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Let there be light!!!
The Synthrotek Optical Theremin is one of our wildest circuits! Two optical resistors, sensitive to light shining upon them, control both the pitch and volume of a standard 555 timer in astable mode. The result: a chaotically cool noisemaker! Two potentiometers allow for setting levels and sensitivity of both optical resistors. The circuit is simple to build and powered by either a 9V battery or a 9V center negative AC adapter (not included). Loads of fun and highly adaptable/modifiable, you'll see the light with the Synthrotek Optical Theremin!
Assembly instructions available online.
C.K.
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2023
Most Theremins use antennas and body/device capacitance for frequency and volume control, this one uses photo resistors.Not too much to the build, but you will have to decide how you’ll mount this, or it’ll just be a small circuit board with parts dangling off on wires. Works fine., better than most small capacitive ones.For a full build and demo search YouTUbe for "C.K. builds an Optical Theremin kit from Synthrotek"
Jon Ether
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2018
No instructions came with the kit, but a link to online instructions was given instead. The online instructions were incomplete, giving partial descriptions of items at best and completely omitting installation instructions for one part in particular. Pictures are displayed with color coded wires, but you are only provided with black. Basically, you need to be an expert to use this kit as it is not meant for beginners. I am a beginner. If you are also a beginner, try earning a certificate in electronics first and then come back to this.After all my efforts, I could not get this to work.
Muppett
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2017
It has very limited range
Dmitry Bezrodnykh
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2016
It's a cheap DIY kit, but the good kind of cheap. It may take a little bit to figure out how to wire it but once you do (I put mine inside of a clean Ice cream box) it sounds like it should sound, plain and unfiltered, cheap but good. Add some kind of amp to this thing and it will be worth getting.
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