Recommended Free Tools
The EE Times podcast episode “The Theremin at 100,” published February 19, 2021, explores how Lev Sergeyevich Termen’s 1920 experiments became a musical instrument played without touch. Hosted by Brian Santo, the conversation features Cyril Lance, then Moog Music’s chief technical officer, and musician Jonathan Segel. It covers how a theremin works, why it takes practice, and how the instrument shaped film and popular music.
What the episode covers
The episode is a centennial conversation, not a current buying guide. Lance explains the instrument’s electronic principle and discusses Moog’s Theremini and Claravox; Segel describes the experience of learning to play. Their discussion also traces the theremin’s early history and its cultural reach.
Read the EE Times archive article for the related historical overview.
How the theremin began
In 1920, Russian physicist and cellist Lev Sergeyevich Termen was experimenting with oscillators. He noticed that moving near the equipment changed its frequency and saw the possibility of using that effect to make music. He called his instrument the etherphone and performed with it that year. By the time of his 1928 U.S. patent application, it was commonly known as the theremin; Termen later became known as Leon Theremin.
#1 Best Overall
- Get Started with Ease - Great for beginners or experienced musicians, Theremini's assistive pitch correction allows each player to adjust the instrument's level of playing difficulty
- Develop Your Musicianship - Improve your pitch accuracy; A built-in tuner uses the LCD to supply real-time visual feedback of each note as it is played, as well as its proximity to perfection
- Experience Powerful MOOG Sound - The presets section of the Theremini allows you to select from 32 wave- or wavetable-based presets each providing a distinctly different tonality, or timbre
- Play Anywhere - Theremini comes with a built-in compact speaker, plus a headphone jack perfect for private rehearsal and quick setup
- Explore Endless Possibilities - For live perfomance and gestural control, Theremini features stereo line level audio outs, Pitch CV out with selectabel range and mini USB jack for MIDI connectivity
How a theremin works
A theremin is played by moving the hands near its antennas rather than touching keys or strings. In Lance’s explanation, two high-frequency oscillators produce a difference frequency in the audible range. The performer’s body changes the effective capacitance around the pitch antenna, affecting oscillator behavior and therefore the pitch heard. A second antenna controls volume.
As Lance put it, “Your body is part of the actual electronic circuit.” The performer’s position and small movements are part of how the instrument produces sound.
Rank #2
- 🎵 AWARD WINNING STYLOPHONE THEREMIN – pitch theremin antenna meets Stylophone’s retro design approach, creating a unique portable analog instrument.
- 🔊 PLAY ANYWHERE, ANYTIME – Compact, battery-powered design with a built-in speaker and headphone output means you can practice, perform, or experiment at home, in the studio, or on the go.
- 🎛️ PRECISION SLIDER CONTROL – Go beyond the limitations of traditional theremins with a touch slider that allows accurate notes, smooth glides, and experimental moving melodies
- ✨ BUILT-IN DELAY & VIBRATO EFFECTS – Add depth and character with an echoing delay circuit and wobbly vibrato, perfect for drones, textures, and cinematic soundscapes.
- 🎶 DRONES, NOTES & MODULATION – Create sustained drones, trigger notes, and push your sound further with experimental modulation control for endless sonic exploration.
Why it takes practice
The instrument’s sensitivity makes precise playing difficult: small hand movements can produce noticeable changes. Segel, despite having a violin background, said he needed practice to make the theremin sound melodic rather than primarily like effects. Familiarity with another instrument may help with musical ideas, but it does not remove the need to develop fine control in the air around the antennas.
From concert instrument to film and popular music
The episode describes Clara Rockmore as a virtuoso closely associated with the theremin. RCA licensed and manufactured instruments, and Bob Moog began selling theremin kits in the 1950s. The instrument’s distinctive sound appeared in films including The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Thing From Another World, The Lost Weekend, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Easy to Use: for beginners or experienced musicians, mini 's assisted pitch correction feature allows each player to adjust the instrument's playing difficulty level, develop your musical talent, and improve your pitch accuracy.
- Color Display: Mini theremin with a color display, which can display the waveform, time frequency, volumes, as well as the indicator and corresponding piano display.
- Function Settings: Easy to use and operate, various device function settings can be realized by the 4 control buttons on the panel. Device configuration information such as volumes, tones, ringtones, etc. will be lost after restarting, if you want to preserve settings, save it to the settings interface.
- Adjustable Voices Design: There are more than 70 kinds of voices to choose from, including more than 20 traditional Chinese folk instruments. The built in tuner uses the Organic Light Emitting Diode screen to provide real time visual feedback of each note as it is played and how close to it is.
- Complete Accessories: Self contained speakers and plug in s, with calibration function. In addition to connecting to sound devices such as headphones, you can also play sound through the independent speakers. When the sound device is connected, the external speakers will automatically turn off. The can be unplugged, extended and retracted, which makes it more convenient for storage.
One familiar popular-music reference needs a distinction: the sound on the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” came from an Electro-Theremin, a similar instrument, not a theremin. The episode discusses that connection as part of the instrument’s broader musical legacy.
Models and further listening discussed in the episode
Lance points listeners curious about trying the instrument toward Moog’s Theremini. He also discusses the Claravox Centennial, which the episode described in 2021 as a limited-edition anniversary model honoring Clara Rockmore. Lance described it as supporting traditional theremin playing alongside software, USB MIDI and Bluetooth connectivity, and expanded sound options.
Rank #4
- 【Exquisite Appearance】: The overall appearance is small and exquisite, comfortable to grip. It is very convenient to use and has a high-cost performance. It's extremely playable and perfect as a gift for a friend.
- 【Color Display】: Equipped with a color screen display, which can display the waveform, time-frequency, volumes, as well as pitchindicator and a corresponding piano pitches display.
- 【Function Settings】: Easy to use and operate, various function settings of the device can be realized by the 4 control buttons on the panel. The setting information of the device such as volumes, pitches, timbres, etc. will be lost after restarting, if you want to keep the settings, please save it in the settings interface.
- 【Voices Adjustable Design】: There are more than 70 types of vocals for you to choose from, including more than 20 traditional Chinese folk instruments.
- 【Complete Accessories】: Self-contained speakers and pluggable antennas, with antenna calibration function. In addition to connecting to audio devices such as headphones, it can also playsound through the self-contained speakers. When the audio device is connected, the external speakers will be automatically turned off. The antenna can be unplugged, extended, and retracted, which makes it more convenient to store.
These mentions reflect what the guests said in 2021; the episode does not establish either model’s current availability, price, or suitability for every player. Lance also points to independent builders and recommends Albert Glinsky’s biography, Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage, for readers interested in Theremin’s life.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should listen
The episode is a useful introduction for readers curious about the theremin’s history, electronic operation, or performance challenges. Its combination of an engineer’s explanation and a musician’s account helps connect the circuitry to the physical skill of playing. Readers seeking up-to-date product listings or buying advice will need current information beyond this 2021 discussion.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [YOUR OWN THEREMIN] This is your chance to build your own invention. With your MicroKits theremin, you can create music and sound by waving your hands around electric fields!
- [LEARN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING] Discover the physics of electrical capacitance and practice working with real electronic parts.
- [EASY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS] Colorful 22 page instructional booklet. Build step by step, with breaks to check your work and learn how your circuit works.
- [NO TOOLS NEEDED] Everything you need is in the box. Start creating electronics without having to learn soldering, simply place parts in the breadboard to connect. Yes, batteries included too!
- [FROM BEGINNER TO INVENTOR] Start your journey with MicroKits! MicroKits are great as science kits for kids, diy electronics projects for teens, or hobby kits for anyone with curiosity.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
