Hi, I have a Moog Etherwave Standard. Not all EW standards have this problem, but in some cases, when you touch the volume antenna, an unintended sound is made by the theremin. According to Moog Music, this is a normal charactoristic of the EW Standards, but the problem does not exist in the EW Pro series.
My work around for this problem is simple, quick, and cheap. There's a product known as nylon cable sleeve. It's used by computer technicians to put around cable bundles to reduce cable clutter in PCs. It turns out, this stuff is great for stopping the unintended sounds when touching the volume antenna.
To modify your EW Standard's vol antenna, go to one of the many computer parts supply sites on the web, and order a few feet of 3/8th inch diameter nylon sleeve. It's sold by the foot, so if you want 6 feet, make sure you enter 6 in the quantity box when ordering. It comes in many colors.
To apply it to the antenna, cut off the amount you need to cover the entire length of the antenna, open the sleeve with a pencil, and then make sure to fuse the cut ends with a lighter, or by touching the end of the sleeve to a hot metal surface. This will keep the sleeve's brades from coming undone like a torn rope. Next, slip the sleeve over the captive nut on the antenna, and work the sleeve along over the nut until it's all the way on.
The antenna will now have a cool new techno look, and texture to it. The chrome will still show nicely through the brades, but there will be a practical advantage. Now, when you play, it's ok to rest your hand on the volume antenna while silencing the instrument for whatever reason. This is critical if you intend to take the EW Standard into a recording studio, or are doing paid gigs or performances. Nothing's worse than being in the middle of a great piece, and having the instrument squeel as you try to rest your weary volume hand in a silent part of the piece, and have to spot erase, or deal with it in a live performance. If the performer happens to be blind, as a close friend of mine is, (and I'm legally blind), this is a real problem.
Here's a cool thing you can now do with the theremin's modified antenna: As long as you only touch the antenna with your open hand, or fingers, no sound will result. But, if you grasp the antenna in your fist, and apply gentle pressure, you can actually play the instrument! You can evin gently hold the antenna without making a sound, and tap the antenna with your other hand, and get a percussive stacatto effect going.
This nylon cable sleeve is so cheap, it costs more to ship than the product. You may be able to find it locally at a place that sells computer parts. I got mine from www.performance-pcs.com.
I chose black, as it's a universally acceptable color in any genre, but now, you can personalize your theremin with your choice of colors, while ending a nagging nightmare too.
Have fun,
Thomas Grillo
My work around for this problem is simple, quick, and cheap. There's a product known as nylon cable sleeve. It's used by computer technicians to put around cable bundles to reduce cable clutter in PCs. It turns out, this stuff is great for stopping the unintended sounds when touching the volume antenna.
To modify your EW Standard's vol antenna, go to one of the many computer parts supply sites on the web, and order a few feet of 3/8th inch diameter nylon sleeve. It's sold by the foot, so if you want 6 feet, make sure you enter 6 in the quantity box when ordering. It comes in many colors.
To apply it to the antenna, cut off the amount you need to cover the entire length of the antenna, open the sleeve with a pencil, and then make sure to fuse the cut ends with a lighter, or by touching the end of the sleeve to a hot metal surface. This will keep the sleeve's brades from coming undone like a torn rope. Next, slip the sleeve over the captive nut on the antenna, and work the sleeve along over the nut until it's all the way on.
The antenna will now have a cool new techno look, and texture to it. The chrome will still show nicely through the brades, but there will be a practical advantage. Now, when you play, it's ok to rest your hand on the volume antenna while silencing the instrument for whatever reason. This is critical if you intend to take the EW Standard into a recording studio, or are doing paid gigs or performances. Nothing's worse than being in the middle of a great piece, and having the instrument squeel as you try to rest your weary volume hand in a silent part of the piece, and have to spot erase, or deal with it in a live performance. If the performer happens to be blind, as a close friend of mine is, (and I'm legally blind), this is a real problem.
Here's a cool thing you can now do with the theremin's modified antenna: As long as you only touch the antenna with your open hand, or fingers, no sound will result. But, if you grasp the antenna in your fist, and apply gentle pressure, you can actually play the instrument! You can evin gently hold the antenna without making a sound, and tap the antenna with your other hand, and get a percussive stacatto effect going.
This nylon cable sleeve is so cheap, it costs more to ship than the product. You may be able to find it locally at a place that sells computer parts. I got mine from www.performance-pcs.com.
I chose black, as it's a universally acceptable color in any genre, but now, you can personalize your theremin with your choice of colors, while ending a nagging nightmare too.
Have fun,
Thomas Grillo