» MAKE: NOISE — Discuss this article

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• Comments & Questions
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  Dale,
  
  Thanks for the great article. It was instructive, thoughtful and thought provoking. My curiosity was peaked while reading your primer and I have a few questions before I try out this "new to me" hobby.
  
  First, I was reading Charles Platt's article on a salt lamp ("A Trippy Crystal Nightlight") and figured that it could be done in Arduino. The project includes 3 LED's (RGB) and varies the intensities to create a wide range of colors. My question is: can Arduino drive 3 LED's simultaneously at differing intensities? If so, do I understand correctly that they must come off D3, D5, D6, D9, D10 or D11, because of the PWM requirement?
  
  My second question has to do with programming. I know there are a few sample sketches, but where do people share their programs. I do not have the ability to program a sketch that would systematically or randomly display every possible color. I would assume, however, that this code has been written before and would be a good way for me to learn some programming.
  
  Thanks for your response.

  Posted by jyossarian on January 26, 2011 at 06:44:09 Pacific Time

• Comments & Questions
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  Thanks for writing, and for your very kind words!
  
  To answer your first question: Yes! The humblest Arduino (there are several varieties) can easily dim up to six LEDs at once. This would use the PWM hardware already built into the chip, just as you anticipated.
  
  OK, here comes a shameless commercial plug: Once you've created a color-changing LED light driven by an Arduino, you'll have the equivalent of my "Lux Spectralis" kit, available from the Maker Shed for $10:
  
  http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKDW2
  
  However, it would also be fun to build this project yourself using an Arduino!
  
  Here is another RGB LED project for Arduino that has good documentation:
  
  http://todbot.com/blog/2006/10/23/diy-ambient-orb-with-arduino-update/
  
  FYI: The nice pin name label on my Breadboard Arduino is a variation of Tod's original label. He shares a lot of great ideas on his blog!
  
  I suggest you start there, and then search the InterWebs for "Arduino RGB LED" and look through all the examples that are available. The Arduino web site is also a great place to look for example sketches, and help when first learning to program the Arduino:
  
  http://arduino.cc
  
  Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions. I'd really like to see what you make!
  
  Dale
  

  Posted by dalewheat on January 26, 2011 at 09:18:39 Pacific Time

• Arduino Primer
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  Dale:
  
  Your article was great.
  
  I was wondering if you have ever used the FTDI basic board from sparkfun as the USB adapter for a breadboard arduino. I have not been able to use the FTDI to connect to the breadboard circuit. I get a not in sync error even though I have installed drivers and do see the com port in the ide. I have seen other postings with this problem with the FTDI board with either the ardweeny or breadboarded arduino circuits. Any ideas? Do I need to buy another USB-TTL adapter? Thanks so much.

  Posted by BotChip on February 15, 2011 at 10:45:51 Pacific Time

• Arduino Primer
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  No, I haven't used the SparkFun USB adapter. I have no doubts that it can be made to work. Just make sure you have the "5V" version, and not the "3.3V" version. The ATmega328 chip needs 5V to run at 16 MHz, which is the Arduino standard. Also, double-check that you haven't got TXD and RXD reversed. You also need to make sure that you've got the DTR pin connected to the RESET pin (pin #1) on the ATmega328 chip. Power and ground are all that's left!
  
  It sounds like all your drivers are OK, since the port shows up. You might try one more experiment: Connect the RXD and TXD lines together (but not to the ATmega329 chip) and open the "Serial Monitor" window in the Arduino IDE. Any text you type in the top text box should be echoed back when you hit the "Send" button. If not, you might have a defective USB adapter.
  
  I can really recommend contacting SparkFun's technical support, or even posting on their forum. They're a bunch of great people and would be happy to give you some help. A first class operation, truly!
  
  Contact me directly if you're still having problems. My email address is in the article.
  
  Good luck!
  

  Posted by dalewheat on February 15, 2011 at 10:58:02 Pacific Time

• Arduino Primer
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  Your project looks like a lot of fun, I just have to get all the parts to try it out.
  I am really new to the Arduino I am wondering if your project will allow me to program the mirco controller and then move it to another board to be soldered in place with my input, outputs and power? Once the chip is programed I want to use it in a stand alone, disposable application without the need for a USB port.

  Posted by Brent491 on March 25, 2011 at 19:25:05 Pacific Time

• Arduino Primer
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  Yes! Once you've programmed the sketch into the chip, you can remove the chip from the breadboard and install it in a separate PCB. Just make sure you connect the power lines and the crystal just like they were on the breadboard! That's all there is to it!
  
  (I would suggest using a 28 pin socket - then you can make changes easier. You can also use two 14 pin sockets end-to-end if you can't find a 28 pin socket).
  
  Let me know how it works out for you!

  Posted by dalewheat on March 25, 2011 at 20:10:20 Pacific Time

• Arduino Primer
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  kudos to dale and his shop. first off, let me say, im not the guy that goes around praising everyone, but ill make a rare exception here.
  
  i ordered this kit off his website, went to paypal to send payment, and as soon as i hit send, the door bell rang, and it was there, in pa, from tx, in less than 5 sec.
  
  ok, it wasnt THAT fast, but it sure felt like it. great service!!

  Posted by deth502 on November 09, 2011 at 15:59:18 Pacific Time

• ordering from dale's website
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  kudos to dale and his shop. first off, let me say, im not the guy that goes around praising everyone, but ill make a rare exception here.
  
  i ordered this kit off his website, went to paypal to send payment, and as soon as i hit send, the door bell rang, and it was there, in pa, from tx, in less than 5 sec.
  
  ok, it wasnt THAT fast, but it sure felt like it. great service!!

  Posted by deth502 on November 09, 2011 at 16:00:36 Pacific Time