2 Questions (hopefully easy ones!)

1) Is there a thread or resource that lists the components of a theremin (and basically what they do) and different techniques like nulling and things like what a "gimmick" is?

And 2) People have said that for the theremax they have gotten a different antennae (like 3/4" or 3/8" copper tubing or something).
Do you just get that at the hardware store like Home Depot?

Thanks in advance!
Ethan.

Depends on how detailed you want this description and what kind of "theremin" you are talking about.

Lev's device basically contained 3 oscillators, a detector circuit, an amplifier and a power supply.

Others use 4 oscillators and 2 detector circuits.

There's a section on this website called "What's a Theremin" that might answer a lot of your questions.

In simplest terms, the concept is to mix the output of 2 RF oscillators that are tuned to exactly the same frequency, then affect the frequency of one by an external stimulus (preferably your hand waving in front of an antenna!) and amplify the frequency difference signal. So if your oscillators were running at 800kHz and you made once shift to 799,600 the difference would be 400Hz (a tad bit flat of A below middle C on a piano).

As with everything else, the Devil's in the details ... making it sound good, making it more linear, etc.

Does that help?

One of those devilish details is just what creates the "external stimulous" and how to best "design" it ... ie. what works best for an antenna, what works best for tuning the antenna to your theremin, etc. There's always lots of discussion going on those topics here on TW.

Don

Thanks Don! I think that answers some of my questions!
Godspeed.

Google Kevin Kissinger or teslatheremin ;)!
Good Luck!
teslatheremin