Questions on Adapting Light Theremin Project

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello! I'm very new to Arduino, and have been using it as part of a music project for a college course. I have the Light Theremin project patch put together and running well, since it closely matches what I want to do with my finished project, but ultimately, rather than have the piezo itself generate sound, I want to have the data from the phototransistor going into another program on my computer and controlling sound parameters there. I would also want to add at least one other sensor (probably ultrasonic or pressure) on the board, controlling some other parameter. What would be a good way to go about implementing these adaptations, both on the breadboard itself and in the code?

Edit: The program in question is Max/MSP.

2

As You didn't post Your code nobody can tell how to implement anything in the code.
No helper is interested in a breadboard. Schematics is what's wanted.

A block diagram showing the large picture of the system is needed. Lots of words doesn't work.

3

Apologies; I am still new to all of this. The code is as follows, and I will get a block diagram together as soon as possible.

int sensorValue;
int sensorLow = 1023;
int sensorHigh = 0;
const int ledPin = 13;

void setup() {
  
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  
  while (millis() < 5000) {
    sensorValue = analogRead(A0);
    if (sensorValue > sensorHigh) {
      sensorHigh = sensorValue;
    }
    if (sensorValue < sensorLow) {
      sensorLow = sensorValue;
    }
  }
  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
}

void loop() {
  sensorValue = analogRead(A0);
  int pitch = map(sensorValue, sensorLow, sensorHigh, 440, 880);
   tone(8, pitch, 20);
   delay(10);

}
4

Are you familiar with MIDI? (I've never used it myself but I know a little about it.)

It's a communication & interface standard for music & computers. Or, I call it "sheet music for computers." You send MIDI messages that represent "notes & timing" and some other information and the computer uses virtual instrument software to generate the sounds. So for example, you can be playing a keyboard and switch between piano & trumpet sounds, or you can record/capture the MIDI and change the instrument (and edit the notes & timing) before playing it.

Most of the music you hear in modern movies & TV shows is done with MIDI and the composer can create a whole virtual band or orchestra with a MIDI keyboard & computer.

You can buy MIDI software for your MIDI virtual instrument and then you only have to build & program your Arduino MIDI controller.

It can also work the other way around. The computer can send messages to a MIDI-capable keyboard and the keyboard will "play itself". But it's easier to build a MIDI controller than a MIDI instrument.

There's an old MIDI serial standard which requires MIDI interface for your computer, or it can be done over USB.

5

No harm in that. Just know that helpers are complete newbies to Your idea. No helper can read Your mind in order to get the picture.
Lots of words, "word sallad", confuses more than they explain.

Still... Pen and paper and drawing a block diagram of the build as well as schematics for circuitry You want to use.

6

Like I would guess many/most of us, I've never worked with Max/MSP so I guess the most important question is what sort of inputs does it need to control whatever it is that you want to control. Until you know that you have no real idea of what you need the Arduino to do.

Steve

7

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