Electronic Rennaisynth [MaxMSP/Arduino]
The image above is the blueprint for a MaxMSP patch designed to manipulate sound with a Super Nintendo controller via Arduino. The bottom left hand corner of the patch shows how to connect the SNES controller to the Arduino board (Duemilanove in this case).
Google Code now hosts the nespad code to translate SNES controller data into serial port data. MaxMSP then parses this controller data to find out which buttons are being pushed. The reason that the controller data is collected in one byte and then dissected is so that MaxMSP can recognize when multiple buttons are being pushed. If the serial port only sent the most recent button, MaxMSP would only recognize one button at a time.
Each button on the controller controls a different parameter of music generation and manipulation. The signal generator is operated by the right thumb buttons which fire a “midi on” command. This command is sent to a locally hosted VST audio plugin (in my case, Omnisphere). The left thumb directional pad controls pitch and modulation, much like the mod wheels commonly seen on synthesizers. Left and Right control pitching up and down, while Up and Down control modulation of the signal generator (in Omnisphere’s case, about 24 different parameters). The shoulder buttons control panning.
All in all, it was a hell of a lot of fun to play with. I eventually was able to keep a consistent beat and play some gentle sine waves over top. It was sounding so cool! I must return to this project and make a documentation video.
