Having looked at multichannel sound, Pure Data control and output mechanisms, it is clear that making installations needs a technician if the artistic content is not to be compromised by having to concentrate on the technical side of things. This is a case for true collaboration or better still delegation, giving the technician clear indications of what is required, preferably in situ on in studio.
For the final show I shall treat each speaker as a separate entity or one of a stereo pair, controlled independently with a media player attached. Arduinos can control the sensor – audio side of things and microphones if used directly inputted into the speakers, perhaps through a filter which can be done with a small processor.
Working this way, each independent output can be controlled, balanced and troubleshot as a separate entity in the overall setup. In the installation context, simplicity is very important so as not to end up spending all of the time having to struggle with complex systems going awry. Perhaps the maxim should be, the simplest system to do the job so that I can concentrate on the art.
Pure Data: Voice Changer – useful filter for possible future use.