===== All Those Theremins! =====
 
Recently we were asked several questions about 
  * how to solder a theremin
  * what platforms are the best to use
  * making a synthesizer, like a punksynth etc (zděnek made one already yippee)
  * doing things with sensors and physical computing

==== Some background information ====

Now, to get started, it might be a nice idea to explore this all via the making of a simple [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin|Theremin]]. This one of the first electric synthesizers invented in the early 1920's by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Theremin|Lev Theremin]] in Moscow. Since it is using arm/hand movements to detect pitch and amplitude, it is also a special instrument, using radio antennas as sensors. It had a tremendous influence on what was to follow in electronic music till today. 

The idea is to get in the mood with the [[https://whadda.com/product/madlab-electronic-kit-junior-theremin-wsg105|Madlab electronic kit made by whadda]], and intended for teaching jongsters to solder. If you are interested in it let me know then I will order some... (11-12€)

{{:laboznamky:madlabtheremin.jpeg?300|}}

Of course we want to invent our own musical instrument, with our favorite single-board and some non-contact sensors. Basically we could use anything that can be used for measuring, even a thermometer, but to get started let's give some ideas according to the common boards and the electronics that are cheap and easy to handle. Again, and this is the interesting part of making a musical machine, please let your ideas go wild and try to realize them....

==== The Boards ====

//But more of interest is that we can look into ALL of the popular single board computers (micro:bit, arduino, RPI, ESP32, etc...), and find designs and code online on how to make a theremin. //

micro:bit \\
https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/microbit/b/blog/posts/project-bbc-micro-bit-light-theremin-by-cabe

arduino \\
  * https://projecthub.arduino.cc/jvmccall/ultrasonic-theremin-261039
  * https://www.instructables.com/Ultrasonic-Theremin-2/

ESP32 \\
  * https://www.instructables.com/Make-a-Pocket-Size-Theremin-With-ESP32/
  * https://docs.sunfounder.com/projects/esp32-starter-kit/en/latest/micropython/basic_projects/py_light_theremin.html

M5Stack \\
  * https://github.com/meganetaaan/m5stack-theremin

Some readymade or DIY soldering kits \\
  * https://gaudi.ch/OpenTheremin/ (commercial, you have to buy the kit, different versions and for sure first watch this nice video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YDXjTXwgY8 (hihi switzerland!!!!!)
  * https://www.fearlessnight.com/optical_theramin/index.html (special!!!)
  * https://www.electromaker.io/blog/article/exploring-the-noise-at-optical-theremin-kit

//Also we can chose our own sensors to control body movements for amplitude and pitch, continuous or discreet, code and ... PLAY! Inventing a new dress for an old synth. Basically we are looking into light and proximity, which already exist in a large variety of types. // 

==== The sensors ====

Some general info: 
  * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proximity_sensor
  * https://www.analog.com/en/resources/glossary/light-sensor.html

Now, let's see what we find in our old box in the attic... 

Different light sensors: 
  * (LDR) https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-light-sensor
  * (BH1750) https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-bh1750-ambient-light-sensor/