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Monday 30 April 2012

Theremin Stripboard Veroboard

quite a nice sounding little theremin - I even had PCBs made up for this one cause I loved it so much but for you here are the veros.
make sure that you do not ground the antenna by attaching the antenna to a metal project box like I accidently did cause it won't work, it is advisable to remove
all unused copper tracks to reduce any noise.
it only draws 65mA so you can use one of the smaller transistor sized voltage regulators with no heat issues.






40 comments:

  1. hi paul,
    values on the layout are correct?
    for example C8 in 10n or 10u?
    volume pot is linear?

    thank you so much!

    giulio

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  2. yes, both linear and yes I forgot about that mistake - it is the only one, when I made this up I meant to change it to 10u I must have forgotten!

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  3. Trimmer is 10k or 1k?? And why there are two C5 capacitors? Is it correct? I'm just trying your project right now...but still nothing to do...it doesn't work.
    Daniele

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  4. the offboard VR is 1K and the Trimmer is 10K
    there are 2 C5s because the Stripboard Program sometimes does that, they are both correct and are both 10u

    the pots have to be set so that it oscillates.
    double check all the cuts and placements because it definitely works, quite a few people have made this one - this is the exact one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNcDH2fvtMo

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  5. thanks paul,

    so I'll check everything again and again and I let you know! :)

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  6. Hi Paul,
    May I ask if I wanna chain it w/guitar as effect pedal,where could I put the input signal into the circuit?
    Thank you~

    AGUN

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  7. its not really something you can plug a guitar into

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  8. Really??Because of terrible sounding or...?

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  9. no, it's cause it's basically an oscillator controlled by your hand interrupting radiowaves
    I suppose you could try and plug your guitar into where the antenna is and see what happens but I wouldn't be too hopeful

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  10. I just wanna make the effect like Trey Anastasio does...or maybe it must be played as stereo signal...?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP_VcJN6ro8
    (1:10)

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  11. Hi Paul, are you just using a copper plate for the antenna here??

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    Replies
    1. it's not even that, it's just a piece of copper clad board I had (the stuff they use to etch circuits into)

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  12. Hi Paul,

    How (what value) did you adjust the on-board trimpot?

    thx

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    Replies
    1. I just turned it till it did what I wanted it to do

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    2. made it, but must've done something wrong here... only get some continuos humming... gonna check it later... i used a telescope antenne (like transistor-radio's)... that should do the trick, right? or better use some copper like you did?

      grtz

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    3. Don't bother 'bout last question... there's something theremin-y there (run through guitar-amp) but it's extremely quiet...

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  13. just build it!
    fantastic organ!
    i've used a much bigger sheet of copper and you can play with both hands!

    i've also managed to replace some components in your layout so i made a 16x20 board.
    i didn't have any 270k and i put some 300k but it sound exactly as your video.

    it's really great man!!!! thanks a lot.

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  14. Thanks for the work! a few doubts... is the negative 9volts connection to the ground?
    are both negative 9volts and ground connected to the female jack output? thanks and sorry if this answers sounds silly, I am a novice :)

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    Replies
    1. yes to both those questions.
      it's okay to be new at something and to ask questions

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    2. Thanks!!!!! I'll send you a photo when I've made it.

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    3. no worries - I'll look forward to seeing it

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  15. Hey Paul, Frag Magnet from the BYOC forum here with a couple of questions:

    I'm working on an Eagle layout (Mrs. Magnet wants one of these and I've fallen into the Eagle-OSH Park Vortex) and I was wondering if you have a schematic that I could double check mine against (or if you'd be willing to look at what I've got)?

    Finally, once I get everything working would you be okay with me sharing my schematic and/or Eagle .brd file (with proper credit and a link to your site) or would you prefer I keep those items to myself?

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  16. anybody can't help mee? can't I use tc4069ubp ? cant send picture how much trim pot set? BTW great layout and I like your demo therenim

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    Replies
    1. you set the trimpot till it makes the right sound and yes you can use that IC

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  17. thanks .. I started to try this

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  18. AMAZING !!!!!!! OK thank Mr.Paul .. my theremin work fine.sound cool
    https://youtu.be/Y6MnctoH1aIn

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  19. Sounds great with delay, cheers Paul

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  20. Pictures on this website do not match the vero layout. There is an extra jumper going to IC2 and the trim pot is in a different place.
    I tried the vero above and it does not work.

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  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. Ok this is done but you need the extra jumper from the bottom of R5 to IC2 Pin 7

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    Replies
    1. Were you able to get this to work? Making an updated version in DIYLC, adding the jumper from bottom of R5 to IC2 pin7, c8 10uf, trimmer 10k, and pot at 1k. Any other things you fix?

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    2. Sorry just saw this, video here yes made with additional jumper lead.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au-fqMCs8YQ

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  23. i just got this working. but the signal level is low. is this typical for this circuit?

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  24. Can I get a parts list link

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    Replies
    1. Have a look at Harrison instruments dot com. You will find the correct schematic adjust procedures and bill of materials

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  25. Many or most of your doubts guys are solved in the web Harrison instruments dot com. You will find there the complete and working schematic, bill of materials and adjust procedure. Also you can buy the pcb or the kit with components. The name of the device is Minimum Theremin.

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  26. Me puede compari el diagrama laica01@hotmail.com

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  27. The layout is solid. I used an old antenna for a TV and did away with the onboard trimmer and mounted it topside. Makes it flexible for other sounds in addition to delay and other modulation. I coated the underside of my Stripboard in liquid latex and made the insulated wire from board to antenna as short as possible. Very happy with finished product.

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    Replies
    1. I also used 300k instead of 270k, no probs

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