click here to go to the THERAMIN DEVELOPMENT PAGES

Capacitive Musical Instruments under development at present.

These include:

TherAmin - [Project Delayed - Epsilon first] Modular Theremin with LINEAR distance to Pitch relationship, Auto Calibration, Definable octave span, and Directional Antennas.

TherAsynth - [Project Delayed - Epsilon first] An expanded version of TherAmin, with full Analogue Synthesiser.

Epsilon - A capacitive sensing ‘keyboard’ (no keys!) - Horizontal hand movement (X) linearly controls pitch, and can span between 2 and 9 octaves over its 60cm length. Forward / Backward movement (Y) controls harmonics, Up / Down (Z) movement (distance from antenna keyboard surface) controls volume (amplitude / dynamics).

The antenna array is fitted in a flat 60cm x 12cm sandwich, which is mounted in the lid of the unit - the unit has a sloping front panel with controls + LCD display, Size of unit L = 63cm W = 20cm  H = 10cm. External Outputs include Pitch Voltage (1V/Octave), Effect Voltage (Y), Volume Voltage (Z), Triggers, Audio. An Audio input is also provided to allow external signals to be processed by the synth, or to allow Epsilon to act as a capacitively controlled VCF / VCA effects unit.

Epsilon will be available as a controller only, and (for only a slightly higher price) controller combined with analogue synthesiser.

FrAedoM - [ This will now be a portable version of Epsilon] A version of TherAmin / TherAsynth which is mobile can be worn / carried by the performer in a manner similar to an electric guitar

Flewt - A range of wind instruments where volume is primarily determined by breath (breath can also be programmed to alter harmonics and cause pitch to shift in octave intervals) and Pitch is determined by position of hand / fingers on the instrument. Harmonics and pitch can also be programmed to change as a function of proximity / pressure of hand against the instrument body.  www.Flewt.co.uk

Other Music Products under development:

Custom IC’s

Due to supply and other problems, these products have been delayed.

A.) Audio Frequency to CV processor [FDLV_01] .. This is an 8 pin DIL IC which takes a monophonic audio input, and (with minimum external circuitry) outputs a 1V/Octave control voltage. 10 octave range, Better than 1 cent accuracy. Log conversion performed digitally at 32 bits with 16 bit output resolution. Update speed 1 audio cycle + 1ms. No thermal calibration required, no thermal related drift problems from the Log converter.

B.) Exponential conversion processor [FDLM_01] .. This (with minimum external circuitry) takes a linear voltage input (1V/Octave), and provides an exponential voltage / current output (V or I / Hz). Exponential conversion performed digitally at 32 bits with 16 bit output resolution. 10 octave range, No thermal calibration required, no thermal related drift problems from the Exponential converter.

E.) Synchronous envelope timing generator [FDLG_01]. This (with minimum external circuitry) takes a audio input, and outputs required timing pulses to allow precise envelope tracking - Envelope of incoming audio produces a synchronously rectified DC output which is updated every cycle of incoming audio. Trigger output is also provided.

The above ICs can be used in a wide range of synthesis applications. FDLM_01 is designed to replace exponential converter components in VCO's, VCF's etc - The transistor based exponential converters are prone to severe thermal drift, have limited accurate conversion range, and require expensive ($15) Tempco resistors. The cost of this IC is likely to be lower than the cost of a single Tempco!

Other:

Various mixed signal processors to implement linear high frequency capacitive sensing voltage controlled oscillators HFVCO's - These are for the capacitive sensing (antenna) aspects of the Theremins, reference oscillator/s, Auto-calibration, etc.

Synth Modules:

 Due to supply and other problems, these products have been delayed.

A range of unique Analogue synthesiser modules have been developed, and are at a pre-production prototype phase. These modules include:

FDL dual VCO - Provides all the waveforms found in the classic synthesisers, and many more.

FDL VCF - This is an entirely new design incorporating the best features of the Moog Ladder VCF and the Steiner Multi-mode VCF.  TRUE 24db / octave over full Audio spectrum, adjustable Q to self oscillation

FDL VCA - Again, an entirely new design - uses diode ladder as transconductance element, Flat (+3db) response over full audio spectrum, Attenuation to at least 88db. This VCA produces pleasant distortion when overdriven, similar to the distortion from an overdriven MiniMoog VCF.

             NOTES / DISCUSSION / PRELIMINARY DETAILS / NEWS / PROBLEMS etc..                                                 click here to go to the THERAMIN DEVELOPMENT PAGES

[Home] [DEVELOPMENT] [SCRAPBOOK]