"The PHOENIX rose from the ashes towards a Sun that was Shining. . ."

 
Rising Spirit of Theremin

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.Build a Theremin

- Re-create the Original Classic Theremin Sound with Transistors -



Circa 1935

In my Vision the theremin was revealed as art, stand alone simplicity revealing beauty. The pitch rumbled low, yet sang with the angels. Arm and hand movements control the range of volume, octave change and pitch. It is interesting to me that a beautiful sound is easier to play. It is as if the theremin finds joy in expressing herself. This theremin is reality and affordable for those who wish to share in the dream of Lev Sergeyevich Termen . . . Christopher    November 15, 2003

Build the Classic Theremin Phoenix => Go Here                       


The Phoenix fits perfectly in an EtherWave Standard box.

EWS Solid-State.wav this is raw with no reverb and direct to sound card.

Switched On Clara
webpage

Build a pitch/volume theremin better in design & sound than Clara Rockmore's, around $100

The analog Phoenix theremin is 10 years old, now revealed to the public 9.26.18 
The digital people made big claims back then... years later they delivered R2D2 on a kazoo.

If there is any interest there are some areas I would like to better explain before you build.

The latest build PDF should be posted in January 2019

Post your interest in my Chat Forum maybe others can eventually trade ideas.

Visit oldtemecula at Theremin World for my latest thoughts.

Mouser Parts List

Schematic it could be re-drawn, some corrections on sheet below

Schematic corrections to the drawing of the audio section above.


PDF pattern to make your own PCB boards, this is with the latest mods

Top Silkscreen & Bottom Copper

I am making some modifications so check back in January 2019

The new Phoenix 2020 build sneak peek over here


I am putting together a Phoenix to be sent to the great-grandson of Lev Termen himself in
 St. Petersburg, Russia for an independent evaluation. Not until this is done can I complete
 the modifications to the latest PDF

Will also add a how to make the PCB webpage without heat and pressure, fascinating!

Phoenix Features:
Perfect Pitch Field linearity of 7 octaves of any width.
The Classic Old School Theremin Sound, not a cheap whistle.
Pitch Null
Volume Null
Mic to Line level Output adjust
Instead of Tone, I call it a Brightness knob for your sound.
On board Pitch Preview amp with Volume control
You can get that walking bass effect by tapping the loop

All of this fits inside an EWS box so find one cheap that does not work.

If you succeed building the Phoenix you will have Clara's voice for a little over $100. You will be compared to or will be even better than a finely tuned RCA, yes that Hoffman instrument. My hope is to be able to share practical information in bite size amounts from my feeble aging mind as we go forward. When you listen to what the digital people are doing, something about the theremin is sadly being lost.

Post your interest in my Chat Forum maybe others can eventually help one another.

Build the Classic Theremin Phoenix => Go Here

Post your interest in my Chat Forum.
.

My friend had a nice whistle with his electro-theremin or what he just called The Box

Paul Tanner

The Tannerin of Master Builder Tom Polk is an excellent design, construction and sound.


Some Basic Theremin Builds

The Thierrymin
Good

Opto-VCO
Clever

The Audurino Uno
Excellent

My Opto-VCO has pitch & volume control with better sound than the other two links. It is the engine to build an Optical Theremin, Electro-Theremin/Tannerin or Cello and have that sweet sound.

Purchase EtherWave Components
Genuine Moog Music

EtherWave Std Tips & Tricks
Everyone Should Learn To Tune it

The theremin is the only musical instrument played without touching anything!
.


Below are creative Phoenix designs by Master builder Dana Abbott (RIP)

The time has come in the new millennium to evolve into what a true theremin design should demonstrate.
A design that allows the audio/visual expressions of the Thereminist to be intimately experienced.

Notice the clean lines of Dana's designs with no dangling cords, they exit out the bottom. 
.

"The foolish will tell you it is the way the theremin is played that develops the interesting voice... 
without mentioning you need to have a good sound first."

 

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