Connecting Max/MSP and Arduino with Pduino
Connecting the Arduino microcontroller with a computer is an extremely common task in Physical Computing, but often frustrating and difficult.
One of the best ways to do this is by using the Pduino package, by Hans Steiner (ported to Max/MSP by Marius Schebella).
This system consists of two parts: the first, a firmware package for the Arduino microcontroller that turns it into a dedicated sensor box, relaying the the status of all inputs and setting the outputs via MIDI-based commands; the second, objects for Max/MSP or PureData that interface with the firmware.
I had some problems with the initial release of the Max/MSP port. However, the latest versions, and the incremental update to the serial object in Max/MSP for Windows, have completely resolved those issues.
Attached is a screenshot of the Arduino test patch, showing all the various inputs and outputs.
