How Theremins Really Work

Posted: 3/21/2013 1:46:30 AM 1

GordonC

From: Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK

Joined: 10/5/2005

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http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/circuit_diagram.png

Posted: 3/21/2013 2:28:41 AM 2

FredM

From: Eastleigh, Hampshire, U.K. ................................... Fred Mundell. ................................... Electronics Engineer. (Primarily Analogue) .. CV Synths 1974-1980 .. Theremin developer 2007 to present .. soon to be Developing / Trading as WaveCrafter.com . ...................................

Joined: 12/7/2007

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Hey!

Where did they get this draft of the TW Theremin from ???

Posted: 3/21/2013 3:21:56 AM 3

DOMINIK

From: germany, kiel

Joined: 5/10/2007

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Thanks Gordon! It´s very good.

Posted: 3/21/2013 4:42:58 AM 4

Chainsaw Willie!

From: Just a short walk away from Nike Missile Site S-13/14

Joined: 1/28/2011

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suddenly...

i recognized...

the flip flop.

Posted: 3/21/2013 10:18:39 AM 5

Thierry

From: Colmar, France

Joined: 12/31/2007

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It seems that grounding this theremin via holy water will strongly compress the voluptuous tones while the 666 timer IC risks to generate evil impulsions...

Posted: 3/21/2013 10:39:30 AM 6

coalport

From: Canada

Joined: 8/1/2008

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The diagram above is only valid for modern theremins. The RCA doesn't work on quite the same principle. One time I opened the cabinet doors of one of my RCA's and caught a little man in the act making the sound. He sits on a small stationary bicycle that generates electricity and sings into a minimike.

He looked a lot like a tiny Dr. Hoffman.

Posted: 3/21/2013 12:59:40 PM 7

Amethyste

From: In between the Pitch and Volume hand ~ New England

Joined: 12/17/2010

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ARGHHHHHH... I just noticed someone stole my "magic smoke"!!! I need my mojo back!

Posted: 3/21/2013 2:13:24 PM 8

FredM

From: Eastleigh, Hampshire, U.K. ................................... Fred Mundell. ................................... Electronics Engineer. (Primarily Analogue) .. CV Synths 1974-1980 .. Theremin developer 2007 to present .. soon to be Developing / Trading as WaveCrafter.com . ...................................

Joined: 12/7/2007

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"the 666 timer IC risks to generate evil impulsions..." - Thierry

I think you are missing the role of the sacrificial animals between the 666 and the holy water.. The role of sacrifice is well established, and the extra precaution of the holy smoke bypass should at least reduce any possibility of Armageddon.

The bit which puzzles me most is the mixer.. Is this a heterodyning blender or a chopper ?

Fred.

ps - please note.. "magic smoke" is a transcription error, as anyone can see from the bat (batman?) it should be "holy smoke"... or, if you like, "smoke" from a "hole"

Posted: 3/21/2013 2:43:08 PM 9

FredM

From: Eastleigh, Hampshire, U.K. ................................... Fred Mundell. ................................... Electronics Engineer. (Primarily Analogue) .. CV Synths 1974-1980 .. Theremin developer 2007 to present .. soon to be Developing / Trading as WaveCrafter.com . ...................................

Joined: 12/7/2007

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The most difficult aspect of this theremin is obtaining the required connection shown in the bottm left quadrant of the schematic.

The video below shows how this is done..

Posted: 3/21/2013 2:47:57 PM 10

Amethyste

From: In between the Pitch and Volume hand ~ New England

Joined: 12/17/2010

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Someone lost their vibrator?