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Thread: Theremin

  1. 12-04-2008 #1
    SquidInk's Avatar
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    Theremin

    I heard "Good Vibrations" today, and was reminded of the Theremin.

    Cool. Maybe I'll take lessons like... Lennin! Anyone here ever play one?

    Operating principles

    The theremin is unique among musical instruments in that it is played without physical contact. The musician (occasionally referred to as a thereminist) stands in front of the instrument and moves his or her hands in the proximity of two metal antennas. The distance from one antenna determines frequency (pitch), and the distance from the other controls amplitude (volume). Most frequently, the right hand controls the pitch and the left controls the volume, although some performers reverse this arrangement. Some low cost theremins use a conventional, knob operated volume control and have only the pitch antenna.

    The theremin uses the heterodyne principle to generate an audio signal. The instrument's circuitry includes two radio frequency oscillators. One oscillator operates at a fixed frequency. The frequency of the other oscillator is controlled by the performer's distance from the pitch control antenna. The performer's hand acts as the grounded plate (the performer's body being the connection to ground) of a variable capacitor in an L-C (inductance-capacitance) circuit. The difference between the frequencies of the two oscillators at each moment allows the creation of a difference tone in the audio frequency range, resulting in audio signals that are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker.

    To control volume, the performer's other hand acts as the grounded plate of another variable capacitor. In this case, the capacitor detunes another oscillator, which affects the amplifier circuit. The distance between the performer's hand and the volume control antenna determines the capacitor's value, which regulates the theremin's volume.
    Last edited by SquidInk; 12-04-2008 at 04:04 PM.
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  2. 12-04-2008 #2
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    Man I have been so close many times to getting one I want one bad!

    Here is a DIY theramin site http://www.oldtemecula.com/theremin/

    If I did not have to order it cross-border, I would already own this http://www.paia.com/theremax.asp
    proj·ect
    1. something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme.
    2. a large or major undertaking, especially one involving considerable money, personnel, and equipment.
    3. a specific task of investigation, especially in scholarship.
    4. to propose, contemplate, or plan.
    5. to throw, cast, or impel forward or onward.
    6. to set forth or calculate (some future thing).
    7. to extend or protrude beyond something else.
    8. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater.
    9. to produce a clear impression of one's thoughts, personality, role, etc.
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  3. 12-04-2008 #3
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    Seems like something a person could build... no?
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  4. 12-04-2008 #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by SquidInk View Post
    Seems like something a person could build... no?
    YA! My first link is to a DIY site about them, there are tons... they say for $100 in Radio Scrap parts you could do theirs. Lots of ways to hack one together.
    proj·ect
    1. something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme.
    2. a large or major undertaking, especially one involving considerable money, personnel, and equipment.
    3. a specific task of investigation, especially in scholarship.
    4. to propose, contemplate, or plan.
    5. to throw, cast, or impel forward or onward.
    6. to set forth or calculate (some future thing).
    7. to extend or protrude beyond something else.
    8. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater.
    9. to produce a clear impression of one's thoughts, personality, role, etc.
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  5. 12-04-2008 #5
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    Oh, I get it now... "DIY" = do it yourself... apologies.

    A Heathkit theremin would be ridiculously cool! And you could play it while dressed as a thylacine.

    Because theremins and thylacines traditionally go together. Ask anyone.
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  6. 12-04-2008 #6
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    hehe sorry, I am all about DIY Anytime I want something, first thing I do is google "DIY snowblower" or "DIY voice changer"...

    Another good google is "hacks" - "ipod hacks", "xbox hacks"... "life hacks" even - http://www.lifehacker.com
    proj·ect
    1. something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme.
    2. a large or major undertaking, especially one involving considerable money, personnel, and equipment.
    3. a specific task of investigation, especially in scholarship.
    4. to propose, contemplate, or plan.
    5. to throw, cast, or impel forward or onward.
    6. to set forth or calculate (some future thing).
    7. to extend or protrude beyond something else.
    8. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater.
    9. to produce a clear impression of one's thoughts, personality, role, etc.
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  7. 12-04-2008 #7
    HB3
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    I have one. Theremins are extremely difficult to play w/ any precision, but they're fun to make noise with. Search on ebay, you can find lots of cheap ones make by various freaks (of the best sort), with all sorts of interesting variations.
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  8. 12-04-2008 #8
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    Theremins - yes, they are absolutely amazing. I have always wanted the chance to play around with one!
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  9. 12-04-2008 #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Project View Post
    hehe sorry, I am all about DIY Anytime I want something, first thing I do is google "DIY snowblower" or "DIY voice changer"...

    Another good google is "hacks" - "ipod hacks", "xbox hacks"... "life hacks" even - http://www.lifehacker.com
    Voice changer? Oh yeah. That's how Ross does it.

    FWIW, the Paia stuff is pretty good to build. Proj, you'll have to play around with a sonovox and one of the Paia keyboard generators.
    [
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  10. 12-04-2008 #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by VOguy View Post
    Voice changer? Oh yeah. That's how Ross does it.

    FWIW, the Paia stuff is pretty good to build. Proj, you'll have to play around with a sonovox and one of the Paia keyboard generators.

    http://www.paia.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9308K <drool>
    proj·ect
    1. something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme.
    2. a large or major undertaking, especially one involving considerable money, personnel, and equipment.
    3. a specific task of investigation, especially in scholarship.
    4. to propose, contemplate, or plan.
    5. to throw, cast, or impel forward or onward.
    6. to set forth or calculate (some future thing).
    7. to extend or protrude beyond something else.
    8. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater.
    9. to produce a clear impression of one's thoughts, personality, role, etc.
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  11. 12-04-2008 #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by HB3 View Post
    I have one. Theremins are extremely difficult to play w/ any precision, but they're fun to make noise with. Search on ebay, you can find lots of cheap ones make by various freaks (of the best sort), with all sorts of interesting variations.

    did you see the video squid posted? Never seen one controlled like that, he is playing it like a lap slide guitar.
    proj·ect
    1. something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme.
    2. a large or major undertaking, especially one involving considerable money, personnel, and equipment.
    3. a specific task of investigation, especially in scholarship.
    4. to propose, contemplate, or plan.
    5. to throw, cast, or impel forward or onward.
    6. to set forth or calculate (some future thing).
    7. to extend or protrude beyond something else.
    8. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater.
    9. to produce a clear impression of one's thoughts, personality, role, etc.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. 12-04-2008 #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Project View Post
    http://www.paia.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9308K <drool>
    <<deep sigh>> Yeah, I saw that. I wish I could understand how to integrate MIDI into Sony Acid Music. I think that would be the tipping point for me. I've never quite grasp how MIDI works with multiple devices and being able to arrange the sounds.
    [
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  13. 12-04-2008 #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by VOguy View Post
    <<deep sigh>> Yeah, I saw that. I wish I could understand how to integrate MIDI into Sony Acid Music. I think that would be the tipping point for me. I've never quite grasp how MIDI works with multiple devices and being able to arrange the sounds.
    I am learning it myself at the moment... I have a thread somewhere called learning synth or keys. That is what is nice about the external module, you don't need to fiddle with midi on the computer (although you lose all the cool stuff midi can do), you can just record the sounds you are making.
    proj·ect
    1. something that is contemplated, devised, or planned; plan; scheme.
    2. a large or major undertaking, especially one involving considerable money, personnel, and equipment.
    3. a specific task of investigation, especially in scholarship.
    4. to propose, contemplate, or plan.
    5. to throw, cast, or impel forward or onward.
    6. to set forth or calculate (some future thing).
    7. to extend or protrude beyond something else.
    8. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater.
    9. to produce a clear impression of one's thoughts, personality, role, etc.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
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