JHS Mods Synth Drive Effects Pedal On Theremin

[Ny13Dan]

how does this actually work? whar kind of wichcraft is it?

[ThomasGrillo]

@Ny13Dan Theremins are electronic instruments. They use beat frequency oscilators that produce tone, and are controled by the capacitence changes made by the musician's presense, and changing distances from the two antennas (capacitence plates), which are connected to the circuit. It's a bit like a motion sensor. No witchcraft required. However, playing, and watching theremin performances can be rather magical experiences if played well. More info at my site and thereminworld on the web. :)

[Timthecommie]

How much would a theremin + these mods cost?

[ThomasGrillo]

@Timthecommie It depends on the model of theremin. The theremin seen here was discontinued a few years ago. However, most beginner, and intermediate theremins run between $200, and $400. The effects pedal is around $100 to $200 depending on model, and features.

Check my channel, and web page for links to theremin manufacturers, their costs, ect. ;)

[MitjaShi]

Hey, what is the difference between Etherwave Standard and Plus? Thanks.

[ThomasGrillo]

@MitjaShi Hello. The Etherwave Standard is just the theremin. The Etherwave Plus features CV outs to control synthesizers, and other effects gear which take advantage of CV. It also has pitch preview with a volume knob to adust the preview volume separately from the main line level volume out. The tonal charactor is identical in both models.

[MitjaShi]

@ThomasGrillo ok, thanks, I'm considering getting a theremin somewhere in the future. It needs more popularity :)

[ThomasGrillo]

@MitjaShi You're welcome. It really does need more exposure. World thereminization is a common goal for thereminists the world over. ;)

[djjmria]

lol, a theremin is so badass cool!

[ThomasGrillo]

@djjmria Indeed, they are. LOL :)

[SirRoachtokeMacPuff]

Hey, I was just wondering if that theremin has MIDI out.

[lolocaustism]

Doesn't seem likely... but you can always use 1/8" jack to mic in or 1/4" jack to a mixer or DI box or any number of combinations with adaptors, then you should be able to edit the sound on a music editing software.

Another thing I would suggest is recording a range of notes as bit as you want then putting them into say Logic 8 pro's EXS24 custom instrument option. After that you should be able to aply midi controllers to the sounds and play them in on your keyboard as if it were midi

[ThomasGrillo]

@SirRoachtokeMacPuff Sorry for the delay in response. This theremin has no midi. However, Moog Music made one called the Ethervox which had midi.

[ScottWarnerMusic]

Distortion sounds like a trumpet!!

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. That's one of the things I like about that pedal. :)

[PillsKillsKIlls]

Summer time, and the living is easy . . . .

great job man, nice playing

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. :)

[Pikachu25sci90vt]

Do most therimins hava a filter knob? I've looked at several more videos of therimins (besides yours) and found the sound of them to be a little filtered.

[ThomasGrillo]

It depends on the model, but a lot of the more intermediate to professional theremins have either filter, or waveform / brightness knobs to control tonal charactor.

Burns, Theremaniacs, Thereminplanet, and Jaycar, for example, do not currently include tonal charactor control, and are therefore, considered entry level theremins.

Moogmusic, Wavefront, PAiA, the former Kees, and a few others do have tonal charactor control, and are intermediate to professional theremins.

[crawlbat89]

What king of theremin is this and how much did it cost.I want to get one and learn how to use it.

[ThomasGrillo]

The theremin in this video is the Moog Etherwave Pro. Unfortunately, Moog Music made the wrong decision to discontinue it.

The EW Pro sometimes shows up on ebay for a few grand.

They do still make the cheaper Etherwave Standard which costs about $400.

There are even cheaper, yet just as playable theremins, such as the Burns B3 theremins. Have a look at my channel for a list of manufacturers, and links to them.

[mudbone80]

Nice, have you ever tried using a wah wah pedal or a delay pedal?

[ThomasGrillo]

Yes. It's kind of cool. With the right wah, and effects device, you can allmost make it sound like it's trying to talk. :)

[mudbone80]

Have you done any videos where you use a wah, or if you haven't, do you plan on doing any? We would all love to see that :)

[ThomasGrillo]

I've yet to do a wah pedal demo, but a few thereminists allready have done this.

Look up The Lothars.

[thejetro]

Fantasic as well as inspiriing !!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words.

[bobbo924B]

Thanks, Thomas. As an old analog synth player and teacher, I know that the filters have little effect on, say, sine and triangle waves, because the harmonic content just isn't there. That's the essence of my question. I'm looking to enhance, for some pieces, the harmonic content of the B3. I love the vocal sound in the high register, but find that as you go for lower notes, it could use some character. I thought some clipping (squaring) might do it. But the results seem extreme or 0. Thoughts?

[ThomasGrillo]

One of the easiest ways to bring out more of a wooden, stringed instrument charactor with the B3s, is to simply turm up the bass, or lows on your amplifier, and or use a larger speaker. A good equalizer will help even more.

One other possibility is to run the theremin's audio through a computer, and run it through an audio processing software program that features various tonal charactors, and effects.

[bobbo924B]

OK, thanks. I've tried most of those things, am experimenting now with running it through Garage Band. I'm just listening to your podcast on Arts in Missisippi. Very cool exposure, both for you and theremin. Your rendition of "The Swan" had a lot of the sound I'm looking for, kind of RCA-ish. May I ask what instrument you were playing on that? Thanks again for the suggestions.

[ThomasGrillo]

Ah, you're more than welcome.

I'm glad you found the Mississippi Arts Hour program. :)

I played the Etherwave Standard in the studio when we recorded that program.

[bobbo924B]

Thomas: Have you tried many other pedals on your rank of theremins? I'm playing a Burns B3 Deluxe (your recommendation, thank you) and tried a pedal but found it to either be piercing or not much change. I wondered if this is a function of the "smoother" (i.e., more sine-like) sound of the Burns. The Moog is distinctly richer in overtones. What do you think? -- Best, Bobbo

[ThomasGrillo]

I have indeed noticed that softer, smoother sounding theremins have a totally different affect on pedals.

My JHS Mods Synth Drive, and TC Helicon Harmonizer behave differently when comparing the B3s, and the Wavefront on these.

Sometimes some pedals won't have all that much response, but this could easily be the result of a dying battery, if the pedal is on a battery. My JHS Mods use batteries, and when they get low, they don't have as much response.

Try a cry-baby wah pedal. :)

[Speedfreak1302]

i am more a Mini Moog man myself bu there is no denying: It all started with the Theremin.

and anybody being able to play it the way you do has my utmost respect and envy!

Analogue into the Future!!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. :)

[dogtemple26]

the horn sounds remind me alot of the musical part at the end of close encounters of the third kind with the lights.

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. I remember that bit. :)

[Leftyguitarplayer123]

sounds slightly like a horn at parts

[ThomasGrillo]

Yeh, that's what I liked about that peddal.

Thanks. :)

[AngusT07171]

i love it

[jenlikeshorses]

This thing is effing EPIC

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks. :)

[optical76]

i wonder what this would sound like when ran through a fulltone tube tape echo?

[ThomasGrillo]

I'd imagin it would sound pretty radical. :)

[Penfold8]

Sounds like a mixture of a bartone and french horn.

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. ;)

[Leto1988]

have you ever tried to use some Delay Effects?

[ThomasGrillo]

I have, but I neither like to use them on stage, nor do I like to see other thereminists use delay because it detracts from the true performance.

Delay is best used in studio.

[DrummerCoCa]

Sweeeeeet!

Sounds awesome.

I keep my theremin away from effects, just because it makes it harder for me to tell if I'm hitting the notes right.

It sounds cool, though. Have you ever tried using a talkbox with a theremin? It's weird. I was disappointed with the sound, though.

Great video, awesome pedal, amazing playing!

[ThomasGrillo]

I've actually built a DIY talkbox and messed with it some.

You really need to use a microphone to amplify the talkbox though. Carport888 on youtube has a cool vid demonstrating the talkbox. There's also another recently posted vid of it on youtube as well.

[DrummerCoCa]

My talkbox is a Rocktron Banshee, I wanted to build a ghetto talkbox but didn't have the parts.

I just didn't think the talkbox sound mixed very well with the theremin sound.

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. I think a lot of it has to do with the type of theremin, and it's settings too. You might want to experiment with brighter, or darker tonal charactor tonal settings.

One thing I've learned about talkboxes, is you really have to keep everything well open in the back of your moth to avoid the chipmunk effect, and produce a more pleasing vocal quality. Don't let the back of your tough go up to the roof of your mouth. Give it a go, and let me know how that works.

[DrummerCoCa]

I'll try it, thanks for the tips!

[0Mellon]

5:38

CREEPY

[mhd2c]

totally creepy.

[ThomasGrillo]

You think that's creepy?

Check out The Aquasonic Waterphone.

[djwaugust]

lol, yeah the aquasonic waterphone is the ultimate in creepy musical instruments.

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed. :)

[drdranem17]

im not exactly sure as to how this works but i know a lot of guitarist like myself would sugest using a pedle with many effects preset on them would that be possible or would it not work??

[ThomasGrillo]

Pedals with multiple effects are indeed a lot of fun with the theremin. I have a TC Helicon harmonizer which I'm about to shoot a video of in action next month, if not late this month. I'll also be showing off a really strange looking theremin. ;)

[DjC4]

omg please please do a video with the TC Helicon!

[ThomasGrillo]

It's up. ;) Just visit my channel, and look for Happy New Year Auld Lang Zyne on theremin. I used a TC Helicon for harmony.

Enjoy, and Happy New Year! ;)

[kisakk]

This is legendary! Would be great to hear you playing jazz or blues with some backing. Great videos!

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the kind words. I am corrently exploring jazz style improvisations with the theremin, and hopefully in several months, I may have some jazz style works to put up on the web.

[dr454]

Hi, I thinking about buying an effect pedal for B3 theremin but I don't know witch one I should choose, I'm part of the music show of my school so.

[ThomasGrillo]

The JHS Synth Mod is a good effects pedal to change to tone of the theremin with. There are a lot of different ones at online instrument dealers like zzounds, and instrumentpro which also work well with the B3. I generally just use a little bit of reverb, and not much else for effects. I only have the Jhs Synth mod pedal, and a couple of harmonizers. You may want to also consult thereminworld to talk with people like gordonc, and Kevin Kissinger who use effects a lot.

[ohsuisei]

sicunnu mia a notti ti sonni i vuci

[acdeeds]

holy crap I have to have one. is the one that's only $152 any good?

[ThomasGrillo]

The $152 dollar B3 is a great way to test the theremin waters if you don't want to risk hundreds on the more expensive ones. The B3 works great on the JHS mods as well. The B3 has a nice, soft strinlike tone. I allways pack a B3 just in case I need a back up.

[acdeeds]

Thanks

[Bleuleri]

what is the price, and where i can buy it?

[ThomasGrillo]

The effects pedal can be found at jhspedals dot com and start at about $100.

The theremin is an Etherwave Pro, and is discontinued, however The Etherwave Standard runs for 400 from Moogmusic dot com. The B3 Theremin costs 152 from soundslikeburns dot com.

[Ogaitnas900]

Incredible, i never expected it to sound so good.

[DarkAvatar1313]

have you ever used a flanger pedal with a theremin?

[ThomasGrillo]

I intend to eventually. ;)

[hvylobster]

Ahaha.

I love how the effects pedal changes the sound of a theremin from weird, spacey strings to weird, spacey horns.

[JohnnyBordeaux]

Cool ! That's a lot of widely varied sounds from one little effects box. And great playing, too ! Cheers, John

[DJTang69]

Good job Thomas, excellent playing & the lessons are very informative. I look forward to your next lesson !!

[smashingpumpkins18]

this is one of the best things ive ever seen. how the hell does it work?

[ThomasGrillo]

As for the JHS Mod, it is a modified synth like device which changes the way an incoming tone sounds. You can add distortion, or change other tonal qualities.

Please consult my theremin lessons, and channel for further info on theremins.

[bradcurnow]

I want one.... :D

[brianrobison]

Thanks for sharing the demo. I love the sax and trombone effects!

[photoesy2]

Can we put any guitar effect pedal on theremin, and manipulate the sound ?

[ThomasGrillo]

So far, I've yet to hear about any effects pedal that won't let you use a theremin on it. I'm using about four different effects devices so far.

[photoesy2]

Thanks!

[naguma]

That is a sweet horn Thomas! And, some excellent playing! Practice every day on that whining electric mistress! TT

[RVS2112]

Have you tried phasers, flangers, super ocataves, etc.? Will they add their intended effects? BTW: Really good instructional vids.

[ThomasGrillo]

I have yet to try flangdrs, and the like, but I did pick up a digitech pedal which has a sort of flange effect and others. Thanks for the compliment on the lessons.

[RVS2112]

I can take it one step further. I just got one and set it up a plug and two antennas. Mary had a little lamb w/vibrato took about 5 minutes. I base this time on watching your videos while waiting for it. Thanks again. I'm hooking it up to my fender G-DEC 30 effects amp and see what comes out now. Too lazy to do the pedals at the moment. This thing is a lot of fun actually.

[druman44]

great vids, I really enjoyed them. i saw you've only been playing a year!! thats nuts. musical back ground obviously helps. ive been wanting to get a theremin for some time, not that id be any good, but i drum so i like doing things with my hands, and the monophonic quality appeals to me, i used to play violin a little as well. i know its way harder than it looks, but i think it be fun. dont know how the dogs would feel though.

[ThomasGrillo]

I've got a dog, and she's never complained so far.

[wizardmasterhp]

oh oh see if you can play "Axle F" or the Close incounters Theme you know that

Du Nu Dun Don Dooon

[ThomasGrillo]

...Carefull what you ask for, you just might get it. ;)

[wizardmasterhp]

Yeah!!

[HarmonicMinorJ]

That was great Thomas, I always wondered what it would sound like with a pedal in front of the theremin.

Excellent demo and playing as always