Theremin-sensor construction

|Abstract|

What is the difference between the Theremin-vox and Theremin-sensor? Theremin-vox is a musical instrument, which produces musical sound; Theremin-sensor is a controller. It controls data to play with computer software. Analog t-sensors are based on classical Theremin heterodyning principle and specially developed circuitry to produce super sensitive control. They produce audio output with the pitch related to the distance between the body and antenna. With a computer one could measure velocity of changes (body movement near antenna, air flow, water drops near antenna etc.), direction of motion, changes in motion, periodicity of changes etc. Unlike any classical Theremin, t-sensor is convenient in case you need to analyze the motion of the dancers or performers on the stage or to work with the distant sensitive objects in the interactive installation. The sensor box and receiver are separated and connected to each other with the long cable. All controls are built in a receiver, normally located near the operator's computer. The main advantage is no need in tuning on stage. Operator can realize any adjustment even during the performance, which is very important for any interactive audio/video installations and live performance situation. Most recent digital USB d-sensors are based on alternative direct-control principle. Unlike any classical Theremin designs and previous analog t-sensors, they have one main advantage - NO ANALOG TUNUNG IS NEEDED AT ALL! After any change of a hardware configuration, system produces self-adaptation and tuning by software means. Any conductive media could be connected to d-sensor as an antenna: metal objects, foil, water, human body, plants and vegetables, metal threads, thin plastic films with metallization, all sorts of Christmas stuff, conductive fabrics and clothes etc. to monitor variations of air flows, mechanical vibrations, changes of electrical capacitances of different conductive medias etc. No need in screwdriver to fight with coils! Just plug and play. D-sensors are ideal for live interactive performance and long-term interactive audio/video installations to avoid any need in continuous maintenance by the personal. We also could call them PLUG-AND-PLAY THEREMIN.


This intensive 4-days workshop is focused on the construction of the Theremin sensor. In the end of the workshop you will have a self made and working interactive sensor system.

|You will learn|

Solder sensors
Tune all sorts of sensors
Connect sensors to computers and build appropriate patches
Get the interactive system working
Solve hidden problems.

|Regulations|
The workshop is open to sound & media artists, composers/musicians and anyone with an interest in interactive systems and musical technology.
15 participants max.

Each participant should have:
Soldering tool and all related materials
Computer with sound input and headphones
At least some knowledge in radio-electronics
Good skills in soldering

|Schedule|

19.06.07 - Schematics and soldering. Learning some basic features of the systems, based on sensitive antennas.
16:00 - 17:00 - Theoretical introduction: history, aesthetics, technology
17:00 - 22:00 - Hands on

20.06.07 - Soldering, tuning.
16:00 - 17:00 - Further introduction
17:00 - 22:00 - Hands on

21.06.07 - Soldering, tuning, hot riding, experimentation.
16:00 - 17:00 - Introduction: antenna design, applications overview
17:00 - 22:00 - Hands on

22.06.07 - Final tuning, hot riding, antenna design, experimentation.
16:00 - Workshop up to presentation.
21:00 - Presentation of the outcome

|Hardware|
Sensor kit includes:
One sensor printed circuit board
All appropriate electronic components
One Theremin-coil - the core of the sensor

Interface kit includes:
One interface printed circuit board /to connect up to four sensors/
All appropriate electronic components
Appropriate MAX/MSP and PD patches to start with.

The instructor will provide sensor and interface kits.
Sensor, connected to interface with shielded cable, produce complete working system, providing analog FM signal with 10 khz carrier frequency. The Interface could be connected directly to the audio input of sound card of the computer to work with special MAX/MSP or PD patches. It is a compromise to build a cheapest Theremin-sensor system. The disadvantage of this solution - dependency on existence and quality of sound card, more processor power needed, one audio input occupied. To make complete digital USB sensor system we need to connect sensor interface to ARDUINO microcontroller. All appropriate PD and MAX/MSP objects as well as ARDUINO software and drivers will be provided. System could be powered from USB plug of the computer or any separate power adapter /7-9 v., DC/. No cases, plugs, power supplies and cables as well as ARDUINO boards will be provided with kits.

|Software|

Sensor kit includes:

The workshop is mainly oriented to MAX/MSP/Jitter and Pure DATA users. In fact, any other software, capable to communicate by means of OSC or MIDI is useful in case you are skilled enough user to get your system working with those protocols. All appropriate PD and MAX/MSP patches and objects as well as ARDUINO software and drivers will be provided.

|About Andrey Smirnov|

http://asmir.theremin.ru/asmir.htm