Here we are! We were right! NAMM 2014, Moog will present the new Theremin THEREMINI.
The news was leaked in a sort of NAMM Leak. The rumors on the net had multiplied in the last hours.
Here are the preview photos.
The strength of the new instrument is the assistive pitch correction which allows any musician to easily achieve the desired pitch before of which the note produced is heard, it is in practice an autotune, a corrector boxes the notes in the chosen scale and at the desired tonality, thus making (almost) impossible miss an execution.
Let's see the features in detail
• Pitch correction with selection of scales and base notes
• Integrated tuner
• 32 Wavetable presets
• Integrated speaker
• Headphone output
• 2 1/4 ″ audio outputs
• Single Pitch CV output with selectable range
• USB jack for MIDI connectivity
• Selectable range with choice of minimum and maximum note
• Integrated stereo Ping-Pong Delay
• Removable pitch antenna with lower compartment for storage
• 3/8 ”Mic stand and Camera stand adapter
• High quality non-slip feet
On the front panel, there are:
- 128 × 64 pixel LCO screen with white backlight
- headphone output jack, in ⅛ ”TRS mini jack format; inserting the jack disables the built-in speaker
- volume knob for adjusting the listening level in headphones and on the built-in speaker
- pitch bias knob, for pitch correction adjustment (0 to 100% auto correction)
- scale button, for selecting the desired scale
- root button, for the specific root note required for execution
- setup button, to access the calibration / shift key functions
- delay length button, for the (cyclic) selection of short, medium, long or off values
- delay amount knob, to dose the wet / dry balance of the effect
- preset knob, for selecting the 32 available preset locations
On the rear panel there are:
- left and right output, on a pair of unbalanced ¼ ”connectors
- pitch CV out, on unbalanced ¼ ”line connector, with selectable range 0-5 or 0-10 volts
- USB 2.0 mini connector for MIDI over USB transmission
- Kensington lock slot (you never know ...)
- power switch on / off
- power jack, for connection with the supplied power supply, 12VDC / 1.2A, self configuring 100-240VAC
Aesthetically it looks very futuristic, it leaves me a bit perplexed by the abandonment of wood for alternative materials. The choice of glossy white is somewhat reminiscent of some oriental theremin.
As a thereminist I would say that Moog has decided to take the bull by the horns and simplify the Theremin. Auto tune, selectable scales, delay ... in short, it seems a product destined for mass consumption, the dream of every thereminist on the one hand but it could also be the contamination of the historical analog sound that we are used to hearing.
The integrated speaker seems to indicate an all-in-one and plug and play direction.
It is too early to make qualitative assessments. At the opening of NAMM, January 23, it will be officially unveiled. We wait to hear it.
- ON / OFF power button
- External power supply included 12VDC / 1.2A from 100–240VAC
- Dimensions: 57,79cm L x 16,51cm D x 38cm H with antenna (10cm without)
- Weight: 1,36Kg
It should be on the market ad April 2014 and cost around 299,00 euro including VAT (even the price seems to be "national popular")
See you next news
Fabio Pesce
