# No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth
## Overview
Merge a timeless fashion standard with sound-reactive, full-color LED animation, and control it all wirelessly from your phone.
Inspired by [John G](https://youtu.be/S3amAjYvVjk), this update to the classic [Ampli-Tie](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-ampli-tie/overview) uses **Circuit Playground Bluefruit** and **Neopixel** **LEDs** to turn your tie into a portable, customizable light show – with **no soldering** required. This one's guaranteed to get you noticed on the dance floor and the vast majority of formal events.
## What you'll need
### Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy
[Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
**Circuit Playground Bluefruit** is our third board in the Circuit Playground series, another step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the popular Circuit Playground Express and made it even better! Now the main chip is an nRF52840...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4333/guides)
### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch
[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little dots of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel dots! They're very small, so they're easy to embed into any structure, costume, or wearable. Each dot is...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3630/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma
[Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
You have a [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333), and want to connect some wires to it for adding LEDs or sensors or speakers? You can use our nice alligator clips, but they are a little bulky. If you aren't quite ready to solder to your Playground,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4103/guides)
### Part: Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh
quantity: 1
The power
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
### Part: Wire Strippers
quantity: 1
For exposing leads
[Wire Strippers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
### Part: Scissors
quantity: 1
For trimming wires, thread, & more
[Scissors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599)
### Part: Pocket Screwdriver
quantity: 1
For securing the wires
[Pocket Screwdriver](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3284)
### Part: Sewing Needes
quantity: 1
Sew those pixels
[Sewing Needes](https://www.adafruit.com/product/615)
To recharge the battery, you should get one of the following depending on how you like to connect things to your computer or a mobile phone battery pack:
### Adafruit Micro-Lipo Charger for LiPoly Batt with USB Type C Jack
[Adafruit Micro-Lipo Charger for LiPoly Batt with USB Type C Jack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4410)
Oh so handy, this little lipo charger is so small and easy to use you can keep it on your desk or mount it easily into any project! Simply plug it via any USB C cable into a USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end. There...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4410)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4410/guides)
### Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger
[Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304)
Oh so adorable, this is the tiniest little lipo charger, so handy you can keep it any project box! Its also easy to use. Simply plug in the gold plated contacts into any USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end. There are...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1304/guides)
### Adafruit Micro-Lipo Charger for LiPo/LiIon Batt w/MicroUSB Jack
[Adafruit Micro-Lipo Charger for LiPo/LiIon Batt w/MicroUSB Jack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1904)
Oh so handy, this little lipo charger is so small and easy to use you can keep it on your desk or mount it easily into any project! Simply plug it via any MicroUSB cable into a USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end....
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1904)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1904/guides)
And for a way to turn the project completely off or on:
### JST 2-pin Extension Cable with On/Off Switch - JST PH2
[JST 2-pin Extension Cable with On/Off Switch - JST PH2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3064)
By popular request - we now have a way you can turn on-and-off Lithium Polymer batteries without unplugging them.
This **PH2 Female/Male JST 2-pin Extension Cable ** comes with an in-line **Switch** - click once to turn on, click again to turn off....
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3064)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3064/guides)
## Plus …
- [Breakaway or Clip-on Tie](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IVBVQC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - if you want a nice one, see [this one in the shop](https://www.adafruit.com/product/486) but any tie will do.
- Fabric (for battery pocket)
- Thread
- [10mm Hem Tape](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JNNYW91/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- Iron & Ironing Board
- iPhone/iPad (iOS 11.3 or later) **or** Android device w BLE (Android 4.4 or later)
# No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth
## CircuitPython on Circuit Playground Bluefruit
# Install or Update CircuitPython
Follow this quick step-by-step to install or update CircuitPython on your Circuit Playground Bluefruit.
[Download the latest version of CircuitPython for this board via circuitpython.org](https://circuitpython.org/board/circuitplayground_bluefruit/)
**Click the link above and download the latest UF2 file**
Download and save it to your Desktop (or wherever is handy)
Plug your Circuit Playground Bluefruit into your computer using a known-good data-capable USB cable.
**A lot of people end up using charge-only USB cables and it is very frustrating! So make sure you have a USB cable you know is good for data sync.**
Double-click the small **Reset** button in the middle of the CPB (indicated by the red arrow in the image). The ten NeoPixel LEDs will all turn red, and then will all turn green. If they turn all red and stay red, check the USB cable, try another USB port, etc. The little red LED next to the USB connector will pulse red - this is ok!
If double-clicking doesn't work the first time, try again. Sometimes it can take a few tries to get the rhythm right!
(If double-clicking doesn't do it, try a single-click!)
You will see a new disk drive appear called **CPLAYBTBOOT**.
Drag the **adafruit\_circuitpython\_etc.uf2** file to **CPLAYBTBOOT.**
The LEDs will turn red. Then, the **CPLAYBTBOOT** drive will disappear and a new disk drive called **CIRCUITPY** will appear.
That's it, you're done! :)
# No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth
## Software
Now that **CircuitPython** is installed on the CPB, we can move on to installing the project software.
## Install Bluefruit Connect & Neopixel libraries
The project code requires three code libraries to assist with Bluetooth communication. **Click the link below** to download the CircuitPython library **bundle** :
[Library Bundle](https://circuitpython.org/libraries)
**Unzip** the library bundle, and open the **lib** folder inside. You'll need to copy three libraries from this folder to the **CIRCUITPY** drive's **lib** folder.
- Locate the folders named **adafruit\_bluefruit\_connect** & **adafruit\_ble** and copy them to the **CIRCUITPY** drive's **lib** folder.
- Locate the file named **neopixel.mpy** and copy it to the **CIRCUITPY** drive's **lib** folder **.**
Your CIRCUITPY drive's file structure should now look like this:
## Upload code
**Copy** the code below and paste it into a **new text file**.
Save the text file as **code.py** to the root of the **CIRCUITPY** drive.
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/Disco_Tie/code.py
Once the project code is **saved** to **CIRCUITPY** as **code.py, ** the software is all set – time to move on to assembling the hardware.
# No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth
## Prepare NeoPixels
First thing to do is trim the neopixel LED strip to match the length of the tie. The [20" breakaway tie](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IVBVQC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) can fit a length of **9 NeoPixels**. If you're using a different tie, be sure to find the appropriate length before cutting.
Regular scissors can be **dulled** or **damaged** by cutting wire, so make sure you use a pair of **wire cutters** or scissors designed to **cut metal** , like [these](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599).
We'll be cutting the strip at two points indicated by dashed red lines in the image below.
## Cut input wires
Cut the **male pin connector** (the one with protruding metal pins inside a plastic shroud) from the strip. Cut close to the connector itself to provide extra length. This is the end of the strip that will connect to the Circuit Playground Bluefruit.
In the picture, there are two extra wires coming out. But depending on the strip, those may be at the male end or the female end. They are not a reliable indicator of which end is which.
Use **wire strippers** to remove about **15mm** of insulation from the end of each freshly cut wire.
Gently **twist** each bundle of wire strands to keep them from fraying.
## Remove extra neopixels
Starting from the end you just cut, count out a length of **9 NeoPixels**.
**Cut** the strip **after the ninth** neopixel, leaving as much of a tail as possible.
Don't strip or split the wires at this end.
When you're all done, the **finished strip** should look like the image above.
### Alternate connection without cutting
Alternatively, if you are making a similar project and have room, you can use the [3-pin JST SM Plug + Receptacle Cable Set](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1663) to plug into the male end of the NeoPixel strip.
# No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth
## Add Battery Pocket
To safely hold the **lipo battery** , we'll create a simple pocket on the back side of the tie.
This pocket will be attached to the tie using heat-activated hem tape, but you could easily recreate it using traditional sewing if you prefer.
## Cut & arrange materials
Cut a piece of fabric **60mm** **x** **75mm** in size.
Cut 4 strips of hem tape; **2 x 75mm** , & **2 x 15mm**
Arrange the pieces of hem tape in the shape of the pocket near the bottom of the tie’s back seam. Leave a gap in the middle of the pocket's bottom to allow the battery's wiring to pass through.
**Carefully** place the pocket fabric **on top** of the hem tape. Make sure the tape is at the outer edges of the pocket – you won't be able to reposition it after ironing.
## Iron pocket in place
Gently place a piece of **scrap fabric** over everything to **protect** the pocket fabric while ironing.
Apply **firm pressure** with a **hot iron** for 10 to 20 seconds. Move the iron back and forth to fix the pocket evenly in place.
Once you’re done, check to make sure the pocket is **fully adhered** to the tie.
# No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth
## Assembly and Wiring
Assemble all components with needle and thread and a bit of wiring.
## Position neopixel strip
Find the vertical **center line** of the tie and **mark** it using pins or tailor’s chalk.
Position the strip along the center line so that **about an inch** of wire **hangs** over the tie's tip.
**Tuck** the **excess tail** of the wire strip near the neck into the tie's **knot**.
## Sew NeoPixels
Sew each NeoPixel in place by passing thread through the **top layer** of fabric and wrapping around one end of the NeoPixel capsule. Then do the same for the other end of the capsule.
To keep the strip aligned while you work, sew the top, bottom, and middle NeoPixels first.
## Attach Circuit Playground Bluefruit
Mount ** bolts** to the CPB's **GND** , **VOUT** , & **A1** pads. Leave them a bit loose so you can easily thread wire around the screw later on.
Position the CPB at the bottom of the back of the tie so that the micro USB port tucks slightly under the tie's fold.
Sew the CPB in place by stitching the **GND** and **3.3V** pads securely to the top layer of fabric.
## Wiring Diagram
Below is a diagram showing all the electrical connections which need to be made. Click the image for a larger view.
## Wire the NeoPixel Strip
The three wires from the NeoPixel strip connect to the following pads on the CPB:
- Red wire -\> **VOUT**
- Middle wire -\> **A1**
- Remaining wire -\> **GND**
**Bend** the wires over the bottom edge of the tie and **secure** the **exposed** **wires** to their respective pads by tightening the bolts with a small screwdriver.
## Connect the Battery
Slide the lipo battery into the pocket while feeding its wire connector through the opening at the pockets end.
**Connect the battery** to the black JST port on the CPB.
Congrats - your new tie is powered up and ready to wear!
## Optional: On/Off Switch
You can plug and unplug the battery from the Circuit Playground to turn it off or on.
An easier way is to use a switch.
### JST 2-pin Extension Cable with On/Off Switch - JST PH2
[JST 2-pin Extension Cable with On/Off Switch - JST PH2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3064)
By popular request - we now have a way you can turn on-and-off Lithium Polymer batteries without unplugging them.
This **PH2 Female/Male JST 2-pin Extension Cable ** comes with an in-line **Switch** - click once to turn on, click again to turn off....
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3064)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3064/guides)
Plug one end into the Circuit Playground battery connector, the other to the battery. Then you can use the black switch to easily turn it off and on.
When you want to charge the battery, disconnect the battery from the switch and use a charger noted on the next page.
# No-Solder LED Disco Tie with Bluetooth
## Use it
## Download app
Adafruit's [Bluefruit LE Connect](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluefruit-le-connect/ios-setup) app is a free, multi-faceted Bluetooth LE toolkit that we'll use to control the tie's lighting and animation. **Download** and **install** the app on your mobile device below:
[Download for iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adafruit-bluefruit-le-connect/id830125974)
[Download for Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adafruit.bluefruit.le.connect)
## Connect via BLE
Ensure your mobile device has **Bluetooth enabled** , and launch the app. The startup screen will display a list of nearby Bluetooth LE devices the app can connect to.
Find the device with a name beginning with **CIRCUITPY** and click **Connect** on the button to the right.
Once connected, tap the table row titled **Controller**. This is the module we'll use to control the tie's color and animations.
## Change animation
The tie has 4 animation modes:
- **Audio Meter** - Live sound level detected by the CPB
- **Rainbow Cycle** - All LEDs fade across color spectrum
- **Larsen Scanner** - LEDs move up & down, ‘cylon’ style
- **Solid Color** - All LEDs same color
From the **Controller** view, tap **Control Pad**. A game controller button interface will appear.
Here's a breakdown of what each Control Pad button does:
- **Button 1** – change to Audio Meter mode
- **Button 2** – change to Rainbow Cycle mode
- **Button 3** – change to Larsen Scanner mode
- **Button 4** – change to Solid Color mode
- **Up Arrow Button** - Speed up Larsen Scanner
- **Down Arrow Button** - Slow down Larsen Scanner
## Change Color
From the **Controller** view, tap **Color Picker** – a color wheel interface will appear. The **Color Picker** will allow you to change the color of the **Larsen Scanner** and **Solid Color** animation modes.
Touch a point on the color wheel to select a hue and drag the slider below to adjust color brightness. Press the **Send** button to send color data to the tie.
## Turning it off
If you want to turn off your tie, to not use it for a bit or to save battery, unplug the battery from the Circuit Playground. If you'd rather have a switch to do so, see the previous page, Optional On/Off Switch.
## Recharging the Battery
The best way is to use one of the battery chargers listed on the Overview page, depending on your USB connection. A computer USB port, a mobile phone recharge battery or wall USB power brick all work.
Take the battery out of the tie, either off the Circuit Playground or the optional on/off switch and plug in to charge. Reconnect when you're ready to use your tie again.
## Cleaning Your Tie
See the following guide:
### Washing Wearable Electronics - Overview
[Washing Wearable Electronics](https://learn.adafruit.com/washing-wearable-electronics)
[Overview](https://learn.adafruit.com/washing-wearable-electronics/overview)
Warning: Be sure to remove the battery before performing any cleaning or being near water.
## Featured Products
### Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy
[Circuit Playground Bluefruit - Bluetooth® Low Energy](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
**Circuit Playground Bluefruit** is our third board in the Circuit Playground series, another step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the popular Circuit Playground Express and made it even better! Now the main chip is an nRF52840...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4333/guides)
### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch
[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Dots Strand - 20 LEDs at 2" Pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
Attaching NeoPixel strips to your costume can be a struggle as the flexible PCBs can crack when bent too much. So how to add little dots of color? Use these stranded NeoPixel dots! They're very small, so they're easy to embed into any structure, costume, or wearable. Each dot is...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3630)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3630/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 1200mAh for a total of about 4.5 Wh. If you need a larger battery,
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/258/guides)
### Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma
[Bolt-On Kit for Circuit Playground, micro:bit, Flora or Gemma](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
You have a [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333), and want to connect some wires to it for adding LEDs or sensors or speakers? You can use our nice alligator clips, but they are a little bulky. If you aren't quite ready to solder to your Playground,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4103)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4103/guides)
### 3-pin JST SM Plug + Receptacle Cable Set
[3-pin JST SM Plug + Receptacle Cable Set](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1663)
These 3-wire cables are 163mm (6.4") long and come as a set. One cable has a JST SM type connector plug on the end. The other cable has a matching JST SM type receptacle connector. They are good for whenever you have 3 wires you want to be able to plug and unplug. We like the solid and...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1663)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1663/guides)
### Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers
[Hakko Professional Quality 20-30 AWG Wire Strippers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
These are the finest wire strippers we have used, and if you have to do a lot of wiring, you will agree! They have soft rounded grips - very comfortable to use, and precision ground notches that do a perfect job every time. No more yanking or twisting to strip wires cleanly and quickly.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/527)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/527/guides)
### Super Scissors
[Super Scissors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599)
Save your scissors! Instead of using your nice shears (and dulling them) or wire cutters (not right for the job) - use these super scissors. They're meant for engineering/maker cutting jobs such as cutting plastic, leather, copper sheet/wire, even coaxial & ribbon cables. There's a...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1599/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-bluefruit.md)
- [Wireless Image Transfer with Circuit Playground Bluefruit and TFT Gizmo](https://learn.adafruit.com/wireless-image-transfer-with-circuit-playground-bluetooth-and-tft-gizmo.md)
- [BLE Synth with the Feather nRF52840 and Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/ble-synth-with-the-feather-nrf52840-and-circuit-playground-bluefruit.md)
- [Sparkle Skirt Playground](https://learn.adafruit.com/sparkle-skirt-playground.md)
- [CPX Glowing Disembodied Hand](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpx-glowing-disembodied-hand.md)
- [Frozen-Inspired Animated Pendant with Temperature Sensing](https://learn.adafruit.com/frozen-gizmo-pendant-with-temperature-sensing.md)
- [Make it Glow: NeoPixel and LED Diffusion Tips & Tricks](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-glow-neopixel-and-led-diffusion-tips-tricks.md)
- [Color Remote with Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/color-remote-with-circuit-playground-bluefruit.md)
- [Simple and Beautiful NeoPixel Holiday Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/simple-beautiful-color-changing-light-strand.md)
- [Easy No-Soldering Bluetooth Controlled Room Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/easy-no-solder-bluetooth-controlled-room-lights.md)
- [MagicLight Bulb Color Mixer with Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/magiclight-bulb-mixer.md)
- [PyLeap App](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyleap-app.md)
- [File Glider](https://learn.adafruit.com/file-glider.md)
- [CLUE Metal Detector in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/clue-metal-detector-circuitpython.md)
- [How to use the Puppet Module in the Bluefruit Playground App](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-use-the-puppet-module-in-the-bluefruit-playground-app.md)
- [Wirelessly Code your Bluetooth Device with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/wirelessly-code-your-bluetooth-device-with-circuitpython.md)