How to Use Adafruit Music Maker Shield no Amp: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit Music Maker Shield (no Amp) is a versatile audio playback module designed for use with the Arduino platform. This shield allows users to play back audio files in the WAV format from a microSD card, making it an ideal component for projects that require high-quality sound output, such as DIY music players, sound effect boards, or interactive art installations.

• DIY MP3 players
• Interactive art and museum exhibits
• Sound effects for games and toys
• Educational projects and demonstrations
• Audio announcements or alerts

• Audio Format: WAV
• Storage: microSD card slot
• Audio Output: Stereo 3.5mm headphone jack
• Supported Bit Rate: 32 kbps to 320 kbps
• Sampling Rate: 8 kHz to 48 kHz
• Voltage: 3.3V to 5V DC
• Current: 45 mA (typical)

1. Mount the Shield: Carefully align the shield pins with the headers on your Arduino UNO and press down to seat the shield.
2. Insert microSD Card: Load your WAV files onto a microSD card and insert it into the shield's card slot.
3. Connect Audio Output: Plug in headphones or an external speaker to the 3.5mm jack.
4. Power Up: Supply power to the Arduino UNO to start using the shield.

• File Format: Ensure audio files are in the correct WAV format and bit rate.
• Power Supply: Use a stable power source to prevent audio distortion or interruptions.
• Library Installation: Install the Adafruit_VS1053 library to interface with the shield through your Arduino sketches.
• Volume Control: Since this shield does not have an amplifier, use an external amplifier or ensure your output device has volume control.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <SD.h>
#include <Adafruit_VS1053.h>

// Define the pins used
#define BREAKOUT_RESET  9      // VS1053 reset pin (output)
#define BREAKOUT_CS     10     // VS1053 chip select pin (output)
#define BREAKOUT_DCS    8      // VS1053 Data/command select pin (output)
#define CARDCS          4      // Card chip select pin
#define DREQ            3      // VS1053 Data request, ideally an Interrupt pin

Adafruit_VS1053_FilePlayer musicPlayer = 
  Adafruit_VS1053_FilePlayer(BREAKOUT_RESET, BREAKOUT_CS, BREAKOUT_DCS, DREQ, CARDCS);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  if (!musicPlayer.begin()) { // Initialise the music player
     Serial.println(F("Couldn't find VS1053, do you have the right pins defined?"));
     while (1);
  }
  Serial.println(F("VS1053 found"));

  if (!SD.begin(CARDCS)) {
    Serial.println(F("SD failed, or not present"));
    while (1);  // Don't do anything more if there is no SD card
  }

  // Set volume for left, right channels. lower numbers == louder volume!
  musicPlayer.setVolume(20, 20);

  // Play one file, don't return until complete
  Serial.println(F("Playing track 001"));
  musicPlayer.playFullFile("/track001.wav");
}

void loop() {
  // Use the musicPlayer object to control playback
}

• No Audio Output: Ensure the microSD card is properly inserted and contains valid WAV files. Check the headphone or speaker connections.
• Distorted Audio: Verify that the power supply is stable and that the audio files are not corrupted.
• Unresponsive Shield: Make sure the shield is properly seated on the Arduino UNO and that all pins are correctly aligned.

• Reset the Shield: Press the reset button on the shield or power cycle the Arduino to reset the VS1053 chip.
• Check Connections: Double-check all connections, including the SPI pins and the microSD card slot.
• Update Library: Ensure you have the latest version of the Adafruit_VS1053 library.

Q: Can I play MP3 files with this shield? A: Yes, the shield can play MP3 files, but this documentation focuses on WAV playback.

Q: How do I control the playback of multiple files? A: You can use the functions provided by the Adafruit_VS1053 library to play, pause, and stop tracks, as well as navigate through multiple files on the SD card.

Q: What is the maximum size of the SD card that can be used? A: The shield typically supports standard SD card sizes up to 32GB, but it's best to check the latest specifications and library updates for any changes.