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Another D-Lev Digital Theremin Build Project

Posted on by by Posted in DIY, Electronics, Musical Instruments, Theremins

D-Lev Model P3, Serial Number 0002

This is my latest D-Lev prototype built for Eric Wallin.  It’s basically a white version of the first red one finished a few weeks ago.  I’ve tacked on a video demonstration at the end to prove that it works before I send it to him.
 
 
 
 
A long time ago I offered to build a finished theremin for Eric (Dewster) over at Theremin World (www.thereminworld.com) as a way of repaying him for sharing all of his secrets and letting me be the first early adopter of the D-Lev. At the time the idea was that his custom theremin would be the D-Lev “Tour” model which he had envisioned as road-worthy travel case with stowed antennas that would not just carry the theremin; it would be the theremin.  But too many undefined design issues and my thinly veiled lack of interest in making something like that led to the whole concept being back-burnered.
 
Finally a couple years later after coming up with a sort-of replicable design I decided to just build up an extra and give him a second model of my P3 enclosure and electronics, whether he wanted it or not, and consider it a promise fulfilled.
… Read the rest

Building a Reproduction Moog Melodia Theremin

Posted on by by Posted in DIY, Electronics, Odd, Odd, Strange, & Curious, Restorations, Strange, Theremins, Vintage

My completed reproduction of a 1960s-era Moog Melodia. Glamour shot by Becky Hart.

This model lacks the traditional volume loop antenna on the left side, instead using a plate of metal on the end of the cabinet (not visible here).

Why Build a Circa 1965 Theremin?

I don’t know why I became fascinated with the Moog Melodia enough to want to build a reproduction.  The physical appearance is very basic, and it has no timbre control, so you’re stuck with a single voice.  Part of the motivation for the project is that I enjoy doing restorations and have a great appreciation for the craftsmanship of antique and vintage items.  I also enjoy building from scratch, especially if the project has a nice mix of woodwork, metalwork, and electronics. With the Moog Melodia I get all of these.  I had no expectation going in that this was going to be a great theremin, but in the end it turned out to be better than expected, and it was fun to try to build something different.

I think the fact that the Melodia is well-documented helped to keep the scope of the project down to something that I was willing to do alongside other projects that are also competing for time.… Read the rest


A Homemade Progressive/Universal RF Coil Winder

Posted on by by Posted in DIY, Electronics, Odd, Strange, & Curious, Theremins, Tools & Machinery, Vintage

The mostly-completed progressive/universal coil winder. The universal portion is my adaptation of Morris Coilmaster design with some added features. The progressive feature is new. All parts were designed in Fusion360 with the exception of the very nice 3-jaw chucks posted by user “mdkendall” on Thingiverse.com (link in text below).

A few years ago I became fascinated (obsessed) with theremins to the point that I’ve ignored maintenance of this website and I’m pretty sure I can’t even play guitar anymore.  The theremin is a miserably difficult instrument to play, but in the early morning hours when no one else can hear me I find a deep satisfaction in playing a musical instrument that almost seems to be connected directly to my brain.  If you can think of a melody you can play it (how well you can play it is another matter).

It’s strange that I resisted the theremin for so long in my younger years.  It is a natural fit in that it is an electronic instrument that uses radio frequencies and oscillators and filters, all stuff that I’ve been into since my pre-teen years.  The theremin story is for another time, though.  This project, a coil winder that allows one to make high-frequency coils with winding patterns that are impossible to do by hand, is actually a side task for a theremin construction project that I’ve managed to stretch out for over a year now. … Read the rest