Altoids Theremin

Hi,
I'm looking to build an extremely portable theremin that fits into an altoids tin. I've looked around and I'm not sure what I really should be looking for. If anyone could help that would be great. Thanks!

This isn't really a theremin but it looks small, cheap and easy.

Heliophone (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kinetic-arts/sculpture/gallery7/1.htm)

I have seen that particular project before, I wonder if I could attach an antenna to it instead of using the solar panel. The only issue I see is the volume antenna. Any thoughts?

If you are looking for something really lo-fi and tinny (but with a neat C Major air-harp mode, second half of the audio sample), this (http://www.madlab.org/kits/theremin.html) (also here (http://www.apogeekits.com/theremin.htm) in the US) would fit into an altoids tin with room to spare for some circuitry to improve the sound (but not, alas, the pitch field, which will be small and very non-linear.) As for volume, I recall there was a mod for the gakken theremin mini which put photoresistors just before the speaker for an optical volume control.

There might be an issue with the enclosure being made of metal. I'm not an expert!

Of course it all depends on the size of your altoids tin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cimorenegal/198893976/sizes/o/).

[i]"I wonder if I could attach an antenna to it instead of using the solar panel. The only issue I see is the volume antenna. Any thoughts?"[/i]

This circuit is not in any way modifyable for use with an antenna. The simplest possible "Theremin" is probably two TS555C timer IC's and a 4013 IC.. total component cost about £2, and would fit in a tin... A Quantum "pill" is probably the lowest cost and smallest way of constructing a pressure sensitive volume control..
I will dig up schematics etc if you are interested.
But be warned - this will sound extremely tinny ;-) and be virtually unplayable.. You would probably get a better musical instrument by drilling a couple of holes in the tin and inserting a slide whistle or kazzoo...

I would really like those schematics please. Also on the metalic issue, would lining the whole interior with electrical tape work? I like that post on the giant altoids tin. I'll have to find one of those.

The issue with a metal case of any sort is not about electrically insulating it from the board ... although that is important!

Theremin circuits typically are affected by capacitance and encasing them in metal adversely affects the circuit performance.

The ones that use timer ICs (555) or CMOS gates are a bit less susceptible to stray capacitance, but they don't make very good theremins.

If you just want something small that makes weird noises, maybe you'd be better of to just build a small synthesizer in that altoids can.

Don

What about:

Weird Sound Generator (http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/YOUR_FIRST_SYNTH/WSG_Reborn/WEIRDSOUNDGENERATORREBORN.php?page=WSG)

Simple synth noise-maker in a box. Perhaps it could be modified in a theremin like way.

That link doesn't work for me, dae. Could be the heavy-handed corporate filtering here at work, though.

Don

the link has two http://'s in it. delete the first one and the link works.