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CALIBRATION POINTS

Your Moog Etherwave 
Theremin is calibrated 
and ready to play when 
it arrives from the Moog 
Music factory. These 
calibration parameters 
are controlled by internal 
trimpots, or trimmers. 
Access points on the 
front, top and rear panels 
allow these trimmers 
to be adjusted, if the 
need arises.

WARNING: 

Do not attempt to adjust the internal trimpots without first reading and comprehending the 

information and directions given in the following section. It is possible to render the instrument unplayable by 
adjusting these circuits without following the instructions. Trimpots or variable inductors damaged by improper 
tuning are not covered by warranty. Please contact Moog Tech Support with questions regarding calibration.

TOP PANEL

Etherwave Theremin contains three analog oscillators. One is used for generating a Volume Control 
signal, and the other two—the Fixed Pitch Oscillator (FPO) and the Variable Pitch Oscillator (VPO)—are 
used to generate the audible tone you hear through a process known as heterodyning. All of these 
oscillators are tuned to frequencies well above the range of human hearing. The Volume Oscillator 
is typically around 515 kHz, and the Pitch Oscillators are typically about 330 kHz. 

All of these oscillators are calibrated at the Moog Music factory and there is little need to adjust 
them; however, for the advanced thereminist, we have included access holes for adjusting the 
variable inductors for calibrating the instrument’s oscillators. To access the three top panel calibration 
points, remove the plastic insert by simply pulling it up from its edges.

Do not attempt calibration unless you understand the procedure, and once calibrated, do not 
readjust unless necessary. Please note that the variable inductors are adjusted by turning the cores 
with the slotted side of the non-conductive adjustment tool provided with your Etherwave Theremin. 
These variable inductors can be damaged by advancing the internal mechanism too far clockwise or 
counterclockwise; 

only small adjustments are ever required.

VOLUME OSCILLATOR TUNING

The access hole closest to the Volume Antenna allows control of the tunable core of the variable 
inductor used to set the frequency of the volume oscillator. The frequency of the volume oscillator 
determines the slope, or the rate at which the volume response changes as the left hand moves away 
from the Volume Antenna. The front panel 

VOLUME RANGE

 knob adjusts the frequency of the Volume 

Oscillator over a small range. The internal variable inductor can be used to shift the entire volume 
control range. Turning the variable inductor core counterclockwise will cause the volume control range 
(articulation) to be faster; turning the variable inductor core clockwise will cause the volume control 
range (articulation) to be slower. Monitor the audio as you adjust this variable inductor. The audio will 
sound louder as the core of the variable inductor coil is turned counterclockwise, and quieter as the 
core is turned clockwise. Turning the core too far counterclockwise will make the volume response 
unplayable, and too far clockwise will render the instrument silent. 

Volume 

Oscillator

Fixed Pitch

Oscillator

Variable Pitch

Oscillator

Summary of Contents for ETHERWAVE THEREMIN

Page 1: ...ETHERWAVE THEREMIN...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...og As electronics go the theremin is very simple But there are so many subtleties hidden in the details of the design It s like a great sonnet or a painting or a speech that is perfectly done on more...

Page 4: ...for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment g...

Page 5: ...AND FUNCTIONS Mute and Monitor Mute Phones Phones Volume Antenna Functions Volume Range Pitch Range Timbre Parameters Waveform Brightness REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS Audio Out Mute Switch Control Jacks Pi...

Page 6: ...lume level of your Etherwave Theremin The Pitch Antenna controls the pitch of your Etherwave Theremin PITCH ANTENNA POWER Using the included adapter connect the instrument to a properly grounded wall...

Page 7: ...r attached Calibration Tool Power Supply User s Manual Registration Card What you will need A standard microphone stand Moog theremin stand or a non metallic surface free of metal supports or accents...

Page 8: ...Each of these smaller holes contains a captive thumbscrew The thumbscrews are used to attach the mounting plate to the Etherwave Theremin body By design the mounting plate can remain attached to the...

Page 9: ...e that the antenna is seated snugly and securely SETUP AND CONNECTIONS Continued POWER Plug the included power adapter into the 12V DC power jack on the rear panel of your Etherwave Theremin Pressing...

Page 10: ...approaching a staccato style Once you have found the setting that best suits your personal playing style and the music being performed move your hand away from the Volume Antenna and adjust your soun...

Page 11: ...in performer DIAL IN YOUR SOUND Waveform and Brightness controls let you vary the tone and timbre of your Etherwave Theremin to meet your performance needs CUSTOMIZE THE ANTENNA RESPONSE Independent c...

Page 12: ...synthesizer control and the instrument s continued appearances in film and pop culture MEET THE ETHERWAVE THEREMIN The Etherwave Theremin is heir to the name Etherwave the most popular line of theremi...

Page 13: ...the way VOLUME ANTENNA The Volume Antenna controls the volume level of the Etherwave Theremin Lift your left hand up away from the Volume Antenna to raise the volume of the Etherwave Theremin Lowerin...

Page 14: ...emin Notice that it only takes incredibly small movements with your pitch hand to articulate a wide range of notes Subtly moving a knuckle or slightly extending your pinky is all that is required to m...

Page 15: ...of your Etherwave Theremin as a visual aid to help guide you but more importantly listen to the change and distinct sound of each note 4 Now hum a third note that is slightly higher than the second P...

Page 16: ...quick as possible so that there is a dramatic jump in volume A fast attack gives you the ability to pluck out sharper sounding staccato notes and rhythms Practice playing notes with a fast attack and...

Page 17: ...the wrist VIBRATO Vibrato is an effect created by shaking your hand and rhythmically bending notes back and forth causing a vibration of the pitch frequency This can make certain passages seem more my...

Page 18: ...ettings and tuning to be adjusted and checked discreetly before or during your performance PHONES PHONES VOL Connecting a set of headphones to the 1 4 PHONES jack allows you to monitor your performanc...

Page 19: ...LUME RANGE knob If you want to play individual notes cleanly and with a firmer attack rotate the VOLUME RANGE knob in the clockwise direction PITCH RANGE Conversely the right hand is generally used to...

Page 20: ...nitial wave will resemble a pulse wave creating a reed or nasal tone As the WAVEFORM knob is rotated clockwise the initial wave will morph into a slightly skewed triangle wave creating a more vocal to...

Page 21: ...latching footswitch can be used A normally closed momentary footswitch will mute the instrument until the footswitch is pressed and held A normally open momentary pedal requires the footswitch be pres...

Page 22: ...perly wired and grounded wall outlet POWER Pressing the POWER button turns your instrument On While Etherwave Theremin is On the POWER LED indicator on the front panel will remain lit When the POWER L...

Page 23: ...fect changes to different parameters on different components and even different instruments Using Etherwave Theremin to control other modules and instruments can provide amazing levels of expression M...

Page 24: ...n volts 10V when Etherwave Theremin reaches its maximum level As with the PITCH CV OUT the value of the voltage available via this jack is derived from the Etherwave Theremin performance This control...

Page 25: ...ed As you move your left hand away from the Volume Antenna you should hear Subsequent 25 begin to sound Move your right hand closer to the Pitch Antenna and hear the Subsequent 25 pitch rise As you ge...

Page 26: ...top panel calibration points remove the plastic insert by simply pulling it up from its edges Do not attempt calibration unless you understand the procedure and once calibrated do not readjust unless...

Page 27: ...stments can have a large effect It is recommended to use about 1 8 of a turn at a time to adjust so that you do not get outside of the range of easy adjustment As you adjust the VPO inductor core cloc...

Page 28: ...access to the two trimpots that control the Pitch to Control Voltage CV circuit The one closest to the PITCH CV OUT jack controls the Scale parameter the one closest to the MUTE SWITCH jack controls t...

Page 29: ...AUDIO OUT PHONES Out HEADPHONES PHONES 1 4 output jack PHONES VOL PHONES output level knob POWER LED indicator front panel Button rear panel REAR PANEL AUDIO AUDIO OUT SWITCH FOOTSWITCH INPUT control...

Page 30: ...in the original inner packing including the cardboard inserts The warranty will not be honored if the product is not properly packed Once you have received the RMA number and carefully packed your Moo...

Page 31: ...32 Moog Music is an Employee Owned Company Located in Asheville NC...

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