using Arduino as Interface

ARDUINO + MAXMSP + MODUL8 = REAL-TIME MANIPULATION / ANIMATION

Low budget solution for real-time manipulation for live performance contents.
Using some analog knobs connected to a Arduino board that communicates to MaxMsp witch translates the data to Midi messages mapping those to functions in Modul8.

2010, video example of real-time manipulation

download video at full size (720×576 – 68Mbytes) arduino

or view the stream version above

Video Demonstration

GOAL
The project goal is to explore a way for real-time manipulation. A combination between hardware and software.
Using the Arduino microcontroller with MaxMsp and Modul8 with MIDI virtual machine as a comunication protocol to let the data flow between this applications.

MIDI
The MIDI protocol was created in late 70´s as a communication protocol for Sound and Music control. The implementation of this protocol in other kinds of applications is growing and there are several advantages in its use. Despite the new standard for Sound and Music control, the OSC (Open Sound Control) the MIDI still is the main protocol and there are few applications with full suport for OSC.
The prices of MIDI consoles are being less expensive because they are build only for MIDI purpose, nevertheless you need to buy special equipment for different types of actions.
This project presents a recycled and cheaper solution. In this way you can pick any kind of knobs and faders to be used as a controler.

HARDWARE
– Analog knobs or faders (to a maximum of 5 analog inputs per arduino)
– Arduino (standard)

SOFTWARE
– Arduino
– MaxMsp () or PureData () or Processing () [any software that receives incoming input from arduino and throw it out via MIDI]
– Modul8 () or any other application that let you assign MIDI to any function like Apple Motion or Autodesk MotionBuilder