background image

Moog Music Inc.

554C Riverside Drive
Asheville, NC 28801

SETTING UP AND PLAYING THE MOOG 

ETHERWAVE 

 

THEREMIN

INTRODUCTION

The theremin is an electronic musical instru-

ment played by the free movement of the

performer's hands in the space surrounding it.

This method of playing gives the theremin tone

its unique ethereal and dramatic quality, while

at the same time allowing the performer a

measure of artistic freedom that other musical

instruments do not offer. The techniques of

playing the theremin can be mastered by

anyone who has a good musical ear, and who

is willing to invest a modest amount of

practicing time. Two motions are involved.

Movement of the right hand toward the pitch

antenna controls pitch, while movement of the

left hand toward the volume antenna controls

loudness or volume.

The Moog 

ETHERWAVE

 theremin is powered by

a special adapter which plugs into a standard

110-125 volt grounding power outlet. It is

designed to operate with a wide range of

amplifier-speaker combinations.

PREPARING THE 

ETHERWAVE

 THEREMIN FOR

PLAYING

Your 

ETHERWAVE

 theremin is completely

assembled. Only the following preparations for

playing are necessary: a) Placing the

instrument on a stand, b) attaching the two

antennas, c) connecting the power adapter,

d) connecting the amplifier-speaker with an

audio cord, and e) setting the panel

adjustments. Each of these steps will now be

described in detail. Note that the steps of

preparation are listed in the order in which they

are to be executed.

a) Placing the instrument on a stand:  The

ETHERWAVE

 theremin requires either a standard

microphone stand (preferred) or a small table

36" to 42" high. If a table is used, no objects on

the table should be within a foot or two of the

theremin, and the theremin itself should be

positioned so that the the volume antenna will

overhang the edge of the table. Whichever

type of stand is used, the 

ETHERWAVE

 should be

securely mounted, and away from walls and

other large stationary objects.

b) Attaching the two antennas:  The pitch
antenna, which is the long straight tube, is

placed in the elbow (right angle) fitting on the

right end of the instrument, with the brass

compression ring down. The mounting nut is

slipped over the antenna and screwed onto

the fitting. The nut need be only finger-tight, but

should be tight enough so that the antenna is

firmly in place.

The volume antenna, which is the tubular loop,

is placed in the straight fittings on the left end

of the instrument, with the bulge in the loop

facing forward and down. The mounting nuts

already on the antenna are screwed onto the

fittings. The nuts need be only finger-tight, but

should be tight enough so that the antenna is

firmly in place.

c) Connecting the power adaptor: The

ETHERWAVE

 is powered by a special adaptor

which is grounded to the power ground and

which supplies 14 volts AC to the 

ETHER-WAVE

Summary of Contents for Etherwave

Page 1: ... the panel adjustments Each of these steps will now be described in detail Note that the steps of preparation are listed in the order in which they are to be executed a Placing the instrument on a stand The ETHERWAVE theremin requires either a standard microphone stand preferred or a small table 36 to 42 high If a table is used no objects on the table should be within a foot or two of the theremin...

Page 2: ...that the tone s loudness decreases smoothly and finally becomes silent when your left hand is two to three inches from the volume antenna Then remove your left hand from the volume antenna but still touching the pitch antenna adjust the volume control on your sound system so that the tone is as loud as you will want it to be Now remove your right hand from the pitch antenna Turn the ETHERWAVE s PI...

Page 3: ...not a volume control That is it does not simply make the tone louder or softer It should not be used to set the instrument s maximum volume The volume control on your sound system is used for that purpose You will rapidly develop a feel for these adjustments After a few practice sessions you will be able to tune the theremin rapidly and accurately Techniques of practicing Like any expressive music...

Page 4: ...ontrol Your instrument will provide many years of reliable service Practice it with diligence and you will provide enjoyable music for yourself and your audiences And finally give an occasional thought to the spirit of Leon Theremin to whom we owe so much MAINTENANCE The ETHERWAVE theremin requires no routine maintenance Many years of trouble free reliable performance may be expected if the follow...

Page 5: ...ntenna can act as a CV controller for any external CV compatible device The Volume CV output is generated from the same CV signal used internally for the Etherwave s VCA circuitry Nominal output is 0 to 10V Gate Output The Gate signal can be used as a signal to start envelopes trigger sample and hold circuits or other timing related activities The Gate signal is generated when the Volume CV rises ...

Page 6: ...rotection built into the inputs of a circuit to prevent damage from unexpected voltage levels However some equipment may respond in unexpected ways or may not respond at all to CVs outside the expected levels Note that most modern Moog equipment such as moogerfooger analog effects typically specify 0V to 5V or 5V to 5V levels for CV inputs The Etherwave Plus will work safely with these devices des...

Page 7: ... position Now when your left hand moves away from the Volume Antenna the LFO Rate increases even into the audible frequency range This creates complex sidebands in the Carrier Oscillator itself generating some very hairy timbres Far out This last example illustrates two important things The Etherwave Plus antennas don t have to control the same parameter on other pieces of gear that they control o...

Page 8: ...middle pin to the pin closest to the output jacks Now reconnect the Audio Output to the 11 213 PCB and reinstall the instrument s cover The following image shows the location of the jumper Now the Headphone Output delivers a pitch preview output to a pair of stereo headphones With this modification the performer can monitor the current pitch with headphones even when the left hand is shutting off ...

Reviews: