I choosing the right potentiator for limiting volume

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of a device intended to connect an MP3 player to speakers, specifically focusing on how to limit the volume to prevent potential ear damage for babies. Participants explore the use of potentiometers and automatic gain control (AGC) systems as methods for volume limitation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using a potentiometer to limit volume but questions its effectiveness given that changes in the MP3 player's volume will still affect speaker output.
  • Another participant suggests that to maintain a constant output level regardless of the input from the MP3 player, an active circuit like an AGC system would be necessary.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of using headphones with babies, emphasizing the risk of permanent hearing loss.
  • A participant inquires whether an AGC could be powered by the MP3 player and questions the potential battery draw from such a setup.
  • One participant expresses a preference for using a potentiometer calibrated to common MP3 player output levels and seeks advice on the type of potentiometer to use and how to calculate the appropriate resistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of using a potentiometer versus an AGC system for volume control. There is no consensus on the best approach, and safety concerns regarding the use of headphones for babies are unanimously acknowledged.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the limitations of using a potentiometer in relation to varying output levels from different MP3 players and the potential challenges of powering an AGC system directly from the MP3 player.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in audio electronics design, particularly those focused on safety in audio applications for children, may find this discussion relevant.

GoldenMole
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I am currently making a device which connects two http://www.electronics123.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2847/.f?sc=11&category=12" to an mp3 player. The device is associated with babies and I need to ensure that the volume is unable to get too loud. Having the volume limited would prevent ear damage, regardless of what volume setting the mp3 player is set to. I was wondering if a potentiator is the best way to adjustably limit the volume, and if so, what specifications would work for this kind of use.
 
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any variation of the MP3 player volume is still going to result in a change of volume in the speakers even with a potentiometer (variable resistor) volume control in between
ie if the MP3 player level increases then the pot level will need to be manually decreased correspondingly to maintain the required output level from the speakers.

To maintain a constant output to the speakers regardless of the input level to the controller cct. You would require some sort of active cct, along the lines of an AGC Automatic Gain Control system

PLEASE tell me you are NOT going to put head (ear) phones on a baby ?!
dont even consider that unless you want to cause permanent hearing loss to the child at a very young age

Dave
 
hahaha no I'm not making headphones for a baby.

I see what you are saying about how the volume is ultimately dependent on the device producing the audio signal... Could an AGC be powered by the mp3 player? If so, would it have a pretty significant draw on the batteries?
 
GoldenMole said:
hahaha no I'm not making headphones for a baby.

I see what you are saying about how the volume is ultimately dependent on the device producing the audio signal... Could an AGC be powered by the mp3 player? If so, would it have a pretty significant draw on the batteries?

Thats good to hear :) haha

would be difficult to power it from the MP3 player directly, more likely you could power it from whatever you supply the MP3 player with ... it its a long term arangement
 
hmmmm I think that I am going to go the route of using a pot, and calibrating the resistance to the most common mp3 players, since most mp3 players have roughly the same output levels anyways.

Do you have any ideas for what type of pot I should use? Or how I could go about calculating this?