Wii Theremin - How It Works

Homemade Wiimote-powered Theremin. The technology links a Wiimote controller, infrared LED gloves and a Roland JV-1080 synthesizer to create Theremin-like sounds (sine wave) or a nearly endless world of bizarre sounds (let's hear a Theremin do that!). For more information and demos visit http://www.kenmooredesign.com

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• wii
• remote
• wiimote
• theremin
• hacking
• diy
• synthesizer

[judefox2010]

I know this is a stupid question, but did you make the pitches exponential or linear in relationship to the X axis of your had movements? (I'm sure you did exponential but just checking)

[kenmoore]

@judefox2010 No, the pitches are linear. Linearity is a quality of a good Theremin -- you want the same distance between pitches regardless of the octave, so that muscle memory learned in any one octave can apply to others.  In that respect the Wii Theremin is superior to all analog Theremins as it's purely linear!

[paulyhart]

so... ken... how much are you selling that code for?

[kenmoore]

@paulyhart Make an offer I can't refuse :)

[1Celebrindor]

Link doesn't work. can you please upload a tutorial? I would very much like to build one of these on my own. Thanks

[kenmoore]

@1Celebrindor Hi, I've fixed the broken link. I dont have time to upload a tutorial, it was a VERY involved project and life is very busy these days with other demands, sorry.

[kenmoore]

@YQLbeast well... coding yourself is really the only way... unless you break into my home and take my laptop (but it wouldn't be pretty, my 10 month old girl has razor sharp teeth and attacks on command)

[kenmoore]

@DJK0N3X0 Interesting -- hadn't heard of the Intonarumori. They/it clearly predate the Theremin, but not the Telharmonium which was invented in 1897.

[xXXVIDEOxchickXXx]

Ahhh! I wish I was 100x smarter so I could make this! -unfortunately technology seems to hate me... and yet I love it...- but anyway, impressive work. :)

[mdoerkse]

@kenmoore Well since each octave is a doubling in frequency then equidistant octaves would mean exponential scaling in pitch.

[judefox2010]

@judefox2010 so basically if it's exponential each octave will be the same width in space rather than each octave being twice as long as the one before it... i think. Might be totally off on that one lol

[judefox2010]

@kenmoore okay see, I always learned that exponential is the way to go. Think about musical pitches in real life, each octave is twice as high as the one before it, if they were linear the distance would be constant, not doubling every time. You ought to try making your theremin exponential as long as it's not to hard (I have no idea what language you used blah blah blah) and see if it changes the playability at all

[ChrisBrownLuvva4Eva]

can u imagine if that thing went off in the night?? HOLY FUCKBALL

[jeffhamm]

this plus the doctor who theme on it deserves a sub. even tho u were off pitch in DW

[rlw2011]

@TheMachineWP76 Right?! He makes it sound like it's a piece of cake. I'm crazy impressed.