Verbal Machines VM-CLAP1 Hand Clap Sensor

The VM-CLAP1 Hand Clap Sensor from Verbal Machines is a low-power, microprocessor-based audio sensor that can detect hand claps or finger snaps while ignoring background noises such as human speech or music. It operates from 2.5 V to 5.5 V and offers a simple interface: when a clap or snap is detected, the output pin goes low for 40 ms, and the integrated blue LED lights up.

The Verbal Machines VM-CLAP1 Hand Clap Sensor offers a simple way to detect nearby hand claps or finger snaps without triggering from other loud ambient noises. It has a detection range of approximately 9 feet, though the actual range depends a lot on how loud the clap is.

The sensor is powered by applying 2.5 V to 5.5 V to the middle of the three pins along the short edge of the board (labeled “PWR” on the silkscreen). When a clap is detected, the open-collector OUT drives low for 40 ms and the blue LED on the board flashes. Since the output pin is open collector, an external pull-up is required to make it high by default. See the sensor’s hookup guide (79k pdf) for more information.

The power and output pins have a 0.1″ spacing and work with standard 0.1″ male and female headers, and the board features two mounting holes that work with #2 and M2 screws.