LED Effects Using Max For Live

From vjmedia

Deliverables

Video Demonstration - Youtube

Source Code - GitHub

Required light_ws2812 Library - GitHub

Goal

The goal is to create an entertaining audio visualizer to accompany a performance using Ableton Live. Unlike a typical two-dimensional spectrum visualizer, this physical device will be a flexible, one-dimensional strand of multicolored LED’s. The intent is to produce novel lighting effects that follow the music in a logical and visually appealing way. The visualizer’s behavior will vary, in real time, depending on pitch, velocity, and tempo. The device will communicate via USB with a computer running Ableton Live and a Max MIDI Effect patch.

Materials

One 5-foot Strand of WS2812 LED’s

Arduino w/ onboard USB-to-serial

Ableton Live

Max for Live

Outcome

The final deliverable is a Max for Live MIDI effect patch that seamlessly integrates with Ableton Live and software running on an Arduino. The patch has sliders that allow for the control of effect latency as well as LED brightness and decay. As of this publishing it only works for a single MIDI channel. Future goals include visualizing multiple channels simultaneously along with an interface to quickly select the proper serial port.