MEMS Microphone Hookup Guide

Contributors: jenfoxbot

Resources and Going Further

Now that you've connected your MEMS microphone breakout, it's time to incorporate it into your own project! For more information, check out the resources below:

• ADMP401
  • Schematic (PDF)
  • Eagle Files (ZIP)
  • Board Dimensions (PNG)
  • Datasheet
    • INMP401
    • ADMP401
  • GitHub Hardware Repo
• ICS-40180
  • Schematic (PDF)
  • Eagle Files (ZIP)
  • Board Dimensions (PNG)
  • Fritzing Part (FZPZ)
  • Datasheet (ICS-40180)
  • GitHub Hardware Repo

If you run into trouble getting, or understanding, an audio signal output from the MEMS mic breakout board, try using a multimeter and/or an oscilloscope to measure the voltage output of the signal in quiet and loud settings. If you're still stuck, check out our forums and we'll help you troubleshoot.

After you've read in the MEMS microphone and have a good handle on the signal output, you're ready to start using it for practical microphone applications! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Build a music visualizer! Here's a sample sketch for the music visualizer shown in the SparkFun Simple Sketches example.
   
   
2. Record sounds and play them back! You'll also need a speaker, an amplifier transistor, and some pushbuttons (and some code. Here's an open-source mbed example).
3. Make a sound-reactive EL Wire costume and replace the Sound Detector with the MEMS Microphone!
4. Make a Bark Back Pet Monitor with a Raspberry Pi to record the sound levels in your home, upload the data MQTT, and trigger an audio player to when the volume reaches a threshold.

Or check out these other audio related tutorials below.

Happy building!