# MP3 Playback with CircuitPython ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/131/100/medium800/circuitpython_Screenshot_2024-01-22_111822.png?1720452517) Compressed audio can be a nice alternative to uncompressed WAV files, especially when you have a small filesystem like that on many CircuitPython boards, as WAV files get sizeable quite quickly. MP3 technology dates to the 1990s and [all the patents have long since expired worldwide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3#Licensing_and_patent_issues), making it an obvious choice for compressed audio. For this reason, many builds of CircuitPython include the `audiomp3` module with its `MP3Decoder` object. You can listen to a much longer playlist with CircuitPython, using the built in MP3 playback capability! The MP3 decoder itself supports a wide range of formats, including CBR, ABR and VBR. Across most boards that support MP3Decoder, we've found that **mono and stereo** files from **32kbit** /s to **128kbit** /s work, with sample rates from **16kHz** to **44.1kHz**. More powerful boards can even **decode and mix two MP3s** and some Espressif boards can **stream MP3s from a web server**. ## MP3 playback projects Want some ideas about what you can do with MP3 playback? Here are a few of the MP3 projects which are documented on the Adafruit Learning System: [PyGamer MP3 Player with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/pygamer-mp3-player-with-circuitpython) ![circuitpython_projects_IMG_20200518_100307.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/131/078/medium640/circuitpython_projects_IMG_20200518_100307.jpg?1720042572) [MP3 Playback in CircuitPython with Lars the Sloth Puppet](https://learn.adafruit.com/mp3-circuitpython-lars) ![circuitpython_projects_lars-2400.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/131/079/medium640/circuitpython_projects_lars-2400.jpg?1720042683) [PyPortal Winamp MP3 Player](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-winamp-mp3-player) ![circuitpython_base_photo.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/131/080/medium640/circuitpython_base_photo.png?1720042731) ## Parts for the MP3 Streaming Example ### Adafruit Metro ESP32-S3 with 16 MB Flash 8 MB PSRAM [Adafruit Metro ESP32-S3 with 16 MB Flash 8 MB PSRAM](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5500) What's Metro-shaped and has an ESP32-S3 WiFi module? What has a STEMMA QT connector for I2C devices and a Lipoly charger circuit? What has your favorite Espressif WiFi microcontroller and lots of memory for your next IoT project? That's right - it's the new... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5500) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5500/guides) ![Angled shot of black, credit-card-sized dev board.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5500-10.jpg) ### Adafruit Metro ESP32-S2 [Adafruit Metro ESP32-S2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4775) What's Metro shaped and has an ESP32-S2 WiFi module? What has a STEMMA QT connector for I2C devices, and a Lipoly charger circuit? What has your favorite Espressif WiFi microcontroller and lots of memory for your next IoT project? That's right - its the new Adafruit Metro... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4775) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4775/guides) ![Angled shot of Adafruit Metro esp32-s2 ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4775-06.jpg) ### Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2 w.FL Antenna - 8MB Flash + 2 MB PSRAM [Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2 w.FL Antenna - 8MB Flash + 2 MB PSRAM](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5438) One of our star Feathers is the [Adafruit HUZZAH32 ESP32 Feather](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3405) - with the fabulous ESP32 WROOM module on there, it makes quick work of WiFi and Bluetooth® projects that take advantage of Espressifs most popular chipset. Recently we had... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5438) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5438/guides) ![Angled shot of rectangular microcontroller.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5438-10.jpg) ### Part: I2S Decoder quantity: 1 PCM5102A I2S AUX Stereo Digital Audio DAC Decoder Board [I2S Decoder](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C5QX228) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/mp3-playback-with-circuitpython/mp3-capabilities-by-microcontroller.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit Metro ESP32-S3 with 16 MB Flash 8 MB PSRAM [Adafruit Metro ESP32-S3 with 16 MB Flash 8 MB PSRAM](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5500) What's Metro-shaped and has an ESP32-S3 WiFi module? What has a STEMMA QT connector for I2C devices and a Lipoly charger circuit? What has your favorite Espressif WiFi microcontroller and lots of memory for your next IoT project? That's right - it's the new... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5500) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5500/guides) ### Adafruit Metro ESP32-S2 [Adafruit Metro ESP32-S2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4775) What's Metro shaped and has an ESP32-S2 WiFi module? What has a STEMMA QT connector for I2C devices, and a Lipoly charger circuit? What has your favorite Espressif WiFi microcontroller and lots of memory for your next IoT project? That's right - its the new Adafruit Metro... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4775) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4775/guides) ### Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2 w.FL Antenna - 8MB Flash + 2 MB PSRAM [Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2 w.FL Antenna - 8MB Flash + 2 MB PSRAM](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5438) One of our star Feathers is the [Adafruit HUZZAH32 ESP32 Feather](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3405) - with the fabulous ESP32 WROOM module on there, it makes quick work of WiFi and Bluetooth® projects that take advantage of Espressifs most popular chipset. Recently we had... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5438) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5438/guides) ### Analog Potentiometer Volume Adjustable TRRS Headset [Analog Potentiometer Volume Adjustable TRRS Headset](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3959) Most modern headphone sets are purely digital - with three volume control buttons in-line with the cable. These headphones are interesting in that they have an _analog_ volume control potentiometer. Perfect for use with electronic projects that don't have volume control, or for... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3959) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3959/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Metro ESP32-S2](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-metro-esp32-s2.md) - [Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-esp32-feather-v2.md) - [Adafruit Metro ESP32-S3](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-metro-esp32-s3.md) - [WiFi Mailbox Notifier](https://learn.adafruit.com/wifi-mailbox-notifier.md) - [CAN Bus with CircuitPython: Using the canio module](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-canio-circuitpython.md) - [Use Docker to Compile Linux for ESP32-S3](https://learn.adafruit.com/docker-esp32-s3-linux.md) - [ESP-NOW in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/esp-now-in-circuitpython.md) - [Garden Path Lights with WLED and a Sunset Timer](https://learn.adafruit.com/garden-path-lights-with-sunset-timer.md) - [Temperature and Humidity Sensing in Home Assistant with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/temperature-and-humidity-sensing-in-home-assistant-with-circuitpython.md) - [WiFi-Controlled NeoPixel Matrix LED Sign](https://learn.adafruit.com/iot-led-sign.md) - [Introducing Adafruit Feather](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather.md) - [Networking in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/networking-in-circuitpython.md) - [Animating Animatronics](https://learn.adafruit.com/animating-animatronics.md) - [Plotting Offline Data - JSONL to CSV files, filters and graphs](https://learn.adafruit.com/plotting-offline-data-jsonl-to-csv-files-filters-and-graphs.md) - [No-Code WipperSnapper Summoning Horn](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-io-wippersnapper-summoning-horn.md) - [IoT Power Outlet with CircuitPython and Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-io-a-c-power-relay.md)