I was looking into purchasing a decent Theremin to begin learning the instrument. Does anyone recommend a certain model/type? I am currently leaning towards a Etherwave Theremin. Thank guys.
Beginner here
Posted: 11/1/2008 1:30:30 AM
Hello, The Etherwave Standard is a good beginner / intermediate theremin, allthough it is used by pros as well. It will geive you the ability to change the tonal charactor with two knobs, one of brightness, the other for waveform, like a synth. Well, theremins are synths, just not like what most folks are used to. But, it costs anywhere from between $350 for the kit version (easy build), to about $400 for a completed one from Moog Music. You can find cheaper fullbuilts from online retailers too.
The Etherwave Standards have a bright, brass horn-like tonal charactor on certain settins, while other settings provide a bright allmost flute / brassy like tone, and yet others provide a buzzy tonal charactor.
If finances are an issue, then consider the Burns theremins from soundslikeburns, and their e-bay shop. They have 3 models of theremins which have both the pitch, and volume antennas.
These theremins do not have tonal charactor control, however, they do have a softer string-like tone in the low notes, and a nearly female vocal tone in the upper notes. These 3 models are all in the B3 family, and are listed as B3 original for $152, the B3 Deluxe for $200, and the B3 Pro for $350. The Deluxe, and Pro both come in 18 inch long cabinets which makes them as playable as the Etherwave Standards.
Personally, I find that the B3s have a better linearity than the Etherwave Standards, as they only have one zone of non-linearity, which is nearest the pitch rod. Burns has made recent modifications to his design which eliminated the continuously increasing distance between notes as one went further from the antenna. Which makes his latest B3s much more playable.
The Etherwave Standards have 2 zones of nonlinearity. One near the antenna, the other near zero beat (zone of silence).
If money is no issue, and you're serious about theremins, get both, so you'll have a wider selection of sound to suit whatever works you're doing. I use the B3s, and my Etherwave Pro (discontinued) for classical works, while I use the Etherwaves, and Wavefronts for jazz, blues, country, and rock.
From an instructor's standpoint, I prefer my students to start with the B3s, mainly because there's less to distract the student from learning the playing techniques.
Good luck, and welcome to thereminworld, and the world of theremins.
The Etherwave Standards have a bright, brass horn-like tonal charactor on certain settins, while other settings provide a bright allmost flute / brassy like tone, and yet others provide a buzzy tonal charactor.
If finances are an issue, then consider the Burns theremins from soundslikeburns, and their e-bay shop. They have 3 models of theremins which have both the pitch, and volume antennas.
These theremins do not have tonal charactor control, however, they do have a softer string-like tone in the low notes, and a nearly female vocal tone in the upper notes. These 3 models are all in the B3 family, and are listed as B3 original for $152, the B3 Deluxe for $200, and the B3 Pro for $350. The Deluxe, and Pro both come in 18 inch long cabinets which makes them as playable as the Etherwave Standards.
Personally, I find that the B3s have a better linearity than the Etherwave Standards, as they only have one zone of non-linearity, which is nearest the pitch rod. Burns has made recent modifications to his design which eliminated the continuously increasing distance between notes as one went further from the antenna. Which makes his latest B3s much more playable.
The Etherwave Standards have 2 zones of nonlinearity. One near the antenna, the other near zero beat (zone of silence).
If money is no issue, and you're serious about theremins, get both, so you'll have a wider selection of sound to suit whatever works you're doing. I use the B3s, and my Etherwave Pro (discontinued) for classical works, while I use the Etherwaves, and Wavefronts for jazz, blues, country, and rock.
From an instructor's standpoint, I prefer my students to start with the B3s, mainly because there's less to distract the student from learning the playing techniques.
Good luck, and welcome to thereminworld, and the world of theremins.
Posted: 11/3/2008 8:57:14 PM
from david .england i started out on a cheap single antennae theremin but realized its limitations early on .do you think the best way to learn is in half hour spurts sporadically over the course of 3-4 hours this seemed to work for me as my concentration started to wander over an intense couple of hours.Far from feeling i am a thereminist i feel im coming on slowly but surely on my etherwave standard and in a couple of years will feel more confident to use the theremin in my live setup.Just starting to get there check out loop-aznavour-overdose on me baby on you tube ,punk,theremin,rock n roll.Love to all thereminists everywhere(especially thomas grillo whose lessons have proved invaluable),Bad spelling ,drunk.
Posted: 11/4/2008 3:13:11 AM
Welcome to Theremin World, David.
Sweet video. The Normal meets Blondie with just a dash of Public Image Ltd. I like it.
Your vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ik_x2vB4Bc
The Normal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8thf7TpZYs
Blondie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwqYsoDqbCQ
PiL. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aumejrcEHs
Sweet video. The Normal meets Blondie with just a dash of Public Image Ltd. I like it.
Your vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ik_x2vB4Bc
The Normal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8thf7TpZYs
Blondie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwqYsoDqbCQ
PiL. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aumejrcEHs
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