Max + Arduino play song while certain number

I would suggest to rather do the splitting of pot range in Arduino,
and send 6 numbers to Max only when numbers change.
That would significally reduce serial data flow.
But if You want to do that in max,
change object should be inserted to filter out repeated triggering.
See here one example :

But all that could be done in Arduino :
int lastPot1 = 0;

void setup() {Serial.begin(9600);}

void loop() {int Pot1 = map(analogRead(A0), 0, 1023, 0, 6);
if(Pot1 != lastPot1) {Serial.println(Pot1);}
lastPot1 = Pot1; delay(50);}

That would send poti 0 - 6 only if value changed

Hello, thanks for your reply. I appreciate it very much. I added your code to my Arduino code, but the value in Max is still from 0 to 1023. And the toggle still keeps blinking.

Patch

Arduino code

/* 
 ---- CMD SimpleMessageSystem ----
 Control Arduino board functions with the following messages:
 
 r a -> read analog pins
 r d -> read digital pins
 w d [pin] [value] -> write digital pin
 w a [pin] [value] -> write analog pin
 w s [pin] [value] -> write servo pin
 
 
 Base: Thomas Ouellet Fredericks 
 Additions: Alexandre Quessy, Thijs Eerens
 
 */

// Include de SimpleMessageSystem library
#include <SimpleMessageSystem.h> 
#include <Servo.h> 

Servo myservo;  // create servo object to control a servo  


// list the digital ports which are used as input
int digitalPorts[] = {2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13};

// list the analog ports which are used as input
int analogPorts[] = {0,1,2,3,4,5};

int lastPot1 = 0;

void setup()
{

  // The following command initiates the serial port at 9600 baud. Please note this is VERY SLOW!!!!!! 
  // I suggest you use higher speeds in your own code. You can go up to 115200 with the USB version, that's 12x faster
  Serial.begin(115200); //Baud set at 9600 for compatibility, CHANGE!

}

void loop()
{

  int Pot1 = map(analogRead(A1), 0, 1023, 0, 6);
  if(Pot1 != lastPot1) {Serial.println(Pot1);}
  lastPot1 = Pot1; delay(50);

  if (messageBuild() > 0) { // Checks to see if the message is complete and erases any previous messages
    switch (messageGetChar()) { // Gets the first word as a character
    case 'r': // Read pins (analog or digital)
      readpins(); // Call the readpins function
      break; // Break from the switch
    case 'w': // Write pin
      writepin(); // Call the writepin function
    }

  }

}

void readpins(){ // Read pins (analog or digital)

  int size;
  
  switch (messageGetChar()) { // Gets the next word as a character

    case 'd': // READ digital pins
    messageSendChar('d');  // Echo what is being read
    
    
    size = sizeof(digitalPorts) / sizeof(int); // get number of ports in digitalPorts list
    
    for (int thisPin = 0; thisPin < size; thisPin++) {
      messageSendInt(digitalRead(digitalPorts[thisPin])); // read each digital pin in the list
    }
    

      messageEnd(); // Terminate the message being sent
    break; // Break from the switch

    case 'a': // READ analog pins
    messageSendChar('a');  // Echo what is being read
    
    size = sizeof(analogPorts) / sizeof(int); // get number of ports in analogPorts list
    
    for (int thisPin = 0; thisPin < size; thisPin++) {
      messageSendInt(analogRead(analogPorts[thisPin])); // read each digital pin in the list
    }


      messageEnd(); // Terminate the message being sent
  }

}

void writepin() { // Write pin

    int pin;
  int state;

  switch (messageGetChar()) { // Gets the next word as a character

    case 'a' : // WRITE an analog pin

    pin = messageGetInt(); // Gets the next word as an integer
    state = messageGetInt(); // Gets the next word as an integer
    pinMode(pin, OUTPUT); //Sets the state of the pin to an output
    analogWrite(pin, state); //Sets the PWM of the pin 
    break;  // Break from the switch


    // WRITE a digital pin
  case 'd' : 

    pin = messageGetInt();  // Gets the next word as an integer
    state = messageGetInt();  // Gets the next word as an integer
    pinMode(pin,OUTPUT);  //Sets the state of the pin to an output
    digitalWrite(pin,state);  //Sets the state of the pin HIGH (1) or LOW (0)


      // WRITE a servo pin 
  case 's' : 

    pin = messageGetInt();  // Gets the next word as an integer
    state = messageGetInt();  // Gets the next word as an integer
    myservo.attach(pin);  // attaches the servo on pin to the servo object 
    myservo.write(state);  // sets the servo position according to the scaled value 

  }

}

Context

I have an old Philips radio which I emptied of all contents. So It's just an empty shell right now. But I want to put an Arduino in with a potentiometer for volume and a rotary switch (12 channels) for changing the radio channels. The potentiometer and rotaryswitch should send their values to MaxMSP. I haven't got the rotary switch working so I use two potentiometers for now.

Idea

My idea is that there are 12 audiochannels in Max that play MP3, WAV or any other easy to use soundformat. These channels are all linked to the first potentiometer (volumecontrol). All the channels are playing in the background but muted when the patch starts. When the potentiometer (rotary switch) outputs value 1 > channel 1 unmutes. When the potentiometer (rotary switch) outputs value 2 > channel 1 mutes again and channel 2 unmutes. Etc.

I hope you can help me. I'm beginner level Arduino and MaxMSP but I have some knowledge about programming. Most web oriented though. I'm also available on Skype or any other communication program.

Kind regards.

I'll be glad to help You, but only if You accept to simplify the whole arduino gibberish.
You don't need all that stuff inside.
That's why it is not working.
So if You just upload the arduino code to arduino and use max patch,
it will work.
All You need is to send 2 POT values from Arduino and interpret that in Max.
This is all code it needs :
void setup() {Serial.begin(9600);}

void loop() {int Pot1 = analogRead(A0);int Pot2 = analogRead(A1);
Serial.print(Pot1); Serial.print(" "); Serial.println(Pot2);
delay(50); }

Then in Max :

That gives pot 1 to switch between 0 -6 and pot 2 for volume 0 -100
That will give You simple idea how that works.
If You want to do all the switching in arduino, ok but let's wait
till You have this first one running, ok ?

Thanks for you quick reply! I meant no disrespect towards you. The code I used was provided by my school. I tested the code you provided and it works now. Thanks alot! What should I use for the channels?

Hey - don't worry - I did not feel any kind of disrespect, and also I don't want
to force You into any direction, it is just that when one starts to learn, one should
start with simple and understandable steps, and what I saw in patches that were "provided"
to You is just the oposite, that's not a way to teach...
------
But let's get back to Your project, what do You mean by channels ?
Maybe how to switch all players ?
I would suggest using matrix because it can switch without clicks.
Another question is would You prefer to do switching in Arduino
(I mean mapping 0-1023 and sending that out) or to do all in Max ?
And at the end when You get that 12 position rotary switch,
how are You going to use it ?
Switching 12 Arduino inputs, or by resistor network ?

You are right, the code you provided is much clearer and documentation and reference helped me understand is so I get what you did now.

By channels I mean sound / music players. So I want 12 different players each with a mp3 file. I'm creating this project for people with dementia so they can use the radio like it was in the past. So each player plays something different. Classical music, news from the past, interviews, holiday music, dutch music, comedy etc.

All these players share a common volume that can be switched with Potmeter1. Potmeter 2 (rotary switch later) switches to the corresponding player when it clicks.

How can I implement a matrix?

For the rotary switch I wanted to use 12 digital inputs. Or is there an easier option?

I added my idea for the players in the patcher. I'm sure this can be simplified, but how?

- Edit: provided image was too small sorry!

Sorry, I have to leave till tomorrow, here is example with few players.
You can extend that. I'll be back tomorrow to continue...

12 pole rotary switch could be either "break before make"
or "make before brake". That is important difference.
In case of "make before brake" one gets 2 switches conducting
when moving between positions.
If You were to sample 12 Digital Inputs of Arduino to decide
which Audio file to play, You will have 2 values as long as switch
is between the positions. One can even park rotary switch
between positions if one wants to... well depending on hardware type.
On the other hand in case of "break before make" one has
no contact at all in betweeen positions.
To conclude - in both cases You have to make some logic to decide
what to do.
If You instead use 12 resistors network as voltage dividers, and measure output
on 1 Analog input, that would be another game.
Makes me think that a good linear pot would be a simpler solution,
one could even make some noise between stations to simulate radio.