Qwiic WAV Trigger Pro

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

active LOW

Active LOW describes a signal that is treated as active, asserted or 'on' when it sits at a low voltage near ground, rather than at a high voltage. It applies to inputs, outputs and control lines (such as reset or chip-select), so it matters when wiring devices so that signal levels are interpreted as intended.

I2C

I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.

line level

Line level is an audio signal strength intended for inputs on mixers, amplifiers, powered speakers, or recording equipment. It is not the same as a speaker output, so you may still need an amplifier to drive passive speakers.

microcontroller

A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.

microSD card

A microSD card is a small removable flash memory card used to store data such as audio, images, logs or program files. Its capacity and formatting (often FAT32 or exFAT) affect how much can be stored and whether the card needs preparing before use.

MIDI

MIDI is a standard way for electronic instruments, controllers, and software to send musical control messages such as notes, velocity, and timing. If a board supports MIDI, it can be triggered from keyboards, drum pads, sequencers, or other music gear rather than only from buttons or code.

polyphonic playback

Polyphonic playback means the board can play more than one sound at the same time. This matters for installations or instruments where sounds may overlap instead of cutting each other off.

PTH

Plated through-hole means the pin holes are metal-lined so solder connects the pad on both sides of the board. It is useful for connectors and headers that need a strong mechanical and electrical connection.

Qwiic

Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.

RMS

RMS is a way of describing the effective level of an AC signal, such as an audio output voltage. It helps compare audio output levels more meaningfully than a peak voltage number.

RX

RX means receive, usually showing data being received by the board. An RX indicator LED can help with troubleshooting USB or serial communication.

solder jumper

A solder jumper is a small pair or group of pads on a circuit board that can be bridged or cut with solder to change a hardware setting. It matters because changing modes may require careful soldering rather than just changing software.

STM32

STM32 is a family of microcontroller chips commonly used in embedded electronics. Knowing a product uses an STM32 can help when looking at firmware updates, pin connections, or low-level serial control options.

through-hole

A mounting style where the component leads pass through holes in a circuit board and are soldered on the other side. Through-hole parts are often easier to handle and solder by hand, which is useful for classroom and hobby projects.

Tolerance

Tolerance tells you how far the real resistance value may be from the printed value. A 1% resistor is useful when a circuit needs more predictable behaviour than a looser 5% or 10% part.

trigger latency

Trigger latency is the delay between an input event, such as pressing a button or receiving a signal, and the resulting action actually beginning (for example a sound playing, a light turning on, or an output switching). Low latency matters for interactive or time-critical uses, where a noticeable delay feels unresponsive.

TX

TX means transmit, usually showing data being sent from the board. A TX indicator LED can help you see when the board is communicating or uploading code.

TX/RX pins

TX and RX are the transmit and receive pins used for serial communication between electronic devices. They matter when wiring the board to another controller because TX usually connects to the other device’s RX, and the voltage level must be compatible.

UART

UART is a simple asynchronous serial interface that sends data over separate transmit and receive wires, usually labelled TX and RX, with both ends set to the same baud rate. It is a common way for microcontrollers and other serial devices to exchange data.

USB host

A USB host is the side of a USB connection that controls attached devices, like a computer talking to a keyboard or flash drive. This matters because most microcontroller boards are normally USB devices, so adding USB host support lets them use common USB peripherals.

USB MIDI device

A USB MIDI device connects to a computer or USB host and sends or receives MIDI messages over USB. This matters because it lets the board work with music software or a controller setup where another device is in charge.

USB MIDI host

A USB MIDI host is the device that controls a USB MIDI connection, similar to the role a computer normally plays. Host support matters if you want to plug a USB MIDI controller directly into the board without using a computer.

USB-C

USB-C is a small, reversible USB connector that can carry power, data and, on some devices, video over a single cable. The same connector can range from charging only to high-speed data, so the functions a given port actually supports vary.

WAV file

A WAV file is an audio file format that stores sound, usually uncompressed, giving high quality at the cost of larger file sizes. Where a device plays WAV files, this affects which audio can be loaded and whether files need converting (for example to a particular sample rate or bit depth) first.