Kip Rosser's "Complete Theremin" - Theremini 201: More Calibrations and Options

The Theremini 101 and 101a tutorials demonstrated the method for basic calibration of the Moog Theremini.
Theremini 201 is a detailed, deep dive into how to make use of still more calibrations and advanced setup options that are invaluable to anyone who wants to play music and remain in complete control over the instrument.
Since this is a long video, here are the time code assignations for each topic which will enable you to browse or access instruction for a particular option:
Intro: 0:00 - 1:56
How to Scroll Quickly Through Options: 1:57 - 2:23
Exiting Calibration Mode: 2:23 - 2:55
Explanation of Option Selection: 2:55 - 3:18
Selecting Your Note Range: 3:18 - 6:12
Setting Auto Mute: 6:13 - 7:17
Precise Tuning: 7:18 - 7:27
Setting Your Master Volume: 7:28 - 8:48
Advanced Settings Intro: 8:49 - 8:58
About MIDI CV Setup: 8:59 - 9:54
How to Access Advanced Setup: 9:54 - 10:12
Setting Response Speed: 10:14 - 12:49
Setting Your Calibration Wait Time: 12:49 - 16:03
How to Turn On the Theremin Mode: 16:03 - 17:31
About Correction Amount, Scale/Root and Effect Mix: 17:31 - 18:03
Setting Onscreen Contrast: 18:04 - 18:45
Closing Remarks and What's Coming Next Time: 18:46 - 20:16
And if you've missed any THEREMINI tutorials:
The complete THEREMINI Lesson List
You can now access any lesson by copying the title (without the number) into the search field.
(In Chronological Order)
01 Theremini 101 - Basic Calibration
02 Calibrating the Theremini 101A - Real Time
03 Theremini 201: More Calibrations and Options
04 Theremini 301, Part 1 - Creative Techniques for the Presets
05 Theremini 301a, Part 2 - Overriding Preset Quantization
06 Theremini 401, Part 1: Improving Note Articulation
07 Theremini 401a, Part 2: Ear/Pitch Training
08 Theremini 501, Part 1: Downloads, Updates, and Editor Fun!
09 Theremini 501a, Part 2: Creating New Presets in the Editor
THE THEREMINI FASTTRAK SERIES
10 Theremini FastTrak Series: Introduction/Ear Training Exercise A
11 Theremini FastTrak Series: Ear Training Exercises B, C, and D
12 Theremini FastTrak Series: Ear Training Exercises E, F, and G
13 Theremini FastTrak Series: The Mind, Part 1
14 Theremini FastTrak Series: The Mind, Part 2
15 Theremini FastTrak Series: The Mind, Part 3
16 Theremini FastTrak Series: The Body
17 Theremini FastTrak Series: The Heart, Part 1
18 Theremini FastTrak Series: The Heart, Part 2
Follow this link for a free PDF file containing a list of all "pre-Theremini" tutorials that can be used to continue your Theremini practices:
performancekr.com/more-tutoria...
If you'd like fully personalized attention, schedule a one-on-one, real time session at:
www.thereminlessons.com

[@nikkitytom]

Thank you ... THANK you! I've had my Theremini sitting here unplayed for several years ... now you've knocked down my "fear of failure" barrier with your wonderfully clear and succinct explanation of the set up. And when you admitted one of the final screens was a little too complicated and just advised to keep the preset ... well, I know a master teacher when I find one. Honest and clear. If I had space for 100 👍 ... I'd post them for you!

[@dnteuxurois]

It's very gratifying to know that the tutorials have inspired you to dust off your Theremini and start playing again. It takes only a short period of time for the setting and calibrations to become second nature; then you're even more freed up to experiment and explore everything from effects to playing techniques. Stay open-minded and patient with yourself and it becomes more and more fun.

[@Hilda1513]

Thanks a lot. Got my Theremini recently and just started watching your very helpful and amazing tutorials. I did the basic calibration a few times. Now, my Theremini was set at C3-C7, and when I tried to change it to C2-C7, I didn't see C2 there!! kept it at C3 for now. I am not a musician and never played another instrument before(tried a couple of them briefly), but I know I have found my instrument.😁 I am going to watch your videos, be patient, and most importantly, have fun. thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience. 😃🙏

[@dnteuxurois]

Fantastic. I'm confident that the tutorials will help a lot. Please keep me posted as to your progress.

[@CVinyl]

"Music is the healing force of the universe" - Albert Ayler 🎷

[@dnteuxurois]

“Music is life itself.” - Louis Armstrong and "Music (without lyrics) is one of the few things that humans got right." - Kip Rosser

[@CVinyl]

@@dnteuxurois 🎺

[@goodwerks]

Thanks Kip, I am playing with a friend’s Theremini and this is so helpful.

[@dnteuxurois]

YOu're very welcome. Glad it's proved useful.

[@jorgemaximilianochamorro1318]

Tengo el theremini hace 3 días y no paro de asombrarme. Hace más de 20 años que soñaba con tener uno en mis manos. Estoy viendo todos tus videos en orden y me encanta la manera en la que explicás las cosas. Un gran saludo desde Argentina.

[@dnteuxurois]

Estoy muy contento de que estés disfrutando de las lecciones. Espero que sigas divirtiéndose con ellos. Pido disculpas si mi respuesta es incómoda. Estoy usando un traductor.

[@AleksandrPM_Art]

Thank you, Sir. The most comprehensive tutorial in term of collaboration I found 🙏

[@dnteuxurois]

And thank you for the comment. The goal was to do just that - provide a very comprehensive tutorial.

[@gabinodelpasado]

oh kip, im going step by step with you, thank you in advance for the patience and clarity of your explanations. Im willing to get to the "mind" videos, but first i will consciously watch these =)

[@dnteuxurois]

Hi, Gabino: Apologies for responding 4 months late. The Mind, Body, and Heart videos are tutorials that can be looked at any time. The others follow a logical sequence, but you can certainly skip to the Mind, then do other tutorials, then skip to Body or Heart, etc. No need to wait if you're curious.

[@marcelodiana82]

Hidden tricks! Thank you very much for sharing your knowledgment with us.

[@dnteuxurois]

You're welcome. It's not so much that the Theremini's options are hidden, but they're 1) spread through the user manual and the addendums and 2) access to them is sometimes buried in the text. And a few of them barely get a mention.

[@Thekarlskorner]

Again, you helped me through this without a problem. Great video. Thanks once more.

[@dnteuxurois]

Hi Again: While all of these early tutorials are essential to an understanding of the Theremini and the options available to you, now that you've got the basic calibration under control, don't stand on ceremony or feel as if you've got to studiously make your way through more tutorials. By all means keep going but I'd encourage you to start experimenting, see what you can do on your own, try playing songs, making soundscapes, just freely enjoy yourself!

[@Thekarlskorner]

Hello, yes I had some fun playing along with the young lady playing Once Upon a Time in the West. How cool that was!

[@dnteuxurois]

@@Thekarlskorner Keep going. Exploring everything, especially songs you'd love to play makes practicing fun. In later tutorials, you'll see exercises for more experimental, sonic exploration - they can lead to discovering new playing techniques.

[@helenrapoza2420]

Wow. You have it sounding so nice!!!

[@dnteuxurois]

Thank you, Helen. You can achieve that same sonic quality with your theremin as well. I'll Email you about it.

[@-joltrast]

@@dnteuxurois I would love to see a video on that and connecting pedals, loop stations etc. I've bought pedals but I've yet to learn how to use them.

[@dnteuxurois]

@@-joltrast Depending upon the pedals, it's fairly straightforward. One cable goes from the Theremini or EW to the pedal and a second cable goes from the pedal to the amplifier. Done. Then, experiment. The EW is mono. However, many of the Theremini's presets are stereo, hence for right and left channel outputs that would connect to a stereo amp. But, it works fine with a single cable coming off the left channel, then to a pedal (or looping station) and from there to an amp. A tutorial on creating a Theremini "orchestra" with a looping station will be coming later this summer.

[@-joltrast]

@@dnteuxurois Wonderful. Thank you so much for the concise answer. I just need to order another guitar cable.

[@dnteuxurois]

@@-joltrast Hi. Here we are in mid September and I've been so involved with the new FastTrak tutorials, I've yet to do one with pedals; in a sense, I'm thinking that such a video would be somewhat irrelevant because there are so many pedal and looper options and, to be honest, I use components that were purchased many years ago and some of them are even discontinued and unavailable.

[@ArgentSmith]

Nice summary on the advanced setup. Thanks a lot! Especially, the note range!

[@dnteuxurois]

You're very welcome. I agree - the note range setting is very useful.

[@bubbechutzpah]

This is great. My husband bought 'me' a theremin I. (Obviously he wants it too). Your explanations are very clear. Thank you so much.

[@dnteuxurois]

You're very welcome, Carolyn. I hope you find playing the theremin as amazing as I have (since 1996!). And, hey, if your husband wanted it too... duets! I'll be interested to know how you're progressing. Have fun!

[@maureensmyth6039]

Thank you. So useful!! Your help is so appreciated!

[@dnteuxurois]

You're very welcome, Maureen. Very gratifying that so many people are using the tutorials. Have fun and if you ever have any questions, contact me.

[@maureensmyth6039]

@@dnteuxurois thanks. I just received a theremini for my birthday. My husband surprised me! I am making my way through your video series. BIG help!!

[@dnteuxurois]

@@maureensmyth6039 Happy birthday! What was it that prompted you to want a theremin? Do you currently play any other instrument? Since you've just received the Theremini, you may find this tutorial helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ-7aYOiptmjras I sincerely believe that people who are just starting out with the theremin can benefit greatly by seeing this and taking its message to heart.

[@ehrichweiss]

The "Load from Preset" is fairly simple. You are setting whether each attribute is loaded from the preset or whether you control it from the control panel. So if you want it to use the preset values for the scale and root note but you want to control the type of effect manually, you can set that with "Yes, Yes, No", etc. I had to learn to use it because I didn't like the scales it was using for some of the presets. Now that I'm using the preset editor, I don't worry about that as much since I can set those as I like 'em.

[@kiprosser8630]

Erich: thank you very much for the information. I really appreciate you letting us all know about the setting. I'm sure there's a lot to unpack once you begin to control the effect manually. As I said, that particular area was one I left alone. Now, it's you who has inspired me to explore.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

The Midi is actually really simple and I would highly recommend getting into it. The engine of the theremin is actually based on the Animoog - an iPad synthesizer that cost about 20-30 usd. All you have to do is get a USB cable and attach it to your iPad and there you go - you now have infinite amount of sounds you can create and all controlled by the Theramini. Or For example you could download a piano app on your iPad and play the piano with your theremin.

[@dnteuxurois]

I'm in the process of learning. There's never a time when there's nothing left to learn.

[@CVinyl]

Please show us how?

[@Flanowa]

I have always wondered what my range should be. Too big is difficult. C2-C7 seems really reasonable! Thank you!!!

[@dnteuxurois]

You're welcome. If you set parameters for C2 as the lowest note and C7 as the highest, the Theremini will play only as low and high as those notes - unless - you go into Advanced Settings and turn on "Theremin Mode." Then, you'll be able to play past both of those limits; a feature that can come in handy.

[@Flanowa]

@@dnteuxurois I am reviewing all of your content and practicing hard. Next month, I plan to purchase some private lessons. I am very excited!

[@dnteuxurois]

@@Flanowa It's wonderful to know that you're having fun and really practicing. There are plenty of tutorials for free, but I'm here whenever you'd like to "meet" on Zoom.

[@oldboy853]

OMG ya'll. I just got off the TW blogsite and they hate the theremini so much. But what you are playing in this session sounds great to me, what I wish I could play and I don't hear any "latency". No expert, but I minored in music in college decades ago. Maybe need to rename it to placate the haters. "DAS - Digital Touchless Synthesizer' or "FSI - Field Sensitive Instrument" not a theramin y'all, but what I want to learn how to play like Kip can.

[@oldboy853]

DTS I meant 😄

[@dnteuxurois]

The theremini does have its idiosyncrasies, but, in exploring all of its capabilities and augmenting various playing techniques, the instrument can be as just as playable and expressive as any theremin. It does have limitations where articulation and rapid notes runs are concerned. Also, all of the presets and the editing suite make it a lot of fun to experiment with. If people are experiencing latency issues it may be function of how it has been calibrated, or the cable, or it may be that the theremini is connected to an amp in such a way that the signal is impeded. Usually, when players describe a problem, I'll immediately try to duplicate it with the objective of helping to find a solution. However, I've never had latency issues at all, nor have I been able to calibrate or connect it in such a way as to duplicate the problem people are referring to. I'm mystified.

[@betpahissa5139]

really grateful for all the content!!!!!! in the beginning and the ending, while doing the demo, which preset and effect are you using? xxxxxxxxx

[@dnteuxurois]

Hi, bet: I really appreciate your comment - very glad that you are finding the tutorial useful. At the beginning and end, I am using preset 10 CLASSIC THRMN. I am using the LONG DELAY effect, but the AMOUNT level is set at approximately the 11 o'clock position. However, I am also making use of settings on my sound system in order to get that very ethereal, "silky" sonic character. If you have an amp that has tonal controls for Low, Mid and High range, turn the LOW all the way to maximum, turn the Mid to about 25% of its range, and take out the high range completely - no high range at all. It will likely be different from mine because we are not using the same sound system but it will give you the closest approximation to the sound I get.

[@abfmkarin]

I'm new to this music instrument but I noticed that it doesn't like mobile phones around either, lol.

[@dnteuxurois]

Never formally introduced my mobile phone to my Theremini. You never know what will interfere with theremins. Best to keep it away from other electronics. But it loves being around fruits and vegetables. Never a problem there.

[@hugoriviere1621]

Thanks for your video, very clear and helpful, I've got a theremini but when I put auto mute off, and step aside from it, the pitch goes high again ! I understand that it is suppose to stay to the lowest note ... I know your advice is to keep the auto mute on but I d like to understand why this is happening, if you have any idea ... Thanks again!

[@dnteuxurois]

Hello, Hugo: As far as I can tell (and this is even mentioned in the Theremini USer Manual as well) when the Auto Mute function is off, the Theremini will always emit a low tone, or, depending upon how the pitch circuit's field reacts, you might even get silence and then suddenly as you get further away, you'll get a higher tone. Either way, it's going to make noise, which is why Moog created the Auto Mute function. Unlike the Moog Etherwaves, Theremini users are unable to set zero beat and vary the size of the control in the same way. The Theremini has to be calibrated, whereas, the calibration of any of the Etherwaves is done entirely manually. If you want to keep the Auto Mute off, there's a simple solution. If you have a standard cable of the type you'd connect to an amp, just loop the cable over the volume antenna when you want it to be quiet. This works even if the cable is not connected to anything. It also works when you're connecting the Theremini to an amp with a cable - just loop a little cable over the volume antenna. ONE WORD OF WARNING: I've seen people using cables that are sheathed in metal as opposed to the standard, more common rubbery plastic. Do NOT loop a cable sheathed in metal over the volume antenna. I hope this has helped.

[@johnnathaniel105]

Thank you for your brilliant tutorials! May I ask what the preset/setting is for the sound you have at the beginning of the video?

[@dnteuxurois]

Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you're finding the tutorials useful. The preset that I'm using is: PRESET 01 CLASSICTHRMN The effect is LONG DELAY, with the AMOUNT knob at about the 11:00 position. The VOLUME knob is turned all the way clockwise. The PITCH CORRECTION knob is turned all the way counter-clockwise. The theremini is connect via cable to my sound system (a first generation Bose PAS). The system has tonal controls for the Low, Mid and High ranges. Having any amp with tonal controls will enable you to tweak the sound characteristics even more to achieve something close to what you hear in the video. On your amp, turn the LOW range all the way up. Turn the HIGH range all the way down. Turn the MID range to be about 1/4 up. Then listen and exeriment al little and you ought to be able to approach the ethereal sonic character in the video.

[@johnnathaniel105]

@@dnteuxurois thanks, I’m actually running it through my sub 37 to use the filter section and it gives a really cool tone!

[@dnteuxurois]

@@johnnathaniel105 Excellent!

[@halmenjoska]

Although I've set it up to mute when pitch hand is far it's not working, even though the volume is on minimum, it just stops when I put my hand close to the volume antenna, can you help me please?

[@dnteuxurois]

I have an idea of what the problem may be, however, more details would be helpful. I'd like to ask you a number of questions. Rather than create a really lengthy thread, please email me at: [e-mail] - just say "hello" and I'll respond to you with my questions. We can take it from there.

[@francescaannibaletti9946]

Hi, i would like to ask you: how can i set the theremini to play the scale C D E F G A B? Whitout any # or b? I have tried to set it to ionian and root C, but i have not the effect that i want. It’s been weeks that i am trying: can you help me? Thank you❤

[@dnteuxurois]

Hi: Apologies for taking so long to get back to you. The holidays were extremely busy with family festivities, a houseful of company and more, including all the cleanup that followed after everyone was gone. My Theremini is set to Preset 01 CLASSIC THRMN, with the Scale: Ionian and the Root: C. All Presets are OFF. The Pitch Correction knob is fully clockwise so that the notes are fully quantized. With all the settings this way, the Theremini plays a perfect major C scale without sharps or flats, automatically. It matches perfectly with a keyboard C major scale. Take a look: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3urp6CAq5Vsd5I Your Theremini should behave precisely the same way. Of course, as you back off of the quantization by gradually turning the Pitch Correction knob gradually counterclockwise, it requires that you use your ear and fingering to locate the pitches (notes) and play the same scale. You state that with your settings that you "have not the effect" that you want. Maybe I am misunderstanding what effect you want. Has this helped at all? Let me know and let's see if we can figure this out.

[@francescaannibaletti9946]

@@dnteuxurois Thank you vero much! The problem was with the pitch connection knob! I did not turned it fully clockwise. Now i am able to play the major scale. Thank you!

[@-joltrast]

I didn't realize Moog had produced this. Is it worth upgrading from my standard? It looks like it has a bunch or really useful new tools. It's a shame it's so ugly looking 😜

[@dnteuxurois]

A lot to unpack here... Yes, a Moog product. It's design is inspired by a retro 1950s look. Prior to its actually being produced, I was fortunate enough to be in Asheville, NC, visiting the Moog factory. The company's president, Mike Adams, generously met with me and, after I signed an NDA, showed me the working designs for the Theremini. At that time, it was the same design, but sea-foam green (which I wish it had remained). So, I suppose I find the design appealing because I'm a child of the '50s. It was originally intended to be used by children, to teach theremin from an early age. My personal opinion is that the Theremini is moderately successful in that capacity; some of its features were directly related to that purpose, but there are limitations (I'll be looking at some of those features in an upcoming tutorial). As for upgrading from your standard, I'd refer to it less as an UPgrade than a SIDEgrade; it's more a of lateral move. Both the standard and the Theremini are very stable, as all Moogs are. But there are major differences in playability that have to do primarily with responsiveness, articulation and tempo. The Etherwave Standard is more responsive than the Theremini - for sharpness of response, articulation, clarity and moderate to rapid tempos, the Standard is far superior. If you are a stickler for well defined notes, for very clear articulation and you want to play music that has a tempo beyond slightly moderate, the Theremini is incapable of doing it. The response off the Theremini's volume antenna is what some call "soupy." Very difficult to produce well defined staccato (but there's a technique I've developed that comes as close as possible). It is also this same response that makes it decidedly unsuitable for any rapid tempos. That being said, the Theremini's strengths lie in its incredible variety of presets, the convenience of its little internal speaker, its LED onscreen prompts and its other features that you can play with, including the ability to build your own sonic presets with the software that comes with it. It's extremely good when training your ear as a result of its built in tuner and readout - you want to hold a note? You'll see how accurate you are (I'll be demonstrating it in a future video). There are some folks who have classified it as more of a toy, but I disagree. Most of all, once you get the hang of calibrating it (another feature that can be difficult for kids), it's lots of fun to explore and play. And, if you have a looping station, using the different presets and their effects and amazing sounds (some of which don't even sound like a theremin), you can really create astonishing music. (FYI - this endorsement is not solicited or paid for by Moog Music, Inc. I just like the Theremini.)

[@-joltrast]

@@dnteuxurois Wow, i was not expecting such an in-depth response. Firstly - thank you! After looking into it more as cool as it is I'm not sure as a leftie that it will work for me and I really should get comfortable with my EW first! 🙂

[@dnteuxurois]

@@-joltrast I'm a lefty, too. However, I play the theremin righty. But all one has to do to play lefty is turn the instrument around and voila - the pitch rod's on the left and the volume loop's on the right. Rewiring or custom built theremin totally unnecessary. But you are right; once the EW is second nature to you, any other theremin will be easy.

[@fueledbylove]

If you have an Etherwave why purchase a cheaper instrument, the mini is low man in Moog's product line for a reason - the richness of the tone of the Etherwave. Compare the sound and you'll stick with the EW.

[@theboofin]

@@fueledbylove Well, the Theremini has features that the Etherwave doesn't have. For me, the ability to assign CCs to the antennae is incredibly useful and the Etherwave doesn't do that.