Advice on implementing a specific project idea.

I have heard of the many awesome things Arduino can do, and have decided to look into using it for a project that has been asked of me. I'm pretty good at programming but know next to nothing on hardware design. If someone could point me in the right direction on how to build the following project / what would be required to build it, I would greatly appreciate it.

The project has one main module, and two accessories. The accessories will be told by the main module to do things wirelessly. All three have to be able to have sixteen presets stored, with the accessories using the same preset that the main module uses. the main module and accessory 1 will each need to control a set of three leds, and how bright each led is, with the same color set used on both. (The idea here is so that way I can use RGB to designate a certain color, so i could have a lot of red some blue but no green, etc.) Accessory 2 will play a wav file, when a button on the main module is pressed, with the sound depending on the preset being used on the main module.

I appreciate any and all help given.

The project has one main module, and two accessories.

So three arduinos?
If so why, there is nothing that can't be done by one and it will be much simpler.

What's with the cryptic terms ? (Accessory1,Accessory2)
Why are you not telling us what those are ?

@raschemmel:

Does it really matter, in the grand scheme of things?
Can you please just quit the knee-jerk, boost-my-post-count postings?

Why don't you use an array with 16 preset values ?

This is my first foray into making hardware, and probably last. My dad has requested that I make something for him, and I know nothing about actual hardware. I know about computers and how to program, just not things like resistors and serial communication. My dad has requested that I keep the exact purpose a secret but I am way out of my depth on knowing what is needed. it doesn't necessarily need three arduinos, as long as one arduino three sets of lights, one of which is wireless, and a wireless speaker. None of the objects would be more than six feet away from each other. Essentially I don't know the hardware required to tackle this project. I do know how to write code use apis and an ide.

Shalar:
The accessories will be told by the main module to do things wirelessly.

I would recommend equipping each Arduino with one of these NRF24L01+ modules

Shalar:
the accessories using the same preset that the main module uses.

How will these presets be selected on the main module? 16 buttons?

Shalar:
the main module and accessory 1 will each need to control a set of three leds

Can you clarify: one each of red, green and blue leds, or 3 x RGB leds? If the former, you can use ordinary leds, connect them to the PWM capable Arduino outputs and use the analogWrite() function to control them. If the latter, you would need 9 PWM outputs, which the basic Arduino's don't have, so I would recommend these "Neo Pixel" type leds.

Can't advise on the WAV module, I don't have any experience with them.

For each module, a basic arduino like an Uno, Nano, Mini or Micro Pro would be fine.

Paul

Shalar:
has requested that I keep the exact purpose a secret

This leads me to worry that it may be an illegal or anti-social project that the Arduino community should not be participating in.

...R

Robin2:
This leads me to worry that it may be an illegal or anti-social project that the Arduino community should not be participating in.

...R

It is nothing like that. He just doesn't want anyone else to implement his idea first. Think really neat costume accessory

PaulRB:

Shalar:
the accessories using the same preset that the main module uses.

How will these presets be selected on the main module? 16 buttons?

One button will cycle through them.

PaulRB:

Shalar:
the main module and accessory 1 will each need to control a set of three leds

Can you clarify: one each of red, green and blue leds, or 3 x RGB leds?

A set of leds being 1 RGB led array. The main module will have two hardwired, while the last set will need to be controlled wirelessly.

Shalar:
Think really neat costume accessory

Ahh, so size and weight are important? 3 UNOs and associated batteries are difficult to conceal...