Hi, steve

I've paid my LM 3915 1.80 Euros ...

If it's a problem for you, a gang of transistors ( 5 to 6 ? ) plus some R and C can fit into a sugar lump ...

I already did that for a sound animated christmas star ... ( 16 Leds, 4 channels !!! )

Here, Relay will have to keep outside ... too bad !!!

But, Why not to use a PIC ???

Cheers to la belle Province !!!

Alain