The VS1053 is a multi-format audio codec chip, loved by many for its simplicity and power. CODEC stands for "Coder & Decoder" and that's pretty much what this little chip does - it can decode digital audio files such as MP3, FLAC, AAC, OGG, and WAV as well as encode audio into digital formats (right now only WAV and OGG are supported for encoding). For many small microcontrollers, the mathematical calculations for decoding MP3 files are too much effort. That's where you'd use this chip.

All you need to do is stream the raw audio file as you have on an SD or other storage and it will magically play the stereo audio. There's some support circuitry needed, so if this is your first project, do check out our VS1053 breakout which comes with a microSD socket, level-shifting circuitry, and output audio protection. On the other hand, if you have something custom in mind, and you want to add MP3 playing to your project or product, the raw chip as sold here is what you want.

We have an example code that works on an Arduino (but is easily ported) as well as a reference schematic for our breakout on the VS1053B breakout tutorial page. But the best place to go for detailed information is the VLSI webpage which has app notes, datasheets, example code, and more

There are some cool extras with this chip in addition to plain audio playing & recording: there's a built-in MIDI synth with 50 instruments you can play by piping in direct MIDI (we have example code for this in our Arduino library), 8 GPIO pins (we have example code for this in our Arduino library), Bass & Treble adjust, and I2S digital output.

Each order comes with a single chip.

Specifications

• TQFP-48 0.5mm pitch
• Dimensions: 9mm x 9mm total (7mm x 7mm body)

Decodes multiple formats:

• Ogg Vorbis
• MP3 = MPEG 1 & 2 audio layer III (CBR+VBR+ABR)
• MP1 & MP2 = MPEG 1 & 2 audio layers I & II optional
• MPEG4 / 2 AAC-LC(+PNS), HE-AAC v2 (Level 3) (SBR + PS)
• WMA4.0/4.1/7/8/9 all profiles (5-384 kbps)
• FLAC lossless audio with software plugin (up to 24 bits, 48 kHz)
• WAV (PCM + IMA ADPCM)
• General MIDI 1 / SP-MIDI format 0
• Encodes three different formats from mic/line in mono or stereo
  • Ogg Vorbis with software plugin
  • IMA ADPCM
  • 16-bit PCM
• Streaming support
• EarSpeaker Spatial Processing
• Bass and treble controls
• Operates with a single 12-13 MHz or 24-26 MHz clock
• Internal PLL clock multiplier
• Low-power operation
• High-quality on-chip stereo DAC with no phase error between channels
• Zero-cross detection for smooth volume change
• Stereo earphone driver capable of driving a 30­ ohm load
• Quiet power-on and power-off
• I2S interface for external DAC
• Separate voltages for analog, digital, I/O
• 16.5 KiB on-chip RAM for user code and data
• Serial control and data interfaces
• Can be used as a peripheral co-processor
• SPI flash boot for special applications
• UART for debugging purposes
• New functions may be added with software and up to 8 GPIO pins