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9.07.13  Always Update Press F5

Beautiful Water
 Agua Bella
красивая вода

EtherWave Standard -  Theremin Antenna

The theremin concept is simply perfect. I have observed that when human nature is aware of something that is a true marvel of Mother Nature he creates idols, rituals and mathematical models to represent her. They do this to such a degree it distorts the consciousness from knowing why the marvel is perfect. They put so much effort into designing an idol they can hold on too,  they remain in a state of limbo never understanding why the idol could never be perfect, it is only a shadow.  Christopher

- shadows are cast down by the Marvel and are devoid of Her -


Sound track was composed by PeterPringle.com swimming in a Pitch Field.

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Un-modified EtherWave Standard Pitch Antenna Tuning
Go Here

Excellent $5 Bass Mod enhancement at bottom of this page.

Or

           Check out the Acoustic Resonator

Perfect Pitch Field Linearity of Seven Octaves is found using a #20 gauge long thin wire for a theremin antenna suspended vertically within water and a dab of vinegar.

Polymer gel beads can be used with a clear tube which keeps the electrode/antenna center wire thermally insulated from rapid environment changes, helps contain the water to avoid total leak out and can be beautiful in a clear tube.

Just add Water

Nothing is critical in the design other than making it water tight. The EWS wants a longer wire length for electrode/antenna circuit balance, so we go to a spiral wound method to keep the height shorter.
The Lev Antenna Story: In 2003 I had a theremin vision. While working on another weekend electronic project, an AM Radio transmitter, the concept of a theremin came to mind. Without ever experiencing one physically, visually or knowing of Lev Sergeyevich Termen or Robert Moog my theremin journey would begin. My complete theremin design is original in the sense I never looked how anyone else built theirs.

Perfect pitch field linearity was the first thing I noticed once I had heterodyning working. At 900 kHz a dry coiled wire antenna worked perfectly but ten years later I realized it did not work at the ~286 kHz frequency of the EtherWave Standard, why?.

Now that my own theremin design has reach fullness, I pulled the EWS out of the closet, that day was August 12, 2013.  I purchased it the year before to compare my ten years of research against.  Over the next three days the Agua Bella electrode/antenna was born which works perfect at the lower frequency of the EWS.

The best method of the Agua Bella electrode construction is still evolving but the principle is solid about suspending a thin wire in an electrolytic solution. As I look back on the history of Lev Sergeyevich he often referred to his pitch antenna as an electrode, how many theremin designers have taken this serious? Why did he use this word electrode and not antenna? Do you think he told RCA everything or did he hold something close to the vest?

A simple $15 analog heterodyne two transistor / single diode small theremin board can have drift free operation, perfect pitch field linearity and a sound that would get Clara Rockmore’s attention, my own theremin designs verify this. From the start of my journey I knew I could not sell anything and the goal was to share what I discovered with the hope other theremin designers would explore theremin possibilities beyond their comfort zone. My journey has been about the magic in a thin wire.

An analog AM Radio is a good pitch detecting tool tuned to double (286khz) the EWS ~572 kHz on the AM dial. Every one should do this now as a method of checking for cause when you hear no sound at your amplifier. Someone may have turned the volume down or unplugged a cable. The radio will tell you if the oscillators are producing an audio signal on their end.  Digital radios & theremins don't cooperate together.

When first installed the new electrode pulled the EWS pitch frequency 3500 hz higher which tells me the variable oscillator freq went lower due to increased loading. 

Thermal drift resistance using the EWS with Bella is the best I have ever seen, need to check the EWS with the original antenna. Within one musical note drift over 5 degrees F @ 300hz. That is less than a 2" (5 cm) window of hand correction.

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Improve Your Linearity - The proper IF coil to tune is L6 shown with the red stick. This will need about a 3/4 turn clockwise. You should put a square of masking tape over the other two IFT Cans so you don't accidently adjust them.

The choke connection that works can be seen off the right side of the first choke that connects to the Q1 transistor collector. Connected anywhere else flat lines. Only on a EWS. There is a second method for hook-up seen in the  Some Photos

The more energy transferred through the electrode/antenna creates the most available linear octaves, five to seven should be expected.

You might want to use three spring clamps for an extra linear octave near the electrode/antenna.

The extra alligator clip wire will be wrapped around an L-bracket seen in the large photo below.  This helps with tuning the electrode/antenna characteristics with the pitch oscillator. 

Someone could improve on the L brace wire wrap area that understands the EWS oscillator better than I do. The antenna becomes less sensitive without this tiny capacitive ground path.

Note: With the cover off, the sound and antenna modification can be converted back to how it was perfectly in 30 seconds plus a slight retune of L6.

This Budget Agua Bella design is less attractive than the transparent Orbeez design but more practical to put together. The side clamps allow for quick removal and static coupling to the center electrode. Pop the electrode/antenna off or back in place and still be in perfect tune. 

 Perfect Linearity can have Vibrato at 55 hz using the setup above

The outside foil is now placed on the inside of the pipe.

Note: The clear tube material in the photo below allowed for an extra octave. Linear octaves squeeze in on the high side of pitch.

It is possible so when placing the EWS cover back on, it can be compensated for by sliding the electrode/antenna down an inch.

Update: 9.07.13    Some Photos  

 The main pex pipe is 3/4" thin wall The OD's must be > 3/4" to fit the brackets and hold the solution.

Pipe - End Caps - Spring Clamps - Wire - Foil Tape - Dowel
Amazon

main pipe 24" in length - dowel 3/8" x 23.75" @  5' of wire  wound & held in place by two dowel holes 21" apart. Electrical tape is wound on each end of the dowel to hold the center point. Nothing critical Electrolytic Mix: 1-1/2 cup of tap water, two plastic teaspoons of white vinegar, this also prevents algae growth.
The support wood square is held in place with Velcro, this is for the spring clamps. I drilled one hole for an electrical connection or feed a wire through the Moog antenna support.
The metallic tape is placed behind the spring clamps so they make electrical contact with one another. Also a 5" long 2" wide piece is placed inside the pipe against the walls. Use a toothbrush to press it down. This allows internal electrostatic coupling with the external spring clamps. Note: A third clamp could be used for an extra top end linear octave.

Note: Pex pipe & CPVC pipe have the same dimensions, these are not interchangeable with standard PVC irrigation sprinkler pipe & fittings.

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The line of linearity is straight but 2" (50 mm) off to either side of the electrode due to the natural shape of your hand.

A linear pitch field will seem less responsive at first because you're use to the hot response around the antenna which no longer exists. Also you will notice the crisp vibrato you can get with the lowest musical notes because the outside pitch field has tightened up.

A good method to use to determine the maximum octave count is to place the finger tips of a open hand next to the electrode/antenna barely touching with a finger nail.  Use this to determine if adjustments like changing the L wire wrap is improving the or making worse the response. You are adjusting for maximum octave count not linearity. Use sound card software to observe frequency.  Pitch Note Tuner

Bella Under Design

 

Your construction might be done bare bones with a $10 setup similar to my test jig. 

24" x 3/4" PVC pipe thin wall pipe,  with a water tight glued bottom cap. ($3)

Use bare 20 gauge silver plated wire ($4.37) and wind a coil on a 3/8" dia. dowel, use 5' of wire for the wind. Then spread out and secure through small drilled holes 23" apart. 

This silver plated hardened copper wire holds its form if the wood dowel is removed when using a clear tube with Orbeez.

I tried both methods and they demonstrated Perfect Pitch Field Linearity with the EWS.
No Orbeez or polymer gel beads were used in the opaque PVC 3/4" thin wall pipe.

 

Update 9.07.13    This mix allows for 7 linear octaves.  

It is inspiration that gives us new ideas but we still must work to fulfill them.

Latest Electrolytic Mix: 1-1/2 cup of tap water, two plastic teaspoons of white vinegar which also prevents algae growth. This mix on the EWS is perfectly linear. This is non-toxic and works great.

 

Note: This won't turn you into an excellent Thereminist but your technique sure will improve!

- Making Agua Bella come to Life -  
I will get back to this beautiful design below after someone reports back on the above Budget Bella design

Smaller 1/4" beads will distribute better around the self wound coil within the plastic tube

Agua Bella
Lev Antenna
Amazon List

12 Things You Need

 1

 Clear  3/4" pipe  
$7.26

  2

Pet Feeder Amazon 
$4.35

 3

Wind Your Coil $4.37  
5' of 20 gauge 3/8" form

 4

Orbeez Amazon $11
More colors on page
For tuning and holds the
 connecting wire using
 wrap around. =>		 5

1-1/2" Corner Brace 
$6.99

 6 

  Coupler/Moog Thread 
$6.12

 7

Moog Female Thread
 Chrome Nut $1.43

 8

Pipe Coupler LFA732
$6
Total ~ $60
Plus Shipping, handling & tax

Need one of each # item

 9

1/4-20 Brass Screw 1"
Lowes $1.20

10

Epoxy Glue 
$ 2.78

 11

#1 Stopper  $.60
Buy 2 Local, no shipping

For Sound Mod & Antenna
14" Test Leads Amazon $5.58

Radio Shack 100pf  $1.99

#1 Stopper 
Lowes x2  $1.04

Funnel
Lowes $.87

 12

1/4-20 Brass Nut
Lowes $1.10

 .

Epoxy Glue 
Lowes $3.77

Lowes  A-108

Moog Female Thread
2 Chrome Nuts $3.28

Lowes LFA732

Pipe Coupler 
 Hardware $3.87
Better Prices
Local Lowes Hardware =>		 1-1/2" Corner Brace 
Lowes $5.63		 Feeder Syringe
Petco $2.39 need 2		 Wind Your Coil $5.99 
Hobby Lobby #20		 Orbeez
 Walmart $6.95

If you use a direct Moog thread mount, stuff mount it with paper and fill with candle wax so water leak out does not enter the enclosure.

DENATURED ALCOHOL is the best and probably the safest solvent from a bodily contact standpoint to clean up un-cured epoxy resin.  Ordinary mineral spirits (paint thinner) is also relatively safe. Other solvents are more hazardous, from a vapor inhalation and/or flammability standpoint, as well as from long-term health affects.

ACETONE is a very effective solvent but has a relatively high evaporation rate, making it necessary to keep the container closed at all times when not in use for safety and economy. The main problem with acetone is that it is highly flammable.

Your Moog EtherWave Standard can now have a Perfectly Linear Pitch Field that surpasses the performance of the skinny arm on the Moog E-Pro allowing easy access to all of the linear octaves without flipping a clumsy switch. Both the linear pitch and nice sound modification can be done for as little as $15 up to $60 DIY which will revolutionize the Moog EtherWave Standard. These changes will increase the demand for the EWS while the E-pro will loose some appeal. 

This theremin approach allows the ordinary individual to make these simple modifications or revert back to the original setup in seconds.

Below is the basic EWS Bass sound modification

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Notice the simple sound mod mounted by two alligator clips.

The angle iron coiling is for tuning, it is a slight capacitive to ground effect rather than inductance.
Sand off the finish at the screw and underneath so it has good contact top and bottom.

Using this 3/4" thin wall clear plastic pipe allows for ideal mounting and gluing over an existing 1/4" water pipe nut. See next link

It would be wise to place a small ball of paper in the Moog external threaded antenna mount and drip candle wax in the opening to seal it against water leakage if you use this mount for your home made electrode/antenna, this will keep water out of the EWS enclosure.
 .

In my ten years of research I found Art Harrison the most kind & helpful, many musicians & engineers I never understood, 
their agenda was not to give assistance and they rarely had anything encouraging to say?

Poor Man Sound Mod has D4 paralleled by a 100pf capacitor. 1N914 is an ideal replacement for 
D4 if damaged by physical stress, notice the direction of the black stripe on the diode.

This $5 fancier version Bass Mod is also done without hacking the board!

The photo above shows temporary clips holding either a 47pf or 100pf in place. Solder the cap you select from the top side of the board on each side of the diode. The 100pf gives the smoothest low end.

Now about the 3M switch  You might use Radio Shack switch on-off-on and have three sound possibilities using two 100 pf capacitors.  Original, Mellooow and somewhere in the middle.

Radio Shack  < $5  Here is the budget EWS sound bella-pitch-mod.mp3  750k 100pf

Here is a nice photo by Dana (Sewerpipe) mounting his switch.

Nothing in this is critical other than physical stress on the diode, keep the added wire length short, less than 7" (175 mm). The switch could mount downward behind the Waveform control out the bottom of the wood box. Thread it through a snug drilled out hole. The Mod has no specific direction so connect it either way.

You should solder tack on the connecting wires on each side of the diode. 

Visit Star an Acoustic Sound Enhancer or Un-modified EtherWave Standard Pitch Antenna Tuning

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