Controlling electricity flow via MIDI to power lamps

Question

I'm looking to build an interesting lighting rig comprised of lampshades for my band. Here's an image of what I want to achieve:

I have Logic pro running in my Macbook pro. I want to create MIDI tracks that control each lampshade.

I'm looking to map each lampshade with a corresponding note. So that when I play a MIDI track, each lampshade will light up when a note in the MIDI track is played.

Here are some things that I want to achieve as well:

1. Accept MIDI velocity parameters (0 - 128) to determine lampshade brightness and fade-ins/outs
2. Allow combinations of notes (e.g. playing C#1 and E#2 at the same time will trigger two lampshade simultaneously).

Here are my questions:

• Is this feasible?
• What's the best way to get started?
• Is there a concern for blowing any fuses with this setup? (We plan to play in several clubs)
• Are there any methods I should consider, or things I should be concerned about?
• Do you have any ideas to make this lighting rig much more interesting?

I have some previous experience with Arduino. It's mostly lost to me now, but I'm willing to get back to it.

Answer 1

This is certainly feasible (which does not imply that it is feasible for YOU, that's your own judgment!).

There are two or three 'major' parts of your project:

• driving the lamps. You did not state voltage or power, I assume you want mains powered lamps? If so and you don't have much electronics experience I'd advise to buy something ready made, with for instance 0-5V (isolated!!) or DMX input (is always isolated).

• programming the Arduino to interpret MIDI. This is not a big deal, but I am a programmer. If your programming is rusty this will be the interesting part.

• programming the Arduino for driving the output to the lamps. This depends on the hardware interface to the lamps.

Blowing a fuse: switching a cold lamp on draws a short current peak. You might consider keeping the lamps always on at at least a minimum level. This will reduce peaks and extend your lamp's life. You did not specify the lamps you want to use, so I can't comment on possible fuse problems at the location.