Update LED bar to handle message type field

- Process 't' field to distinguish between beat ('b') and update ('u') messages
- Beat messages: execute pattern immediately using current parameters
- Update messages: only update parameters, don't execute pattern
- Maintains backward compatibility with default to beat if 't' not specified
- Enables proper synchronization between controller and bars

8_BAR_SETUP.md

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+# 8-LED Bar System Setup
+
+This system supports 8 LED bars working together, each with unique names "100" through "107".
+
+## Quick Setup
+
+### 1. Configure Each LED Bar
+Each LED bar needs a unique name. Run the configuration script on each bar:
+
+```bash
+python configure_bar.py
+```
+
+Then enter the bar name (100, 101, 102, etc.) when prompted.
+
+### 2. Update Bar Names (Optional)
+To change the bar names, edit `/home/jimmy/projects/lighting-controller/src/bar_config.py`:
+
+```python
+LED_BAR_NAMES = [
+    "100",  # Bar 1
+    "101",  # Bar 2
+    "102",  # Bar 3
+    "103",  # Bar 4
+    "104",  # Bar 5
+    "105",  # Bar 6
+    "106",  # Bar 7
+    "107",  # Bar 8
+]
+```
+
+### 3. Default Settings
+All bars use the same default settings defined in `bar_config.py`:
+
+```python
+DEFAULT_BAR_SETTINGS = {
+    "pattern": "pulse",
+    "delay": 100,
+    "colors": [(0, 255, 0)],  # Default green
+    "brightness": 100,
+    "num_leds": 200,
+    "n1": 10,
+    "n2": 10,
+    "n3": 1,
+    "n": 0,
+}
+```
+
+## How It Works
+
+1. **Lighting Controller** sends ESP-NOW messages to all bars simultaneously
+2. **Each LED Bar** listens for messages addressed to its unique name
+3. **All bars** receive the same pattern/color/brightness settings
+4. **Synchronized effects** across all 8 bars
+
+## Current Features
+
+- ✅ All bars show the same pattern simultaneously
+- ✅ Individual bar addressing (100-107)
+- ✅ Optimized JSON payloads with defaults deduplication
+- ✅ Easy configuration via `bar_config.py`
+- ✅ MIDI control for all bars
+- ✅ n3 step rate functionality
+
+## Future Enhancements
+
+- Sequential patterns (bar 1 → bar 2 → bar 3...)
+- Wave effects across bars
+- Individual bar control
+- Master/slave synchronization
+- Physical arrangement awareness