My Theremin Project
When I was a kid my dad brought home a lot of electronic
goodies for us kids to play with. My interests led me to
acoustic circuits, oscillators and sound controllers. One
project I never completed was what I discovered, much later,
to be a "Theremin." I just didn't know what I wanted back
then. It took me nearly 30 years to come back to it.
goodies for us kids to play with. My interests led me to
acoustic circuits, oscillators and sound controllers. One
project I never completed was what I discovered, much later,
to be a "Theremin." I just didn't know what I wanted back
then. It took me nearly 30 years to come back to it.
It was Christopher at "Old Temecula" who placed his
designs on the internet that made me realize I could do
this. There are a lot of good designs available now, but
his plans included etching the circuitry on a copper
board. This appealed to me, now an artist trained in
intaglio techniques. The idea of etchings that carry
electronic signals made me feel in some sense I had
come "full circle" on my lifepath.
designs on the internet that made me realize I could do
this. There are a lot of good designs available now, but
his plans included etching the circuitry on a copper
board. This appealed to me, now an artist trained in
intaglio techniques. The idea of etchings that carry
electronic signals made me feel in some sense I had
come "full circle" on my lifepath.
What is a Theremin? A
quick search on the internet
will reveal a growing interest
in building and playing these
simple, and difficult to play,
musical instruments.
Check out Theremin World.
Christopher's excellent
"Ultimate 2" theremin
designs.
Or try "Art's Theremin Page"
for even more information.
And Music From Outer Space
a fantastic site for musical
analog circuitry.
quick search on the internet
will reveal a growing interest
in building and playing these
simple, and difficult to play,
musical instruments.
Check out Theremin World.
Christopher's excellent
"Ultimate 2" theremin
designs.
Or try "Art's Theremin Page"
for even more information.
And Music From Outer Space
a fantastic site for musical
analog circuitry.
Sure, at this point it looks pretty scattered
and "Rube Goldberg" would be impressed.
I am currently working on a cabinet that will, I
hope, be worthy of housing my electronic
"artwork."
My plan called for a
three-legged support,
so the "box" becomes
a trapezoid. Plexiglas
inserts will carry images.
The front panel will
hold the adjusting
potentiometers, switches,
etc. The side panels will
accommodate the antennas
and their adjustments.
They have great decorative
potential. The top will be
the resting place for my
laptop with MIDI and other
music software. Behind this
will be a built-in speaker that
I am currently designing.
I am surprised at how simple
a sound emitting device can
really be. What did the
true pioneers of electronic
music use to deliver their
signals to the human ear?
A "speaker" can be simply an electromagnetic
coil attached to a resonating membrane. A fixed
magnetic source is maintained at an optimum
position to fluctuate physical
pressures of the magnetic fields. I am looking
for good photos of those early "speakers"
connected to Leon Termen's instruments. The
Ondes Martenot had several interesting
sound-delivery systems that intrigue me.
.
and "Rube Goldberg" would be impressed.
I am currently working on a cabinet that will, I
hope, be worthy of housing my electronic
"artwork."
My plan called for a
three-legged support,
so the "box" becomes
a trapezoid. Plexiglas
inserts will carry images.
The front panel will
hold the adjusting
potentiometers, switches,
etc. The side panels will
accommodate the antennas
and their adjustments.
They have great decorative
potential. The top will be
the resting place for my
laptop with MIDI and other
music software. Behind this
will be a built-in speaker that
I am currently designing.
I am surprised at how simple
a sound emitting device can
really be. What did the
true pioneers of electronic
music use to deliver their
signals to the human ear?
A "speaker" can be simply an electromagnetic
coil attached to a resonating membrane. A fixed
magnetic source is maintained at an optimum
position to fluctuate physical
pressures of the magnetic fields. I am looking
for good photos of those early "speakers"
connected to Leon Termen's instruments. The
Ondes Martenot had several interesting
sound-delivery systems that intrigue me.
.
"Sixth voice" Wave shaper
design by Christopher at "Old Temecula"
design by Christopher at "Old Temecula"
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So here is my current instrument, with the upper theremin,
and below it will be a PAiA tube preamp, envelope
generator, and a VCO. I am making a small keyboard that
will set into the lower stage: perhaps to become a
synthesizer? I can also visualize speakers between the
front legs. This instrument will be unique.
and below it will be a PAiA tube preamp, envelope
generator, and a VCO. I am making a small keyboard that
will set into the lower stage: perhaps to become a
synthesizer? I can also visualize speakers between the
front legs. This instrument will be unique.
Leon Termen c.1928
Meanwhile, too, I am developing new stages that
can shape the sounds it makes.
I think my circuit-building
skills are improving, too
ASDR Envelope generator from MFOS site
Voltage controlled
oscillator
oscillator
Since November 2007 I have been building my skills both as a thereminist, and composer. My
instrument is in part a computer keyboard and an array of simple software. I have been gathering the parts
for my keyboard, but I traded my time for the keyboard project to build a PAIA Theremax, and begin learning
the craft of music making.
instrument is in part a computer keyboard and an array of simple software. I have been gathering the parts
for my keyboard, but I traded my time for the keyboard project to build a PAIA Theremax, and begin learning
the craft of music making.
Scott Lee of PAiA has been very helpful. I
really recommend this company for analogue
instrument kits.
really recommend this company for analogue
instrument kits.
Here are a couple of short compositions. I would enjoy any
honest criticism. Please e-mail me.
In future I will post options to download whole CD length collections,
for a voluntary contribution. I like the new direction of music
presentations championed by ISSA, and other musicians who have
shrugged off the weight of an outdated music industry, and found a
new way to share their music.
honest criticism. Please e-mail me.
In future I will post options to download whole CD length collections,
for a voluntary contribution. I like the new direction of music
presentations championed by ISSA, and other musicians who have
shrugged off the weight of an outdated music industry, and found a
new way to share their music.
Rain
On the Breach
Piping in the Meadow
This is my very first composition, using the "Ult2B" designed by
Christopher. It is called "Animal Tracks (In the Snow)"
Christopher. It is called "Animal Tracks (In the Snow)"
Expression Spiral
Theremin Stage
Tone arm
5-25-08
RAIN is a multilayered journey into what rain can
feel like under a canvas roof.
"Breach" is an exploration of synthesizer and
Theremin textures.
"Piping" is what happens when fractal drums
encounter the piping sounds of the wee folk. In
the brightening morning they are just out of sight
after the rain begins to drip from the leaves
feel like under a canvas roof.
"Breach" is an exploration of synthesizer and
Theremin textures.
"Piping" is what happens when fractal drums
encounter the piping sounds of the wee folk. In
the brightening morning they are just out of sight
after the rain begins to drip from the leaves
This is a nostalgic fragment from my Minnesota childhood, searching in
newfallen snow for signs of life. Animal tracks mysteriously betray their quick
movements frozen in time. I can only guess what they are. Perhaps they are
some unknown creature that is really stalking me! Or perhaps I am searching
only for myself.
newfallen snow for signs of life. Animal tracks mysteriously betray their quick
movements frozen in time. I can only guess what they are. Perhaps they are
some unknown creature that is really stalking me! Or perhaps I am searching
only for myself.
Thanks, Lev!
Krakatoa
A volcanic Theremin composition
A volcanic Theremin composition
Pizzi
A Modern Composition
A Modern Composition
Woodlands
Sound of the Big Woods
Sound of the Big Woods
Here are some musical projects that have even more Theremin in them: