theremins

[The Wood Wizard]

you got one? You dig them? How you use yours?

Was toolin around with the idea of getting a cheap one or maybe an easy kit, wanted to hear some first hand user accounts first.

[osbornkt]

Used to have a Moog theremin...Ended up selling it when times got tough.
I loved that thing so much! They're definitely a versatile instrument that you can do a ton of stuff with. If you're into looping and stuff, you can make some ridiculous textured loops with it. Played it as a lead instrument in the band I used to be in, as well.
I'd totally recommend getting one.
They work crazy good with pedalboards, too
If you don't want to spend the cash to buy a theremin, you could always go find a 26" or bigger hand saw and play that. It's a bit more of a learning curve, but it's something different that achieves a similar sound (and also playable through your board!)

[AxAxSxS]

I want one.
I guess thats not much of a contribution.

[Greenfuz]

the remins

[kaeth]

I have a Paia Theremax, built from a kit. I'd say it's an intermediate kit because it involves some tweaking, but the instructions are concise, and Paia is very helpful with troubleshooting. There's some tone mods on their site too, which I tried, but I preferred the stock sound. I find it sounds more sci-fi, and less whiney then the Moog which is very vocal. There's a timbre control to go from sine to square wave. It also has CV control for every parameter built in to interface it with synths/pedals. The wood case they sell is a bit bulky, but the board inside is not so. If you're The Wood Wizard, you could probably scale it down a bit. Also, the antennae it comes with are wire-hanger thin. A $5 piece of brass dowel from the hardware store makes a solid replacement. These complaints are very minor, as the finished product is wonderful, and I don't think you could find a better theremin for the money.

I can't play it in tune worth a damn, so I use it mostly for sound effects, and atonal atmospheric pieces. It touches both ends of the audible spectrum from low grumbles to ear-piercing highs.

You know those psychedelic plasma globes? Hold one up to the pitch antenna, and it assaults you with thunder sounds.

[DarkAxel]

when we're on the topic.... i was thinking about it at one point, it's more of a gimmick though... and i'm not sure i'd be able to use it for anything else than noise

i've been meaning to ask you about the photo-theremins though - such as the Electro-Faustus here



has anyone used a photothing like this? especially live? What's the deal with... you know... stage lights and all? Would i need a light source such as a tiny LED pedalboard lamp?

[skullservant]

I've made a bunch of those before. They run off of a 555 timer chip, some variations have mutliple oscillators, etc. You can use them in a dimly lit situation, but the pitch will be deeper/lower because of less light. The more light, the higher the pitch!

[kaeth]

Photo-theremins are just about impossible to play anything coherent on. If you want space effects, they'll do the trick though. Volume control is also a bit less expressive being on a knob.

[Warpsmasher]

I had an Alesis AirSynth for a while, pretty fun little thing, and way more versatile than a real theremin if you're just looking for something to make cool noisescapes with. Even better than that is a Korg Kaossilator. There are also plenty of theremin apps for the iphone, ipod, android etc.

[nightterrors]

I want one.
I guess thats not much of a contribution.

I was looking at this one before... I'm also in the situation where I don't think I'd ACTUALLY use it for anything but messin' around.

[ryan summit]

after seein john spencer wail on this
i totally wanted to make somethin like it
maybe next winter



makes me miss playin the teisco too

[Bartimaeus]

Get a cheaper ring/ribbon controller. A lot easier to control. Doepfer Trautonium in a good choice, and will let you control all sorts of things with it.

If you only want it to mess around with, etc, try the Mini-Theremin kit: http://www.makershed.com/product_p/mkgk10.htm
It's definitely cheap enough to justify use as a noise machine.