Good evening everyone, I'm Nicola, latest new entry on this fantastic forum.
I saw that you are all very expert in the world of Theremin.
This is why I am turning to you so that you can advise me on an excellent project to build my own Theremin.
I would prefer a design that doesn't use vacuum tubes.
I am an electronics technician but unfortunately I have little experience with radio frequency.
I trust a lot in your help because I know I'm in the right place.
Thanks everyone in advance.
Nicola
Hi Dewster,
I would like a project for a professional device.
What is meant by "Open Theremin" ?
Nicola
"I would like a project for a professional device." - Nicola
You might want to start by investigating LC oscillators and coils. Stability - both short term (jitter) and long term (drift) - is paramount. High voltage (~200Vp-p) at the antennas helps to swamp environmental interference. High Q narrows the noise window.
If you go the digital route then a lot of issues that plague analog designs (e.g. pitch field linearity) are much easier to resolve, and there are other perks as well, such as mains hum filtering, pitch correction & display, volume field shaping, etc.
"What is meant by "Open Theremin" ?"
"You might want to start by investigating LC oscillators and coils. Stability - both short term (jitter) and long term (drift) - is paramount. High voltage (~200Vp-p) at the antennas helps to swamp environmental interference. High Q narrows the noise window."
Hi dewster,
it's clear that I don't want to become an expert on all the topics above also because if that were the case, I would probably build my Theremin in maybe five years and probably designed directly by myself. The only thing I was asking in this forum was the advice of a valid project already tried and tested, professional or not, toy or not, analog or digital, but in any case judged valid by you.
I took a look at https://www.gaudi.ch/OpenTheremin/
very interesting project, but I think a little complicated for a complete self-build. I don't want to buy and build a "kit": I want to do as much as possible myself.
@Martel Thank you so much for the project that you proposed to me.
Nicola
Nicola: Buggin's oscillator is one of the best I've encountered:
http://www.thereminworld.com/forums/T/33275?post=221506#221506
I'd say start there and experiment with various coils. You'll find that very few commercial coils lend themselves well to Theremin use. Fortunately it's not too hard to wind your own.
The Open Theremin isn't really a kit, it's fully assembled, and perhaps a good place to get your feet wet. Never hurts to have a reference when you're starting out in this biz.
Hello Nicola,
The main difference between Digital & Analog Theremins is analog is a more natural sound while digital is a more synthetic or sterile sound, plus digital does not use the true Theremin Phenomenon, just the family name. It all depend on your taste. My webpages are all still online, maybe pull some ideas from my research. There is special knowledge in my Phoenix design if you explore my retired pages.
https://www.oldtemecula.com/theremin2020/
Hello Oldtemecula,
it's a real pleasure to meet you. I absolutely agree about the differences between an analogue sound and a digital one. I have been a DJ for many years and the difference between old vinyl records and today's digital sound is beyond question.
Many compliments for your performance: it is superb.
Who knows if one day I too will be able to play a Theremin like this!
I took a look at your site: there is the EtherWave Standard project, with this scheme https://www.oldtemecula.com/theremin2020/study/ews-mod/2020-etherwave-schematic.pdf
Then I saw this other project
https://www.oldtemecula.com/theremin2020/study/phoenix4-22.pdf, and I didn't understand if it is an implementation of the first one or a new stand alone project.
Forgive me, my English isn't great.
Thank you, I'm waiting for your clarification to start the work
Greetings from Italy
Nicola
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