Moog Music today announced the official release of the Theremini – a ‘re-imagining’ of the theremin that offers traditional analog control, synthesis options based on Animoog, control voltage out for controlling other analog gear, MIDI In/Out and built-in effects.
In the official overview video, above, thereminist Dorit Chrysler introduces and demos the Theremini.
The Moog Theremini
The Theremini offers a wide range of features, for both new players and power users:
- Pitch correction w/ selectable scales and root note
- Built in tuner allows you to learn pitch and scales
- 32 Wavetable based presets
- Built in speaker
- Headphone output
- Two 1/4″ audio outputs
- Single Pitch CV output w/ selectable range
- User selectable scale and root note (stored per preset)
- User selectable range: highest note and lowest note (stored per preset)
- Adjustable Stereo Ping-Pong Delay
- Removable pitch antenna – built in storage compartment on bottom-side
- Built in 3/8” Mic stand and Camera stand adaptor
- Rubberized feet
The Theremini’s front panel features a multi-function LCD screen, which displays a chromatic tuner with real-time feedback of each note as it is played. This is designed to help new players learn hand positioning for correct pitch intonation.
The Theremini also offers adjustable pitch quantization. You can select a scale and root note and then ‘dial in’ the level of pitch correction that you want.
At the maximum position, the Theremini will play every note in a selected scale exactly in tune. If pitch correction is set to minimum, the Theremini performs exactly as a traditional Etherwave Theremin – an analog heterodyning oscillator controls pitch. Because the level of pitch quantization is adjustable, it can be used as a learning tool for new players, as an effect, or as a new playing option for advanced users.
The Theremini features a portable design with tabletop feet, bottom nesting pitch antenna, and a built-in speaker for quick setup and rehearsal anywhere.
The Theremini includes a stereo effects processor, so it has two line level audio outputs on the back. Other connections include an assignable ¼” CV output jack with selectable range and a mini USB jack for preset editing, sound and firmware updates, and MIDI control.
Front Panel:
- LCD SCREEN: 128 X 64 pixel LCD with white backlight.
- HEADPHONE JACK: 1/8” (3.5mm) TRS headphone jack. Inserting a headphone plug will disable the internal speaker
- VOLUME KNOB: Controls headphone volume and built in speaker volume.
- PITCH BIAS KNOB: Determines the amount of pitch correction from 0% to 100%
- SCALE BUTTON: Select from a list of built in scales
- ROOT BUTTON: Select the root note to be used by the scale
- SETUP BUTTON: Provides access the setup and calibration functions – also acts as a shift key.
- DELAY LENGTH BUTTON: Selects the length of delay: SHORT, MEDIUM, LONG, or OFF
- DELAY AMOUNT KNOB: Controls the amount of delay mixed with the dry signal.
- PRESET KNOB: Selects the preset played from a built in list of 32 presets
Rear Panel:
- LEFT OUTPUT: Line Level ¼” unbalanced TS
- RIGHT OUTPUT:Line Level ¼” unbalanced TS
- CV OUTPUT: ¼” TS – 0-5V or 0-10V selectable
- USB: MiniB USB2.0 High Speed for USB MIDI
- KENSINGTON LOCK SLOT
- POWER SWITCH: Push ON / Push OFF
- POWER JACK: 12VDC/1.2A from 100–240VAC external supply (included)
The Moog Theremini is available now, priced at US $319. See the Moog site for more info.
It doesn’t appear to have MIDI in/out, as it says in the introduction to this post. At least it’s not in the specs on the Moog site, I don’t see any MIDI jacks!
That said, must. have.
USB: MiniB USB2.0 High Speed for USB MIDI
looks really good !!! CV out usb midi built in fx
needs more presets
i really want to try this out
A theremin with Animoog technology? Sign me up.
can you plug in midi in to … sequence it ?
I think the main benefit of that is that you could record a performance into a DAW as MIDI, tweak it, and then play it back, using the Theremini as a hardware module.
yeah the animoog sound engine is very impressive to say the least.
Dorit Chrysler looks lovely. The Theremini’s not bad either.
HOW DARE YOU COMPLIMENT THAT WOMAN!!!!
first digital synth by Moog ?
Looks like it’s got all the analog goodness of a traditional theremin – plus the synthesis capabilities of Animoog plus digital audio effects. Seems like a sweet setup for the price.
Looks like the synth patches are presets, though, so it would be incredible if you coukd load your own Animoog patches.
Well, Animoog is digital. and well liked to say the least. So second digital synth. LOL.
Best use I can think of is to send MIDI out for nicer musical expression using other synths.
Recording your performance as MIDI, controlling other synths- all synths should have MIDI In/ Out.
I already own a Theremin, and was pretty interested with this one because its the first Theremin with portamento/glide control.
Most of the skill of traditional theremin playing is learning to AVOID portamento.
Yes, ideally, but Its impossible for humans to move so quickly between distant notes to completely eliminate gliding. Surely robots can do it, but humans moves too slowly.
Anyone know if the cv out can be set to use the scale correction?
yes it can
But… Isn’t the display and the knobs supposed to be in front of the player?
It looks like she’s play with in vetted hands.
She’s good and the termini is easy to play (compare to the original theremin), still to me looks like a silly choice to showcase the instrument using a virtuoso and make her play backwards gust to sho the pretty display….
Maybe I’m totally off, and that’s how you play it….. In that case, poor choice or ergonomic layout 😉
I see: further research show me that she always play that way. Maybe this plastic molded model of theremin can’t be modified to played by left handed players, so you just flip it! That would make sense.
Looks like the right entry level/learning tool fo people like me… A bit scared but fascinated by it.
It would be really cool if you could program patches on the iPad animoog and upload it in to the theremini to perform.
Lol at further research.. It even says in the video she is a left handed player
Theremins traditionally have the pitch antenna on the right.
Chrysler plays ‘left-handed’, turning the theremin 180 degrees, so that’s why it looks turned-around, because it is turned around.
Almost all theremins follow the traditional design – volume on the left, pitch on the right.
I also play like this because I also play guitars and basses and I’m used to play notes with my left hand and to pick with my right one. It felt more natural playing the Theremin in reverse.
She is left handed.
I guess she’s left handed. As far as I know the normal way to play a theremin is to control pitch with the right hand and dynamics with the right.
Errm… Sorry i meant dynamics with the left.
Why did they have to make it affordable? Why? Why poke? Why?
CV out –> Pitch of Sub Phatty = World’s phattest theremin
Shipping now, but it probably won’t actually hit stores until mid-June (at least that’s what B&H told me about my pre-order). Can’t wait to run other SW synths with it!
Until last year I owned a black ash Bob Moog Theremin. I bought it new at £180 some years ago. I sold it last year because I hardly used it and needed the money. When I came to sell it had doubled in value. It sold for more than twice what I paid for it. I felt that the classic theremin was a bit too basic for me. This new moog has everything I would want in a Theremin.