I’m going to be ordering my very first moog theremin. Probably going to go with the etherwave pro. I have a couple questions cause i am technilogically handicapped. First of all, what do i need with the theremin? I see they sell gig bags (which might come in handy), and 110 and 220volt power supply, amp, mic stand, cable etc. Like i said i am technically handicapped. Don’t know anything about electronic instruments or anything. All i know is i like how they sound. I am a musician, and i know how to read, play music etc. But i know nothing about the theremin besides i like it. What i need to know is if i were to say play a gig tomorrow. What would i need to play? If i just turn on the theremin will it produce sound? Do i need to hook it up to an amp or would it just be quiet like say an acoustic guitar vs an electric guitar? Using common sense I’m thinking just using the theremin by itself would produce sound but quiet (ideal for practice), and to actually play with instruments you would need an amp for more volume. Also, can you hook up any amp (say a guitar amp or something?) How does everything work? Like do you hook up the power supply to the theremin to the amp or what? Can you hook up different effects peddles to your theremin to get even stranger sounds? I know this is alot of questions but like i said i don’t know anything about electronic music. If anyone could explain it or possibly point me in the right direction (book maybe) i would greatly appreciate it! Thanks a lot.
You would need to amplify it. There is an outlet on the Etherwave that allows you to plug it in to a PA or amp. PAs sound best. You would also have to spend some time getting used to it. I believe it is the only musical instrument you don’t touch. It takes quite a bit of practice to get good. I think it might have a headphone outlet, so you can practice without an amp.
Thanks to everyone. BIG HELP! Definately wil take advantage of the resources everyone mentioned. Mark M… You mentioned you need an amp or a pa system and the Pa is better. Just wondering what the best PA system available for the etherwave pro is within a normal budget. Once again thanks to everyone!!!
I like the Barbetta system: Lightweight, clean and loud. Kip Rosser uses a single column Bose and it was fantastic. Very lightweight and a great sound.
Can you hook up different effects peddles to your theremin to get even stranger sounds?
Absolutely. Yes. Theremins love effects. A simple echo box is an excellent place to start, and to quote Man From Uranus, “Theremin + Ring Modulator = Radiophonic Workshop.”
What i need to know is if i were to say play a gig tomorrow.
I think the technology side has been covered - with respect to playing, the key is “listen, listen, listen” - if you watch the really great players, they have that far-away look about them that tells you they are completely, totally, utterly focussed, 100% involved, trancing out on the sound.
A lot’s been covered by those who’ve answered you already.
Since the Pro comes with stand, power supply AND the molded
foam it ships in, I’d say definitely spring for the gig bag. The
Pro is very portable and reasonably well protected, because
you take the foam it shipped in, put the foam IN the gig bag
and now you’ve got a way to move from place to place.
If you’ve already got an amp - that will work. One cable from
amp to theremin and you’re good to go for a very basic set-up.
Since you’re just starting out, why pay for a huge PA system
(unless you’ve got lots of bucks to mess around with)? The
Pro is an incredible instrument. It’s quality, however, has
nothing to do with what you decide to play, how long it takes
to learn, or your own goals. There are lots of people making
lots of different types of music – all depends upon what you’d
like to do – THAT’S where your real commitment comes in.
You’re buying the Stradivarius of theremins – it’s up to you to
put in the time and effort necessary to bring you from square
one to the square where you feel you’ve arrived.
My own opinion is that working with the theremin is a genuinely
transformational experience. This has born born out with
synthesizer players, too. Trevor Pinch, in his book, Analog Days
gives account after account of the lifechanging journeys of those
who discover the synthesizer, and I believe that the relationship
of player and theremin is every bit as meaningful.
Listen to everything you can, read everything you can, and most of
all TRY EVERYTHING YOU CAN. You’ll receive a DVD with the Pro
and there will be stuff you can use as a point of departure. There
truly are limitless possibilites for you and where you want to take
your playing.