The Adafruit Music Maker MP3 Shield with 3W Stereo Amp turns any Arduino into a powerful audio player, recorder, and MIDI synthesiser — with built-in amplification for driving speakers directly. Powered by the VS1053B codec chip, it decodes MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, FLAC, WAV, and MIDI formats, and can also record audio in PCM (WAV) or compressed Ogg Vorbis.

This version includes an on-board 3 W per channel Class D stereo amplifier (TPA2012) that drives 4 or 8 ohm speakers — ideal for projects that need to be loud without external amplification. Volume control is handled digitally by the VS1053 chip. Also available without the amplifier as the Music Maker MP3 Shield (line/headphone output only).

Key Features

• VS1053B Codec – Decodes MP3, MP4/AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, FLAC, WAV (PCM/ADPCM), MIDI; encodes Ogg and WAV
• 3 W Stereo Amplifier – Built-in TPA2012 Class D amp drives 4–8 Ω speakers directly
• MicroSD Card Slot – Plays from any FAT16/FAT32 card (64 MB or larger)
• Stereo Line/Headphone Output – With filter caps and ground reference
• Built-In MIDI Synth – Dozens of instrument and drum sounds via 31,250 baud MIDI
• Digital Audio Controls – Adjustable bass, treble, and volume
• 7 Extra GPIOs – Read buttons or drive LEDs through the Arduino library
• Full Level Shifting – 3.3 V / 5 V for both SD and codec chips
• Recording Capable – Microphone input breakout for audio capture

Compatibility

• Arduino UNO, Leonardo, and Mega

Ideal For

• Loud audio playback without external amplification
• Portable speaker projects and boomboxes
• Interactive exhibits and talking props
• MIDI synthesiser and drum machine builds

Package Contents

• 1× Adafruit Music Maker MP3 Shield with 3W Stereo Amp (assembled and tested)
• 2× 2-pin terminal blocks
• 1× 0.1" male header strip
• 1× 2×3 female header (ICSP)

Resources

• Music Maker Shield Learn Guide