Ambient Shifting Wave Lights With Arduino and Visuino

In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a decorative ambient lighting setup using 4 dimmable 5V retro light modules and an Arduino.

The project works as a continuous shifting wave light system:

Each light gradually fades in and out while the next light starts fading in, creating a smooth wave-like motion across all 4 lights.

Each light is controlled with its own analog signal in Visuino, giving it independent dimming behavior. The settings for the lights are:

• Signal 1: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.4 Hz, Offset 0.6
• Signal 2: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.36 Hz, Offset 0.6
• Signal 3: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.32 Hz, Offset 0.6
• Signal 4: Amplitude 0.4, Frequency 0.28 Hz, Offset 0.6

These settings create a smooth, shifting wave where the lights fade in and out at slightly different speeds, producing a relaxing and dynamic ambient effect. No buttons are required — the lights cycle automatically.

The tutorial shows how to connect all 4 retro light modules to the Arduino and configure independent dimmable signals in Visuino. The system produces a warm, vintage-style glow and a visually pleasing wave pattern that is ideal for decorative lighting, mood lighting, or interactive displays.

The entire setup runs on 5V, making it compatible with common Arduino boards.

Important: If you are using retro light bulbs, the Arduino cannot supply enough current for all 4 bulbs. You will need an external 5V power supply with a common ground connected to the Arduino. If you are using LED modules, the Arduino 5V pin is usually sufficient to power them directly.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

• Connect 4 retro light modules to an Arduino
• Control multiple lights independently with analog signals
• Create smooth fade-in and fade-out effects for each light
• Configure independent frequencies for shifting wave patterns
• Build a dynamic, decorative ambient lighting circuit without buttons
• Power high-current lights safely using an external 5V supply

📥 Download the Visuino project file at the bottom

🎥 Watch the Video!

Note: You can use LED modules instead of retro bulbs; just make sure to use appropriate resistors in series.

Step 1: What You Will Need

• Arduino (or any other board)
• 4X Retro 5V Light bulb module (E10 Incandescent Lamp Module Bulb Module) with external 5V power supply and common ground with Arduino
• Jumper wires
• Visuino program: Download Visuino

Note: You can use LED module instead, or any other light, just make sure you use the 1K resistor in series.

Step 2: The Circuit

Step 3: Start Visuino, and Select the Arduino UNO Board Type

Start Visuino as shown in the first picture Click on the "Tools" button on the Arduino component (Picture 1) in Visuino When the dialog appears, select "Arduino UNO" as shown on Picture 2

Step 4: In Visuino Add Components

• Add 4X "Sine Analog Generator" component

Step 5: In Visuino Set Components

Select "SineAnalogGenerator1" and in properties window set :

• Amplitude:0.4
• Frequency (Hz): 0.4
• Offset: 0.6

Select "SineAnalogGenerator2" and in properties window set :

• Amplitude:0.4
• Frequency (Hz): 0.36
• Offset: 0.6

Select "SineAnalogGenerator3" and in properties window set :

• Amplitude:0.4
• Frequency (Hz): 0.32
• Offset: 0.6

Select "SineAnalogGenerator4" and in properties window set :

• Amplitude:0.4
• Frequency (Hz): 0.28
• Offset: 0.6

Step 6: In Visuino Connect Components

• Connect "SineAnalogGenerator1" pin [Output] to Arduino Digital pin [ 3 ]
• Connect "SineAnalogGenerator2" pin [Output] to Arduino Digital pin [ 5 ]
• Connect "SineAnalogGenerator3" pin [Output] to Arduino Digital pin [ 6 ]
• Connect "SineAnalogGenerator4" pin [Output] to Arduino Digital pin [ 9 ]

Step 7: Generate, Compile, and Upload the Arduino Code

In Visuino, at the bottom click on the "Build" Tab, make sure the correct port is selected, then click on the "Compile/Build and Upload" button.

Step 8: Play

Congratulations! You have completed your project with Visuino. Also attached is the Visuino project, that I created for this tutorial, you can download it here and open it in Visuino: https://www.visuino.com