Build a Pocket Theremin on the Cheap

"Designed by Russian physicist Leon Theremin circa 1919, the two-handed instrument was one of the first ever electronic musical instruments and the first instrument one could play without physically touching it. Thirty years after its invention, the Theremin was popularized by American synthesizer godfather Robert Moog in the 1950s and immortalized in the classic Sci-Fi flick The Day the Earth Stood Still.

A full-fledged Thermin will set you back nearly $400, but with the instructions below, you can build a pocket-sized Theremin-like instrument that won’t break the bank. Unlike the real McCoy which relies on grounded variable capacitance for changing frequency and volume with the wave of a hand, our Pocket Theremin uses variations in light for producing its unearthly vibrato.

Time: 3 Hours
Cost: $18.39
Difficulty: Easy
Parts

* (2) 555 timer IC (All Electronics #; $1.50)
* (2) CdS photocells (The Electronic Goldmine #G14025; $3.00)
* (2) .01 mF capacitors (All Electronics #; $0.60)
* (1) 1K resistor (All Electronics #; $0.50)
* (1) 5K potentiometer (All Electronics #VTP-5K; $1.00)
* (1) 2-Position PCB terminal (All Electronics #TER-202; $0.45)
* (1) 8-Ohm 1” speaker (All Electronics #SK-100; $1.15)
* (1) 9-Volt battery snap (All Electronics #BST-3; $1.00)
* (1) Split-Level shielded box (All Electronics #MB-100; $1.20)
* (1) Hookup wire (RadioShack #278-1224; $5.99)
* (1) 9V battery (available locally; $2) "

You can find the instructions and more on POPSCI.COM
" You can also get a Bleep Labs Thingamagoop for $100 plus shipping.

the office of the future

flickr by mtritter

full size

You might remember mtritter from his previous images of synths in similarly creative situations - baby stroller anyone?


ARP Sequencer

buchla,minimoog,tr 808,synthex,ems 256 sequencer

YouTube via emssynthi100
"fooling around,sorry about the levels and the poor pic."
The flashing bright light is the Minimoog's overdrive indicator triggered with the audio loopback trick - you take the audio out of the mini and bring it back into the audio in. The Buchla 200e is the more dense multi-colored LEDs.

CASIO MT-68 by S-CAT

YouTube via PHONICPOTION. "CIRCUIT BENT with 11 MODIFICATIONS"
See this previous auction post for more detail.

Korg MS2000 by syntezatory.prv.pl (1 of 2)

YouTube via Jexus

"2000 Korg MS2000. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. No effects whatsoever. Video editing by WC Olo Garb. ||| Syntezatory.prv.pl Videos: showing you not what a synthesizer can do, but what a man can do with a synthesizer."

The Analog Synthesizer Ensemble 040508 theremin Moog jam

YouTube via halmcgeevideo
"The Analog Synthesizer Ensemble during their April 5, 2008 recording session in Gainesville, Florida. Jay Peele on Moog Rogue, K Paul Boyev on Moog Voyager RME, and Hal McGee on Moog Etherwave Theremin, Moog MF-102 Ring Modulator, and Moog MF-104 Analog Delay."
Update: You can find their website here.

Psychosynth 0.1.1 (Reactable inspired synth) - Free Virtual Reactable

YouTube via handerpora
"This video shows the new features in Psychosynth 0.1.1, a free software innovative and collaborative soft synth inspired by the ideas of Reactable. The video features some loops by Shaker08 (http://www.myspace.com/shaker08). For more information visit: www.psychosynth.com"
If you don't know what Reactable is, click on the label below.

One more:

Psychosynth Test 2

"Development test of the a new free software synthesizer inspired by the Reactable ideas."

Update via Niall in the comments: "This reminds me superficially of the late, lamented Sonasphere."

Lecture Session with Don Buchla

"You all know about the Moog. But what about Don Buchla, the Californian synthesizer designer whose Buchla Series 100 was released mere months after Dr. Bob's first synth? His electronic music equipment company, Buchla and Associates, were commissioned by avantgarde composers Morton Subotnik and Ramon Sender to create something they could use in live performance - and since then he's been creating and designing a whole range of unusual electro-acoustic instruments and deeply desirable modular synths. That includes the intruiging Marimba Lumina, the classic 1970 200 Series Electric Music Box or indeed the hot little analogue cutie, 1972's Music Easel. Buchla's sonic toys combine a colourful aesthetic with supernatural sonic abilities. Genius alert!"
You can find the podcast interview on Red Bull Music Academy. via Ghostdog.
Update: also see Don Buchla - Passing The Acid Test where you can find the transcript and video of this (368K link).
BTW, you can search for some of the instruments Don Buchla mentions, including the Musical Telegraph, the Telharmonium, the Sal Mar, and more here on the top lef of the site.

Update: video is now embeddable:

Korg DSS1

YouTube via ZanBizar. "My favorite synthesizer at work"

Jomox T-Resonator and Moog Little Phatty 2

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"http://www.bigcitymusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bigcitymusicdo...
http://www.bigcitymusicblog.blogspot.com
Here are some more examples of the Jomox T-Resonator. Unfortunately Youtube is not usually stereo so this is mono. Modes 5 and 6 are reverb algorithms and mode 1 is chorus."