Theremin?

[Dick Blaney]

Ah....The Theremin.... Many homebrew construction articles in Popular
Mechanics and Popular Science mags in the 40's and 50's.  Mechanix
Illustrated had some too.  It was one of the most used electronic musical
instruments for some of the wierd theme and background music in the Sci-Fi
movies, as well as mystery radio dramas of the 30's to the 50's.  Most were
tube types, since it's popularity was waning by the time transistors became
prominent.  Listen to some of the old radio broadcasts from that era, and
the sound is unmistakable.
73 de
Dick, WB8MHE
wb8mhe at bright.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Trask <ctrask at PRIMENET.COM>
To: BOATANCHORS at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV <BOATANCHORS at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
Date: Sunday, April 04, 1999 9:48 AM
Subject: Re: Theremin?


>On Sun, 4 Apr 1999, Will White wrote:
>
>> I just saw a very interesting video about Leon Theremin and his musical
>> "instrument," called a Theremin, which he invented in the 1930's. From
>> what scant technical information the film presented, I gather this was a
>> device composed of one or more oscillators, an audio amp, two antennas,
>> possibly an RF amp. All vaccum tube electronics, 'played" apparently by
>> using the hands around and about the device, varying hand capacitance
>> effects. Remember the Beach Boys tune "Good Vibrations" and that
>> wavering, organ-like sound? That's this thing.
>>
>> I seek further info about this odd marriage of radio and music, possibly
>> even a schematic. I'd like to give a shot at building one.
>> --
>>
>
>        The Theremin has a single oscillator.  The one "antenna" controls
>the pitch, or frequency, and the other controls the volume.  There have
>been a few commercial ones available over the years (I don't remember
>as to where), and there were some articles to build them in Popular
>Electronics and/or Electronics Illustrated back in the 60's.  I don't
>recall ever seen a vacuum tube version, but I'm quite sure that there
>must be one someplace.
>
>        I'm curious about the video.  Where did you see/find it?
>
>
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