[JonnyMac]

Of course I'm biased, but I'm pretty sure our Prop-1 controller would work fine. If you're interested, we can always assist with programming. Using the LED lamps you indicate that can either be switched on or faded on -- just takes a few lines of code to do the latter and gives a much nicer effect than straight switching.

 

[JonnyMac]

Learning the Prop-1 takes much less time than most people think -- just an hour or two for the basics used by most props.

Parallax only supports Windows tools for the BS1 (what we use in the Prop-1), so if you can run Windows (e.g., Boot Camp -- seems to be a favorite with some of our customers) or an emulator, you should be able program the Prop-1 with your Mac.

The Prop-2 controller can be programmed on the Mac; Parallax released a module for third-party developers to create custom BASIC Stamp tools for the BS2. That said, the Prop-2 is probably more control than you need for this project.