ESP32-S3 Sound Detection Sensor with Arduino IDE

Introduction

The sound sensor module is a great tool for detecting sound levels and is perfect for projects like sound-activated lights or alarms.
It features a microphone and provides an analog output that reflects the ambient sound intensity.
This guide will show you how to connect the sound sensor to an ESP32-S3 and read sound level values accurately using the ADC (analog-to-digital converter).

Required Components

• ESP32-S3 Board
• Sound Sensor
• LED
• 220 Ohm Resistor
• Jumper Wires
• Breadboard (optional)

Pinout

Circuit Diagram / Wiring

• SOUND SENSOR
  • SOUND SENSOR VCC → VIN, 3.3V (ESP32-S3)
  • SOUND SENSOR GND → GND (ESP32-S3)
  • SOUND SENSOR AO (Analog Output)  → Pin 14 (ESP32-S3)
• LED
  • Connect the longer leg (anode) of the LED to digital pin 13 through a 220-ohm resistor.
  • Connect the shorter leg (cathode) to the GND pin.

Code / Programming

/***********************************************************************
 * Filename    : sound_sensor_led_alert.ino
 * Description : ESP32-S3 reads analog sound level from a sound sensor on GPIO34.
 *               If the sound exceeds a defined threshold, an LED connected
 *               to GPIO13 lights up for a short time.
 * Author      : www.oceanlabz.in
 * Modification: 1/4/2025
 ***********************************************************************/
  
const int LED = 13;           // Use any valid GPIO pin for the LED (e.g., 13)
const int Sensor = 14;        // Use an ADC-capable pin on ESP32-S3 (e.g., GPIO 14)
  
int level;
const int threshold = 640;    // Adjust based on your sound sensor's response
  
void setup() {
  pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin(115200);
}
  
void loop() {
  level = analogRead(Sensor);      // Read sound level
  Serial.println(level);           // Print value for debugging
  
  if (level > threshold) {
    digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);       // Turn on LED if sound level is high
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
  }
}

Explanation

• The sound sensor detects ambient sound levels and sends an analog voltage to the ESP32-S3.
• The ESP32-S3reads this value using its ADC pin (e.g., GPIO 14) and compares it to a threshold.
• If the sound level exceeds the threshold, the LED turns ON as an alert or response.

Troubleshooting

• Make sure the sound sensor is connected to an ADC-capable pin (like GPIO14 on ESP32-S3).
• If the LED doesn’t turn on, verify the LED wiring and test it separately.
• Adjust the threshold value based on your environment and sensor sensitivity using Serial Monitor readings.