Modular Theremin Explorations by Wellurban

I wrote earlier about the possibilities of the A-178 Theremin Control Voltage Source outside the 'recreating a Theremin sound' spectrum.

The voltages out of the A-178 can be used for controlling any voltage controlled parameter of your Eurorack, like pitch or pulsewidth, loudness, panning, filter frequency or resonance from all of the filter modules, phasing, frequency shifting, envelope parameters and tempo, to name just a few.

YouTube user Wellurban created a video with some great examples...

Video: Modular Theremin Explorations by Wellurban

" Playing with a Doepfer A178 Theremin Voltage Source module to control various aspects of modular synthesiser patches (rather than just pitch and amplitude, as with a traditional theremin)."

Uploaded by wellurban

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/badtom

Random Video: Jamming on Doepfer A-100 Modular

Found on YouTube:
A short jam showing the possibilities of a Doepfer A-178 Theremin Controller and an A-198 Ribbon Controller combination.

Video: Jamming on Doepfer A100 Modular

" Edwin (Duo Blank) jamming on Doepfer A-100 modular synth triggering sounds notes through theremin and ribbon controllers."

Uploaded by duoblank

Theremin: Magic Ceramic Custom Synth

Happy New-Year everybody!
I hope you all had a great holiday season...
I found this one on the web, but it's not really new...

Video: Magic Ceramic Theremin Lamp Doepfer A-178

" The first test of the Magic Ceramic Theremin lamp. 

It was developed as a peculiar piece for the opening of the Exhibition of several ceramists in Gallery Artibrak. from November until 28th of December 2011.

A Theremin is normally step-less, but in this case an A-156 is used as a quantizer..

Small explanation for those who are not familiar:
In this magic piece of ceramic two antenna's are integrated. 

One antenna for the volume and one for the pitch. 

The instrument does not have to be touched. 

The volume can be controlled by your left hand (when approaching it the volume increases), the pitch can be controlled by your right hand (when approaching it, the pitch of the sound goes up). 

 By approaching the antenna's you are influencing the potential difference. 

Just like the antenna of your transistor radio which functions well or not when approaching it.

(Ceramic Art by Mance)

The Magic Ceramic is based on the original Theremin invented by Léon Theremin in 1919. 

That electronic instrument is step-less variable and very expressive. 

It sounds like an opera voice or violin.

This ceramic version of the instrument has a much more variety than it's original. 

You can make the sound stepless or let it be quantized, so that you hear a real tonescale/musical scale. 

The sinus-tone of the Magic Ceramic is quantized (chopped in pieces), and in the way it is presented now only the Minor notes are heard. (like the black keys on a piano) 

In this way the steps between the notes are bigger and easier to distinguish. 

Other possibilities are just Major notes or the complete tonescale, quantized or not. 

There is also a small sampler added, so when you reach the highest note a spoken voice can be heard."
More info HERE

Video uploaded by creativegallerysynth

New BNC Connectors For A-178 Theremin Antenna

It's good to see that Doepfer also keeps improving the older modules.
I already complained in July 2011 about the lousy connector of the A-178 Theremin antennas
(read the post HERE), and look now what they recently announced:

" From August 2012 an improved version for the antenna connector is used.

A so-called BNC connector is used to connect the antenna to the module (same type of connector as used in measuring equipment like oscilloscopes)."

The old A-78 antenna with mini-
jack connector

The new version of the module is so brand new that it still has to be sent to Doepfer's photographer for taking pictures.
The new model seems to have a completely different front panel and pc board.

If you are experienced with DIY you may replace the 3.5 mm socket by a BNC socket yourself and increase the diameter for the new connector in the front panel, but you can also place it parallel to the original antenna socket at the same height, but more to the right where there is more space behind the front-panel (at the other side of the PCB).

Doepfer wrote to me:
" We never tried it but it should be possible to remove the old miniature jack socket and widen the hole asymmetrically (i.e. not drilling it but using a rasp) so that the BNC socket can be mounted and manually wired to the pc board.
But I cannot guarantee that it works as I have no old A-178 available to try it out.
But you may also connect the BNC socket in parallel to the miniature jack socket.
Pay attention that an isolated version of the BNC socket is required
(no electrical connection to GND/front panel is allowed) ! "

The connectors are not available via Doepfer, but i did already place an order today for 2 new antennas (for 20 Euros each).
You can probably read more about this project next month...

Quick Tip VI : Theremin Antenna

By accident i learned that the same kind of thing that i advised for the A-198 Ribbon Controller (to remove the USB-cable from the controller after use, read the post HERE ) counts for the A-178 Theremin Controller's antennas as well...

If you, like i, have your A-100 system placed upright , the weight of the antennas is just a little bit too much for the mini jack connector.
The permanent sideways pressure, caused by the weight of the antenna can cause loose contacts of the connector. If you have your module installed on a flat (tabletop-like) surface the plugged-in antenna cause less sideways pressure and you'll probably be safe.

Although Doepfer uses a new type of jack sockets since 2003 with stronger springs and so-called "curly rear contacts",  loose contacts can hardly be prevented.
But don't worry, if this problem occurs it is not a huge problem because most of the times you can fix them yourself by following the instructions that you can find HERE.

In my humble opinion it is just better to unplug your antenna from your A-178 module when you are not using the Theremin functions.
Better be safe than sorry...

A-178 Theremin Control Voltage Source

The Theremin, invented in the late 1920's by Léon Theremin was one of the earliest electronic instruments.
The instrument is known for it's distinctive ( spooky ) sound, but most of all for it's playing method; Instead of playing it with a keyboard, the Theremin has antennas that sense the movement of the players hand, without touching the instrument.
Best known for playing the Theremin is Clara Rockmore, one of Theremins finest students.

Most theremins use two antennas, usually one for pitch and one for volume, so with two Doepfer A-178 Theremin Voltage Source modules, an oscillator (VCO) and an amplifier (VCA) module, it is quite easy to re-create the sound of a 'real' Theremin. You can even easily extend that sound by patching in filters or other modules.

And again, that is what makes the A-100 modular so versatile. 

Instead of just recreating the original Theremin you can use the module as a control voltage source for other modules. 

The voltages can be used for controlling any voltage controlled parameter of the A-100, e.g. pitch or pulsewidth (VCO A-110/111), loudness (VCA A-130/131/132), panning (A-134), filter frequency or resonance from all of the filter modules, phasing (A-125), frequency shift (A-126), resonance peaks (A-127), envelope parameters (A-141/142), and tempo (A-147), to name just a few ;-)

The Gate-output with adjustable threshold (not available on the original Theremin) is a nice extra output. I often use this for (re-) triggering notes or filter effects, but it can also be used for starting sequences (A-155) or for reset or switching functions (A-152).

Doepfer recommends if two or more A-178 are used the distance between the modules/antennas should be at least 30 cm to avoid interference.