Mirror V1

Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3 + FastLED w/ MIDI control

Fascinated by the technology behind synchronizing sound and lights during live events, I embarked on an in-depth exploration of design, creativity, and technical exploration, eventually building a control system using Arduino, FastLED, Ableton Live, and various MIDI controllers.

Adapting the infinity mirror concept, I designed a lighting rig that responds to MIDI input via a USB serial connection, allowing for real-time manipulation through DAWs like Logic Pro X and Ableton Live using any MIDI controller. Pre-programmed sequences were also made possible by simply recording and playing back MIDI data within the DAWs.

MIDI note, velocity, and control change data were mapped to specific functions on the Arduino, controlling the LED output.

Originally designed for a MIDI foot controller, the system evolved as I explored alternative control methods. This led to the development of a Lemur-based GUI, seamlessly integrating with Ableton’s real-time performance capabilities.

By creating a graphical representation of the 3x5 mirror arrangement in Lemur using the HTML5-based Canvas element, I created a more natural and intuitive way to "play" the mirrors.