LED Dance Room

Step 7: Troubleshooting

The main problems you're likely to encounter are getting Processing and the arduino to talk to each other. Make sure you install the arduino software - this will bring with it all the necessary serial libraries. You can find avoid problems with the circuit by testing as you go - test each LED, then each strand, then each transistor set. If all else fails go back to this to diagnose where the problem lies.

Now that I've managed to squash all the bugs from my own setup, I can't think of what they were off the top of my head. Post any problems you have, as I probably ran into them and have since forgotten.

Comments

[Nman120]

(removed by author or community request)

[vandamsel]

 I guess I have done everything correctly in adding libraries and stuff but when I run the sketch, I get an empty box which is supposed to detect sound. I tried to change the source as "file" but still same empty box pops up. Any ideas with that? Thanks.

[vandamsel]

 Problem solved by verifying serial port of the arduino.

(COM5[2])

[bryansparks]

What Arduino must I get!!? this is so complicated!!! not the best idea for a first timer. thanx!

[SecondTwo]

Any arduino will work. If you're just getting started you can pick up the exact same kit I bought - you can match the flexible wires and everything.

[erinbanwell]

ive got it all hooked up but processing doesnt seem to be getting through to the arduino. do i need to change the serial port number in the code somewhere to match the port im using? any help would be great. thanks, erin

[SecondTwo]

Is the code executing fine, but nothing's happening? Try running some simpler code, like using digitalWrite on pin 13. There's a built-in LED on the arduino, so you can see if there actually is a connection. The libraries should pretty much take care of all the ports for you - unless you have multiple arduinos hooked up at once, using Arduino.list() will get a list of all the ports on which arduinos are attached to the computer, and then the code just uses the first one.

[erinbanwell]

yeah, the processing code brings up the sound detection box, which detects sound. the problem is that the LED's dont light up at all. another question i have is about the zip. file. it contains 2 files, "beatlistener", and "instructables". whats the deal? are they both supposed to be opened in processing?

[SecondTwo]

Both files need to be in the sketch folder, but I think you only need the instructable one open. If the code actually runs then everything computer related should be fine, so my next guess is a problem with the connection or the circuit. Make sure you have the SimpleDigitalFirmata or StandardFirmata sketch uploaded to the arduino. Also, disconnect one of the signal cables from the arduino and connect it to the 5V pin - the LEDs should turn on. Let me know how that goes, as well as if you can make the LED on pin 13 blink.

[erinbanwell]

i tried making pin 13 blink with a simple processing sketch and it didnt work. after a little looking around on the processing website i figured out i had to change the serial port in the code as i suspected.
for some reason processing was trying to send it to serial port 0 .
after changing that part of the code the blink worked and then i tried it on your code and IT worked! pretty cool!
it seems to have a slight delay. is there any way to fix that? i am a flame artist specializing in propane flame throwers. i started using a 2inch solenoid valve hooked up to a remote control about a year ago on my large flame cannon http://cdbaby.com/cd/erinbanwell, and recently hooked up my new arduino to the solenoid running through a transistor switching a 12v power supply. in other words, i can easily adapt any LED sketch to a flame thrower sketch. i'm working on a large 26 valve flame thrower rig that goes to the music. thanks again for all your help.

[SecondTwo]

I'm pretty sure I marked in the code two specific settings - one is the minimum time that a light/flame can stay on, and the other is the minimum time between successive beats. You can try twiddling those if you find you're delaying or dropping beats. As for the flames... Wow. That sounds significantly cooler than my project. Glad you solved your problem, and I'm happy to have contributed to making the world a more fiery place.

[ginkin99]

Im having the same problem :( What code did you have to change? And how can you tell which serial port youre using (I think mine is COM4, if that makes sense). Thank you.