Sopsag

I am working on the interactive sound installation

where I am using multichannel setup (SPAT) and probably sensors (Arduino)/contact microphones to trigger sound.

I am wondering, which way is the stable to go

if I need to have the installations ON during the whole day ( and almost for 2 weeks).

how can I make sure that my max will not crush,

which computer, mini computer, setup is the best to use.

any advice regarding "longterm" installations are super welcome

Hello, 
I am working on the interactive sound installation
where I am using multichannel setup (SPAT) and probably sensors (Arduino)/contact microphones to trigger sound.

I am wondering, which way is the stable to go
 if I need to have the installations ON during the whole day ( and almost for 2 weeks).

how can I make sure that my max will not crush,
 which computer, mini computer, setup is the best to use.

any advice regarding "longterm" installations are super welcome

Thank you in advance!

Hello, 
I am working on the interactive sound installation
where I am using multichannel setup (SPAT) and probably sensors ... 

"longterm"-sound-installations-with-maxmsp

There were reports that long term Arduino installation using serial

connection suffers dropouts, disconnections etc.

I did not have that problems, though, but quite few users here did.

So advice would be to pick Arduino which can act as HID

Depending on number of sensors, you could use 32u4 based

pro micro, leonardo etc. or then MEGA 2560 in case you need lot of inputs.

But also little board with multiplexer can give you a lot of inputs.

There were reports that long term Arduino installation using serial
connection suffers dropouts, disconnections etc.

So advice would be to pick Arduino which can act as HID
joystick or USB Midi.
Depending on number of sensors, you could use 32u4 based
pro micro, leonardo etc. or then MEGA 2560 in case you need  lot of inputs.

But also little board with multiplexer can give you a lot of inputs.



I can confirm ocasional troubles with losing connections using Arduino via a serial connection. Though it seem to have gotten more stable in the last years, I would also recommend a data transfer method that does not need to be reinitialised when it was accidentally disconnected. My preferred way is using OSC/Ethernet as it is the device/router that manages the connection independently from the the Arduino or the Max project.

I have had a lot of joy with Mac Minis and Max/MSP - I've had installations running for up to a decade with pretty much zero downtime, including large amounts of serial data being sent (literally thousands of packets controlling stepper motors etc) to all sorts of devices. I've found in recent years serial objects have been fine.

You could also try Intel NUC, which are getting impressive and cover a wider range of specs (i.e. from very cheap simple to expensive etc), if you want to go the Windows route.

"longterm" sound installations with MaxMSP