I really want to challenge myself for my coming University project. I am studying Music Production and I'm intrigued by how I could use Arduino to manipulate audio for an Art Project. I have attached diagrams of my project, but a brief summary: I will be using MPU-6050 accelerometer and gyroscope sensors inside the pipes of wind-chimes to give me a flow of values which will change audio effect parameters on Max/Msp (music software) on my computer. Therefore the audio will change depending of wind direction etc. The audio will then be outputted through a 4 channel speaker setup in the installation space. Please see the diagrams.
I am an absolute beginner to Arduino, so please forgive my ignorance. I would really like to check that I am getting the right parts before I spend money to find that there are major faults staring me in the face, or some parts are incompatible with others etc.
I believe all I will need is an Arduino Nano and 6 MPU-6050 sensors along with enough wires to stretch from the inside of the wind-chime pipes to the Arduino which will be located under the head of the chime. (see the attached diagrams).
Are there any others small parts I will be needing to make this work, such as converters or headers etc. Also are there any major problems that jump out to anyone? I have thought that maybe the metal pipes might cause problems with shorting the circuit?
Any input would be appreciated. I realise I might be sounding naive so if anyone could point me in the right direction id really appreciate it.
The first issue that I see is that the accelerometer, gyro and magnetometer I2C addresses are fixed in the MPU. So you will need a way to address all the individual MPU components with one processor (Nano). I2C multiplexers is one solution, I suppose.
What do you really need to sense the motion of the individual chime tubes? I mean would a 2 axis (X & Y) accel per tube be enough or do you really need 3 accel and 3 gyro axis per tube?
groundFungus:
What do you really need to sense the motion of the individual chime tubes? I mean would a 2 axis (X & Y) accel per tube be enough or do you really need 3 accel and 3 gyro axis per tube?
I was under the impression that the MPU-6050 could be used as a Gyroscope and accelerometer simultaneously - so the one does both jobs. Therefore I'd be able to use the gyroscope (X value to manipulate one audio effect, and use the Y value for a separate effect), then use the accelerometer for a third.
Regarding the gyroscope, I understand that the pitch and yaw values would not change much but the roll would change quite a lot as the pipe spins? I Think that I could find a creative use for values like these
I was under the impression that the accelerometer would give you one value in ms squared regardless of direction - is this correct?
Maybe I have this confused? Appreciate the help by the way
There are 3 axis analog accels. You do not have to read all 3 axis. If 2 axis per tube would work, that would be 12 analog channels. Easily done with a Mega or the like.
I suggest that the requirements be set and the hardware chosen based on defined requirements. Not make the requirements based on available hardware.
groundFungus:
There are 3 axis analog accels. You do not have to read all 3 axis. If 2 axis per tube would work, that would be 12 analog channels. Easily done with a Mega or the like.
I suggest that the requirements be set and the hardware chosen based on defined requirements. Not make the requirements based on available hardware.
I think the only requirements are that I get a stream of changing values based on the movement of the chime pipes. I think as it is my first Arduino project it would make sense to keep it fairly simple so only using 2 axis' sounds like a good idea.
I was thinking an Arduino nano based on size and price point - It would have to fit under the head of the wind-chime, would this not be compatible? The mega would still probably fit though so I guess thats fine.
The MPU-6050 seems to be the module that keeps coming up when I search for accelerometers. If I was to get the Arduino mega and 6 of these MPU's would there be anything else I would need to make it work (apart from wires etc).
If I was to get the Arduino mega and 6 of these MPU's would there be anything else I would need to make it work (apart from wires etc).
Yes, did you not read what you were told in reply #1?
All these chips use the I2C bus and all have the same address and it is fixed. Devices on the I2C bus HAVE TO have a unique address. So you need some way round this like an I2C multiplexer board.
hammy:
Won’t the wires inhibit the chimes from moving ?
Why not get rid of the chimes and take output from say a weather vane and or windmill or even heated thermistor bead
I have some AWG#30 "silicone wire" that I use for microphone capsule hookup. It's extremely flexible. I think "get rid of the chimes" kind of "takes the wind out" of the project, if I may put it that way. This is an art project not an anemometer. I think the idea is cool.
An alternate approach would be to use proximity sensors, for example capacitively coupled plates in the chimes.
hammy:
Won’t the wires inhibit the chimes from moving ?
Why not get rid of the chimes and take output from say a weather vane and or windmill or even heated thermistor bead
Yes to a certain extent, the natural sounds of the chimes will also be compromised probably, but the project is more focussed on the processed audio and the art exhibition as a whole.
Grumpy_Mike:
Yes, did you not read what you were told in reply #1?
All these chips use the I2C bus and all have the same address and it is fixed. Devices on the I2C bus HAVE TO have a unique address. So you need some way round this like an I2C multiplexer board.
I'm new to this so a lot goes over my head - thanks for clarifying all the same.
aarg:
I have some AWG#30 "silicone wire" that I use for microphone capsule hookup. It's extremely flexible. I think "get rid of the chimes" kind of "takes the wind out" of the project, if I may put it that way. This is an art project not an anemometer. I think the idea is cool.
An alternate approach would be to use proximity sensors, for example capacitively coupled plates in the chimes.
Appreciate that! I have looked into AWG#30 wire and looks like it would be perfect for the job. Plus, in my original plan I was going to use contact mics inside the pipes. This idea is reminiscent to Lia Mice's chandelier instrument - check it out if you've never seen it before.
Maybe if this doesn't go to plan I will use contract mics. Thanks for the comment
So I have decided it would probably be more realistic for me to use piezo disks. I see that the piezo would connect to the analogue input of an Arduino. As I would be needing 6 disks is there a multiplexer id need to make this work?
So I have decided it would probably be more realistic for me to use piezo disks. I see that the piezo would connect to the analogue input of an Arduino. As I would be needing 6 disks is there a multiplexer id need to make this work?
