SynthMakerTom7777 ·
As im not really great at working out schematics does anyone know the basic layout for a Theremin and how i could build one in SM and use sliders for the pitch and volume?
Theremin?
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skOre ·
well, the theremin is basically just a wave (sine?) of which you can control the pitch and volume with your hands. So what you want to do is not that hard 😉
Tom7777 ·
yeah but if i hook up a sine osc and change the pitch and volume it sounds nowhere near as sci-fi as a theremin does, there must be some other element to it, I know it involves the standard sine wave but this must be manipulated somehow.
skOre ·
the scifi just comes form controling the pitch and volume in a really strange manner, believe me 😉
sambean ·
Maybe make a large X-Y drag area so you can articulate subtle movements, or add an lfo to simulate shakey hands
Sam
Tom7777 ·
Ok, i will experiment with a sine wave and xy pad
angstrom ·
I had a quick google on this because I was quite sure that it isn't simply a sine
Harmonic content is another consideration when choosing an instrument. This primarily refers to the tonal coloration of the sound. Traditional theremins utilize a technique known as "heterodyning," and the harmonic content which results from this process causes the tone quality of the output to vary with pitch. Especially in the lower octaves, the output tends to be richer in odd-order harmonics, and as the pitch increases, the output becomes more sinusoidal. Breaking with tradition, some elaborate theremin-type instruments incorporate a digital interface for MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) equipped synthesizers, in which the voicing is provided the synthesizer rather than the theremin.
from http://home.att.net/~theremin1/article5.htm
most of them have a selectable wave thingy on them, sine(like) and square seem most popular
bear in mind that Theremin players would normally use a backline amp of some kind, this is going to affect tonality also. A soft saturation effect would probably do the job.
in terms of emulating playing I would avoid LFO , in my experience it doesn't sound authentic. If you have aftertouch on your keyboard use that as the pitch modulator.
use the keyboard for pitching with the mod wheel on porta speed, add minor bad tracking variations in by either using the aftertouch or a key triggered slew limited S&H to apply deviation.
Tom7777 ·
Thanks for the tips 🙂
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