• Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Topic: Theremin info please

I'm toying with the idea of getting myself a theremin. Now how do I hook that beast up to my current gear (the usual guitar -> pedalboard with ODs in front and delay in loop -> amp)?
Do I need a separate amp for it? That wouldn't be a problem. How do I hook up the guitar to the theremin, though? Can a guitar and a theremin be run separately into two different amps and yet make them interact? Or will I need an A/B/Y switch? Now this is where it's getting problematic. In short, what is the simplest way to include a theremin into my effects chain without compromising my current setup too much?
Apologies if the questions appear dumb but I'm very intrigued yet a complete novice with this thing.

2 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2011-11-25 10:12:33)

  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Theremin info please

A Theramin stands alone as a separate instrument. It is "played" by the proximity of objects in the field of the antenna. A separate amp is used with a volume pedal. It is basically a playable variable frequency oscillator.
Rick

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  • From: Southampton, UK
  • Registered: 2011-09-06
  • Posts: 231

Re: Theremin info please

I bought one about a month ago to experiment with - not quite sure how I'll get it into the set yet, but we may get around to playing BOJH sometime.  I also bought a real cheap £18 delay pedal off E-Bay - works a treat (don't go wasting mega-bucks on an expensive delay like a certain Mr Bonamassa!).

Anyhow, to answer the question (and as RickB states), you hook up the Theramin output to a seperate amp - could be direct to a channel on the PA for example or straight into a recording desk.  If you want it to sound real cool then you put an delay pedal and a possibly a volume pedal between it and the amp just like Joe does.

Theramin -> Volume pedal -> Delay pedal -> Amp (or desk).  Simples.

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4 Reply by DougH (edited by DougH 2011-11-26 10:49:02)

  • DougH
  • DougH
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
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Re: Theremin info please

And they're not that expensive..

check this link: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-tra … 4000052000

---------------

(If only I had 1% of Joe's guitar talent)

5 Reply by Coolaxeman (edited by Coolaxeman 2011-11-27 06:24:05)

  • From: Southampton, UK
  • Registered: 2011-09-06
  • Posts: 231

Re: Theremin info please

DougH wrote:

And they're not that expensive..

check this link: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-tra … 4000052000

Ouch!  Great if you're gonna be playing the RAH or Glastonbury, but I would suggest a good place to start would be a ~£50 unit - that might suffice.  Do not touch the cheap digital circuits (e.g. £12 Maplin kit) as they're rubbish!  I eventually got mine from this E-Bay based guy and I'm pretty happy with it TBH - does everything it needs to.  smile

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THEREMIN-clas … 43ab376249

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Theremin info please

I have a theremin, and I plug it into the low input on my guitar tube amp, while my guitar is plugged into the high gain input. It keeps me from having to bring two amps, or run it through a PA. I run a delay in the amps effects loops and the only time I use it is with the Theremin. All my guitar pedals are between the guitar an the amp.

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  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Theremin info please

A rather belated thanks for the replies guys. In the meantime I ordered mine smile