LM3914 vs LM3915 vs LM3916 - What are the differences?

■ JLCPCB Prototype for $2(Any Color): jlcpcb.com
In this video, the three ICs (LM3914 - LM3915 - LM3916) are compared.. and what will be the best to realize a Vu-Meter?
The main differences between these ICs are:
• LM3914 is a linear display.
• LM3915 is a 3db increments logarithmic display.
• LM3916 is a VU-Meter display. (-20 to +3db)
And from this we deduce that:
The LM3914 is typically used to create a voltage display using 10 LEDs, while the LM3915 and LM3916 are typically used to display audio signal using 10 LEDs.. And now that I've explained everything to you, SUBSCRIBE =)
After trying the excellent service offered by JLCPCB I recommend it, the quality of the PCB is high, customer service is always available and professional, the time of realization is short and the delivery of PCBs is by express courier. JLCPCB is a great place to get hight quality custom circuit boards at an extremely low price, you can buy 5 PCB Boards (Any Color) for 2$ !!!
More About JLCPCB: support.jlcpcb.com/collection...
Components:
- 1x LM3914
- 1x LM3915
- 1x LM3916
- 4x DIP 18 Pin
- 30x LEDs 5mm
- 1x LED 3mm
- 1x 1KΩ Resistor
- 6x 2.7KΩ Resistors
- 3x 100KΩ Resistor
- 3x 1uF Electrolytic Capacitor
- 1x220 uF Electrolytic Capacitor
- 3x 1N4007 Diode
- 2x Pin for Dot/Bar Mode
- 3x Pin for VCC - GND - SIG
- PCB: (Ready for jlcpcb.com): bit.ly/33Z8MUi
*Don't use my PCB for profit or sponsored videos.
This circuit must be powered with 9V DC, below I leave the references to view: the electronic circuit diagram, the PCB and the Gerber file to be uploaded directly on the JLCPCB website.
- Circuit Diagram: 0:35
*You can see the complete procedure to upload the Gerber file on jlcpcb.com in the video from 2:00
**JLCPCB have a Technical Support for exporting Gerber files from many software at this link: support.jlcpcb.com/category/2...
For any other questions you can ask me for explanations in the video comments:)
Music: by Vlog No Copyright Music
- Tide (PCB Assembly)
- Nostalgia Tobu (Music Test)
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Look this: • Vu-Meter Stereo -20 +3...
WARNING: This video is only for demonstration. I don't take any responsibility for damage to things, people and animals.
#LM3914 #LM3915 #LM3916

[@manoharmanu1460]

Your videos are bliss for electronics hobbyist's like me . Such nice work with pcb designing and execution.

[@Stefano91ste]

Thanks so much! I'm happy when my work is appreciated :)

[@kabeer9744]

Electronic hobbyist' like you 😀

[@theplaidgamer1653]

Keep up the good work!!

[@Stefano91ste]

Thank you :)

[@rodrigonishikiori9747]

Great comparisson, thanks for sharing.

[@Stefano91ste]

Thanks for appreciating my work on KZbin :)

[@electronic7979]

Excellent project 👍

[@Stefano91ste]

Thank you :)

[@kbeceamibala]

I love your videos man, you are one of the few yt that makes vumeter videos(sorry for my bad english), btw can you make a simple led spectrum analyzer?9with the lm3915?

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, thank you :) It is a project I would like to realize, in the future it will come!

[@RODALCO2007]

Very nice circuit board. great I C comparison.

[@Stefano91ste]

Thank you Rodalco :)

[@alikhalili738]

perfect.thank you

[@HOLLYWOODlosANGELES]

*Bon test !*

[@TheAashishvideo]

good work my friend

[@Stefano91ste]

Thank you!

[@TechnologyTubes]

Best sir this is also mh job.

[@soerensauber]

Hey @Stefano91ste , vertreibst Du auch die Leiterplatte? Wegen einer benötigen wollte ich keinen Auftrag bei JLCPCB auslösen.

[@carriersignal]

Hi, curious to know if this chip (LM3916) offers or needs any type of calibration / adjustment, or is it already leveled and scaled correctly for reading the input of a signal properly? Thanks.

[@alaricsnellpym]

They have input pins for low and high voltage - and will measure the signal voltage's position between those two extremes. Often you tie the low voltage input to ground and the high voltage input to a suitable reference. The chip has an internal reference of something like 1.25V (I can't remember exactly) which can be used to measure a line level audio signal (should be max 1V peak to peak) so the yellow LED comes on when it hits 1V and the red ones come on if it goes over, or something like that!

[@dvieira73]

Top. Gostei do 3914👍

[@rogerioguerra4390]

Melhor vídeo de comparação entre os 3 CI. Parabéns!

[@Stefano91ste]

Thank you! Gracias!

[@betatester8800]

LM3916 and LM3914 are the same! LM3916 is fake! I fell for it too!

[@bradricketts6091]

question...which IC would be better for measuring the level of the music signal on a mixer board, the preamp signal available on the output of each music channel

[@Enigma758]

Sounds like a serious application so probably the LM3916 would be best for that.

[@TheSTONEones]

Hi I'm trying to build a vu meter for a sound to light project. I've got lm3914s and 15s. 15s are better for audio vu meters. I've got all the data sheets. What I'm struggling with is what circuitry is needed to input an audio signal from a phone or as in my project a sensitive Mic amplifier some with an op amp. My hi gain op amp works ok but my LM chips are not responding. I've wired them correctly, triple checked lol. I understand the voltage divider/comparitor function. The chip will display a signal strength in the range set across pins 4 and 6. That voltage can be the internal reference voltage, manipulated if necessary or the divider can be supplied externally but not usually in most applications. How do I give the correct signal voltage/strength coming from the audio sources mentioned above is my main concern. Thank you for any advice you can give.

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, I use a LM386 as a preamp for the LM391X ICs .. it works very well;) Like in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6mWqJR8mbalfrs

[@TheSTONEones]

@@Stefano91ste excellent, thank you or your help

[@danialfikri8244]

can i use audio jack as an input

[@FareedClarity]

Wha, must try

[@cosmepereda2491]

Excelente proyecto led's , gracias amigo, ya hice mi vumetro led.me quedó muy bien.gracias por compartir..

[@Lamster66]

I'm about to build a meter bridge for use with my 32 track mixer my intention is to use 40 leds per meter. I was thinking of using 3x 3915 and then lm3916n but that looks like I need to use 2 of those as i can only use the last 5 pins of each to make the red section Over 0db linear 1 db steps which will add significant cost unless I either try a different way of doing it (either run 35 leds and only have 5 reds. Or with the last 10 leds paired up, or try scaling a 3914 to run the top leds, or trigger them another way or just make the whole thing with 3915s instead) It's probably cheaper to use a micro or a pic. Ut as I have no Idea how to write code thats not going to happen. Of course the other way is to use either op amps or transistors and calculate the resistors to scale everything.

[@gurwindersingh-te5bl]

How to purchase this vu pc board complete kit

[@ohlala9136]

Muito bom parabéns!

[@Stefano91ste]

Thanks! Gracias:)

[@dyonight]

great! is it hard to implement a peak hold function as well? (when the signal hits the red leds) Thanks!

[@Enigma758]

The chip is not designed for that. It is either in "bar mode" as shown in the video, or "dot mode" which displays only one LED at any given moment to show the level. If you want peak/hold, you will probably need to use a microcontroller with a specialized program.

[@dyonight]

@@Enigma758 ok thanks!

[@mavic6155]

I have an Aphex 320A leveler which uses both LM3914 and LM3915. It has a problem now, which lead me to the LM3914 which is broken. The socket of this IC is melted and also the socket of the LM3915 (but this one still works... for now). Any idea what could cause these IC's to heat up so much? They might be 25 years old in the mean time, but I don't know if I should just replace them, or if I must dig a bit deeper. All IC's get 15V, according to a digital volt meter.

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, there could be a short circuit in some track connected to the PINs or an abnormal current absorption from the LED side.. have you checked?

[@mavic6155]

@@Stefano91ste Not yet, but I am going to. Thanks for replying.

[@kitlinghou6848]

Very nice explanation with demo. Could i use WS2812B LED (5050) with 9v input ? please advise

[@Enigma758]

No, you need a microcontroller to drive those, they require a serial communication line.

[@xiomarabravo1023]

excelente . Felicitaciones

[@Stefano91ste]

Thanks:)

[@marcoslazarodesouzalazaro5788]

fico show👏👏👏

[@zeljkoadzic1692]

SIR, So who are you going to get your LM3915 from, and what are you going to do if it turns out to actually be a remarked LM3914?

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, I generally buy LM3915s at electronics fairs.. but now thanks to the virus they are all suspended.. :( Fortunately I have always used DIP for my projects, so I have about 60 LM3915s at home that I can reuse without having to unsolder them.

[@MultiANDRE1963]

I would like to have a PCB to mount a VU meter usin2 LM3915, do You sel it or could indicate where I can buy it.. Tks

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, look at this vu meter ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHnGl2iDodJ8eZI ) in the video description you can download the PCB to order on JLCPCB. in the video there are all the instructions :)

[@GRXBDIT]

You deserve a like

[@Stefano91ste]

thank you!

[@borsi99]

Hello ‚Stefano the Best‘❗️👍🏼 Which one of your VU Meters would you prefer as a finished give-away to a friend who is a semi-pro DJ and great music freak? Thanks! Boris🇨🇭

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi Boris, Thanks! I'd be on this with LM3916 and stereo configuration :) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/omnShoSmfKaCedk

[@borsi99]

Electronics Projects - Stefano91ste Yes! This one is also my favourite✌🏼

[@juliocesaralonsosanchez6993]

Magnifico video amigo. Podrias enseñar como hacer una pequeña camara de eco para un aparato de radio frecuencia " cb " saludos desde monterrey nl. Mexico

[@Stefano91ste]

- Hola, nunca he hecho nada en un CB, pero suena interesante.. - I've never done anything on a CB, but it sounds interesting

[@juliobernal2463]

How operate on Dot mode?

[@Hello-m9m]

I want to make a vu meter using LM3915 ic. Can I use this for 500 watt amplifier? Please reply as soon as possible 🙏🙏

[@shivaprasad2457]

POSSIBLE Bro

[@kalyangautam7345]

Bro I wanna make led fuel indicator using lm3915ic.We have to give Negative current for input.if tank become full it send 0-20 ohams unit if tank become empty it sends 220 ohams units.will you tell me circuit which works between 0-220 ohams negative current.

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, the LM3914/15/16 perceive a change in voltage, not in resistance, and not in negative current.

[@kalyangautam7345]

@@Stefano91ste will you suggest me which component can i use for these type of circuit.

[@mohammadalfauomey3443]

Nice

[@Stefano91ste]

Thank you!

[@osvaldodestro6894]

Ola!!! amigo...gostaria de fazer um medidor de tensão de um carregador de baterias com o LM 3915 pode me indicar um

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, try to watch this video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGGwi2aMrM1keZI ) but I suggest you to use an LM3914 for what you want to do

[@agustinwatanabe6449]

¿Me podrías pasar el circuito en la protoboard? ¿Could you pass me the circuit on the protoboard/Breadboard?

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, the circuit can be seen in the video at 0:35 - the PCB file can be downloaded.. link in description:)

[@agunghartono123]

Hi, i want make scream level for challenge, which one is better for use?

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, for this I would recommend the LM3916 as it has a preset dB scale

[@agunghartono123]

Ok, thanx a lot bro,,😁

[@rodrigolindemberga]

Em resumo: Lm3914 e lm3916 acionam os led de forma linear, porém o 3916 é ultra rapido quando comparado ao lm3914. O lm3915 é logarítmico acionam os led de forma multiplicativa. Sendo assim os LM 3914 e 16 são mais para medidores de tensão ao passo que o lm3915 é mais voltado para sinais de áudio ou qualquer outro que seja próximo ao espectro senoidal.

[@rbaleiro]

nao, o lm3916 tbm eh escala log.

[@betatester8800]

i see LM3916 is china fake !

[@itsaksharmate]

So, which ic should be best.

[@Stefano91ste]

It depends on the use you want to make of it, for a simple Vu-Meter for example the best is LM3915

[@status.kingebu5397]

Lm3915 ic board price koto

[@dj_sorra8605]

Which one works best on the signal?

[@Stefano91ste]

LM3916 for a more precise Vu-Meter

[@mputraaditya9077]

Signal input vu meter to speaker or preamp?

[@Stefano91ste]

Both speaker and pre-amplifier are good

[@SachinB.A.]

From Where can I purchase readymade circuit of LM3915

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, on Banggood you can find dedicated KIT like these: - www.banggood.com/custlink/KmDYSo40qy - www.banggood.com/custlink/mGGYiOg6qi

[@indianaiscience3670]

sir make a audio bands spectrum analyzer with lm3915 /// love from great India

[@Stefano91ste]

it is a project that I will surely make, greetings from Italy!

[@danielrufino457]

ML 3915 is best !

[@eddyjohn3022]

i want to have 16led in one connection to make like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKrVoatvp6p6g6s. what should be changed? please help

[@mohammadamin4861]

LM3915 is the best IC I use this one for my VU projects

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, me too, it's one of my favorite ICs :)

[@320roscoe]

Make stream deck with LCD key (macro pad)

[@thomasdunaway2573]

nice soldering

[@Stefano91ste]

Thank you!

[@karlheisenberg6350]

O 3915 parece ser o mais preciso.

[@AgentOffice]

Can I buy this kit

[@Stefano91ste]

Is not a KIT, you can buy the PCB only on jlcpcb.com

[@ovalwingnut]

Thank you. 3915 it is!

[@keithking1985]

interesting, the 3915 was more sensitive!!

[@Stefano91ste]

that's right, and it's also the IC that I use most for my Vu-Meters!

[@steinmix9448]

But slow

[@Lamster66]

Not really that sup😢prizing when you consider what the 3 variants are supposed to do. The 3914 is linear so the voltage increase is the same for each LED if say the audio is 2V it would take 0.2V to light each LED where as the 3915 is Logarithmic 3db steps which is effectively a doubling of power to light the next LED so with the same 2V to light all 10 leds 9 will light at 1V, and 8 at 0.5v and so on. As for the 3916 it is designed to mimic a moving coil VU meter from - 20db to +3db so the steps aren't equal it starts off Logarithmic and gets more linear from around - 3db there is also some hysteresis built in so that it shows average levels not instantanious ones. Therefore it's great for analouge metering if you are recording to tape but no good if you need to see the peaks that clip digital signals.

[@sajidmahmood4646]

Yes Vu meter super Old is gold

[@kristalmisticok4952]

...y la función punto??

[@HarpreetSingh-yo9ir]

Hi Sir. This is very urgent. I was recently working on rpm meter usinf lm2917 ans 3914 from 4 months.i have cascaded 6 lm3914 .Today i completed my circuit but led arent function properly. Can you send me the circuit diagram or how to cascade them. I watched your rpm meter video but there i did not understand how you cascaded lm3914. I spent lot of efforts on it. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO CASCADE 6 LM3914. PLEASE😞😞😞

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, in this project i cascade 5x LM3415 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hamYhXSQdtOHqLs but the diagram is the same for LM3914.. you can use this diagram for add one LM3914.. However to connect the LM391X in series it is necessary to connect pin 6 of the first with pin 4 of the second, pin 6 of the second with pin 4 of the third, pin 6 of the third with pin 4 of the fourth.. etc. PS: in my rpm meter video you can see the circuit diagram, and also in this video with the 5x LM3915 you find the diagram towards the end of the video

[@bambangtetuko2031]

work to 5v dc???

[@Stefano91ste]

Yes, but the luminous intensity of the LED will be lower

[@bambangtetuko2031]

okay... thank you .. . input vu meter from input audio(jack /mp3 player) or out amplifier?

[@Stefano91ste]

Amplifier output

[@bambangtetuko2031]

thank you :)

[@techinvoke9048]

I will go with 3915

[@pierch99]

travail pro...

[@gerardoaurilio3457]

Bella Stefano, ho già ordinato i PCB. Per quello che cerco io mi sembra più indicato il 3914, anche se il 3916 non mi dispiace.

[@Stefano91ste]

Ciao! Grande😎 Il 3914 l’ho usato tanto tempo fa per un progettino di un contagiri a led

[@mehdikho]

Music name 😃😃😃

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, are two songs without copyright, I wrote their titles in video description :)

[@hadibq]

👍👍👍👍

[@1954charlie]

I respect you and your work. If I praise what he does he will thank you and answer. I asked twice (for a microphone) how much the counterallas should be 2.2k (or 2.7k). I sit here looking at his pages daily. No answer, but I'm just asking for a number. You also understand what you're doing and I'm working against depression. It takes a little bit of success sometimes. My respect.

[@AlfaleoTech]

3916 best

[@beeshorts2743]

3914 and 3916 work allmost same

[@Stefano91ste]

Apparently yes, but actually they have been designed for different purposes.. LM3914 for applications like Volt-Meter, Thermometer etc and- LM3916 for audio application. - LM3914 is linear. - LM3916 is logarithmic (with a defined dB range)

[@tikudjapoweramp9864]

Pdf

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, you can see the circuit in the video and download gerber files from video description.

[@FratCan]

LM3915 is batter than others.

[@champalalkandara7639]

Sur mujhe vu mitor ki pcb chahiye apka wat nomber de do

[@betatester8800]

Я вижу LM3916 это перетертая LM3914?!

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, they're like that from the factory

[@betatester8800]

@@Stefano91ste Yes, the Chinese supply the LM3914 chip in LM3916. I suffered for a long time until I realized what the problem was. I pulled the real LM3916 out of the tape recorder and then I saw the difference. I also make indicators.

[@betatester8800]

@@Stefano91ste If you compare, your LM3914 and LM3916 look the same. This shouldn't happen. They have a big difference between the comparator divisors.

[@juliobernal2463]

I don’t see a remarkable difference!!

[@user-ej8ls1gg7b]

هاذا هو ic LM3915 😂

[@serbeer1240]

Уродская Схема там есть возможность выбора DOT или Line / //

[@Virtualik]

не додумался перемычку на музыке снять. остолоп

[@sigelander]

solo es el armado de un kid,,, nadie hizo nada..xd

[@williamguillen4113]

Está explicando la diferencia que hay entre los tres ICs. Se dice Kit, no Kid. Y tampoco es un Kit.

[@googolmorons620]

thanks for info, but... begging for subsliking suxx, videostream-integrated ads - ultra-megadrive-power-suxx so, enjoy your minus)))

[@Stefano91ste]

What???

[@googolmorons620]

@@Stefano91ste in case you are really interested: 1. there are pretty effective tools eradicating advertisement out of user's web traffic. the kind of ad they cannot wipe out yet is the ad integrated directly into video stream. i feel almost excellent about web ads using one of these tools - ads just don't exist for me. none of them. except... well... i have to spend time, take some actions to fastforward the ad, etc. and i am not payed for overbullshitting my mind with the ad perception. so i mark the video stream for other people as suxy because it is infected by the advertisement. nothing personal ;) 2. allmost every moron publishing self-made video here is spending viewer's time and attention with "subscribe my channel and click the 'like' button. pleeeeeeeeease"-begging. to be short, "subslike-me-please" or subslike-begging. there are no tools wiping out such begging out of the video stream developed yet. so user is not being paid for mind overbullshitting and have to spend time, fast forward, click "close", etc. again, i mark the video stream for other people as suxy because it is infected by subslike-begging. and again, nothing personal here. good luck and lot of thanks. the info you provided helped me to figure out which one - LM3915 or LM3916 - fits my needs best ;)

[@user-ey3pu6vp3o]

I did not see the difference between 3914 and 3916

[@Stefano91ste]

Hi, visually not noticeable, but LM3914 is linear, while 3916 is logarithmic

[@exessd7051]

I try make this scheme. this not audio vu meter ! delay 2...seconds one led line sequentially full. ic hot, all leds, line full.