Zeppelin Design Labs Altura Theremin, User Manual

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QUICK START GUIDE
Look for the companion demo video at http://zeppelindesignlabs.com/product/altura/ or on our
YouTube channel.
The ALTURA is a MIDI controller that emulates the classic theremin. The right sensor transmits note data
to set the pitch. The left sensor transmits a variety of MIDI controller data to influence the sound in many
ways. In X-Y mode, the right sensor mimics the left: both sensors transmit control data of your choosing.
The ALTURA’s memory is volatile: most of your setup will vanish when you turn off the power.
1. POWER UP
Use a 9v DC power supply or a battery.
• 9v DC power supply (“wall wart”): Must be
rated for 200 mA minimum, with center-negative
polarity, such as a typical guitar pedal supply.
Look for this graphic on the power supply. (Your
controller won’t work with a center-positive
power supply.) Plugging in the power supply
disconnects the battery.
• 9v battery: Use a high-quality alkaline battery, like Energizer. (Don’t waste your money on
cheap batteries!) Open your cabinet; insert the battery into its holder; snap the contacts into
place; and then push down to snap the battery into the holder.
2. CONNECT A MIDI DEVICE
Plug a standard MIDI cable into the Altura’s MIDI OUT jack, and
connect it to the MIDI IN of your Macchiato Mini Synth or any other device; or plug into a MIDI
patch bay or other port device; or use a MIDI-to-USB cable to plug into your computer.
3. SET THE KNOBS
to the following default positions, just for this tutorial, until you become familiar
with their functions:
DATA
FAR
DATA
NEAR
FUNCTION KEY SCALE
OCTAVE
NEAR
OCTAVE
FAR
Right Right Left Left Left Straiht up Straight up
4. TURN ON YOUR SYNTH
If you are using a Macchiato Mini Synth, set it for short attack, long
release, and a deep LFO. If you are using a different synth, set its receive channel to 1 or Omni.
(By default, the Altura transmits on Channel 1. You will learn how to change this shortly.)
5. TURN ON YOUR ALTURA
Press the red power button on the back of the Altura. If you built a
card stock case, be careful how you squeeze your theremin; you don’t want to crush the cabinet.
The display will show “
C 1
“, indicating the C Major scale. More on key and scale in a moment.
6. WAVE YOUR RIGHT HAND
The right sensor selects the pitch to transmit to your synth. As you
wave your hand, you should hear notes coming out of your synth! The sensor is sensitive: hold
your hand steady and flat; move it steadily in and out from the Altura until you learn where the
beam is pointing. There is much more information in the Reference Manual.
OUTER BARREL
POSTIVE
CENTER PIN
NEGATIVE
200mA MINIMUM
+
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