Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

scottiebabe — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 13:12:08 GMT

I have also been experimenting with MP3 playback on a RPi Pico, with some success, though it doesn't include an amplifier and consumes a significant number of processor cycles. I don't think circuit python is making use of the second core internally by default, though I may be wrong.

I have too many backburner projects, that I should bring to the forefront that would involve audio playback. I would like to make a modern interpretation of a Otagiri Christmas music box I was given as a child from my nana. The little figurine skates on a glass mirror being drawn by a magnet underneath. Too cool and adorable!

www.youtube.com/watch

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

ralphjy — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 03:36:41 GMT

Hi Sean,

Not sure exactly what you are looking for, but this module does have an external 2W audio amplifier (8002A) on the bottom side of the PCB that drives the SPK+/- pins. That's how I'm using it. The volume control on the JQ6500 chip has 30 levels and I've been using it halfway (usually a little less ~12-13). I want to use this module with 3.3V, but it may have issues at high volume (the spec that I have indicates an operating voltage of 3.5-5V, but I'm using 3.3V). The part has an interesting single pin key interface (ADKEY) that looks like it just uses an A/D to measure voltage off a divider. So, you could add volume keys with a couple of resistors. Maybe I'll write something up when I get the chance. The volume keys are dual function - short press for first function, long press for volume.

Ralph

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 17:28:38 GMT

Thank you for the kind words.

The majority of my electronics activities revolve around model railroading animation creations. I have used the DFPlayer module up to this point for anything to do with sound. The module is inexpensive and the Arduino support makes it easy to use. Try finding a low capacity SD card and the costs for the project goes up. Using a 16G card to do less than 500K audio file is depressing.

The 4M solid state audio modules look like an ideal replacement. As this question demonstrates, that only applies if they work. I like the work RY ralphjy is doing to provide choices. I know there are other products, DRRobot looks promising only because it is documented. I rather not do the heavy lifting to determine if they work and just want to grab something from the parts cabinet, that has proven itself.

I need to get some of the JQ6500's that are used in RY post. I'm finding a need to connect the audio to an amplifier to get adjustable volume. I see there is a DAC O/P on the module that suggests it might work. Damn more proof of concept work.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

scottiebabe — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:48:18 GMT

I believe you are on to something, your motivation to wanting a sound module with on board flash memory for a few small audio clips make perfect sense. Having to use a uSD card just to store a few MB of audio clips is overkill.

If the JQ6500 turns out to be a winner, hopefully more local resellers will take note.

Well done for taking time on this issue.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:48:06 GMT

I have added your resource to my list. I have used banggood.com for a number of years with good success. At one point I order so much stuff (multiple projects) they offer me a buyer status that provides some discounts. The downside, really long wait times and with the pandemic it takes weeks to discover they have back ordered stuff. I have been doing some light shopping at Aliexpress lately.

I didn't see the JQ6500 on your resource. To bad I would have given them a try.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

scottiebabe — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:24:49 GMT

In Canada, for no-name electronics / China modules I have been ordering from https://www.universal-solder.ca/ and have been very pleased for at least 3 years now.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

dougw — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:15:34 GMT

I have ordered from Amazon-US before (I'm in Canada). Each supplier on Amazon indicates whether they ship to Canada. They don't all ship to Canada, but many do.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

ralphjy — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 05:07:46 GMT

Let me reiterate to see if I got this right. The JQ6500 is powered via USB. TX,RX & Gnd are connected to the serial interface. Speaker is connected. This configuration will play a MP3 file.

Yes, that's correct. Although adding a capacitor to the JQ6500 power pins only made the problem slightly less intermittent. To my embarrassment, I discovered that my power jumper wire was making poor contact with the breadboard. I decided to replace all of the jumpers with a newer set and the problem went away. I'm now running in my original configuration with the JQ6500 getting power from the MCP2221A board. And everything is working great. I tried other commands and queries like changing and reading back the volume and that's all working. Much more convenient to use the library though . And I still need to remove that capacitor.

Working configuration:

Hope that you can figure out how to get one or two of these to try. Never tried Amazon from other countries.

Worst case, Frank or I could probably get some for you. I'm not sure if I ordered some if Amazon-US would deliver to Canada with Prime.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 02:41:47 GMT

So close:(

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

fmilburn — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 02:25:47 GMT

Note that Ralph and I are in the US. Not sure if you get US Amazon fulfillment in Canada.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

fmilburn — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 02:15:40 GMT

Hi Sean,

colporteur wrote:

Can you share the link for purchase? I found a few Amazon links but they indicated sold out.

I think I see where you are located in Canada. I ordered from Amazon in the US earlier today and they still have 8 sets in stock as I write this. The link is here. Also, Ralph tested with a Xiao (Arduino code compatible) in the blog he linked above.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 02:05:07 GMT

Can you share the link for purchase? I found a few Amazon links but they indicated sold out.

Let me reiterate to see if I got this right. The JQ6500 is powered via USB. TX,RX & Gnd are connected to the serial interface. Speaker is connected. This configuration will play a MP3 file.

Do you plan on doing any testing with an Arduino as the controller?

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

ralphjy — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:42:35 GMT

Hi Sean,

Just wanted to let you know that I think it is a power supply issue as you suspect.

You inspired me to buy a couple of JQ6500 modules from Amazon which arrived yesterday. I posted about using them today JQ6500 MP3 Player . I used a Xiao board and the Arduino library from James Sleeman.

Since the codes for the JQ6500 are documented, I thought it would be entertaining to to try the same process that you are using. I used RealTerm on Windows to send the Hex sequence. I am using an MCP2221A for the USB to UART interface. I hooked it up with the JQ6500 powered by the MCP2221A board and I was just getting jibberish from the speaker and in the terminal response. Interestingly enough even grounding the K1 pin produced jibberish which surprised me. The DC voltage measured a solid 3.3V on the DVM, but that doesn't show transients well. I then tried powering each board separately through their respective USB connectors, only connecting the UART pins and ground - and that worked!!

Here's the working setup:

And the RealTerm window. The Hex sequence is for PLAY.

The OK response was when it started playing and the STOP when it finished.

It's dinnertime and I didn't leave space to easily bypass the power at the JQ6500 pins on the breadboard, so I'll probably have to try that tomorrow.

Ralph

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 23:40:22 GMT

I don't have a power supply but I can use some capacitors on the output.

Would the module only work at a specific voltage? Naa, I was thinking of ramping up the voltage on the input from the DC3.6-5.2V（Recommend 4.2V）found in the specs to see if I get the magic LED but then again the LED does light when the USB connector is plugged into the PC. Why it light momentarily and then out is another mystery. I will work on cleaning up the supply and see if that helps any.

Thanks for the sugestion. I like the adapter idea. You definitely know you have clean power.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

fmilburn — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 22:35:21 GMT

I may have to make one of those :-)

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

fmilburn — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 22:34:56 GMT

As noted above I haven't used this module but my typical development process with the other ones is to use a bench power supply during development as Doug suggests and the typical use case is to separately power the module directly from a battery. One idea though - you might try a large capacitor between Vcc and GND at the module pins while using your wall wart. I'm assuming the Vcc pin is tied directly to 5V USB on the PCB.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

dougw — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 22:14:30 GMT

I have had lots of problems with noisy USB wall warts, which prompted me to make a USB connector for my big power supply.

It has come in very handy many times.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 21:26:47 GMT

With eight hours of effort I've exhausted my knowledge level.

First it appears the modules I have are sensitive to power. If I use PC Computer power by breaking out a USB port the unit appears to interact the way I would expect. Sending the line AA 01 00 AB I get a return identified in A & C. If I use power from buck/bust board, 3.3 & 5V from Raspberry Pi or a DC Variable wall wart 3,3, 4.5 & 5 I get the characters identified by B.

I did try the Cutcom application. The items identified by the 1 are the response when the AA command are issued. Same response for both. Identifier 2 is what is returned on power up. The LED on the module lights momentarily and then goes out. The LED is on all the time in the video. I noted the LED is on when the modules is connected to the USB port.

With the module connected for serial and the USB connection is made, the LED comes on a the module appears as USB storage. The Cutecom console doesn't respond to commands. The documentation indicates the USB overrides the serial. When the USB cable is removed from the module output identified with 3

I did these tests with two different modules and they both behave the same,

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 00:19:48 GMT

Great resources folks, really appreciate the input. I tried to watch grand children and test the module at the same time. Not a good mix at all!

I found a Linux terminal program called Cutecom for Ubuntu. I started to setup minicom (wow he is old!) but recalled that beast takes some getting use to especially when you haven't used it for sometime. I did a quick confirm of Cutecom by connecting TX & RX pins. What I transmit appears on the receive. Me thinks it works.

The video resources were a tease. I used the physical setup but the light on the module only came on when power was applied and only with a specific power supply. It never stays on like the video demonstration. I tried a range of 3-5.2 volts, even different supplies and that damn light just doesn't stay one. Next anomaly depending on the supply connected was the serial output goes erratic.

[17:13:07:278] <break>

[17:13:07:295] <break>

[17:13:07:312] <break>

[17:13:07:339] <0xad><0xab><0xab>Ue<0xb5><0xe5><0xbf>[<0xdb><0xbb><0xff><0xff><0xff><0xff><0xff><0xff><0xeb><0xff><break>

[17:13:07:362] <break>

I've tried about seven different power supplies and finally gave up or strangle a grandchild. Pops just needs a minute. No you can't cut your brothers hair with the paper scissors.

My next step is to unpackage another module and repeat the steps to see how it behaves. I will start with the lowest voltage shown in the video and work my way up. The first module still works if I plug it into a USB port so i don't think I let the smoke out. I'm just burn't out and covered in baby food to keep at. Yes Pops will come wipe your butt! More later.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

scottiebabe — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:52:03 GMT

I was asking myself the same question. What is a good serial terminal in Linux that lets you send and receive in hex format.

I wish I had answer for you off the top of my head. Hopefully others may have some Linux recommendations.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

genebren — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:42:19 GMT

Sean,

I don't know if you have found this link yet, but it does contain a PDF file that show various serial command strings to control the playback unit. I am not sure if the communications protocol is fully described, but it might be just plain text with no headers/trailers.

From https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AJygk9SpOXGITurUk9lDWA6ZbE9E4Hut click on the JR6001 directory and download JR6001 en.pdf

Good luck!

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:21:03 GMT

Me thinks I might be started to gain focus.

I have a USB/serial adaptor. If I take pins 2 & 3 and connect them to TX/RX of the module I can send serial commands from an application. Ok, they sounds doable. Any suggestions for an app on Ubuntu?

I used hyper-terminal many seasons ago to troubleshoot serial problems.

I will go do a search for an app but recommendation through experience are much more valuable.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

scottiebabe — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:18:51 GMT

I think we are on the same wavelength. My recommendation for a usb-serial adapter was only based on my past experiences, I just find it personally easier than trying to go directly to code.

Here is an example of one serial terminal program I like to use RealTerm:

I am sending a sequence of hex bytes to a pico which echoes them back. They happen to be valid assci codes as you can see in the return string.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 02:27:01 GMT

Thanks DW for the link. That was the resource that motivated me to throw caution to the wind and purchase some units. I figured there is a tool and it does what I want. I can't even find the version of the application shown in the video. I'm thinking if I had the app, even it it is in Chinese I could maybe follow scottiebabe suggestion and view USB to serial protocol sent from the application.

RE: Looking for member insight into the JR6001 Serial MP3 Custom Programmable Sound Recorder Module

colporteur — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 02:21:30 GMT

Not sure I understand S² the USB to serial configuration application.

My plan was to run the block of Arduino code on a Nano connected to the modules I found at https://wiki.dfrobot.com/Voice_Module_SKU__DFR0534#target_4 to see if the module will play. I was also going to try the similar exercise with the JQ8400 library.

I did find a pdf on the JR6001. I'm not versed in serial so the Communication Instruction is not firing any brain cells.

Maybe I'm over simplifying my problem. I'm thinking "What is the serial string the module needs to play an MP3 file." There might be more that I am overlooking.

Appreciate you chiming in with suggestions.

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../2020_2D00_10_2D00_07_5F00_012947_5F00_JR6001-MP3-player-chip.pdf

2020-10-07_012947_JR6001 MP3 player chip.pdf