DIY Vacuum Tube Theremin(+Circuit Explanation)

I had a lot of fun working on this video. The Theremin is an amazing instrument to play!

Schematic here:

Shout out to this small YouTube channel that I came across recently. There is some excellent content there about how each type of vacuum tube works.

Donate to TT:

[Dylan-syxv]

Just wanted to say that I teach an undergraduate electrical engineering class about electromagnetism, and I showed this video in class. The students loved it.

[UnlucksMcGee]

Plot twist: The theremin doesn't work, Tanner is just making the sounds with his mouth. That's why his mouth stays open.

[StolenPw]

No fucking way I have NEVER seen a home made one before thats like one of the coolest things ive seen built on youtube. You're fucking awesome dude.

[davidfuller]

Thank you so much! @1:37 I am weeping. Yes I am old and sentimental. Now forwarding this to my friends. You sir are one of my mentors. Your enjoyment is contagious!

[niktesla]

Knowledge regarding how and why components interact is as or more important as the enjoyment of creating. Much appreciated!

[erin]

I just finished building my tube theremin. I looked up the article in EI 1961 and I remember seeing it back in the day. I chose to build mine in an LMB aluminum chassis box about 12 by 8 by 2 inches high. I used the dual OA2 regulators and added better filtering than shown in the article. I built it stage by stage and tested each circuit as It was assembled. The hardest circuit to get working was the 6AN8 resonant amplifier. My antennas form are still up in the air, but i chose a simple vertical 14 inch whip and a half loop for audio level. It works pretty good. Now I am going to attempt the sold state version.

I discovered this channel yesterday, searching what components are worth desoldering and came across with this channel. Intro hooked me in, personality is fine AF, and i genuinely think this channel should be more popular because there's real passion here.

[txkflier]

Your volume is reversed compared to every other Theremin I've seen; however, I like that it's quiet when your hand isn't close to the volume antenna and louder the closer it is. Excellent explanation at the end. It brought back memories of my training on Air Traffic Control Radar Systems at Keesler AFB in 1970.

[loukashareangas]

The impressive part isn't that you built it, it's that you managed to play something on it!

[jumilifyify]

What a great project you took on! and amazing results. Thanks for sharing your notes with us.

[Mario_DiSanto]

Very cool man, this video was put together perfectly.

[jeremycbarnhart]

Awesome, man! Love it. That's a project I'd love to tackle too.
Wish they had a kit. Lol

[guy]

"It is 12 30 and this theremin has become an AM radio"

[frankborder]

Super impressive video - your scientific knowledge is so inspiring.

[freeflyer]

Wonderful job. Figuring out the circuits and sourcing the parts.

[batchrocketproject]

Really nice presentation of a great project. I particularly enjoyed the explanation at the end and the trouble-shooting tips. Thanks for posting.

[erin]

I do like the antenna insulators you used.

[TroyBrokenshire]

Hey Tanner, congrats on getting this working. It sounds great! I've built the same one, but I haven’t been able to get it to sound as good as yours. I’ve rebuilt it twice with no luck. I’m not quite sure how your tuning caps fit in. Maybe I missed that part in your explanation.You haven’t posted in a while, so I’m not sure if you’re still around or open to chatting. But if you are, I’d really appreciate the chance to talk about your build and figure out what I might be doing wrong. Thanks!

[cjay]

Tanner, that's an amazing accomplishment - building a Theremin. They are difficult to bring into alignment and difficult to play well. The addition of the regulating tubes helps greatly to stabilize the device. Personally I might have built it into a metal chassis instead of wood, but it appears to be working well as is.

[oldtemecula]

Your fascination with analog is like an old soul reincarnated. Your theremin volume response direction is reverse of what is considered the standard today. Volume control your way does make the most sense but skill developed backward will prevent you from playing most other theremin models. Another great video in your fine collection.