Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Yes—but not by making dialogue louder. GreatScott’s project uses a microphone, an Arduino Pro Micro and an infrared LED to lower a television or audio system’s volume when loud passages persist, then send volume-up commands to restore the previous level when the soundtrack becomes quieter.
It is best understood as an automatic remote-control volume leveller. It does not isolate speech, boost a center channel or process the audio signal directly.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The problem is usually dynamic range
Many viewers know the cycle: dialogue is difficult to hear, so the volume goes up; an explosion, gunshot, music cue or bass-heavy effect then becomes uncomfortably loud, so the volume goes down again. Subtitles or constant remote adjustments become the workaround.
That does not necessarily mean the movie was badly mixed. A soundtrack may preserve a wide difference between quiet dialogue and loud effects, while a television’s small speakers, an incorrectly configured surround system, room noise or a poorly positioned center speaker makes that range difficult to reproduce at home. HVAC systems, fans and appliances can also mask speech.
#1 Best Overall
- START CODING WITH THE ELEGOO UNO R3: Connect the included USB cable, upload your first sketch, and build sensor, motor, display, and automation projects, making it a practical controller for maker desks, classrooms, coding clubs, and robotics labs
- ATMEGA328P CORE FOR EVERYDAY PROJECTS: A 16 MHz clock, 32 KB flash, 14 digital I/O pins with 6 PWM outputs and 6 analog inputs provide a versatile foundation for LEDs, buttons, relays, servos, displays and sensors
- RELIABLE USB PROGRAMMING AND CLEAR WIRING: The ATmega16U2 USB interface supports sketch uploads and serial communication, while clearly labeled headers help simplify connections to jumper wires, shields and modules
- POWER AND EXPAND YOUR WAY: Run the board from USB or a recommended 7-12 V external supply, then add compatible shields and modules for data logging, automation, robotics, test fixtures and custom electronics projects
- BOARD AND USB CABLE INCLUDED: Comes with 1 ELEGOO UNO R3 development board and 1 USB-A to USB-B data cable; breadboard, sensors, shields and power adapter are not included, and younger learners should work with an experienced adult
In a cinema, the soundtrack, speakers and room are designed as a system. A television in a reflective living room has a much smaller margin for wide dynamics.
Further background on the home-theater problem is available from WIRED and Popular Science.
What GreatScott built
Hackaday’s September 29, 2021 report describes a circuit by GreatScott with this signal and control path:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →TV or speakers
│
▼
Microphone → amplifier → Arduino analog input
│
loudness/event algorithm
│
IRremote commands
│
IR LED → TV or receiver- Microphone: hears the sound produced in the room.
- Microphone amplifier: raises the signal for the Arduino’s analog input.
- Arduino Pro Micro: samples the signal and decides when the sound has been loud for long enough.
- IR LED: imitates the volume buttons on the original remote.
- IRremote library: decodes and reproduces the target device’s infrared commands.
- Two potentiometers: one adjusts the loudness threshold or dead band; the other adjusts timing sensitivity—how frequently loud events must occur before the circuit reacts.
The project is non-invasive: it does not require opening the television or electrically inserting hardware into the audio path.
Rank #2
![Arduino Uno REV3 [A000066] - ATmega328P Microcontroller, 16MHz, 14 Digital I/O Pins, 6 Analog Inputs, 32KB Flash, USB Connectivity, Compatible with Arduino IDE for DIY Projects and Prototyping](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515P6aYSP4L._SL160_.jpg)
- ATmega328P Microcontroller: Powered by the reliable ATmega328P, running at 16 MHz with 32KB of flash memory, 2KB SRAM, and 1KB EEPROM, offering ample resources for a wide range of basic to advanced electronics projects.
- 14 Digital I/O Pins & 6 Analog Inputs: Features 14 digital I/O pins (6 of which support PWM output) and 6 analog inputs (10-bit resolution), providing flexible options for sensors, motors, and other external components.
- USB Connectivity for Easy Programming: The built-in USB port allows for direct programming and serial communication, enabling a simple connection to your computer for sketch uploading and debugging through the Arduino IDE.
- Compatible with Arduino IDE: Full compatibility with the Arduino IDE ensures easy access to a vast array of libraries, code examples, and community-driven projects, making the Uno a great choice for both beginners and experienced makers.
- Widely Used in Education & Prototyping: The Arduino Uno is a standard in educational environments, widely used for learning and teaching electronics and programming. It's perfect for prototyping, robotics, IoT projects, and more.
Read the original summary on Hackaday, and consult GreatScott’s linked project page for the original build materials.
How the detection loop works
The Arduino continually measures the amplified microphone signal. A potentiometer establishes an adjustable threshold. One isolated peak—such as a clap, scream, whistle or dropped object—is ignored. Instead, the software looks for repeated threshold crossings within a relevant time window.
- A sustained or repeatedly loud passage produces enough threshold events.
- The Arduino sends one or more volume-down commands through the IR LED.
- The loud passage ends and the measured level remains below a lower critical level.
- The controller assumes the soundtrack has returned to quieter material.
- It sends volume-up commands corresponding to the earlier reductions.
This is event-density detection, not speech recognition. The circuit does not know whether it is hearing an explosion, music, shouting, laughter or somebody talking in the room. It uses repeated loudness as a rough proxy for the kind of passage that causes viewers to reach for the remote.
Why the ADC prescaler matters
Hackaday notes that the sampled signal could contain frequencies approaching 20 kHz, while the Arduino’s default ADC configuration would make measurements below roughly 5 kHz. The project therefore changes the ADC prescaler to increase sampling speed.
Rank #3
- Unlock your creativity with the versatile UNO R3 Board ATmega328P! Explore endless possibilities in electronics projects with its user-friendly Arduino development environment, extensive digital and analog I/O pins, and compatibility with various sensors and modules. Let your imagination soar!
- Experience the power of UNO R3 Board ATmega328P! This feature-packed development board boasts a high-performance ATmega328P microcontroller, 32KB of flash memory, and 2KB of SRAM. It's perfect for both beginners and advanced users seeking to build innovative applications in robotics, home automation, and more.
- Ignite your passion for electronics with the UNO R3 Board ATmega328P! Its open-source design allows for customization, while its 14 digital I/O pins and 6 analog input pins provide ample connectivity options. Get ready to bring your ideas to life and create interactive projects like never before.
- Elevate your DIY projects with the UNO R3 Board ATmega328P! This highly versatile development board offers seamless integration with the Arduino ecosystem, providing access to a vast library of code and resources. With its reliable performance and broad compatibility, you can easily prototype and realize your electronic dreams.
- Discover the endless potential of the UNO R3 Board ATmega328P! With its robust communication interfaces, including UART, SPI, and I2C, you can connect and communicate with a wide range of devices. Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional, this powerful development board is a must-have for creating innovative and interactive electronic systems.
That does not turn the Pro Micro into a high-fidelity audio recorder or a calibrated 20-kHz analyzer. The controller mainly needs a useful indication of changing loudness. Faster sampling can make the detector more responsive, but the exact prescaler value, sample rate, filtering and averaging method should be taken from the original firmware or project documentation rather than guessed.
Why it can help dialogue without enhancing dialogue
The circuit does not raise speech relative to music or effects on a frequency-by-frequency basis. Its benefit is indirect:
- Without it, the viewer keeps the master volume low enough for explosions to be tolerable, making dialogue hard to hear.
- With it, the viewer can set a higher normal volume so quiet speech is easier to hear.
- When a loud passage persists, the circuit reduces the master volume.
- When the passage ends, it attempts to restore the previous level.
“Automatic volume leveller” or “remote-controlled dynamic-range reducer” is therefore more accurate than “dialogue enhancer.” It emulates some of the practical effect of compression by changing the system volume; it does not compress the audio waveform itself.
Can you build it?
The architecture is clear, but the available summary is not a complete construction guide. It does not establish the exact microphone, amplifier IC, resistor and capacitor values, Pro Micro voltage variant, IR LED drive circuit, power supply, firmware settings, enclosure or wiring diagram.
Rank #4
- START CODING WITH A FLEXIBLE UNO R3 BOARD: Connect the included USB cable, upload sketches with Arduino IDE and build sensor, motor, display and automation projects for maker desks, classrooms, coding labs and electronics prototyping
- ATMEGA328P CORE FOR EVERYDAY PROJECTS: A 16 MHz clock, 32 KB flash, 2 KB SRAM, 1 KB EEPROM, 14 digital I/O pins with 6 PWM outputs and 6 analog inputs support LEDs, buttons, relays, servos, displays and sensors
- CH340C USB-TO-SERIAL INTERFACE: The onboard CH340C handles USB communication for sketch uploads and serial monitoring, while clearly labeled digital, analog and power headers help simplify wiring to modules and shields
- USB OR EXTERNAL POWER: Run the board from the included USB cable or a recommended 7-12 V external DC supply, then expand with compatible shields and modules for robotics, data logging, automation and custom embedded projects
- BOARD AND USB CABLE INCLUDED: Comes with 1 ELEGOO UNO R3 controller board and 1 USB-A to USB-B data cable; breadboard, jumper wires, sensors, shields and power adapter are not included
A responsible build process is:
- Identify the television or receiver’s infrared volume protocol using its existing remote.
- Use the Arduino IRremote library to decode the signal.
- Confirm that an IR LED can reproduce volume-up and volume-down commands for the target device.
- Feed the microphone-amplifier output into an Arduino analog input.
- Implement the required ADC timing from the original project code.
- Adjust the threshold and timing controls so isolated sounds are ignored.
- Track each volume-down command and send the corresponding number of volume-up commands after the quiet period.
Do not assume that a generic Pro Micro, microphone module or IR LED will behave exactly like the parts in the original build. Verify the original GreatScott materials before ordering parts or copying firmware.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Try the built-in fixes first
For most viewers, the DIY circuit should not be the first remedy. Work through the audio system in this order.
1. Check the audio format and center channel
In a conventional multichannel system, dialogue is commonly routed primarily through the center channel, although this is not universal across stereo mixes, soundbars, downmixers or immersive-audio renderers.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Confirm that the source and receiver are decoding the intended format.
- Check that the center speaker is connected.
- Make sure it is not hidden inside a cabinet or behind an acoustically opaque panel.
- Run the receiver’s speaker-level calibration.
- Raise the center-channel level modestly.
- Test both a dialogue-heavy scene and an effects-heavy scene.
A 3.1 system—with left, right, center and subwoofer channels—can be a more useful dialogue upgrade than simply buying a louder two-channel system.
Best Value
- TURN CODE INTO REAL-WORLD RESULTS — Follow 22+ guided lessons to make LEDs blink, read temperature and distance, move servo and stepper motors, control an LCD and respond to joystick or IR input; ideal for a family weekend build, homeschool unit, coding club or STEM classroom
- MORE PROJECT VARIETY IN ONE ORGANIZED KIT — Includes the UNO R3 controller, LCD1602 with pre-soldered header, breadboard power module, ultrasonic and DHT11 sensors, joystick, IR receiver and remote, SG90 servo, stepper motor, relay, DC motor, fan blade, displays, LEDs, buttons, resistors and jumper wires
- START WITHOUT SOLDERING — Plug-in modules, a solderless breadboard and the pre-soldered LCD help beginners focus on wiring, code and testing; the illustrated component list makes it easier to find each part and move from one lesson to the next
- LEARN THE LOGIC, THEN CREATE YOUR OWN — Use Arduino IDE and the included example code to understand digital input and output, analog sensing, timing, motor control and display functions, then change thresholds, speeds and sequences for alarms, environmental monitors, reaction games and motion projects
- CLEAR SETUP SUPPORT FOR FIRST-TIME BUILDERS — Download the latest tutorial and code, select the UNO board and correct computer port, check component polarity and breadboard rows, and keep power-module input at 9V or below; younger learners should work with an experienced adult
2. Enable dynamic-range compression or night mode
Depending on the equipment, look for labels such as Night Mode, Night Sound, Dynamic Volume, Dynamic Range Compression, Late Night, Reduce Loud Sounds or Dialogue Enhancement. These settings bring loud and quiet portions closer together, reducing remote adjustments. The trade-off is less of the soundtrack’s intended cinematic impact.
3. Reduce competing room noise
Turning down an air conditioner, fan or nearby appliance may improve intelligibility more effectively than increasing playback volume. Reflections and speaker placement also matter.
4. Consider headphones or subtitles
Headphones reduce room-noise and acoustic problems, while subtitles solve intelligibility without altering the mix. Bluetooth headphones can introduce audiovisual delay; wired or verified low-latency options may be preferable. See the practical guidance from Popular Science.
Recommended Free Tools
Where the circuit falls short
- It hears the room: a dog bark, vacuum cleaner, dropped object or nearby conversation can trigger a reduction.
- It cannot identify content: loud dialogue, singing, applause and music may be treated like an explosion.
- IR is device-specific: compatibility depends on the protocol, command format, alignment and the target’s receiver. Devices controlled by Bluetooth, RF, HDMI-CEC or a network interface may not respond.
- It may respond slowly: ignoring isolated peaks requires waiting for repeated events, so the beginning of a loud passage may get through.
- It can pump: a low threshold or aggressive timing setting may cause repeated volume changes during action scenes, music or applause.
- Volume can drift: missed IR packets, rate limits, manual remote use or startup-volume behavior can mean that the later volume-up commands do not exactly restore the original level.
- It changes the experience: loud effects lose impact, just as they do with conventional night modes.
Which solution makes sense?
| Solution | Dialogue benefit | Controls loud passages | Build required | Preserves original mix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center-channel adjustment | Often | No | No | Mostly |
| Night or dynamic-range mode | Indirectly | Yes | No | No |
| Dialogue-enhancement mode | Often | Sometimes | No | No |
| Better 3.1 or 5.1 setup | Often | No | No | Mostly |
| Headphones | Often | Indirectly | No | Mostly |
| GreatScott-style circuit | Indirectly | Yes | Yes | No |
| True DSP compressor | Potentially | Yes | Advanced | No |
Choose a soundbar or receiver based on independent dialogue control, a dedicated or virtual center channel, dynamic-range management, calibration and suitable HDMI ARC/eARC support—not simply on wattage or bass output. A more expensive system will not automatically fix an obstructed center speaker or incorrect configuration.
Bottom line
GreatScott’s circuit is an inventive solution for hobbyists who want a non-invasive, microphone-controlled experiment. It automatically changes the master volume through infrared, giving the viewer a higher baseline for dialogue and reducing sustained loud passages.
It is not a true dialogue processor, it will not work with every television or sound system, and it can react to sounds that are not in the movie. For ordinary home-theater problems, check the center channel, calibration, room noise and built-in night or dynamic-range settings first. Build the circuit when the project itself is the attraction—or when the equipment lacks a usable automatic-volume feature.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
