Have an Idea, no idea what is needed to do it.

Hi William , I just joined element14 and in the same boat as you. What is your Project?

Mine is controlling the basic function of my computer by using Bluetooth on my Ipad mini 

Hi William,

The lowest cost controllers are probably Arduino - almost any version would be adequate although it is simpler to get started with one that has built-in USB. You might prefer a zbasic module as they are even simpler than Arduinos.

The sound for either controller could be generated with an Arduino sound module based on the WT5001 chip.

The LEDs could be a matrix of adressable LEDs based on either a WS2801 or a WS2812. The WS2812 includes the RGB LEDs but you can get assembled WS2801 modules with LEDs mounted.

Doug

Other low cost audio module solutions are based on WTV020.

Doug

Adafruit has various RGB LED arrays and tutorials of how to use them.  RGB LEDs aren't cheap, but this should help you get an idea how to get started.

You might also check out sparkfun.

You could look at

http://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-ws2812.html

for some ideas about what might be available.

I can't offer any experience about sending money to any of these companies but the prices are low !

MK

Hello, an alternative solution may be to use a cheap chinese tablet as development system, and write an Android application that "simulates" your square 6x6 rgb leds matrix. The sound capabilities are very easy to implement (like coloring the 6x6 simulated led matrix) and the whole program can be written with B4A (Basic for Android). An old wm8650 tablet, resistive touch screen, can be purchased for less than 50$ , so you can test your idea with high level language, low cost hardware, no solder iron ; if satisfied about the results, then you can approach a microcontroller solution, but I think it will be more expensive than the tablet... Consider that any RGB led needs for 3 different duty cycle percentages to assume every possible colour... and this must be done while scanning the 6x6 matrix and any delay, latency, service interrupt can make the display "flickering". Believe me, if you check your idea on a tablet (or on PC) you can achieve better results, and very quickly. Ciao

Buying a 6x6 color matrix might not be as cheap as making one. I just bought 5mm color LED's for a cube I am building for $11 per 100, they sell them for $7 per 50 (eBay). I agree with Mr. Wong that Arduino will be a great controller, they are fairly easy to learn with great results. They have expansions for sound and buttons for when you want to change the display. A breadboard would be a good thing to have as well while you are designing and building your first project. The first one you make most likely will be bigger then you want, but once you have it working you can make it smaller to what you want.

Hope this helps,

Dale