[Steve Hobley] built a Theremin interface board that tracks pitch and volume. Using this setup he’s able to pass data over a midi interface which effectively converts the instrument into a non-contact midi controller. As we joked in the headline, this does allow for the use of autotune, by snapping notes that are sharp or flat to the center of the nearest pitch. But you should watch the video after the break to see [Steve] show off the other features as well. A keyboard can be used to seed a starting pitch, with arpeggios of several different tonalities built on top of it based on the input from the Theremin.
Want the details? Unfortunately you’ll have to pay for the schematics. But the concept is still just as interesting to read about, even if you don’t know what went into the system.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sE2yS3CUno&w=470]
Holy *!@#$ I was wanting to build this exact thing for a friend’s interactive music/art display… Use your MIDI device (keyboard) to lend the voice and the theramin would supply the note and pitch bend data
@Erik Check out MouSing. It is an old win95 program that lets you use your mouse as a theremin. As the once owner of a theremin, I can tell you it would be a little weird to control the note as such. I suppose if you had an old Poly61 with a joysick for DCO and filter, you could even patch the theremin back into that hardwired. Otherwise, kick it to NRPN CC and have a field day with midi :) There hsould be many CV to MIDI schematics out there and a few kits that may speed things up for ya :) I know for a fact that a german guy has done an easy one with ableton and a monotron :) Could be a jumping off point :) Google Korg monotron mod bent and you should see the vid :)
This is amazing. The closest thing available is from PAIA, who sell an excellent theremin kit with CV outputs for pitch, volume, gate, velocity… which you could readily convert to Midi. But that midi-in aspect is something else!
I updated the post to include some of the details/schematic of the audio processing system.
Cheers,
Steve
@carbundle cool, I was going to go the MCU route using a simple freq. counter, or FFT or some such to pick out the notes and deviation thereof then output the proper MIDI signals. I don’t want to involve a traditional computer/laptop whatsoever. It all sounds simple enough, laziness is always the biggest hurdle :)
I’m going to steal the idea to manipulate & playback played on the keyb from this, that’s friggin’ cool.
Gesture control and this would be dead on. Kinect sensing and chord creation should go hand in hand.
I always hated `one finger’ chords, all different and confusing.
http://www.vimeo.com/5426041
3-2 years ago I connected my paia theremin to puredata (as you can see 12 bits of resolution).
Here be that sauce code
http://pastebin.com/FFh4dP4x