The Perfect Ambiance: How To Sync LED Lights To Music

LED strip lights can vibe up your home or add ambiance to a music studio, even when static.

However, you can learn how to sync LED lights to music with the right components. It’s not as complicated as you it. But it sure as hell will bump up the décor to a whole new level!

Smart lights and Bluetooth-enabled LED light strips have been around for a while.

LED lighting is efficient, environmentally friendly, and tech-savvy.

More and more people are using Amazon Dot or Alexa-controlled devices and apps to control smart lights in the home.

Have you been wondering if you could make the LED lights pulsate to the rhythm or beat of the music? Yes, you can, even if you don’t know the first thing about it.

With the right components, you can get LED lights to beat the music without being Bluetooth-enabled.

This article will explain how to connect and sync LED lights to music. We also discuss Bluetooth LED lights, Alexa devices, and the basics of programming lights to music.

What is needed to sync LED lights to music?

You need a music controller between the strip light and power source to sync LED lights to music. 

You can buy LED lights with a built-in microphone (music sync) feature or buy a standalone controller with music mode for regular LED strip lights. When you activate music mode, the LED lights will sync to music and beat with the rhythm.

To be exact, we aren’t connecting the LED strip directly to the music source. The built-in microphone picks up the music or beats from the speaker. Being music-sensitive, it gauges the pulse/rhythm of the song and syncs the lights to it.

How to sync regular LED lights to music?

Connecting LED lights to music is pretty straightforward, even if you have regular LED strip lights. But you need one additional component – a music controller or control box. You can find various options online, and they often include remote control and an accompanying app.

Here is the step-by-step process to sync regular LED lights to music:

Step 1: Buy and setup your LED strip

Purchase and install your LED strip under your desk, behind the couch, or wherever you want.

LED strips need a 12V current and can’t be plugged into a regular power outlet. It would help if you had a step-down transformer to convert 120/v240V AC to 12V to power the LED strip.

Step 2: Buy a music sync controller

Since your LED strip lights don’t have a built-in microphone or controller, you need to buy a sound-activated LED music controller like the one below. They are also called strip light controllers, music sync, or IR controllers.

Step 3: Connect everything

The music controller has a four-pin connector and a port on the other end—plugin the four-pin into the LED strip. Connect the port to the step-down transformer. Connect the step-down transformer to the plug outlet. We are good to go!

Step 4: Sync LED lights to music and enjoy

Once everything is in place, make the most of it. Start/power the strip, play your favorite song, and watch the LED lights sync to the music and pulsate with the rhythm.

Note: You don’t need a music controller for LED strips with built-in microphones and music sync.

Smart LED strips don’t need a step-down transformer as you can plug them directly into the outlet. Check the product manual and verify for details before you proceed.

Can I connect LED lights to Spotify?

You cannot connect LED lights directly to Spotify. You can use LED strip lights with a music mode or a music-sensitive controller. They have a built-in microphone that picks up the sound from your speaker. The LED lights will detect music played from apps like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc. They will pulsate in sync with the rhythm of the song being played.

We recommend Nexillumi LED lights for your home or music studio. They are easy to set up/install, and you can control the brightness, color, and on/off with the IR remote. The built-in mic is sensitive, and the LED lights have an accompanying app for iOS and Android.

To the best of our knowledge, there are no LED light strips that can connect directly to music streaming apps via Bluetooth. There are some advanced DIY ways to do this. But you would need a fair amount of technical know-how to complete the task.

How do you program lights to music?

All lighting fixtures and controllers communicate via a digital ‘language’ called Digital Multiplex System. DMX is the industry standard, and you need a basic understanding of DMX (512) to program automated or intelligent lights to music.

DMX is mainly used for controlling smoke machines and entertainment lighting. DMX protocols are used to program and control a wide range of lights using one or more lighting controllers. Many people incorporate DMX with LED Splash or Par lights in homes and music studios.

What is DMX?

Digital Multiplex or DMX is the standard communication protocol to remotely control smart or intelligent light fixtures. DMX lighting refers to an installation of lighting fixtures that can be controlled remotely from a DMX controller – a console, playback, or desk.

People use DMX (512) to daisy-chain lighting fixtures in a series. Using a DXX controller, you can control up to 512 channels, which is why it is called DMX 512. The controller creates and broadcasts signals in a network of 512 channels (called the DMX universe).

How to use DMX to program lights to music?

To use DMX, connect LED lights with built-in sound-activated modes to a DMX controller using a DMX cable. Set the lights to ‘mode’ and set the DMX address. You can use the controller to program and trigger eye-catching effects. You can also use the built-in sound-activated programs (with or without the controller) like pulse effect w/ adjustable speed and color mixing.

Setup: DMX controller > DMX cable > Lights.

You can use as many lights or controllers as needed if you daisy chain the lights together. ‘Mode’ is specified in the product manual. The DMX address decides which channels it will monitor. If you set the same DX address for multiple lights, it creates a group.

If you don’t, the light has its channel that you can control independently. Your setup can be as simple as Chauvet PAR can wash light and the Chauvet Obey4 controller.

Take a look at this Youtube tutorial video on how to set up DMX lights.

Are all LED lights Bluetooth?

All LED lights are not Bluetooth-enabled. You can find traditional fixtures for LED blubs on the market. However, there are many Bluetooth-enabled LED bulbs, strips, and string bulbs on offer. You can use a remote or app to control them with smartphones or other devices.

Based on the product specs, LED lights may have a built-in controller and/or music sync option. They also feature built-in times that allow you to automatically turn them on and off at a pre-determined time of the day.

What are Bluetooth LED lights?

Bluetooth LED lights, or Bluetooth-enabled LED lights, are popular light strips, bulbs, or string lights that you can control with an app through your smartphone. They are used for parties, special occasions, or to add ambiance to a home or music studio.

Bluetooth LED lights are easy to install and easier to use. It would help if you had a smartphone or Bluetooth-enabled device like an iPad or tablet to turn on or control the lights. You can use the app to change the color and brightness or make them sync to the beat of a song.

The accompanying app can be downloaded free from the app store on Android and iOS devices. Some apps charge a monthly fee to use premium or advanced features.

Can you connect LED lights to Alexa?

You can connect LED lights to Alexa and use the app or voice assistant to turn on/off or control the lights.

Alexa products are designed to control smart LED lights but only if they are compatible with Alexa – generally denoted in the product description. For regular LED strips, you need an additional component – a smart plug. 

You cannot connect Alexa to all smart LED strip lights. The product labels generally indicate if the lights are compatible with it. Look for the terms’ Alexa compatible’ or ‘works with Alexa’ in the product description before you buy the lights for this purpose.

Alexa does not support regular LED light strips.

But that doesn’t mean you cannot connect them to Alexa. Buy a smart plug that supports Amazon Dot, Echo, and other Alexa products. Pair it with Alexa and use any Alexa-powered device or app to control regular LED light strips.

In Conclusion

You can sync LED lights to music with their built-in sound-activated controllers. Plus, you can change the ambiance with apps, remotes, or voice commands. We hope this article explains the most straightforward way to do it.