What the hell is a luminiferous theremin?
The Luminiferous Theremin modernizes the original design by using Time of Flight sensors for precise hand detection, eliminating calibration needs, and offering diverse sound outputs with open-source software.
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The Luminiferous Theremin is a modern adaptation of the original Theremin, invented by Leon Theremin in 1920. The original device utilized high-frequency oscillators to produce sound based on the proximity of the user's hands to two antennas, which controlled pitch and volume. However, traditional Theremins require calibration and are sensitive to environmental changes. The Luminiferous Theremin addresses these issues by employing Time of Flight (TOF) sensors, which use lasers to measure the distance of the user's hands with high precision and without the need for calibration. This new design eliminates interference from radio and light sources, making it more reliable. Additionally, the Luminiferous Theremin is compact and portable, as it does not require antennas. It incorporates a microprocessor that allows for a variety of sound outputs beyond the original sine wave, and its software is open-source, enabling updates and enhancements based on user feedback. The name "Luminiferous" references the historical term "luminiferous aether," linking the device's use of light sensors to its predecessor's reliance on radio waves.
- The Luminiferous Theremin uses Time of Flight sensors for precise hand detection.
- It eliminates the need for calibration and is less affected by environmental changes.
- The device is compact and portable, making it easy to transport.
- It features a microprocessor for diverse sound outputs and open-source software for updates.
- The name connects to historical concepts of light and radio wave transmission.
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- Some users share their experiences with DIY instruments and alternative sound generation methods, suggesting simpler approaches.
- There is a debate about the value of the Theremin's embedded audio generation versus using it as a MIDI input device.
- Several commenters express curiosity about the technology behind Time of Flight sensors and their potential applications.
- Some users question the necessity and purpose of the Theremin, suggesting it may be more of a novelty than a practical instrument.
- Others highlight the ease of playing traditional Theremins and the unique sounds they can produce.
10 commentsI've used this technique for building DIY instruments that I occasionally play at electronic music open mic nights.
This was my first light based instrument... https://youtu.be/ZF2Rn5YfBC8
Then I made a "solar pedal" like this... https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ONSOYti1p/ and did a set like this... https://youtu.be/3sHR2oSeqcY
I highly recommend if you are into sound stuff, go crack open an old solar garden light, attach an audio jack and have fun exploring the hidden vibrations in light.
As with the wide array of VR instruments (that also use highly accurate position tracking as inputs), what it really boils down to is:
If you are procedurally generating audio (ie. using a synth) on device then what you have is categorically inferior to using any number of existing synths and virtual synths along with a midi input device (such as the genki wave).
Don’t embed the audio generator.
Just make it a midi input device.
It’s not a thermin. Same way a microphone that emulates a flute when you blow it is not a flute.
It’s a synth that can only take one kind of input.
Novel input devices are fun, and I like that; people like exploring different ways of expressing themselves in performances… but I’m a bit skeptical about this.
Seems like it’s lost what was special about the theremin.
Recently the cost of these Time Of flight Sensors (TOF) have plummeted and have made a new type of Theremin possible. The TOF sensors are small lasers combined with a very fast photodiode, these clever little devices are able to measure the time that the light from the laser takes to your hand, be reflected, and received by the photodiode. Even more impressive they can do this with millimetre precision."
Never knew these existed until reading this(!)... let's learn more about them:
Apparently, a "Time Of Flight Sensor" is also called a "Time Of Flight Camera":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-of-flight_camera
Now, me I'm wondering if this could be used to make a Gravity Wave detector of some sort... oh sure, it wouldn't have as much precision as an Interferometer specifically created for that purpose... but maybe you could detect something, under some as-of-yet unknown conditions... like maybe if you had a big enough electromagnet or wave emitter or something (or thing that creates or captures or focuses Gravity Waves, no matter how small or faint -- you decide what it is!), maybe you could influence the distance perceived by the device some really small amount (1 millimetre?), which might indicate the presence of an altering/interfering field (Gravity, something else?) of some sort...
And then again, maybe not!
Still, a very interesting device to potentially experiment with, in different contexts...
Great article, too!
There's a YouTube interview somewhere.
This last question is unfortunately never answered.
The theremin is a good example of we made it "because we can" instead of "because we should".
Of course, glad to be proven wrong.
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