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“The world is a university and everyone in it is a teacher. Make sure when you wake 
up in the morning, you go to school.”
  - T. D. Jakes
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Phoenix 2020

Electrodeum

- The PDF Toner Transfer Files to make the PCB's are found Below -

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

Go to Download Phoenix 2020

This idea was first brought to my attention by Brian Wilson when he demonstrated a theremin he had in 1965 and mentioned the one he experienced as a child. Later as fate would have it, I became friends with Paul Tanner and his wife Jan. Paul never called it anymore than his Paul's Box. It was the media hype calling it a theremin. This caused Paul's success with the Beach Boys to be severely overshadowed by anal retentive washed up musicians... and it still happens in this age when anything can be called a theremin, now these people are creepy. He apologized to me as if he needed too, and that still bothers me today, thinking the noise most Thereminist are making is also not a theremin. 

Dr. Paul Tanner has taught over 75,000 students music and jazz in his 23 year career at UCLA, in that he will always shine. 

"Paul had a passion for music, if you look at the date of when he died six years ago, and of Valery's video date below, coincidental? 
Maybe Paul's selfless giving of all that he had, is reflected in "The Swan"

- By "bewitching design" he brought more attention to the Theremin than anyone had before, 
let's finally give him the recognition he deserves -

Trombonist with Glenn Miller Band from 1938-1942 (Lived: October 15, 1917 – February 5, 2013)


The Seventh Connection: Lev Sergeyevich Termen, Clara Rockmore, Samuel Hoffman, Brian Wilson, Paul Tanner, Peter Pringle and then me Christopher S Becker.

Nothing in my design is copied from any previous designs. It is developed around the "Becker Electrodeum" which by "nature" gives a perfectly linear Pitch Field and sings in a beautiful timbre, not a cheap whistle. It uses phenomena that will never be seen in computer modeling. In a way it compliments the work of Lev Sergeyevich Termen but using a different approach. Not wanting to be an imitation or copy of anyone else I will call it the Phoenix Electrodeum. Theremin like but possibly better?

- This webpage explores recapturing an original classic sound -

Musicians why did nasty reverb replace the Timbre, Color and Quality of Sound?

Raw Sample.wav
Solid State RCA (buzzy)

Low End.mp3
Smooth Low End

Original Classic.wav
Electrodeum with Tubes

- I heard a whisper "true beauty is hidden within simplicity" -

Electronic parts are around $100 for a pitch/volume NPN transistor theremin with results better than the 
vacuum tube designs!

Theories on these WebPages are my observations, there is always room for improvements or opinion change. Let's get back to real creative experimentation and not imitation. The Electrodeum is a electronic build project, if it is musically playable is not for me to say.

Phoenix Electrodeum Features:

Perfect Pitch Field linearity up to 6 octaves of any width.
The Classic Old School Fat Sound, not a cheap whistle or kazoo.
Pitch Preview with Amp 
Drift resistant in normal indoor use, user balance adjustment 
Volume - wide or narrow window of control
(>24") smooth quiet side
Volume - Rapid Hand Pop On Loud
Volume - mute switch
Mic to Line level Output adjust
Output Mono/Stereo s
electable for computer input.
Static Discharge Proof

Knobs:
Pitch Null
Volume Null
Volume - normal, softer, snappy, mute
Timbre Control for Color -
mellow - vocal - excited violin, all morphing through a dynamic range.

The Pitch & Volume use the same board, make two of them

DIY -  PDF Toner Transfer Files

Coming Soon

- Commercially Made PCB's will be available -

* This will fit inside an EWS box, purchase one cheap that does not work. *


Pitch Board
Revision in Process


Theremin2@oldtemecula.com
<= 
Get Update  =>

Volume Board
Revision in Process

 The Basic Build
Valery S begins to assemble

The β Pitch Antenna 
(The Becker Electrode)

Make Your PCB's
(video instructions)

Theory of Operation
Phoenix 2020

Tannerin

Original Circuit Designs 
From a 15 year Journey


- If you have never played or built any other theremin design, this should not be your first! -
If you are a seasoned electronic engineer, please go elsewhere, this is too simple for you

The latest almost complete schematic drawn by Peter N of Slovenia.


This is recorded 2.4.19 by Valery S of St Petersburg Russia
It is sitting on top of the box I shipped it in.

* I will not be able to help most troubleshoot *
I have a date with destiny


Peter Theremin and Valery Shamarin doing an end of 2020 Theremin Phoenix performance.


Mouser Parts List  
- parts list is for one board -
This is more up to date on hidden webpages

Always Check List For What is Out of Stock!

* This will fit inside an
EWS box, purchase one cheap that does not work. *

Two pc boards 75mm x 200mm = 400mm length

* substitute anything you will fail *
* a direct earth ground is a must *


Purchase from Amazon:

Link - 1' 3.5mm Male Right Angle to 3.5mm Female Gold Stereo Audio Cable, 
         
dangle 3 outside EWS box for easy Power & Audio & Preview connection (Ideal)

Link - 12 volt AC transformer with earth ground prong, ideal for this project.
(Ideal)
        
You need a good earth ground, 12 volts AC, DC or Switching Supply will work
          
Connect the proper length TRS cable to the transformer for connecting to the Phoenix 2020.

Link - β Antenna C-253 spring/coil for an ideal linear pitch field
(a modern day discovery) (Ideal)

Link - old Acorn End Cap Flag Pole Topper Finial (Fits 3/4 in. Pole)

Link -   you could use 2 @ 6 ft or more for audio output to computer & power supply connection

Link - Ferric Chloride PCB Etchant visit this page for an alternative


Link - Copper Clad Single Side PCB Laminate Board 12" x 12" (one piece you cut 3" x 8" or 75 x 200)
           This ships from Parts Express

Link - Tinnit to Tin plate your board, highly recommended, follow my directions.
        
This ships from Parts Express - so ship with copper clad board to save on shipping.


Link - Plastic 18" Sleeve to keep circulating air off the sensitive spring/coil pitch antenna.  
        
Arrived in 4 day USPS    Home Depot has online products

Link - Extra clamp to keep Electrodeum pitch antenna securely in place.

Link - 1/4" x 1/4" x 3' square wood dowel to support β Antenna spring/coil (get at local hardware store)


Extras:

Link - Vactrol VTL5C1 used in my PWM volume control. Higher last numbers will not work, too slow.

Link - Use for no heat Toner Transfer to copper clad board, Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover 

Link - $14 VOM Meter with Transistor, Hfe, Frequency, Capacitance, etc Amazon

Link - Jonard Tools AT-6241 Non Conductive Alignment Screw Driver 7"

Link - Jonard Tools AT-6241 Pack of 10 Amazon

Link - $20 TaoTronics Wireless Portable Bluetooth Transmitter Amazon

Link - $20 Bluetooth Headphones, Hussar Magicbuds
Amazon 

Link - Acetone ?

Link - EWS 5-Pin Din Socket

* This project will fit inside an EWS box, purchase one cheap that does not work. *

download

 Latest date of download 1.02.2021

theremin2@oldtemecula.com

* This link gives you the entire Phoenix 2020 Website in a 150 meg Zip file *

Here you will find the hidden WebPages with new ideas. That folder section begins with letter S Download this to a USB stick and then unzip it on the same stick. It should work like you are on this website.

I will add new stuff to this file as I make changes, check for latest date

- One day this website will go away and you will have a copy to share -

 

My personal expression:

"In life do something beautiful and do it well with your moment on earth."

Christopher (oldtemecula)

* This is Not a Beginner Electronic Project *

Only you know your skill level. You will be mostly on your own. This webpage is to show you what I have learned over my 20 year theremin journey. I am not here to be your teacher and you build at your own risk. If you follow my directions perfectly and do not substitute anything you will have built the finest theremin ever conceived in response and sound. With an open mind you just might discover something new. The theremin is a never ending journey.

5199 1.02.2021

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