SPI Controllers for Pixel LED Strips

Pixel-controlled LED strips with SPI controllers create moving colours, animations and eye-catching lighting effects. The SPI controllers that operate pixel-controlled LED strips send a digital control signal to the IC chips of the LED strip, which makes it possible to control the strip's pixels, or segments, individually. This achieves dynamic results and a wide range of lighting designs.

Valotehdas offers a wide selection of SPI controllers, suitable for both easy home use and more demanding lighting projects. Choose a model that supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi/WLED, RF or DMX512 control. Depending on the controller, you can manage settings and lighting effects using a phone app, the WLED interface or a DMX system.

What is an SPI controller?

An SPI controller is used to control digital, or pixel-controlled, LED strips. The IC control chips in the strip receive data from the controller, based on which different pixels can be lit and controlled individually. This makes possible, for example, chasing lights, colour gradients, animations, changing colour zones and other dynamic lighting effects.

With RGB and RGBW strips you can create multicoloured effects, and pixel control can also be used with compatible single-colour digital LED strips.

Choose an SPI controller to suit your LED strip

Not all SPI controllers are necessarily suitable for all pixel-controlled LED strips. Before choosing a controller, check the LED strip's IC type, operating voltage, colour order and pixel count.

Bluetooth, WLED or DMX?

If you are looking for easy phone control, a Bluetooth SPI controller is a convenient choice. With the SP105E and SP110E controllers you can manage lighting effects using an iOS or Android device, without a separate DMX system.

A more versatile option is the GLEDOPTO GL-C-015WL-M, which offers ESP32-based WLED control over Wi-Fi and music-reactive lighting effects using a microphone.

For more demanding systems, the Sunricher SR-SPI-OLED supports SPI pixel control with both DMX512 and Perfect RF control.

What is needed for SPI control?

A typical system consists of three main parts:

24 V power supply → SPI controller → pixel-controlled LED strip

The operating voltage depends on the chosen LED strip. Valotehdas pixel-controlled COB LED strips run on a 24-volt constant voltage, but our SPI controllers also support other voltages, depending on the model.

The power supply is sized according to the total power of the LED strip, with an adequate margin. Make sure that the controller's permitted load or pixel count is not exceeded.

SPI controllers and pixel-controlled LED strips

An SPI controller and a compatible digital LED strip together form a system with which you can create far more versatile lighting than with an ordinary LED strip, for example for homes, gaming rooms, shops, restaurants, furniture, exhibition stands and event venues.

Explore the SPI controllers and choose the control method to suit your application. Also see Valotehdas pixel-controlled LED strips and build a complete setup from compatible components.