Hiwatt Echo-Theremin

  
   This weeks Offbeat Product from Music123 is such a cool device that I just had to post about it on Live Musician Central. It’s the Hiwatt Echo-Theremin. If you don’t know what a Theremin is it’s an extremely unique instrument. You’ve probably heard it in many old Sci-Fi movies making a ghostly whistling noise. Musically it was made famous in the Rock-N-Roll world when the Beach Boys played a Theremin solo on their song “Good Vibrations”, it’s that whistling, synth type sound. Yes the Theremin is cool and it’s a fun instrument to play around with.

   Here’s a little history, the theremin was invented in 1920 by a Russian physicist named Lev Sergeiyvich Termin, his name was later changed toe Leon Theremin. So the instrument has been around for a while and has assumed many forms over the years. The unique thing is you play the instrument without touching it. A theremin usually has an antenna that works by changing the pitch as you move your hand closer or further away from the antenna. As you move your hand closer, the pitch gets higher. Move your hand away and the pitch gets lower. If you practice you can play some real music on the Theremin.

   Here’s a video of Theremin master Lydia Kavina playing “Clair De Lune” on a theremin.

Lydia Kavina playing “Clair De Lune”

   So as you can see, the Theremin can be an extremely musical instrument. Now you can have one for the dirt cheap price of $145.99. I suggest you pick one of these up fast as they sell out like crazy around Halloween. You can get one from the Live Musician Central Store or from the links below.

Hiwatt Echo-ThereminIf you’re ready to add some really different sounds to your set, you’ll want the Hiwatt Echo-Theremin. The Theremin was invented in 1920 by a Russian physicist named Lev Sergeiyvich Termin (his name was later changed to Leon Theremin). It’s a unique instrument because the Theremin is played without being touched! As your hand approaches the antenna, the pitch gets higher. The Hiwatt engineers decided to add a new dimension of sound to the Theremin by adding delay to the unit. The Hiwatt Echo-Theremin has 300 milliseconds of delay that adds more depth and greater ability to create sci-fi sounds.

Moog Etherwave Theremin Standard AshThe Theremin is one of the oldest electronic instruments, and the only one that you play without touching it. Moving your hands in the space around its antennas controls pitch and volume. Like the Ethervox, the Etherwave is an authentic adaptation of inventor Leon Theremin’s original design. It’s easy to carry and set up and fun to play.The Etherwave is a quality Theremin with a design that retains many characteristics of the original theremins, including a five-octave pitch range and reliable spacing between notes for sophisticated playability. Antennas are nickel-plated 3/8″ brass tube and cabinets are furniture-grade hardwood. The Etherwave is fitted with an adapter for mounting on a standard microphone stand and is designed for use with a musical instrument amplifier such as the Moog TB-15.The Etherwave is shipped with a DVD that contains two video tutorials: Mastering the Theremin with Lydia Kavina, and Clara Rockmore, the World’s Greatest Theremin Virtuosa.