Hi Mike.  Like you, I am hobbyist and no expert on these
matters.  That said, take look at the LM3914.  You can get
datasheets 'everywhere' on-line.  Here's a site with a good
overview of this chip.

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/lm3914.htm

It takes an analog signal and drives ten outputs; sort of like a
VU meter on a chip.  You could connect it's outputs to a PIC
directly, or through a decoder.  Your PIC would receive near
real-time, audio level data.

I hope that this helps you with your PIC-based, talking skull
project.

Cheers,
Andrew





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