Smart Pixel different from from Neo Pixel?

Doing my first ever build using the Nano Biscotte Sound Module V4 with recommended 18650 battery. Sounds work fine but the led strip has not lit up once which I am guessing is because I bought the wrong kind of Led strip? I bought smart pixel LED from ALi Express but realised that it had a 'CLock' circuit to which I ignored in my wiring in hopes that it would operate correctly. The circuit is wired according to the Nano Biscotte Sound Module V4 manual and I have changed the code settings to adjust to the led strip accordingly. The LED strip is 2m 60leds IP30 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...dfdf5c5177fe-1

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

Hi Jitterbug,

The APA102 uses a SPI protocol where as the WS2812 does not. There are separate data and clock inputs with SPI which makes it more robust with regard to timing. However, the NB is not compatible with APA102.
You need the WS2812 or similar. The good news is that WS2812 LED strips are about half the price of APA102 strips.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3295...32952429%22%7D

Ohhh. Thanks heaps samintz :D