First Arduino Project

Using Arduino Project Guidance
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Hi, I am Laochri. I have built Lightsabers, and blasters using Plector Labs sound modules. I am fixen to bulid a Yoko Littner Sniper rifle from my favorite Japanese mecha anime Gurren Lagann.

The Plector Labs bords are great, but lack the power I'll need to have for some options. The PL Board featurs are as folows;

WAV file support
FAT16 & FAT32 support
Embedded PEx for the main AND auxiliary muzzle flash
Clip in / Clip Out sounds
Jamming simulator
PLI bargraph
Hum background sound
The blaster ray propagation Fx is fully configurable, on 16 stages, and is described in a separate text file. Same for the aux. ray (stun / grenade). This allow to create unique tracing visual fx, remanence, strobing or completely static.
Selection of the electrical circuit(s) activated during the flash, for the main flash or the aux. flash. Each kind of blast can activate the main circuit, the aux circuit, both, or none of them. This allow the user to create color combination for the blast flash using an RGB LED !
Blast Light Fx (the nozzle flash, normal or aux.) is now fully configurable : static, stomboscope, randomized etc.
A micro SD card replaces the regular SD : the module is now only 6 mm thick !
Selectable barrel ray color (see the satellite board for an easier wiring)
Crystal clear 2W audio amp

I would like to add some kind of weighted solenoid linear actuator to simulate kickback. The LED's I want to use is a RGB Cree XP-E2 and I'll diffuse it like I do saber blades.

My question is;
What Arduino board will be suitable for my needs?

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Laochri:
WAV file support

WAV file: would require an external player board.

FAT16 & FAT32 support

Unsure of the FAT32 - Arduinos can read MicroSD cards.

Embedded PEx for the main AND auxiliary muzzle flash
Jamming simulator
PLI bargraph

No idea what this is supposed to be, or how it's to be implemented.

Clip in / Clip Out sounds
Hum background sound

More sound effects, handle as above.

The blaster ray propagation Fx is fully configurable, on 16 stages, and is described in a separate text file. Same for the aux. ray (stun / grenade).

You can read files from SD card and of course act upon the info given there.

This allow to create unique tracing visual fx, remanence, strobing or completely static.
Selection of the electrical circuit(s) activated during the flash, for the main flash or the aux. flash. Each kind of blast can activate the main circuit, the aux circuit, both, or none of them. This allow the user to create color combination for the blast flash using an RGB LED !
Blast Light Fx (the nozzle flash, normal or aux.) is now fully configurable : static, stomboscope, randomized etc.

That's a whole lot of blah-blah that I have no idea of.
An Arduino can handle LEDs, and with it create all kinds of fun light effects. Depending on the number of individually addressed LEDs you may need some external components.

A micro SD card replaces the regular SD : the module is now only 6 mm thick !

Good luck getting anywhere near this without custom PCB.

Selectable barrel ray color (see the satellite board for an easier wiring)

More LEDs?

Crystal clear 2W audio amp

Connected to the output of your WAV player.

I would like to add some kind of weighted solenoid linear actuator to simulate kickback. The LED's I want to use is a RGB Cree XP-E2 and I'll diffuse it like I do saber blades.

No problem there, I guess, having no clue what your saber blades diffuses (don't sabers normally chop things to pieces, rather than diffuse them?)

My question is;
What Arduino board will be suitable for my needs?

The one that has sufficient inputs/outputs for all this - probably you're going to need a Mega. Start counting your connections and see how many you need!

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Look up "prop shield" for more ideas on what you can cram into a handheld prop.

I'd start from a Teensy 3.6 for this project as it has the micro SD card slot built in. Or a Teensy 3.2 may be better.

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The extra I/O, memory and LOTS more processing power of the Teensy compared to the Arduinos will come in useful, too :slight_smile:

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Don't know if this would be of interest. I used it for Halloween sounds, hidden in a bush.

Not used this but may be of use for your project.

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wvmarle:
WAV file: would require an external player board.
Unsure of the FAT32 - Arduinos can read MicroSD cards.
No idea what this is supposed to be, or how it's to be implemented.
More sound effects, handle as above.
You can read files from SD card and of course act upon the info given there.
That's a whole lot of blah-blah that I have no idea of.
An Arduino can handle LEDs, and with it create all kinds of fun light effects. Depending on the number of individually addressed LEDs you may need some external components.
Good luck getting anywhere near this without custom PCB.
More LEDs?
Connected to the output of your WAV player.
No problem there, I guess, having no clue what your saber blades diffuses (don't sabers normally chop things to pieces, rather than diffuse them?)

The one that has sufficient inputs/outputs for all this - probably you're going to need a Mega. Start counting your connections and see how many you need!

All of those parameters are of the Plector Labs PCB. They are features I'm looking for. As for the FAT32, it is what the SD Card it formatted in.

MorganS:
Look up "prop shield" for more ideas on what you can cram into a handheld prop.

I'd start from a Teensy 3.6 for this project as it has the micro SD card slot built in. Or a Teensy 3.2 may be better.

marine_hm:
Don't know if this would be of interest. I used it for Halloween sounds, hidden in a bush.

Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board - WAV/OGG Trigger with 16MB Flash : ID 2220 : $24.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

Not used this but may be of use for your project.

Adafruit Wave Shield for Arduino Kit [v1.1] : ID 94 : $22.00 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

Thank you, I'll look into that.

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marine_hm:
Don't know if this would be of interest. I used it for Halloween sounds, hidden in a bush.

Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board - WAV/OGG Trigger with 16MB Flash : ID 2220 : $24.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

Not used this but may be of use for your project.

Adafruit Wave Shield for Arduino Kit [v1.1] : ID 94 : $22.00 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

Those boards would be perfect for the sound, but for weapon reactions like random jamming, amminition depletion, power cell depletion, weapon recharge actions I need something programmable.

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