Adventures with Arduino

Recently I have started exploring what can be done with Arduino and in particular when used in tandem with Cycling 74's MAX 7. I've had an Arduino Uno laying around for a little while and not really known what to do with it; other than using a pre made synthesizer shield and sketch. Part of my university work involved looking into making new controllers for music software so I started by playing around with some potentiometers and buttons i had and exploring how I could utilise them with a program such as MAX 7 or PureData.

Arduino Uno on a desk - Taken with Nikon D7000 with Sigma 105mm EX DG Macro

After a while i've found that there is a lot of potential for me to explore strange controllers and different ways to utilise an arduino. Currently I am building an expressive controller for music creation for a university module and I look forward to seeing the finished product.

Some limitations I have found are rapidly running out of analogue inputs on the UNO, this is relatively easy to resolve by using an analogue multiplexer such as a 4051, this allows you to read analogue data from eight sources into a single analogue pin on the Arduino. Another issue I'm running into is running multiple LED's from a fewer digital outputs, it appears to be possible however I'm having issues sourcing a chip capable of this.

Despite the issues I'm having I'm enjoying myself exploring the Arduino system and am having lots of ideas for projects to do with them, I'll be posting some more specific info on what I'm doing in the coming weeks.

Pro Tools 101

A few weeks ago I was presented with the opportunity to take the AVID Pro Tools 101 course, the first stage in becoming an AVID certified Pro Tools user.
These courses usually cost around £350 as a minium, and I was given the opportunity to do the course for £20, so naturally I jumped at the chance.
The 101 course explores the basics of Pro Tools, understanding the key tools used within the programme and basic work flows. Despite the fact I have worked with the programme for around four years I did learn a lot more about it. The course lasted two days and finished with a 50 question exam. Going in to the exam it was clear to me that I had gained a lot of knowledge about the software and I was still a little nervous but I passed with 48 out of 50 correct answers.
I would encourage people new to Pro Tools to take the course especially if they plan to do the 110 course and become an AVID certified user. I look forward to completing the 110 hopefully before a head into industry after university.