This video demos the epic Theremin Hero project – Theremin-controlled Guitar Hero:

Theremin Hero Air Guitar is a project created to explore the possibility of using a theremin as an input controller for Guitar Hero. And the result is… YES! YOU CAN! AND ITS FUN!!!

We’ve probably exceeded our exclamation mark quotient for this post – but this looks like a lot of fun.

What I really want to see, though, is Moog Hero, complete with excessive 70’s prog and fusion Moog solos!

via conquerearth:

Below is an FAQ for this project, I will add to this as and when necessary.

Q: What is a theremin?
A: (from wikipedia) “A theremin is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928. The controlling section usually consists of two metal antennas which sense the position of the player’s hands and control oscillators for frequency with one hand, and amplitude (volume) with the other.” Search youtube for theremin to hear what it really sounds like and see how it is normally played (or check out some of my other videos, zelda for example).

Q: How does this work?
A: The (highly) simplified version.. The sound from the theremin (or voltage output if available) is recorded live and captured by the software. The software then splits out the frequency and amplitude values and maps these to a vitual joystick, which has different ‘hit areas’ corresponding to the different buttons on a controller. The button presses are then fed into the game running on the same computer.

Q: I want a Theremin, where can I buy one like yours?
A: Contact your local Moog distributer. I have both an etherwave plus and etherwave standard.

Q: What are these random flashing things on the screen and what are they for?
A: a visual answer is needed for this one.. look here [link TBA]

Q: What about chords?
A: For single player mode, a software ‘bot’ reads the screen and detects which chords are coming up. When the player strums a note which is part of a chord, the bot automatically adds in the rest of the note button presses to make up the full chord.
In co-op mode, player 1 combines the second note of the chord is played by player 2. In this mode, player 2 strums chords only, and player 1 strums single notes only.

Q: Hold on a second.. You wrote a BOT FOR GUITAR HERO?
A: Yup, and it can get over 90% on TTFATF in un-restriced mode. I’m considering showing that in a seperate video, its fun to watch.

Q: Where can I download the software?
A: Nowhere yet, the software has too many bugs at the moment. It will be released when it is ready.

Q: How do you activate “star power”?
A: yet to be implemented, I’m not really concerned with scores for the moment (accuracy is more important to me).

Q: Which version of guitar hero is this?
A: Guitar Hero III for PC.

Q: Does it support any other version of guitar hero / rock band / FOF?
A: Not for the moment.

Q: How did you get the zelda and final fantasy boss battle music into guitar hero?
A: http://www.scorehero.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68934

Q: Try “Through the Fire and the Flames”!
A: That’s not a question.

Q: What tracks are thoes?
A: TBA

Q: What score did you end up getting on the final fantasy boss music?
A: 78%

Q: Whos the girl?
A: Jak “The Molly” Enerjak (as she is know as on youtube and DeviantArt). She is an incredibly talanted comic book writer artist, gamer, and geek. Her website is www.signumfas.com, be sure to check it out.

Q: Is she your girlfriend?
A: No 🙁

Q: I work for activision / harmonix / neversoft. Can I contact you and give you lots of money?
A: Yes.