About the Simple Theremin
A theremin is played without touching it: your hand near an antenna changes the pitch. GreatScott!, one of the most popular electronics channels on YouTube, explains how that works (oscillator types and body capacitance) and then builds a simple version from just two integrated circuits and a few supporting parts.
The circuit uses a CD4093 quad NAND chip for the oscillators and an MCP602 op-amp, with a handful of resistors and capacitors, two potentiometers, a telescopic antenna, a power jack and an audio jack. The Instructable gives the schematic and photos of the author's finished perfboard layout to copy; the video does most of the explaining.
Who it's for. Beginners who can solder and want a first electronic instrument with a bit of theory behind it. You'll need an amplifier or powered speaker to hear it.
Note on the parts list. The Instructable's parts list links to example sellers, but the parts themselves are generic and available anywhere. This is a summary of the Instructable and video; we haven't built one ourselves.
What you'll need
Bought parts
- 1 × CD4093 quad NAND IC
- 1 × MCP602 op-amp
- Capacitors: 2 × 100 pF, 1 × 1 nF, 1 × 4.7 µF
- Resistors: 6 × 10 kΩ, 1 × 5.1 kΩ, 1 × 6.8 kΩ
- 2 × 10 kΩ potentiometers
- An antenna (a telescopic one works well)
- A power jack and an audio jack
- Perfboard, wire and an enclosure
- An amplifier or powered speaker to listen through
Tools
- A soldering iron and solder
- Wire cutters and strippers
- Optional: a breadboard to try the circuit first
Build overview
Our own outline. The schematic and layout photos are on Instructables, and the video explains the circuit.
- Watch the explainer. The video covers how a theremin works and walks through the circuit.
- Gather the parts. Two ICs, a few passive parts, two pots, an antenna and two jacks.
- Build the circuit. Follow the schematic and copy the author's perfboard layout from the photos.
- Box it up and play. Fit it in an enclosure, connect an amp, and adjust the pots until moving your hand changes the pitch.
Video
Play video: Explainer and build (loads YouTube)
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