Skip to main content

How to use DFPlayer mini to play MP3 without Arduino

What is a DFPlayer?

The DFPlayer Mini MP3 Player For Arduino is a small and low-priced MP3 module with a simplified output directly to the speaker. The module can be used as a stand-alone module with an attached battery, speaker and push buttons or used in combination with an Arduino UNO or any other with RX/TX capabilities. Know More

dfplayer.jpg

This tutorial shows how to use the module without a microcontroller and looping one single song. We have another tutorial showing how to use this module with Arduino.

File handling

The mp3 file needs to be placed in a folder named mp3, and the file needs to be named as 0001.mp3.

MAC User Attention!
If you are using Mac OS X to copy the mp3, the file system will automatically add hidden files like: "._0001.mp3" for index, which this module will handle as valid mp3 files.

It is really annoying. To remove them, follow the steps below:

  1. Finder - Go to your USB drive
  2. Press Shift + Command + . to reveal all hidden files
  3. Select all .XXXXXX files and directories and delete
  4. Empty Bin
  5. Eject your USB drive

Wiring

Wiring up the sensor is quite complex, the pins are not labelled, so you will have to refer to the pinout. dfplayerpinout.png

Power

In this tutorial, we are using 3 AAA batteries, which provide 4.5V. The module can take 3.3V-5V as power input. Be mindful when you use other types of power input.

DFplayer Mini Wiring
  1. VCC to Battery + (Power)
  2. GND to Battery - (Power)
  3. SPK_1 to Speaker(+) red wire
  4. SPK_2 to Speaker(-) black wire
  5. ADKEY_1 to GND

dfplayerMini_standaloneLoopMP3Player.png

All done!

Other functions

With the AD keys, you can expand the functionality without using a microcontroller. Please reference the circuit diagrams and the table below.

dfminplay_adkey.png

Key Short Push Long Push Description
K1 Play Mode Switch to interrupt / non interrupted
K2 Playback device switches U/TF/SPI/Sleep
K3 Operating Mode All cycle
K4 Play/Pause
K5 Previous Vol+
K6 Next Vol-
K7 4 Repeat play tracking 4 Long push always to repeat play
K8 3 Repeat play tracking 3 Long push always to repeat play
K9 2 Repeat play tracking 2 Long push always to repeat play
K10 1 Repeat play tracking 1 Long push always to repeat play
K11 5 Repeat play tracking 5 Long push always to repeat play
K12 6 Repeat play tracking 6 Long push always to repeat play
K13 7 Repeat play tracking 7 Long push always to repeat play
K14 8 Repeat play tracking 8 Long push always to repeat play
K15 9 Repeat play tracking 9 Long push always to repeat play
K16 10 Repeat play tracking 10 Long push always to repeat play
K17 11 Repeat play tracking 11 Long push always to repeat play
K18 12 Repeat play tracking 12 Long push always to repeat play
K19 13 Repeat play tracking 13 Long push always to repeat play
K20 14 Repeat play tracking 14 Long push always to repeat play
Back to top