gakken makes a bigger theremin

via John Levin
"I took a vacation from pastoral Vermont to go to NYC last weekend. While hanging out in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, I walked into one hipster shop and saw a new Gakken theremin! I've seen it online for as low as 155 bucks."

I did a quick search and found it on Theremin World. It's the Theremin Premium. I also found some listed on Ebay. Gakken is a Japanese magazine that usually includes a DIY kit in every issue. You might remember the older Gakken Theremin from these posts. Gakken also makes the SX-150.

Update via Steiv A. in the comments: "You can find some more photos on my flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/sadnoiss/"

Super Mario Bros - Gakken Theremin Mini

YouTube via ooo6. You might recognize the theremin from this post.
"I'm taking us back to 1985 with this one.

The theremin is a Gakken Theremin Mini. It came as a kit in a recent volume of a Japanese Mook (magazine/book) Otona no Kagaku. I consider myself lucky to know thereminist, Masami Takeuchi in Japan who sold me a copy. He said the initial edition of 40,000 copies sold out within days!

Apologies for the gnarly buzzy sound. Yeah, it sounds, er, bad. I put a piece of tape on the speaker so I could calm the sound down a bit. If you are familiar with theremins you know that most theremins have a volume/expression control. This theremin is a pitch only theremin so the sound is non-stop, hence the wacky dips and bends. Also, apologies to the 8-bit purists, who may have decide within seconds of watching that I have desecrated a classic.

If you don't know what a theremin is, please go look it up on Wikipedia. WTF comments will be laughed at. Also, don't waste your time commenting on how bad this sounds. This is not a performance instrument. It's a toy! I'm just playing around!"

Theremin controlled Mario

YouTube via conquerearth. Playing Super Mario Bothers with a theremin.

via Zero via Gizmodo. Also see this Gakken Theremin covering Super Mario Brothers.
"Well, it had to be done!
Who needs a Natal when you've got a theremin! (OK, its not quite the same, but anyway...)

This is even more fun with two people playing! One person controls left/right, the other controls jump.

Its not just limited to the theremin. Its even possible to hook up a microphone and use your voice to control the game! Or a guitar! Or a violin!

Heres how it works:
The sound from the theremin is split into its frequency and amplitude components in real time, which are then mapped to values in a linear scale representing the X and Y axis. Pitch becomes horizontal control, and Volume becomes vertical control.
The X and Y scales are then cut up into different zones. In this case, Left; Right and dead zones for the horizontal, and a single trigger and dead zone for the vertical.

The trigger zones are then mapped onto a virtual joystick hooked into an emulator.

The end result is a fairly usable input control for playing games like mario. The bars give the much needed visual feedback as to how "in tune" you are, so you have a better feel of where the trigger points are."

Premium Theremin on Maker SHED

MakerSHED
"Invented in 1920 in Russia, the Theremin is the original electronic instrument and has been used in albums by artists from the Beach Boys to the Flaming Lips to add a unique sound to their track. It's easy to handle, but difficult to master, as you use your hands proximity to the volume and pitch antennas to create music. The new Gakken Premium Theremin is a compact version that produces quality sound at a reasonable price. Use your right hand to adjust the tone, and your left to change the volume, but no need to touch! The small speaker will provide ample sound, but you can also connect the theremin to external speakers, or even mix it with other instruments such as Gakken's Analog Synthesizer!

This kit is easy to build and play! Instructions are in Japanese but feature highly detailed assembly pictures (sorry, no English translation at this time). MAKE is proud to be the exclusive distributor in North America for these brilliant kits from Gakken.

Features
* Includes: Body kit, antennas, earth band, adjusting driver, manual (Japanese)
* Size: W220 x H36 x D120mm (8.5 x 1.5 x 4.7)
* Weight: 345g.
* Power: AA battery x 4"
via https://twitter.com/Miaousse
Also see these posts - scroll when you get there...

Getting to know the Gakken Premium Theremin

Getting to know the Gakken Premium Theremin from make magazine on Vimeo.

"The Gakken Premium Theremin is an affordable and highly playable battery operated theremin instrument. Unlike most theremins, it uses an armband contact instead of a connection to earth ground. It also features -
- coarse and fine controls for both pitch and volume antennae
- master volume
- 1/8" audio output jack
- instrument stand mounting thread

makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGK20

Video & Music by Collin Cunningham"

The Gakken GMC-4

Gakken is a Japanese magazine that comes with a DIY kit. Prior issues featured a theremin and of course the analog SX-150 mini synth [see the Gakken label below for prior posts including images, videos and mods]. The current issue comes with the GMC-4, a 4-bit computer kit with audio. See the video below.

via Hobby Media
"Gakken is going to release the very first 4bit computer mass produced in the last 30 years: the GMC4. This microcomputer will be covermounted on the issue 24 of the magazine “Otona no Kagaku”. The GMC4 got a 16 keys keyboard, an inbuild speaker an outsanding 7 elements LED display and a 6 LEDs display.

Tennis game, melody software and two other 4bit videogames are preinstalled in the GMC4. This 4bit computer will be released in June and in the coming weeks Gakken shuld updated their website with some mode details about this great retrocomputer."

You can find issues of Gakken with kits on Ebay here.


４ビットマイコン〜自動演奏編〜　大人の科学マガジンvol.24
YouTube via OKM080725

Jairo Moreno on the Moog Etherwave Pro Theremin - Trololo (I'm Glad Cause I'm Playing a Theremin)

YouTube via JrWerewolf | September 16, 2010

"Originally "I am very glad because I'm finally returning home" by Eduard Khil (1976).

Performed on the Moog Etherwave Pro Theremin by Jairo Moreno."

Jairo Moreno on the Gakken Premium toy Theremin - Oscar Tango (Simon Jeffes 1987)

JrWerewolf | September 15, 2010

"Jairo Moreno Playing "Oscar Tango" on the Gakken Premium toy theremin.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra cover. Written by Simon Jeffes back in 1987."

Wee Theremin

YouTube via kenmoore
"For my wife's baby shower our friends Sarah and Mika got us a tiny Gakken Theremin so we can get our girl a head start as the next Theremin virtuosa. It's a fun but very sensitive instrument, and since Sidney can't even get her hand in her mouth yet I'll wait a few more months before starting her lessons. THANKS SARAH AND MIKA!"

Theremin Gakken Five 5 Premium Living Science Battery Portable Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Preowned Gakken Five Premium Portable Battery Powered Theremin with Speaker Out.
Compact and Lightweight Lets you get your Theremin fix anywhere! Lots of Fun.
Comes with Instuction Manuals and Batteries(4XAA)."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Build: Mini-Theremin in under a minute

YouTube via makemagazine
"Assembly of the Gakken Mini-Theremin kit @ warp-speed - complete with error correction!
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGK"
Note this is from the magazine Gakken, who brought us the Gakken SX-150. Each issue comes with a DIY kit that requires no soldering.

The Gakken Theremin Premium Unboxed

via Steiv A. in the comments of this post.

"You can find some more photos on my flickr"

DSCI1758

YouTube via SungHeng. Gakken Theremin.

PERCIANTE ROCCO Studio Turin Italy

www.percianterocco.it
www.myspace.com/percianterocco
minimoog voyager anniversary edition
nord modular key
korg ms10
korg em-1
sakura digital delay stomp box
gakken theremin
motu ultralite
midisport 2x4
m-audio studiophile

a free analog synthesizer in every magazine

nick sent the following in to the Analog Heaven (AH) list. I asked him if I could put it up here and he gave me the OK.

"It's fairly common especially in Japanese kids magazines to include a free toy of some sort.

There's a rather unusual magazine about inventions and the science behind them aimed at adults called Otona no Kagaku. It's sold mostly in bookstores who usually keep the back issues in-stock if they have room.

They always try to include some kind of amazing kit packaged inside each issue. What's amazing that it actually (more or less) works. Mind you the inventions are borderline toys. And of course the high issue price cearly means it not actually free. It's not like some promo item a company is giving away that the company foots the bill for.

Some past examples have been an Edison grammaphone that uses styrofoam coffee cups instead of wax cylinders to record and play from and recently a very minimal Theremin amusingly shaped like a dollhouse sized plastic RCA Theremin. link

So if that's not enough, they do occasional special issues costing more with something they couldn't stuff into a regular issue. For instance a Berliner disc phonograph that cuts some seconds worth of analog sound with a needle into a spinning CD disc that you choose to sacrifice. On July 30 their next special issue will feature an analog synth along the lines of a PAIA Gnome with a few cut corners (no VCA). link

It's about $30 in Japan and it's quite possible to find them in the $40 something range either online or occasionally in Japanese language bookstores (seen other issues in Asahiya though not Kinokuniya) if you wait a few weeks. The good thing is that it's borderline like a book means it's actually likely to be easier to get than a regular magazine.

They feature their consultations with Hideki (Logic System) Matsutake, who is without a doubt the go-to man in Japan for all things synthesizer in the mainstream Japanese media.

It also occurs to me that because of the low price and it's being sold with a magazine, for better or worse this probably will be the biggest selling analog synth of all time.

nick
http://technopop.info"

"Some quick additions.

It is more or less a kit and I have no idea how easy it will be to put together if the instructions are in Japanese.

I have no idea where the best place to get it but I doubt it will be too hard to get since past issues can be bought.

I'd search for "otona no kagaku" on ebay and online for English language pages. "Gakken" will get you more hits.

Be aware it's not out yet, it goes on sale 7/30 in Japan and retailers in other countries might not see it for a month or so."

Gakken SX-150 on Microscopics

see the full write-up with images on the microscopics blog

"My good friend Charles Webster brought me a small gift from his recent Japanese/ Australian tour to help beef up the Microscopics studio: a copy of the latest Gakken magazine which also comes with an analog synth as a simple-to-build construct kit. There’s no soldering, or hair-pulling, you just need a small screwdriver and about half an hour.

It’s like a souped up Stylophone and about the same size, with a pen (you can pretend it’s a Fairlight light pen) that makes contact with a metal (or carbon in this case) keyboard to play the notes, except the SX-150 keyboard is continuous with no note divisions, so you’ll have to determine the notes by ear like on your Theremin. It also has a filter, LFO, simple VCA and pitch envelopes, and an external input to process your Minimoog." flickr set courtesy of microscopics.

Not Martenot : Experimental project of Onde Martenot like Pitch Controller

Published on Apr 9, 2016 karenevil

"I just built this for just my personal interest about Onde Martenot that is very rare electronic instrument, I never see the real one, never ever before. This is very basic prototype but it works fine with Gakken SX-150mk2. (I did not build "Touch" , left hand device yet ..)
It is much easier than Theremin to play :D"

Gakken on eBay

Synthrotek.com Passive Ring Modulator Mod w/ Gakken SX-150 & MOOG Etherwave THEREMIN

YouTube Uploaded by synthrotek on Jan 31, 2012
synthrotek on eBay (RSS)

"http://www.synthrotek.com Check out our newest Kit for sale NOW. A classic Passive Ring Modulator. Here are the Features:

- Passive Ring Modulator requires no battery power

- Input signals such as guitar and bass may need to be preamplified

- Low part count and quick assembly. Classic 2x transformer - 4x germanium diode ring design. Schematic, assembly instructions, and Bill of Materials are available on our site.

- Selling two versions - one with 1/4" jacks, one with 1/8" jacks.

- Small size circuit, VERY SIMPLE TO MAKE - THE simplest rewards, little work big payoff. 10 Min of solder work, 5 is heating up iron

- Multiple applications - synths, drum machines, computer audio programs, guitars (may need a preamp/buffer), theremins, output of pedals (delay, for example) modulating original signal,
experiment to find what you're looking for, try different combinations of inputs and outputs for otherworldly sci-fi sounds

- The two input signals are MULTIPLIED together and produce sideband frequencies that are the sum and difference of the frequencies present in the two signals.

- Sounds like old sci-fi sound effects and produces an unlimited amount of bizarre sounds. Depending on the two frequencies

You need 2 input signals, which both work together and off each other to create unique sounds.

MANY weird sounds, by changing the inputs"

8-bit noise synth

"8-bit noise synth is my latest project based on HT-8950 voice changer chip. Like my Lo-Fizer and Noise guitar it can produce noises by itself or process sounds like a lo-fi ring modulator, 8-bit pitch shifter and simple guitar synth/digital fuzz. I've also added two body contacts that change pitch or trigger sounds - in particular mode they work like theremin sensors."

demos, video and more on ::vtol::
Note the little Gakken XS-150 keytar guy. :)


::vtol:: diy 8-bit noise and guitar synth - internal sounds demo from VTOL on Vimeo.
::vtol:: diy 8-bit noise and guitar synth - internal sounds demo
my new diy/circuit bent project. Read more -
samoletuvvp.narod.ru/vto/diy/8bit.html"

hum a song : Noise Toaster/KORG M01D

Published on Jun 18, 2018 karenevil

"maybe you can sing a song with your Noise Toaster using a VCO knob.. :D

(from 4:21 with Theremin and Gakken NSX-39 )"