Hi, i'm on winXp 0.39.3 extended. I've been asked to participate in a
live performance together with other musicians. They want to have a
(metronome) steady electro song. No problems to do that. But then they
also want a big spotlight flashing in sync with the tempo. Given that i'm
on windows, what are the possibilities to do something like this. Should
i consider midi, or some cheap piece of hardware (arduino?) to control
a light/power switch?

Any help would be appreciated,

Domien

I would guess you would need a microprocessor like the arduino or Basic Stamp to control a circuit relay.

I have used premade midi to switch interfaces for this but they can be pricey.

If the light is DMX show control compatible, I would gather that you could use MIDI out to control the light, but you would need to convert the midi to DMX......

Anyhow, I think the PD->Arduino->Switch is the cheapest, fastest and easiest I can think of at this point.

modern lightboards are often midi controllable. If the theater you will be using has one such lightboard, you may be able to get away with some USB cables and [makenote]s. I have no experience with this, I'm just sayin' is all.

Solid state relays can be used for this kind of switching, quickly and safely, just as long as you get one that is rated for what you are switching. Or, you could just put a lamp on the subwoofer, and unscrew the light bulb just enough......

was just turn on to phidgets

http://www.phidgets.com

something there might work.

just got another email from my informant, look applicable at best, interesting at worst

http://highlyliquid.com/kits/decoder.html
http://infusionsystems.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/35
http://www.ladyada.net/make/midisense/maxmspdemo.html

You still can't beat the price point of the 'duino though. Hans has already done all of the coding for you, and you can use it for so many interesting things when you are done.

Thank you all guys for the interesting info. I'll surely look into arduino (although i have to admit that the links jon posted also looked very interesting)... Problem is that i'm a totally electronic nitwit (especially from the hardware side of it). But i'll give it a shot anyhow.