Making the Open Theremin From Scratch

[@Macakiux]

"This metal bracket that I basically improvised" *shows a flawlessly beveled and finished piece* 4:00

[@LockeLaboratory]

Haha, good eye. I should have say that I used some scrap parts from a discard bin which happened to be finished anodized aluminum.

[@Macakiux]

@@LockeLaboratory I figured it was something like that. I just thought it was funny because when I improvise it often includes tape and hot glue 😅

[@ericlotze7724]

I love Theremins! (I did hear they are one of the hardest instruments to learn) I'd probably want to add an XLR or 6.5mm port in KiCAD myself, but otherwise seems like a great project! (and i have a spare arduino uno lying around in need of a project)

[@LockeLaboratory]

An xlr would be a good addition for the project, it would get rid of an extra grounding cable and sound quality would probably be better. Theremin players have serious skill and body control, I could not even play one note in tune.

[@voldy3565]

3:24 Where did you get the template for bending the copper? And how did you print it to scale? Do you maybe have a mouser shopping list for all the parts?

[@andyletke]

Great job! Thinking I’d like to make one with my kids:)

[@juntingyin7716]

Hi Jimmy, how difficult is it to solder the parts following the BOM? Found a seller on Aliexpress that sells the PCB with components - just need to solder the parts onto the board and install with a arduino. wonder will this be doable for someone with no soldering experience. thx

[@LockeLaboratory]

I would always encourage trying and taking a dive to learn new skills. It can be fun, kind of like building a model. Its kind of like learning how to ski, first time is often lots of failure but by the end of first session you may have already gotten the hang of it. If you have a steady hand and the right equipment, it isn't too bad. The trickiest parts for this kit may be the header connectors that adapt to the arduino as well as the IC chips. I'd recommend also getting a practice soldering kit to try first so your first try isn't spent on the theramin kit you found. You will need tweezers, flux, solder, solder braid, and a temperature controlled soldering iron. Best of luck.

[@zarazapaful]

Bonjour,comment faire pour avoir les schéma s de montagne(pcb et composants) du open theremin V3,je n'y arrive pas

[@dougtaylor7724]

Heathkit should have had a kit for these.

[@ti-ga-karate]

What site did you download the parts list and schematics

[@LockeLaboratory]

Download here github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3

[@chriscaccamise3308]

Can you share the files that you used for the PCBs? I have some students who would love to build this but I can't also walk them through the PCB design process.

[@LockeLaboratory]

github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3 Here is what I used. There is a newer version out apparently

[@juntingyin7716]

Hi Jimmy, how do you ground the theremin? I didn't understand how do link the test lead to the earth port of the main outlet. what do I need to buy to that? Thanks.

[@LockeLaboratory]

There is a grounding pad on the bottom of the theremin. I just used a clip on test lead to clip onto this ground pad and with the banana jack end of the test lead into ground port of an outlet.

[@juntingyin7716]

@@LockeLaboratory thank you Jimmy

[@guloguloguy]

....WOW!!!!!! I WANT TO KNOW IF A "THEREMIN" WILL RESPOND TO ANY "METALLIC" OBJECTS, WITHIN PROXIMITY TO IT'S ANTENNA?!!!... COULD THIS BE USED TO "SWEEP" OVER TALL GRASS, TO FIND METAL OBJECTS?!!...

[@LockeLaboratory]

I dont think a theramin would do a great job of this? I think the antenna responds to grounded objects such as a person. A metal detector would be a better tool for finding metal.

[@Erika-uu8tj]

Why does everyone fast forward through the soldering and the initial building???

[@LockeLaboratory]

Sorry about that. I got a new camera and wanted to try out the time lapse feature. I didn't know people would be interested in the soldering part at real time speed. I could put in my queue a video on soldering technique if interested.

[@mad7505]

Hi Locke building a couple of these myself could you possibly link me to the part list? I just received all the PCB's but haven't found a part list for all the remaining parts. Thank you in advance.

[@LockeLaboratory]

github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3_Shield www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-x-10-ft-Soft-Copper-Refrigeration-Coil-Tubing-1-4-R-10RE/203654086 This is where I got the bill of materials. It is in ODS format which is a Libre Office spreadsheet file. Second link is for the tubing I bought from hardware store. The only things that weren't on the BOM's were the knobs, the banana plugs, and hardware to mount a tripod. Those things I improvised. Good luck on your build!

[@gabrielmorales8090]

Como contigo los materialrs

[@rightawnrightawn]

That's amazing! How much did it ultimately cost you in parts?

[@LockeLaboratory]

Thanks! I vaguely remember that it ended up 50 percent cheaper than buying a premade kit since you end up qith quantity 2. I want to say 20 ish dollars for bare boards and shipping, 40 ish for parts from mouser, 15 for the copper tube. Other things like tripod, speaker, cables I already had on hand.

[@laughinglee1595]

May I get the code of Arduino about theremin?

[@LockeLaboratory]

Here you go: github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3

[@JohnnylllStark]

I want to buy a project, how do I do it?

[@LockeLaboratory]

You can get it from the creators here. gaudishop.ch/index.php/product/opentheremin-v3-shield-and-antenna-kit-bundle/ you'll need to also buy an arduino to plug into it

[@JohnnylllStark]

TKS Brow. I love you jobs. see ya

[@Berghiker]

Where are the KiCad files so I can send them to JLB PCB and order mine too?

[@LockeLaboratory]

Hello, you can find it here: github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3_Shield

[@Berghiker]

@@LockeLaboratory Ok. Thanks.

[@Berghiker]

@@LockeLaboratoryHow do I send it to them? There are so many.

[@LockeLaboratory]

@@Berghiker in the git download there is a folder called PCB. In that folder is another one called "Gerber_Files" simply zip all the files you find in "Gerber_Files" to send to the PCB manufacture. From there you can order bare PCB's. You'll have to specify things like overall dimensions, quantity, number of layers (2), surface finish, etc.

[@Berghiker]

@@LockeLaboratory Ok

[@ericlotze7724]

1:15 A protégé !

[@alexandrumihaibudes3852]

Hello - for the soldering part, did you use the BOM privided or checked the circuit schematics? there are at least 3 differences. Someone signaled them on github but no answer from the maker

[@LockeLaboratory]

Hi Alexandru, I didn't use the schematic at all I simply looked for the reference designators that were silkscreened on the PCB. Then used the provided BOM to cross out the line item after each were soldered.

[@alexandrumihaibudes3852]

@@LockeLaboratory C22 seems to be different in the schematic than in the BOM: github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3_Shield/issues/5 So for you it works anyway . Cool! Thanks for the answer. I'll start putting together my own soon.

[@LockeLaboratory]

@@alexandrumihaibudes3852 Great catch! I didn't even notice it. It appears C22 is simply a low pass filter for the output of the DAC chip. Going with the 47nf (what I did) will lower the cut off frequency of the low pass to about 1.5Khz whereas the schematic shows 10nf will have a 7.2Khz cut off frequency. I'm curious how that will affect the sound output, what did you suggest to github as the correct value?

[@alexandrumihaibudes3852]

@@LockeLaboratory It was not me pointing it out there on Github. My understanding of electronics is novice , yet I stumbled on this comment there when checking what I got to do. Yet not many people made the attempt like you to build it up from scratch . My parts will arrive in a week or so. Ill let you know how it sounds with the other cap

[@jimidoodles]

Be funny if Ghosts interacted with theremins

[@ericlotze7724]

On a very unrelated note: I was making a BOM and replicating this "Dessicant-Humidifier Refrigeration Cycle AC" (video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baiXo5ppisimnas ), and thought adding an air filter like one of your designs would be a good idea. Do you have a BOM, or any advice on this? (I'm documenting my work on this project here: wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/Dessicant_Humidifier_Cycle_Refrigeration )

[@LockeLaboratory]

That is a very interesting project. Since the particle load isn't very high for that application, you may get away with a simple fabric furnace filter with activated carbon sheets. An electrostatic precipitator might be overkill in this situation unless you are dealing with a lot of outdoor air pollution.

[@11okt]

Clicked on the video cause i thought "hell yeah i want to build one!" 30sec later oke nvm.. Stil watching the vid tho

[@LockeLaboratory]

Yea making boards is lot of work. Much less time to just buy :) thanks for watch!