Arduino Theremin (English)

Program a DIY digital synthesizer with the Mozzi library for Arduino.

Use common actuators like switches, potentiometers and buttons to control your device, as well as an ultrasonic distance sensor to change the pitch of the instrument, and play it like a Theremin, the first electronic instrument, born out of Soviet research into distance sensors.

For Intermediates, advanced, music enthusiasts

*Requirements: *Basic Arduino Knowledge

Price: 27€ for GRAND GARAGE Members & 37€ otherwise

Program a compact digital synthesizer with the Mozzi library for Arduino. Use common actuators like switches, potentiometers and buttons to control your device, as well as an ultrasonic distance sensor to change the pitch of the instrument. This gesture is familiar to the one used to control the Theremin, the first electronic instrument ever built, born out of Soviet research into distance sensors.

The workshop can accept beginners, music enthusiasts but also advanced users given the wide variety of tools offered by the Mozzi library. Bring a pair of headphones or earbuds to make changes to your synthesizer and hear them in realtime. Also, take a look at the Mozzi library online. If you bring your own laptop install the Arduino IDE.

Procedure:

  • Introduction to the software and components/set up computers (30min)
  • Basics of the Arduino IDE and programming of the controller (30min)
  • Using the Mozzi library to create a synthesizer (60min)
  • Personalization of each project with changes to the code (30min)
  • Test the sounds, feedback and discussion about possible developments of the format (30min)