The "light box" is a compact 12V / 8-channel dimmer based on an Arpshuino card that I made for Oscar les Vacances, a musician friend to discover urgently!
Project objective
The initial idea was to be able to use two scooter indicators as well as three led strips and to be able to program light sequences according to the different songs. Oscar was already using Ableton Live to play some of the instruments so I went with the idea of using a midi track in Ableton to write the light changes according to the songs. All you have to do is launch the midi track corresponding and you’re ready to go!
Technical requierments
- dim 5 light objects (2 indicators + 3 LED strips)
- Have the possibility to add other 12V elements
- Control channels independently from a Midi track in Ableton Live
- Be able to control the lighting elements from the sound desk
- Set up should be quick and easy
During my research, I discovered a small French company that makes electronic cards for shows that have a solution that corresponds exactly to my needs. This card is the Arpschuino! It is a card based on an arduino which integrates very practical functionalities and uses protocols widely used in the entertainment industry. Basically it is an arduino capable of communicating natively in DMX and has connectors to connect it very easily with several cards developed by Arpshuino. The card that interests me is the Arpower. A card that allows you to dim up to eight channels at 12V with MOSFET transistors controlled with a PWM signal. For more info on Arpshuino!
I made a 3d printed box for the two electronic boards (Arpshuino and Arpower) and installed connectors for the light elements.