# nOOds LED CV Signal Visualizers

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/933/medium800thumb/components_pwmNoods.jpg?1663020313)

In this project, you'll use the nOOds flexible LED filaments to make light-up visualizers to plug into your CV outputs. CV synths are like musical circuits: you can send waveforms with varying voltages around your setup to create desired bleeps and bloops. Sometimes making a patch can feel like plugging cables into a nebulous void though, especially if you inadvertently create cable spaghetti. As a result, it can be helpful to visualize the signals with LEDs.

https://youtu.be/XsW8IBdaUnI

The nOOds are soldered up to audio jacks on either end to create a "cable". However, It's important to note that the nOOds _ **do not carry CV signals** _, they're purely decorative.

The nOOds' anode (positive) is connected to the audio jack's tip and the nOOds' cathode (negative) is connected to the other audio jack's ground. The positive end is plugged into a CV output and then ground can be grabbed from any open jack. 

Info: 

## Voltage Considerations

This setup assumes for a 5V maximum output from your CV synth. If you know that the CV voltage you're using is higher or lower, you'll want to adjust the inline resistor to a different value for best performance.

## Prerequisite Guides
[Adafruit nOOds Überguide](https://learn.adafruit.com/noods-uberguide/overview)
## Parts
### nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Blue

[nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Blue](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5508)
Our favorite food when hacking on code or electronics is a hot bowl of noodles - and around NYC these are often called 'noods'! What we've got here are flexible LED noodles, in different lengths and colors. All are not good for eatin' but they are good for cool lighting...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5508)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5508/guides)
![Close-up video of a pair of white hands coiling and playing with a 300mm long blue LED filament.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5508-04.jpg)

### nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Pink

[nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Pink](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5510)
Our favorite food when hacking on code or electronics is a hot bowl of noodles - and around NYC these are often called 'noods'! What we've got here are flexible LED noodles, in different lengths and colors. All are not good for eatin' but they are good for cool lighting...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5510)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5510/guides)
![Video of a pair of white hands coiling and playing with a 300mm long green pink filament.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5510-04.jpg)

### nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Lime Green

[nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Lime Green](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5507)
Our favorite food when hacking on code or electronics is a hot bowl of noodles - and around NYC these are often called 'noods'! What we've got here are flexible LED noodles, in different lengths and colors. All are not good for eatin' but they _are _good for...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5507)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5507/guides)
![Video of a pair of white hands coiling and playing with a 300mm long green LED filament.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5507-04.jpg)

### 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo DIY Plug

[3.5mm (1/8") Stereo DIY Plug](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1800)
Repair or design your very own audio cables with these nice and durable phono-jack connectors. This is a great plug to make your own cable with. it's made out of durable metal with a flexible, sturdy spring for strain-relief. Just solder the connector to some wires and you have a DIY audio...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1800)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1800/guides)
![3.5mm stereo plug.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1800-00.jpg)

### Through-Hole Resistors - 220 ohm 5% 1/4W - Pack of 25

[Through-Hole Resistors - 220 ohm 5% 1/4W - Pack of 25](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2780)
ΩMG! You're not going to be able to resist these handy resistor packs! Well, axially, they do all of the resisting for you!

This is a **25 Pack of 220Ω Resistors.** More specifically, they are **carbon film** , through-hole...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2780)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2780/guides)
![Angled shot of 25 Through-Hole Resistors - 220 ohm 5% 1/4W.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/2780-00.jpg)

### Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack - 3/32" + 1/8" + 3/16" Diameters

[Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack - 3/32" + 1/8" + 3/16" Diameters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1649)
Heat shrink is the duct tape of electronics which I guess makes this heat shrink the colorful and exciting duct tape they sell at craft stores.  This heat shrink comes in six different colors - red, blue, green, yellow, white and the traditional black.

Each pack contains ten...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1649)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1649/guides)
![Array of many colorful heatshrink tubes.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1649-00.jpg)

# nOOds LED CV Signal Visualizers

## Circuit Diagram

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/925/medium800/components_cv_nOOds_bb.png?1662996284)

## Wiring

- **Audio jack tip** to **220Ω resistor**
- **220Ω resistor** to **nOOd anode** (positive)
- **Audio jack ground** to **nOOd cathode** (negative)

# nOOds LED CV Signal Visualizers

## Assembly

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/914/medium800/components_edited_P1380768.jpg?1662993927)

## Prepare the Audio Jacks
Open the two audio jacks by unscrewing the knurled jack housing. You'll see a plastic tube over the jack connections. Remove it and save it for later.

![components_edited_P1380770.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/915/medium640/components_edited_P1380770.jpg?1662994004)

## Solder the Anode
The nOOd's anode is soldered to the audio jack's tip. The tip is on the left of a stereo audio jack.

![components_edited_P1380774.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/916/medium640/components_edited_P1380774.jpg?1662994023)

Insert a 220Ω resistor into the hole in the audio jack's tip. Solder it in place.

![components_edited_P1380780.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/917/medium640/components_edited_P1380780.jpg?1662994087)

Identify the nOOd's anode connection. It has a tiny hole in it. Solder it to the resistor.

![components_edited_P1380782.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/918/medium640/components_edited_P1380782.jpg?1662994148)

![components_edited_P1380785.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/919/medium640/components_edited_P1380785.jpg?1662994166)

Apply heat shrink to the soldered connections, completely covering the resistor. Slide the audio jack's plastic tube over the jack's pins and close up the jack by screwing in the knurled housing.

![components_edited_P1380791.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/920/medium640/components_edited_P1380791.jpg?1662994223)

## Solder the Cathode
Slide the knurled housing over the cathode end of the nOOd, followed by the jack's plastic tube and a piece of heat shrink.

Solder the nOOd's cathode to the audio jack's ground pin. The ground pin is the longer pin in the middle of the stereo jack.

![components_edited_P1380803.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/921/medium640/components_edited_P1380803.jpg?1662994416)

Apply heat shrink to the soldered connection. Then, slide the audio jack's plastic tube over the jack's pins.

![components_edited_P1380805.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/922/medium640/components_edited_P1380805.jpg?1662994548)

Close up the audio jack's knurled housing and you have an LED "cable"!

![components_edited_P1380808.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/923/medium640/components_edited_P1380808.jpg?1662994583)

# nOOds LED CV Signal Visualizers

## Usage

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/930/medium800/components_edited_P1380816.jpg?1663012953)

Plug the anode end of the nOOd cable into a CV output. Plug the cathode end of the nOOd cable into any open jack. You'll see the nOOds' brightness be affected by the CV signal voltage and waveform type.

Gate signals, or square waves, will create a blinky effect.

![components_gateNoods.gif](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/929/medium640thumb/components_gateNoods.jpg?1663012656)

LFO's (low frequency oscillation), sine waves and triangle waves will create a PWM (pulse width modulation) effect.

![components_pwmNoods.gif](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/928/medium640thumb/components_pwmNoods.jpg?1663012397)

You can use signal multipliers or piggyback cables to send the CV signals to your nOOds. It's important to note that the nOOds _ **do not carry CV signals** _, they're purely decorative.

![components_edited_P1380832.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/927/medium640/components_edited_P1380832.jpg?1663011933)

Info: 


## Featured Products

### nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Blue

[nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Blue](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5508)
Our favorite food when hacking on code or electronics is a hot bowl of noodles - and around NYC these are often called 'noods'! What we've got here are flexible LED noodles, in different lengths and colors. All are not good for eatin' but they are good for cool lighting...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5508)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5508/guides)
### nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Pink

[nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Pink](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5510)
Our favorite food when hacking on code or electronics is a hot bowl of noodles - and around NYC these are often called 'noods'! What we've got here are flexible LED noodles, in different lengths and colors. All are not good for eatin' but they are good for cool lighting...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5510)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5510/guides)
### nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Lime Green

[nOOds - Flexible LED Filament - 3V 300mm long - Lime Green](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5507)
Our favorite food when hacking on code or electronics is a hot bowl of noodles - and around NYC these are often called 'noods'! What we've got here are flexible LED noodles, in different lengths and colors. All are not good for eatin' but they _are _good for...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5507)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5507/guides)
### 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo DIY Plug

[3.5mm (1/8") Stereo DIY Plug](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1800)
Repair or design your very own audio cables with these nice and durable phono-jack connectors. This is a great plug to make your own cable with. it's made out of durable metal with a flexible, sturdy spring for strain-relief. Just solder the connector to some wires and you have a DIY audio...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1800)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1800/guides)
### Through-Hole Resistors - 220 ohm 5% 1/4W - Pack of 25

[Through-Hole Resistors - 220 ohm 5% 1/4W - Pack of 25](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2780)
ΩMG! You're not going to be able to resist these handy resistor packs! Well, axially, they do all of the resisting for you!

This is a **25 Pack of 220Ω Resistors.** More specifically, they are **carbon film** , through-hole...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2780)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2780/guides)
### Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack - 3/32" + 1/8" + 3/16" Diameters

[Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack - 3/32" + 1/8" + 3/16" Diameters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1649)
Heat shrink is the duct tape of electronics which I guess makes this heat shrink the colorful and exciting duct tape they sell at craft stores.  This heat shrink comes in six different colors - red, blue, green, yellow, white and the traditional black.

Each pack contains ten...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1649)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1649/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit nOOds Überguide](https://learn.adafruit.com/noods-uberguide.md)
- [Arduino Lesson 5. The Serial Monitor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-5-the-serial-monitor.md)
- [GitHub Actions Status Tower Light](https://learn.adafruit.com/github-actions-status-tower-light.md)
- [LED Tricks: Gamma Correction](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-tricks-gamma-correction.md)
- [Circuit Playground Sound-Controlled Robot](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-sound-controlled-robot.md)
- [Arduino Lesson 7. Make an RGB LED Fader](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-7-make-an-rgb-led-fader.md)
- [Adafruit QT 3V to 5V Level Booster Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-qt-3v-to-5v-level-booster-breakout.md)
- [All the Internet of Things - Episode Five: The S in IoT is for Security](https://learn.adafruit.com/all-the-internet-of-things-episode-five-the-s-in-iot-is-for-security.md)
- [Using NeoPixels and Servos Together](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixels-and-servos.md)
- [Make It Change: Potentiometers](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-change-potentiometers.md)
- [Arduino Lesson 8. Analog Inputs](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-8-analog-inputs.md)
- [Motion-Activated Solder Fume Extractor With Lamp](https://learn.adafruit.com/motion-activated-solder-fume-extractor-with-lamp.md)
- [Raspberry Pi E-mail Notifier Using LEDs](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-e-mail-notifier-using-leds.md)
- [Windows IoT Core Application Management](https://learn.adafruit.com/windows-iot-application-management.md)
- [Adafruit DVI Breakout Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dvi-breakout-board.md)
- [Protect Your Online Accounts with Strong Passwords & Password Managers](https://learn.adafruit.com/protect-your-social-media-online-accounts-with-a-strong-password-manager.md)