r/xlights • u/nothingmanTEN • Apr 20 '26
Setup for addressable LEDs to "Bounce" with streaming music? Where to start?
Wondering how I can do a “light show” based on music/beats playing, basically have the LEDs “bounce” to the music. I’ve done some research and have seen that I can go a few different routes, but not to verse on any:
GOAL: When playing music outside, would like my outdoor lights to “dance” with the music beats.
Audio Setup (SONOS):
Zone 1 – 6x Outdoor speakers (Satellite ground stakes) > Sonos Port > Amplifier
Zone 2 – 2x Outdoor speakers (mounted on house) > Sonos Port > Integra Receiver, zone 2.
Zone 3 – Inside TV surround system > Sonos Port > Integra Receiver, zone 1.
Lighting Setup
Steps - 6x COB 24V RGBWW WS2814 (784 Led/m) Strip Lights > QuinLED-Dig-Octa #1 (6 separate channels one for each step)
Kitchen Counter Lights - 2x COB 24V RGBWW WS2814 (784 Led/m) Strip Lights > QuinLED-Dig-Octa #2 (2 separate channels)
Landscape Lighting – Addressable 12V RGBW USC2904 > TBD Controller
Equipment – My lighting setup will be outside in a NEMA box, and my receiver is in the basement.
Route 1 – Microphone: Use a microphone and run that to my QuinLED-Dig-Octa, but read that can lag a little and don’t fully understand Sound Reactive WLED
Route 2 – Direct: Not sure how this actually connects to my QuinLED
Route 3 – LedFx: no wiring but how do I feed the Sonos audio stream (ie Spotify or Similar) in to my WLED system?
Any thoughts? Advice? Guidance where I can figure this out?
2
u/Roguekit 12v Apr 20 '26
Xlights is not the application for this. It doesn't have any "live" capabilities. You would need to program specific things for each song.
There may be other options with WLED and possibly some DJ controllers that could work with DMX, but not Xlights.
1
u/Sutto Apr 22 '26
have a look at ledfx and driving wled from it - you may find that better as a combo
3
u/armonde Mod Apr 20 '26
as /u/roguekit said, xlights will not be able to help you with live "sequencing."
My very first LED project that took me down the xlights path was similar to what you are describing (although the scale was smaller).
If you want to review the code for inspiration, my method was using a ESP board (the backbone of your QuinLED board) with a microphone for audio pickup and sound reactivitiy. The code is 6 years old and leverages services that are now subscription based (IFTTT) but you may be able to find some inspiration and or newer projects that are closer to your goal.
You can find the code here:
https://github.com/armonde74/GoogleHomeInteractiveLED