How to Connect LED Strip Lights to Music (2024)

You can use any LED strip light as long as it has either a compatible Bluetooth/Wi-Fi controller with a built-in microphone or a mobile app with music sync ability. Popular smart lighting systems that support music sync technology include Twinkly and MiBoxer. Smartphone apps with music control include the Smart Life, Tuya Smart, Happy Lighting, and Open Lit app. Your strip light controller or smart app will state whether or not it has a music sync option.

There are a variety of strip light options to choose from including single-color, RGB, RGBW, single-color white, tunable white, and individually addressable strips. Strip lights, controllers, and power supplies with an IP rating of IP65 or higher can be installed outdoors around your patio or outdoor bar. Additionally, smart lighting systems like Twinkly allow you to connect multiple light fixtures together and collectively sync to music for an immersive environment.

Before beginning the strip light installation process, you must decide where you want to place your strip lights and where they will connect to the power source. This will determine how long your strip lights should be and how much wiring you will need.

If you have a long strip light run, you will want to make sure you are not exceeding the max run. If you experience an excessive voltage drop, you may want to choose a different power supply, add an additional power supply, or change the wiring of your LED strip lighting system. Check your strip light manual for other information related to the performance of your LED strip.

Measure out the length of strip lights you need and cut them at the closest designated cutting mark. If you need to connect multiple strip segments, use solderless connectors. For waterproof strip lights, be sure to use waterproof connectors and supplies. Use silicone end caps and sealant to cover any exposed ends. Test your strip lights to make sure everything is functioning correctly.

Next, connect your LED strip lights to the LED controller. Match the color-coded wires from the LED strip lights to the corresponding ports on the controller. Make sure only the bare wires are touching the terminals, not the wire insulation. Watch our video on How to Wire an LED Strip to a Controller for more information.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a power supply for your strip light. You can use plug-in power adapters, switching power supplies, or power supplies with dimmable capabilities. The power supply you choose will not affect your light strip's ability to connect with music, so choose the best power supply for your specific needs and the requirements of your strip.

With everything connected and the power applied, turn on the LED strip lights and play some music to test the synchronization. Some smart apps can use the internal audio system in your phone to pick up the music signal. Otherwise, the strip controller or phone’s microphone (if using a compatible app) will pick up the audio. If you are not using your device’s internal audio system to pick up the music, place your strip light controller or phone’s microphone near the music/sound source for the best results. If the microphone is too far from the music source, it might pick up background noise.

Make sure the audio sensor is adequately picking up the sound and translating it into visual effects on the LED strips. You may need to adjust the sensitivity of the audio sensor and the settings on the LED controller to achieve the desired effect.

We offer a variety of sound-activated LED lights and controllers with music sync abilities. Shop our full range of strip lighting options here. Or, if you want a music sync lighting option besides strip lights, check out our selection of Twinkly squares, curtains, clusters, string lights, festoons string lights, and flex tubes. The Twinkly music USB sensor makes connecting these lights to music to very simple and streamlined.