Open Theremin

[Fama]

Anyone heard about this? https://github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenThereminV4

Open Theremin From Scratch: Building a PCB From Open Source Plans

Open Theremin From Scratch: Building a PCB From Open Source Plans: This Instructable shows the steps I took to build my own open source theremin (Open Theremin) when there was none available to buy online. The lovely thing about open source is that the plans are freely available to make and...

www.instructables.com

It's a digital theremin based on the Arduine One, an extra PCB and obviously the antennas, on a tripod. From what I read, it's a pretty decent theremin for the price. I haven't seen many good DIY based theremins before, and this one seems quite simple to build (although it has a lot of SMD soldering - looks like Aliexpress has presoldered boards though https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004633933492.html).

Not the DIY purist's dream due to using an Arduino to do the heavy lifting, but looks interesting, easy and cheap to build.

Now, the real question of course is "would I ever bother to learn how to play the theremin if I built one"...

Edit: Looks like the official store works now too, didn't open for me yesterday, but 129€ for the whole thing shipped is not bad either.

 

[PunchySunshine]

Anyone heard about this? https://github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenThereminV4

Open Theremin From Scratch: Building a PCB From Open Source Plans

Open Theremin From Scratch: Building a PCB From Open Source Plans: This Instructable shows the steps I took to build my own open source theremin (Open Theremin) when there was none available to buy online. The lovely thing about open source is that the plans are freely available to make and...

www.instructables.com

It's a digital theremin based on the Arduine One, an extra PCB and obviously the antennas, on a tripod. From what I read, it's a pretty decent theremin for the price. I haven't seen many good DIY based theremins before, and this one seems quite simple to build (although it has a lot of SMD soldering - looks like Aliexpress has presoldered boards though https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004633933492.html).

Not the DIY purist's dream due to using an Arduino to do the heavy lifting, but looks interesting, easy and cheap to build.

Now, the real question of course is "would I ever bother to learn how to play the theremin if I built one"...

Edit: Looks like the official store works now too, didn't open for me yesterday, but 129€ for the whole thing shipped is not bad either.

I scored a big briar theramin last year and it's absolutely the hardest instrument I've ever played. I've got a violin player coming over this summer to try and see if she can make better sounds than me. Be warned, they're fun but quite difficult.

 

[ICTRock]

I have the distant voices theremin ... it's LOUD to the point I run it through a pedal so I can turn the volume down and with one antenna its a little more challenging to control but it is a fun tinker toy

 

[jessenator]

I want to say in the Moog documentary they went to visit a conservatory in Japan where the theremin was taken as seriously as the cello.

I tried one at Analogue Haven in Van Nuys (or was it pamona?) back in 08 and it was something else. Like painting with one hand while the other does calculus.

 

[Fuzzonaut]

I've bought the "real deal" from Moog ages ago and it is a very strange but also rewarding instrument. Once you got the "distance" dialed in you kinda know where the notes are. It's a bit like playing a fretless. Takes some time to get used to, but sooner or later, you'll get the hang of it.

Put it through a reverb pedal or a (short) delay to add some meat to the toanz and have fun!