VS1053 MP3 codec module: specs
A module built around the VS1053b audio codec chip, which decodes Ogg Vorbis, MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC and MIDI files and encodes audio from a microphone or line input to IMA ADPCM, PCM or (with a plugin) Ogg Vorbis, but not to MP3. The facts below are the chip's. The module board itself is not covered by an official document.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Decoded formats (chip) | Ogg Vorbis; MP3 (MPEG 1 and 2 layer III); AAC-LC and HE-AAC v2; WMA 4.0 to 9; General MIDI; WAV (PCM and IMA ADPCM); FLAC with a software plugin | source Features, p.1 |
| Encoding (chip) | Stereo IMA ADPCM and PCM; Ogg Vorbis with a software plugin. MP3 encoding is not listed. | source Features, p.1 |
| Input and output (chip) | Stereo ADC (mic, line, line + mic or 2 x line) and stereo DAC with earphone amplifier | source Description, p.1 |
| Analog supply AVDD (chip) | 2.6 V to 3.6 V (VREF 1.23 V, typical 2.8 V); 3.3 V to 3.6 V (VREF 1.65 V); absolute maximum 3.6 V | source 4.1 and 4.2, p.7 |
| Digital core supply CVDD (chip) | 1.7 V to 1.85 V (typical 1.8 V); absolute maximum 1.85 V | source 4.1 and 4.2, p.7 |
| I/O supply IOVDD (chip) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (typical 2.8 V); absolute maximum 3.6 V; digital inputs must not exceed IOVDD + 0.3 V and never 3.6 V | source 4.1 and 4.2, p.7 |
| Crystal clock XTALI (chip) | 12 MHz to 13 MHz (typical 12.288 MHz); 12.288 MHz is needed to play 48 kHz at correct speed | source 4.2, p.7 |
| Operating temperature (chip) | -40 C to +85 C | source 4.1 and 4.2, p.7 |
| Control and data interface (chip) | SPI buses for control and data plus a DREQ data-request pin; DREQ rises when initialisation is complete and no data or commands should be sent before that | source Section 7 SPI Buses; Section 4 reset timing note |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | Chip: AVDD 2.6 V to 3.6 V, CVDD 1.7 V to 1.85 V, IOVDD 1.8 V to 3.6 V. The module's own supply input is not documented. | source 4.2 Recommended Operating Conditions, p.7 |
Pinout
We don't publish a pin table for this part: no official source we could verify gives one. Check the labels printed on your module, and see the notes below.
The module board's header pins, regulator, level handling, microphone input and microSD slot (if any) are not covered by an official document, so no pin table is given. Read the names printed on the board; the chip's own control pins are DREQ, XRESET, XCS and XDCS.
Build with it
Project ideas for the VS1053 MP3 codec module. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- MP3 file player with amplifier output: The ESP32's I/O is 3.3 V, inside the chip's 3.6 V I/O limit. The chip decodes MP3 and the card is read over SPI by the ESP32. Check the module's supply input and the microSD reader's voltage on their silkscreens before wiring, since neither board is documented here. Audio goes from the module's headphone or line output (check its markings) to the amplifier input; you can use headphones you already own (not sold here) instead. The amplifier and speaker are not documented against this module, so check the signal level at low volume first.
- Wi-Fi audio stream player: The datasheet lists streaming support for MP3 and WAV. The ESP32 receives the stream over Wi-Fi and feeds the data bytes to the chip whenever DREQ is high. Listen on headphones you already own (not sold here) plugged into the module's output, or on an amplifier you already own.
- Button-controlled MP3 jukebox: The ESP32 reads the files from the card over SPI and feeds the chip whenever DREQ is high; the buttons choose the file and set the chip's volume. Listen on headphones you already own (not sold here). Learning project.
Common mistakes
- Driving the chip's inputs from 5 V signals: the datasheet limits any digital input to IOVDD + 0.3 V and never above 3.6 V (source: link, p.7). A 5 V board needs level shifting unless the module's own board does it, which is not documented.
- Expecting MP3 recording: the chip decodes MP3 but its encoders are IMA ADPCM, PCM and Ogg Vorbis with a plugin (source: link, p.1).
- Sending data before the chip is ready: DREQ rises when initialisation is complete, and data or commands sent earlier are not handled (source: link, Section 4 timing note).
Not covered by the official source
- The module is sold as being for Arduino Uno. The chip's I/O is 3.3 V (IOVDD up to 3.6 V); whether the module board level-shifts for 5 V boards is not documented.
- The module board is not covered by an official document: header, regulator, microphone input and card slot are unknown.
- Supply currents for the chip are in the datasheet's electrical table but are not repeated here because the module's own supply path is unknown.
- The module's microphone input is not documented, so no microphone-recording project is suggested.
Sources
- link (VLSI Solution VS1053b datasheet, version 1.33, 2025-04-04; maker host)