[LCtalk] Is this a viable set up

[Amanda Steggell]

Dear Fokko and lanbox list

I am working on a project called the Electromagnetic Fountain - basically a 
smallish water fountain in the form of a satellite dish whose water jets 
respond to incoming data from elmag activity detected in its near surroundings.

The fountain has 3 pentagon shaped manifolds (tubes with valves connected to 
them) each with 5 controllable water valves (digital on/off). Each manifold is 
supplied with water via a variable speed dc analogue pump.  In addition, there 
is a central water jet produced by a forth valve-less pump. Each water jet has 
controllable diode lights in a ring form.

The electromagnetic sniffers transform the electromagnetic signals into audible 
sound. It is various qualities of the incoming sound that I will use to control 
the fountain valves, pumps and lights. I plan to use max/msp as the software 
for sound processing and signal distribution. I have used a similar set up in 
my last project, the Emotion Organ - but in this project I will need more than 
one lanbox to cater for the control of 15 valves, 4 pumps and 16 lights.

So, this is how I plan to do it ...

x 2 Lanbox lcx
x 4 788 LD+
x1 CLS 4002 Digital DMX dimmer: 
<http://www.cls.no/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/332>
x2 Switch/relay boxes (custom built)
x1 Alesis iO|14 sound interface: <http://www.alesis.com/io14>
x1 Mac Mini Intel Core Duo
 - max/msp 4.6

Solenoid/valve control (on/of) using the digital i/o of the 2 lanboxes and 
sending the signals to 2 switch/relay boxes to open and close the valves
Pump control/dynamic. Using dmx out of Lanbox 2 to a CLS 4002 dimmer Light 
control: Sending data from lanbox 1 to 4 daisy-chained 788 LD+ boxes.

You can see a diagram of how I'm thinking of connecting everything here: 
http://ajsteggell.wordpress.com/2008/06/17/electromagnetic-fountain-design-taking-form/

What I would like to know is, given that the fountain parts will be supplied  
according the specifications of the equipment I give for controlling them, is 
this a viable solution?

If I daisy chain lanboxes and dimmers, what is the best way to do so?

If I daisy-chain dimmers can i control each light individually?

If I use the lanbox lcx usb max example patch as a start point, how must this 
be adapted for catering for 2 lanboxes? (I can't try out stuff now because i 
currently only have , and can't afford to buy another without knowing that my 
solution will work!)

(What other questions should I be asking!)

Is there anyone on this list who could share their experience (and patches:-) 
of using several lanboxes with max/msp with me?

One of the challenges with this project is that I am working with engineering 
partners who will construct all the other hardware stuff before i have a chance 
to test out anything, and the process is going fast!

I would be extremely grateful for any advice you can offer me,

with best wishes,

Amanda