Arduino Feasibility Advice Needed for Large-Scale Art Project

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi folks! I'm the tech lead on a super fun art piece, currently testing the waters of Arduino to decide if the software and hardware can meet the need.

Here are the project basics:

  1. There will be 7 interactive stations.

  2. Each station will have 4 knobs.

  3. Each knob controls 1 RBD LED and also 1 channel of sound (attached to a 4 channel speaker). Each knob must smoothly oscillate color and tone respectively.

  4. Outside of the 7 stations, there are an additional 4 LED strips and 4 transducers which pulse amplitude and tone respectively.

  5. Here’s the fun part. When all 28 knobs across all 7 stations are specifically aligned, the whole kit and caboodle will go off in a synchronous manner. JACKPOT! Swelling sound, arpeggiated glory, and a wicked light show.

I’m aware and have witnessed the goodness Arduino, but never for a larger distributed system. Is this a possibility? What am I looking at hardware-wise? What kind of computing power would I need? Any other wisdom you might provide?

I deeply appreciate any responses. Huge thanks in advance!

2

everything you ask seems well within the realm of the Arduino.

when programming, is the 'specifically aligned' so that all knobs are at the 2 o'clock position ?
or when they all align in the same orientation, all at 9 or all at 7:15 or some such ?

the master (8th) unit, would just monitor the position of the others and when they are set, the criteria would be met and presto !

3

Excellent! Appreciate the response, Dave.

The knobs will all have different locations to align and make the magic happen.

So basically your suggestion is 8 boards where one is a master then? Thanks for accommodating my noob questions. :slight_smile:

4

Yes, the master could poll all the slaves for their current status, when each is with positon +/- a little wiggle room, then set off the show.

5

You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for the quick replies!