Okay, I need to learn how to build the cheapest most beginner-to-eletronics theremin I can without buying a kit. What would any of you recommend as the easiest one to build for a "theremin noob"?
Yes I am new and i need help
Posted: 3/17/2007 1:35:55 PM
That's a tall order... Anything to cheap probably won't be worth playing. If you're dead set against a kit you'll find some good projects here:
Art's Theremin Page
http://home.att.net/~theremin1/index.htm
But you'll end up buying more parts then you actually need because of minimum orders on some small parts. (instead of 1 10K resister you'll have to buy 10) Also some of the parts can be hard to find. You're much better off with a kit. The PAIA.com kit will probably wind up being cheaper in the end.
The same guy sells this kit:
www.harrisoninstruments.com/101/101_description.html
It's $44 but only has one antenna (pitch), not included I believe. You can probably make the antenna from scrap metal or something you pick up at Home Depot. The sound sample isn't bad but I've never built it so I can't tell you anything more about it...
Then there's this site:
http://www.oldtemecula.com/theremin/
You're going to have to buy all the parts and make the circuit board yourself.
Your best bet is the Paia.com Theremax. Buy the main circuit board kit for $105 build your own case and make the antennas yourself. You get all the parts, a circuit board and complete instructions. They also give you tech support if you need it.
Any of Art's projects (besides the $44 kit) will cost you more in cash and twice as much in effort. The old temecula kit might be slightly cheaper then Art's if you use the ship to store feature at Radio Shack (shipping is free if you do it that way) but you'll still have to make your own circuit board. It can be done. I have done it using this technique:
http://home.earthlink.net/~j.delke/id22.html
For schematics you can go here: http://thereminworld.com/schematics.asp
or just google "theremin schematics" but to build something from just a schematic you'll need some advanced electronic knowledge.
If you plan on buying anything off ebay that isn't an etherwave use the search feature here and see if anyone had anything to say about the theremin (good or bad). Search for Professor Television to see what I mean... In fact the search feature is probably your best bet for information. I doubt you could dream up a newbie question that hasn't been asked a dozen times already. If you can't find an answer there I'll try and answer your question but I'm no electronics guru.
No matter what you decide good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Art's Theremin Page
http://home.att.net/~theremin1/index.htm
But you'll end up buying more parts then you actually need because of minimum orders on some small parts. (instead of 1 10K resister you'll have to buy 10) Also some of the parts can be hard to find. You're much better off with a kit. The PAIA.com kit will probably wind up being cheaper in the end.
The same guy sells this kit:
www.harrisoninstruments.com/101/101_description.html
It's $44 but only has one antenna (pitch), not included I believe. You can probably make the antenna from scrap metal or something you pick up at Home Depot. The sound sample isn't bad but I've never built it so I can't tell you anything more about it...
Then there's this site:
http://www.oldtemecula.com/theremin/
You're going to have to buy all the parts and make the circuit board yourself.
Your best bet is the Paia.com Theremax. Buy the main circuit board kit for $105 build your own case and make the antennas yourself. You get all the parts, a circuit board and complete instructions. They also give you tech support if you need it.
Any of Art's projects (besides the $44 kit) will cost you more in cash and twice as much in effort. The old temecula kit might be slightly cheaper then Art's if you use the ship to store feature at Radio Shack (shipping is free if you do it that way) but you'll still have to make your own circuit board. It can be done. I have done it using this technique:
http://home.earthlink.net/~j.delke/id22.html
For schematics you can go here: http://thereminworld.com/schematics.asp
or just google "theremin schematics" but to build something from just a schematic you'll need some advanced electronic knowledge.
If you plan on buying anything off ebay that isn't an etherwave use the search feature here and see if anyone had anything to say about the theremin (good or bad). Search for Professor Television to see what I mean... In fact the search feature is probably your best bet for information. I doubt you could dream up a newbie question that hasn't been asked a dozen times already. If you can't find an answer there I'll try and answer your question but I'm no electronics guru.
No matter what you decide good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
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