Termenvox

TermenvoxTermenvox is an electronic music instrument. It was invented by a Russian engineer Lev Termen in 1919. Thus it is considered to be the first music instrument which uses electricity for extracting sounds.The device is an acoustic generator. It consists of two high-frequency electromagnetic oscillators. On the outside it looks like a box with two antennae. By moving the hand over electromagnetic field near one of the antennae a musician changes capacity of the inside oscillating circuit. This happens because antenna acts like a continuation of the oscillating circuit's capacitor plate. When we bring the hand closer to it then we change capacity of the capacitor by controlling the oscillator.By manipulating the region near a vertical antenna we change tone of the emitted sound. By doing the same near a U-shape horizontal antenna we change sound volume. By combining movements a musician can reproduce melodies. We hear a distinctive howling sound. The instrument is absolutely unique as you don't have to touch it when playing. The instrument design is simple. However, not everybody can play it. A musician must have an excellent ear for music and be able to produce very delicate motions.In musical aspect the instrument has certain limitations. It is suitable for plangent ariose melodies. However, it cannot reproduce short abrupt sounds because of its design. Of course, playing termenvox is not as popular today as playing modern electronic instruments like synthesizer or drum machine. However, many musicians still use this unusual instrument so that we can listen to the amazing voice of Termen.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• audio
• history of technics
• sound source