beep&c.

I'm dabbling with a 4-channel solenoid drum machine, using an Arduino and [serial] to trigger the plungers. 

I've snatched this patch which uses integers sent through the serial monitor of the Arduino IDE to toggle the individual pins, but when I send the same integers from Max, I only get 2 blinks on the RX LED.

int int_array[18] = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0};

for (int ii = 2;ii<=sizeof(int_array)/sizeof(int_array[0]);ii++){

int_array[pin_num] = !int_array[pin_num];

digitalWrite(pin_num,int_array[pin_num]);

I've tried throwing the integer through [atoi] and [spell] without luck, but that also seems illogical as the Arduino code should be doing the unicode conversion for me (I'd think?).

Writing "9" in the serial monitor works wonders, but I'd love to be able to sequence it through Max.

Hi there!

I'm dabbling with a 4-channel solenoid drum machine, using an Arduino and [serial] to trigger the plungers. 

I've snatched this patch which uses integers sent through the serial monitor of the Arduino IDE to toggle the individual pins, but when I send the same integers from Max, I only get 2 blinks on the RX LED.

int int_array[18] = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0};
String pin_str = "";
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  for (int ii = 2;ii<=sizeof(int_array)/sizeof(int_array[0]);ii++){
    pinMode(ii,OUTPUT);
  }
}
void loop() {
  while (Serial.available()){
    char in_char = Serial.read();
    if (int(in_char)!=-1){
      pin_str+=in_char;
    }
    if (in_char=='\n'){
      int pin_num = pin_str.toInt();
      int_array[pin_num] = !int_array[pin_num];
      digitalWrite(pin_num,int_array[pin_num]);
      Serial.print("Pin # ");
      Serial.print(pin_num);
      if (int_array[pin_num]==0){
        Serial.println(" OFF");
      } else {
        Serial.println(" ON");
      }
      pin_str = "";
    } 
  }
}

I've tried throwing the integer through [atoi] and [spell] without luck, but that also seems illogical as the Arduino code should be doing the unicode conversion for me (I'd think?).
Writing "9" in the serial monitor works wonders, but I'd love to be able to sequence it through Max.

pls help. <333

Hi there!

I'm dabbling with a 4-channel solenoid drum machine, using an Arduino and [serial] to trigger the plungers. 

I've snatched this 

using-serial-communication-to-send-integers-to-arduino-like-serial-monitor

You need to send line feed from max after the number.

As you are set to receive only single numbers,

Screen shot 2021-10-21 at 10.01.27 AM.png

what are this "wonders" that happen if one writes "9" to serial monitor ?

Not my business, but would it not be better to switch pins from max

For fast sequencing, I would remove that printing of Pins and their states,

You need to send line feed from max after the number.
As you are set to receive only single numbers,
ignoring lists, you need only atoi -> t 10 i -> serial


10 is ascii line feed (new line)
If one wants to send a list, than use l (list) instead of i (int)
----------


what are this "wonders" that happen if one writes "9" to serial monitor ?
-------
Not my business, but would it not be better to switch pins from max
instead of toggling them ?
For fast sequencing, I would remove that printing of Pins and their states,
and increase baud rate.


"what are this "wonders" that happen if one writes "9" to serial monitor ? "

The number sent to the Arduino toggles the write state, on the respective pins. I'm a complete beginner with serial communication, so I'm not the sharpest tool in this shed, I must admit.

"Not my business, but would it not be better to switch pins from max instead of toggling them ? For fast sequencing, I would remove that printing of Pins and their states, and increase baud rate."

I don't know how to switch pins from Max, hence the number -> toggle solution. This was the most immediate way I could think of to get multiple pins going, but it has some drawbacks. For instance, sending any integer above 9 will send another ASCII code (like for instance 10 will send a new line).

I increased the baud rate to 115200 now, and it works pretty well. Occasionally, everything slows down until I refresh the COM port.

Edit

Thank you so much for your help! 
"what are this "wonders" that happen if one writes "9" to serial monitor ? "

The number sent to the Arduino toggles the write state, on the respective pins. I'm a complete beginner with serial communication, so I'm not the sharpest tool in this shed, I must admit.

"Not my business, but would it not be better to switch pins from max instead of toggling them ? For fast sequencing, I would remove that printing of Pins and their states, and increase baud rate."

I don't know how to switch pins from Max, hence the number -> toggle solution. This was the most immediate way I could think of to get multiple pins going, but it has some drawbacks. For instance, sending any integer above 9 will send another ASCII code (like for instance 10 will send a new line).
I increased the baud rate to 115200 now, and it works pretty well. Occasionally, everything slows down until I refresh the COM port.

 void loop() {
  while (Serial.available()){
    char in_char = Serial.read();
    if (int(in_char)!=-1){
      pin_str+=in_char;
    }
    if (in_char=='\n'){
      int pin_num = pin_str.toInt();
      int_array[pin_num] = !int_array[pin_num];
      digitalWrite(pin_num,int_array[pin_num]);
      Serial.print(pin_num);{
      }
      pin_str = "";
    } 
  }
}


Here is your sketch wit printing of pin status removed:

int int_array[18] = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0};
String pin_str = "";

for (int i = 2;i<=sizeof(int_array)/sizeof(int_array[0]);i++)

void loop() {while (Serial.available()){char in_char = 

if (int(in_char)!=-1) { pin_str+=in_char;}

if (in_char=='\n') {int pin_num = pin_str.toInt();

digitalWrite(pin_num,int_array[pin_num]);}

Max should not crash because of increased baud rate.

I suspect that you did not use something like change object or similar

to prevent repeatedly sending of sequencer output values.

Anyway, you should post the Max Patch, otherwise I can't help you further.

To switch Pins instead of toggling them would really be important,

because then you would control the states from max.

Otherwise, restarting the sequence would leave it in unknown state.

Beside addressing of individual pins, you should also implement a single

"All Off" message to turn all pins off if needed.

There are 2 options for controlling the pins:

1 - you allways send a full list for all pins and their states

2- a better option, you send a list with Pin/Value only for

for (int i=2; i < 14; i++) {digitalWrite(i, 0);} //turns all Off

void loop() { if (Serial.available() > 0) { 

Pin = Serial.parseInt(); SW = Serial.parseInt();

In Max you need to send pin number and it's value:

Screen Shot 2021-10-21 at 16.51.06.png

Now it depends what you use for sequencer...

and don't remember to shift pins - they address real arduino pin numbers.

So if you start with selonoid 1 you need to shift all addresses by 1 so that they start with 2

void setup() {Serial.begin(115200);
for (int i = 2;i<=sizeof(int_array)/sizeof(int_array[0]);i++)
{pinMode(i,OUTPUT);}
}
void loop() {while (Serial.available()){char in_char = Serial.read();
if (int(in_char)!=-1) { pin_str+=in_char;}
if (in_char=='\n') {int pin_num = pin_str.toInt();
int_array[pin_num] = !int_array[pin_num];
digitalWrite(pin_num,int_array[pin_num]);}
 }
 }
 ----------
Max should not crash because of increased baud rate.
I suspect that you did not use something like change object or similar
to prevent repeatedly sending of sequencer output values.
Anyway, you should post the Max Patch, otherwise I can't help you further.

To switch Pins instead of toggling them would really be important,
because then you would control the states from max.
Otherwise, restarting the sequence would leave it in unknown state.
Beside addressing of individual pins, you should also implement a single
"All Off" message to turn all pins off if needed.
-------
There are 2 options for controlling the pins:
1 - you allways send a full list for all pins and their states
2- a better option, you send a list with Pin/Value  only for
Pin that needs to change it's state.
----------
here is simplest code for option 2:
(Based on out pins 2 -13)

int Pin;
int SW;
void setup () {Serial.begin(115200); 
for (int i=2; i < 14; i++) {digitalWrite(i, 0);} //turns all Off
}
void loop() { if (Serial.available() > 0) { 
Pin = Serial.parseInt(); SW = Serial.parseInt();
if (Serial.read() == '\n') {digitalWrite(Pin, SW);}
  }
}

In Max you need to send pin number and it's value:


Here showing pin 2 and 13.
Now it depends what you use for sequencer...
and don't remember to shift pins - they address real arduino pin numbers.
So if you start with selonoid 1 you need to shift all addresses by 1 so that they start with 2


 more elegant. I'll give this a try. Pardon for leaving out the patch. Here it is. 

Edit: Also, I just realized that the toggle object in my patch was ridiculous include.

Midi2Serial.maxpat

Wow. That is much more elegant. I'll give this a try. Pardon for leaving out the patch. Here it is. 

Edit: Also, I just realized that the toggle object in my patch was ridiculous include.

I'm getting this error on line 4 of your code, but I can't see where I should include the semicolon. 

I'm getting this error on line 4 of your code, but I can't see where I should include the semicolon. 
expected ';' before '<' token

I had the mistake inside when I initially wrote the code.

I had the mistake inside when I initially wrote the code.
I fixed it a minute later
was in setup
for (int i=2,   comma instead of semicolon ;   I pressed shift too late ...


here is your patch modified for Pin/Value list

here is your patch modified for Pin/Value list

must have t 10 l  because we send a list

Wow, thank you! This makes sense. You're an absolute peach!

Wow, thank you!  This makes sense.  You're an absolute peach! 

Using serial communication to send integers to Arduino, like serial monitor