Il Theremini is the latest theremin produced by Moog Music. We already talked about it at the time of its presentation at NAMM 2014, in this article.
We will not treat theremini here as theremin in the strict sense, we will see instead how to use it as a midi and / or CV controller.
This article is of interest to anyone who plays a musical instrument with hardware or software effects and wants to explore a new way of interacting.
After various considerations in this regard and initial negative first impressions, I believe that we should consider the theremini not as a new theremin but rather as another type of instrument, not necessarily aimed at classical thereminists looking for better products than Etherwave. Mike Adams, from Moog Music, attempted to explain something similar to the revolting thereminist community after the instrument's presentation, perhaps without much success. (Moog Music has updated the firmware with version 1.1 introducing "theremin mode", a mode closer to the tastes of classical thereminists.)
In any case Theremini is a digital product, exactly what a theremin should NOT be! Probably if the word did not appear in the name theremins, it would be a contactless synth and a very original midi / cv controller and not a theremin transgender as it was defined by someone!
In any case, I am not here to review company choices but rather to test a product that I believe, if framed well, has many possibilities in the field of experimentation. We want to explore the aspect of controlling, changing the parameters of a software or hardware, without get our hands dirty!
In this direction, as an experimenter and also as a thereminist, I can only be an enthusiastic user!
MIDI CONTROLLERS
The Theremini has a mini USB port that allows connection to a computer and the recognition of the device as midi controllers.
Let's say right away that it's not about playing a slave instrument through the theremin technique.
Theremini sends midi CC control messages, able to interact with any compatible peripheral. With 2 antenners, one for volume and one for pitch, it is possible to use 2 controllers independently.
I made a video that you can find at end of this article, to show some of the infinite possibilities.
To give an idea, moving around the antennas with a guitar, a flute or even with just the body, you can turn an effect on or off, control a wah-wah, increase a volume, add distortion by adjusting the amount… everything!
I also think of applications in the field of lighting, dance, theater ...
...
Software like Propellerheads Reason, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Audio, Steinberg Cubase, vst instruments, stand alone virtual instruments… they offer adjustable parameters via midi with a simple right button on a slider or knob (in the video, in this regard, we talk about Reason and Guitar Rig).
By default the CC control numbers are CC 20 for the pitch antenna and CC 2 for the volume. The values can be changed in the setting window (you can see where in the video).
CV CONTROLLER
The CV control, control voltage, is able to drive a large number of hardware and synth peripherals (in the video Moogerfooger mf-101).
Just connect the 1/4 jack output of the theremini to the CV IN of one of the parameters of the effect, filter or instrument you want to drive.
The game is done. Once assigned volume or pitch to the antenna just move!
OTHER NOTES ON CONTROLLING
The volume and pitch antennas have different sensitivity to movement. It is possible to calibrate or change the settings but different antennas remain. The volume is generally quicker in covering its range. The pitch is instead scaled and can jump from one value to another following one of the set scales (or none).
CV and MIDI can also be used simultaneously. So you can hook the midi controllers to the two antennas and use one of the two for a double CV function, controlling at the same time - with the necessary difficulties - 2 midi parameters and one hardware.
Although they are independent controllers, keep in mind that they are not suitable for precise settings. Moving in the space around one of the antennas it is in fact probable that the movement can partially have effects also on the other antenna.
Video
This video is an overview of the control possibilities of the theremini.
It shows the control of some parameters of the Malstrom synth in Reason, of Guitar Rig and of a Moogerfooger mf-101. Everything shown is easily applicable to other software / hardware.
I would also like to mention a second video which is not really of the theremini but is still about the use of the CV out of a traditional theremin. The video is visible here (already positioned at the point of interest)
- 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 Ping-Pong Stereo Delay
- Detachable pitch antenna with lower compartment for storage
- 3/8 ”Mic stand and Camera stand adapter
- High quality non-slip feet
Front panel
- 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
Back panel
- 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
- 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
USEFUL INFORMATION
Price: 299,00 euros
Website: MOOG MUSIC
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The Theremini is the new theremin by Moog. We presented it in a previous review when it was revealed at Namm 2014 here.
We don't want to discuss here about the quality of the theremini as theremin itself. So this review if written for any musician who uses hardware/software effects and wants to discover a new way to interact with.
I think theremini as a different kind of musical instrument, maybe not done for classical thereminists, looking for a more accurate theremin than the Etherwave – as Mike Adams, of Moog Music, somehow tried to explain/apology/justify after many critics coming from the theremin community. (Moog Music released the firmware update 1.1 adding the “theremin” mode that seems to go in the right direction for classical players.)
It's a digital stuff, exactly what a theremin it's not! If the name would have not included the word “theremin” it would have been a funny contactless synth/sound box and a promising original controller, not a transgender theremin as somebody called it. But that's not the point.
We want to explore here the midi and cv capabilities because as a contactless controller it opens new ways to any kind of musician using software/hardware effects. In this case, my opinion as experimental musician (and thereminist) is absolutely positive!
MIDI CONTROLLERS
Theremini has a mini usb connection to be used as Midi controller on a computer.
First let's say that you would not be able to play digital instruments in the theremin way or not as you can imagine.
What you can do is sending Midi CC signals to control every midi compliant software. Theremini has two antennas so you can have 2 independent controllers.
We realized a video – you find at the bottom of this review – to show the incredible possibilities you have.
To give an idea, just moving with your guitar/flute/body through the antennas, you can switch effects on/off or control an aerial wah-wah or pump up a volume without touching anything… infinite ways!
Just think in what you can do with lighting application, dancers interacting with midi devices, theatre.
...
Software-like Propellerheads Reason, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro, Steinberg Cubase, vst instruments, stand alone virtual instruments… all offer assignable midi controllers just right-clicking on sliders and knobs (you can see in the video how does it works with Reason and Guitar Rig).
By default, CC numbers are CC 20 for the Pitch Antenna and CC 2 for the Volume but you can easily change them in the Theremini settings section (you can see in the video where).
CV CONTROLLER
Control voltage is a 1/4 jack out capable of interacting with parameters of many hardware effects like Moogerfooger (in the video) and many hardware synths.
Just connect the CV OUT to one of the CV IN of your hardware to modify the desired filter/parameter. (in the video you see mf-101)
The CV control can be assigned to the pitch or the volume antenna (not both at the same time).
MORE ABOUT CONTROLLING
Volume Antenna and Pitch antennas have different sensitivity to the movement. In the setting you can modify a little or calibrate. In particular, the antenna volume is faster and with a shorter range; the pitch antenna has scaled values so it can jump from one value to another according to the musical scale you choose (you can switch the scale off).
CV and MIDI controllers can be used at the same time so you could control 2 software effects and one hardware at the same time (with 2 independent controllers).
The Antennas are independent controllers even if acting in the air, one movement can easily effect both the antennas. If you control by hand you can me more accurate but ie moving with the body around the antenna volume can slightly change the pitch too.
the video
This video explores some of the possibilities of the Theremini as controller.
You'll see the synth Malstrom and Reason midi controlled, Moogerfooger mf-101 CV controlled playing the guitar, Native Instruments Guitar Rig…
It can be of some interest an older video about the use of a theremin Pro CV to control a Moogerfooger. It's not a Theremini but the meaning is the same. You can watch here (directly from where the theremin is)
FEATURES
- Pitch correction w/ selectable scales and root note
- Built in tuner allows you to learn pitch and scales
- 32 Wavetable-based presets
- Built-in speaker
- Headphone output
- Two 1/4″ audio outputs
- Single Pitch CV output w/ selectable range
- User selectable scale and root note (stored per preset)
- User selectable range: highest note and lowest note (stored per preset)
- Adjustable Stereo Ping-Pong Delay
- Removable pitch antenna – built in storage compartment on bottom-side
- Built in 3/8” Mic stand and Camera stand adapter
- High quality rubberized feet
DIMENSIONS:
- 22.75”L x 6.5”D x 15”H w/antenna (4”H without)
- WEIGHT: 3lbs
FRONT PANEL
- LCD SCREEN: 128 X 64 pixel LCD with white backlight.
- HEADPHONE JACK: 1/8” (3.5mm)
- TRS headphone jack. Inserting a headphone plug will disable the internal speaker
- VOLUME KNOB: Controls headphone volume and built in speaker volume.
- PITCH BIAS KNOB: Determines the amount of pitch correction from 0% to 100%
- SCALE BUTTON: Select from a list of built in scales
- ROOT BUTTON: Select the root note to be used by the scale
- SETUP BUTTON: Provides access to the setup and calibration functions – also acts as a shift key.
- DELAY LENGTH BUTTON: Selects the length of delay: SHORT, MEDIUM, LONG, or OFF
- DELAY AMOUNT KNOB: Controls the amount of delay mixed with the dry signal.
- PRESET KNOB: Selects the preset played from a built in list of 32 presets
REAR PANEL
- LEFT OUTPUT: Line Level 1/4” unbalanced
- TS RIGHT OUTPUT: Line Level 1/4” unbalanced
- TS CV OUTPUT: 1/4” TS – 0-5V or 0-10V selectable
- USB: MiniB USB2.0 High Speed for USB MIDI
- KENSINGTON LOCK
- POWER SWITCH: Push ON / Push OFF
- POWER JACK: 12VDC/1.2A from 100–240VAC external supply(included)
PRICE: 299,00 euros
Website: MOOG MUSIC
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