IP65 to get protection of the LEDs from the giant conductive metal ball that can land on them!
- you could also use 30 pixels/meter if you want a lower density
- there are MANY other vendor options for these. I source them from ebay.com link: itm and its cheaper, but the amazon link above should work fine
Power Supply - example - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFLYDKKD/
- Needs to be 5v 5A minimum. Higher isn't needed, but if you have something laying around, almost any 5v can work plugged into the service outlet
ESP32 control board - example - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J95SMG7/
- There are a ton of options for ESP32 boards, make sure to choose one that exposes GPIO0 (that is GPIO-ZERO).
Audio ADC - example - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832803602142.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US
- This is a tricky one. I tried to get an analog circuit to work and was unsuccessful. I tried a few different I2S boards and this is the one that worked best...but it needs GPIO0 exposed on the ESP32
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Connecting parts:
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Assuming you already have soldering iron and basic electronics tools (wire stripper, etc)
1. stereo RCA cable - example - https://www.amazon.com/C2G-40464-Value-Stereo-Meters/dp/B0019MEG4E/
2. grab a pack of jumper wires - example - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S2RH6Q4/ to make connections easier
3. you will need about 10ft of basic 3-conductor LED wire - example - https://www.amazon.com/LEADTOPS-Conductor-Extension-Stranded-WS2812B/dp/B08JPLRXRK
4. snap connectors - example - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VGMN31T
- wago connectors are better, but more expensive. YMMV
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Basic concept:
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1. You need to tap into the line out of the SPIKE2 CPU board - see PinMonk excellent post at https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/replacing-on-board-amp-with-external-amp-for-iron-maiden
2. Splice the RCA cable into the connector above and plug the RCA ends into the I2S board.
--the I2S board also accepts a 1/8" input, so if you have one of those laying around try that
--note: you probably will need to only connect the shield to ONE of the channels to avoid an audio ground loop. I only have the "left" channel ground connected
3. Use the jumper wires to connect the I2S -> ESP32 board -- THIS IS PROBABLY THE TRICKIEST PART
-- this part you need to reference - https://mm.kno.wled.ge/soundreactive/Line-Input/ - to set up the I2S board
--- Remove jumper from MLCK
--- DIP SWITCH - SLAVE
-- then, lower in the post -> map the following to the ESP board pinout
--- BCK = I2S SCK
--- OUT = I2S SD
--- LRC = I2S WS
--- SCK = I2S MCLK (master clock)
--- Ground
--- 3.3v input
4. Cut the LED strip into two sections, being careful to make sure the signal flow arrows point from the top of the playfield down toward the flippers
-- you can use the sticky that is on the leds strip, but its not great. I use an additional layer of double sided tape. It still peels off if you want to remove them later
5. connect the + and - of the LEDs and the ESP32 to the power supply via the snap connectors
6. connect the data for each led strip to to open ports on the ESP32 (d2 and d4 are common)
This completes the minimum hardware installation
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Software:
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1. You need to flash the ESP32 with WLED, Sound Reactive, MoonMod - https://wled-install.github.io/
-- if you haven't done any of this, its not difficult and there are MANY tutorials out there to get up and running with WLED - start here - https://kno.wled.ge/
-- Specifically, im using MoonMod V.0.14.0 beta15
-- once flashed and connected to your wifi, there are several config screens to setup the leds and I2S interface.
2. Configuration Notes for WLED-SR-MM
-- In LED Preferences, I have the Max Current set to 10000mA and Default Brightness at 64
-- Each side of my game has 104 LEDs. I have played around a bit on different segments and ended up with two segments per side, one "reversed" on each side.
Depending on the preset, this makes a "meter" effect start in the middle of the playfield and travel up and down in sync. Pretty cool effect.
3. Programs and presets - This is where customization can get really crazy. If you have seen the options on the Tokyo Neon sign mod, its on that level of craziness! IMHO, you COULD do something even better than the "official expression kit"
-- The presets with one musical note = LEDs react to the sound and you choose the color palette (or create your own custom pallete)
-- The presets with Two musical notes = an FFT is done on the audio signal and the color palette is dynamic with the frequency content of the audio (think about the old school "spectrum analyzers" from the 80s/90s home stereos.
-- You can have a different preset AND color palette for each segment you created above in step 2. In my case, its four segments...but I mirror the two sides. You could get even more granular and create segments that directly correspond to areas of the playfield...then assign a color palette that complements the artwork in that area...and have different patterns going.
-- I have 10 different presets that randomly change every three minutes. This seems to be a good compromise of usually having a different effect per mode (but randomized to a degree)
-- One thing Id like to add, but havent figured out a way yet. IF the game is in attract mode (eg. no audio), switch to a preset that is not sound reactive.
At the moment, in attract mode, because of the silence, the LEDs are always off.
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Other notes:
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1. The LEDs are "sync'd" to the sounds coming from the system, NOT just the music. This isn't super noticeable unless there are quiet times between songs and other call-out happening.
2. The patterns can change by programming a playlist on the ESP32. They wont trigger a different pattern when a new song starts (though this would be a cool possibility for someone with more programming skills, maybe "listen" for the audio sig of the start of a song?)
3. The color palette of the LEDS is also completely configurable per pattern....so you can setup some pretty different effects to add personality
4. Mirror blades make a huge difference and I highly recommend them
5. I purposely did NOT add LED diffusion. I like seeing the actual LEDs, kind of remind me of mini stage lights at concerts...but you could add a diffusor on top to soften the light
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End note:
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If you have made it this far, congrats! While writing this up, I realize this is MUCH more involved than I had thought. I did this over the course of several weeks and have been tinkering with ESP32/WLED for years...so it wasnt difficult for me, but re-reading it, I can see it might be over whelming for someone new.
Please post here if there is more interest in getting this up and running. WLED software is NOT mine to distribute, so I cannot sell a pre-configured kit.
However, if there is enough interest, I might be willing to put together a hardware "starter kit" or some one off consulting...IDK.
Nashville, TN
Hamilton, ON
