Claravox Centennial- known issues, bugs and quirks

"After getting mine back from Moog I still notice that in traditional mode I cannot completely silence the sound output.  With my hand in the volume loop I can still hear a faint tone.  Is it possible running this tuning exercise might correct this?"  - johnthom

I can't say I'm privy to all of the design details, but is your "VOLUME ANTENNA" (null) knob pegged one way or the other for proper playing?  If not, does moving it some help to silence it?  I think (don't know) that the knob is just a fine tuner for the coil slug adjustment, so if it isn't at the limits of its range for proper adjustment, then turning the slug probably won't help.  But it probably can't hurt to try moving it a little!  You might look inside with a flashlight to see the current alignment, and keep track of your adjustments as you do them so you can undo them if needed.  Put a piece of tape on the other end of the hex tool, like a flag, to better visually see the extent of the rotation.

Someone mentioned that Moog was reworking the volume oscillator boards?  If you sent yours back I have to assume that rework has been done one way or the other.  Then again, they don't seem to know how to code a simple mute function.

Here is a video that was posted by Greg Blanc a few weeks ago. I couldn’t help noticing that the Moog CLARAVOX theremin, when played “a cappella”, seems to have a ghost pitch in the upper register, that is apparently triggered by the action of the hand that controls the volume antenna. It does not shadow the main audio output like other ghost frequencies, but seems to have a life of its own. You can hear it beginning at 9:02 when Greg plays a D#5 and above. It is too subtle to be noticeable when there is accompaniment.

Your ability to hear what I am talking about will depend on the quality of your audio. If you’re listening on your cellphone, forget it! 

coalport > the Moog CLARAVOX theremin, when played “a cappella”, seems to have a ghost pitch in the upper register, that is apparently triggered by the action of the hand that controls the volume antenna.

You’re absolutely correct - the “ghost pitch” is there and is very obvious (when using good audio output). It can also be heard at 10:53 and, if you listen carefully, it can also be heard using just your cellphone. The left hand (volume) seems to control the frequency of the ”ghost pitch.” Interesting . . . 

What a nice sound!!

Hey, ContraDude! Finally someone is hearing what I am hearing! Several people have told me they don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. 

I wonder what Greg Blanc thinks about this quirk. If anyone can hear it, HE CAN. He is unlikely to discuss it publicly since he is in bed with Moog Music, and criticizing the product might suggest he has joined the tsunami of negative press surrounding the CLARAVOX. 

As someone who ordered a Claravox last October and is waiting for it to ship, should I cancel my order or keep it? All these problems make me nervous. Still, I like the idea of it and would like to have one if it's a decent instrument. Not sure what to do.

Coalport > Finally someone is hearing what I am hearing! Several people have told me they don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. I wonder what Greg Blanc thinks about this quirk. If anyone can hear it, HE CAN. He is unlikely to discuss it publicly since he is in bed with Moog Music, and criticizing the product might suggest he has joined the tsunami of negative press surrounding the CLARAVOX.

I can hear it plain as day! Grégoir Blanc MUST be able to hear it - he’s too good of a musician to not and I would think it would drive him bonkers. As I’ve watched the video, there is no question that once the ”trigger pitch” (for lack of a better term) - D# - is reached, the “ghost pitch” is clearly heard. As I mentioned before, the position of the left hand controls the frequency of the “ghost pitch.” Perhaps Moog has unintentionally designed a polyphonic instrument? LOL 🤪

Regarding the Claravox fiasco, I just read a report that Moog is shipping defective or poorly designed stands - the legs are loose and wobbly. Now, they’re having to replace those too. I received my own defective Claravox more than a month ago but never received the stand. i contacted my dealer, Prymaxe, a couple of days ago to find out when my stand is going to be delivered - they didn’t know.

Better design decisions, alpha and beta testing, along with a little quality control would have prevented this disaster. 

As someone who ordered a Claravox last October and is waiting for it to ship, should I cancel my order or keep it? All these problems make me nervous. Still, I like the idea of it and would like to have one if it's a decent instrument. Not sure what to do.

The one I got is a great instrument. While the early ones (apparently serials under 155, if posts on facebook can be credited) may have had fixable problems, the one I received is fine. 

I couldn't hear the "ghost tone" that is being discussed...even with my amp cranked. I hooked it up to my 'scope, and it IS there, but -42dB. Even an acoustic guitar amp doesn't pick that up. And I have other pro-quality theremins that are FAR noisier!

Personally, I think you'd regret it if you canceled your order. Partially because there aren't many other options (although I love my Paia theremin!) with similar functionality. And you may need to wait years if you are betting on Moog's followup or a Behringer clone of the Etherwave. 

Yeah, waiting a year sucked. And I'm bummed that no Windows or Android app solution is here yet (trying to talk myself out of an iPad mini). But even so...it's a fantastic theremin. 

Just my $0.02

SplineReticulator > As someone who ordered a Claravox last October and is waiting for it to ship, should I cancel my order or keep it? All these problems make me nervous. Still, I like the idea of it and would like to have one if it's a decent instrument. Not sure what to do.

Flounderguts > The one I got is a great instrument. While the early ones (apparently serials under 155, if posts on facebook can be credited) may have had fixable problems, the one I received is fine. 

I couldn't hear the "ghost tone" that is being discussed...even with my amp cranked. I hooked it up to my 'scope, and it IS there, but -42dB. Even an acoustic guitar amp doesn't pick that up.

SplineReticulator > if you get one that works, the Claravox plays well. You might also want to contact Dewster, the creator of the D-Lev. I know that Dewster has just completed the first set of D-Levs and is getting ready to ship them in the very near future. He gives Zoom demos to potential buyers. Also, check out the SubScope - i nearly bought one of those but the D-Lev was just being released and I discovered that Dewster is less than 30 minutes from where I live.

Flounderguts, the claim that only serial numbers under 155 is a rumor that was apparently started by Moog (at least the person who first reported that claimed that is what he was told by Moog). My own Claravox is #00218 and it was dead. Dewster and I spent two days getting it to work. There are multiple other cases with serial numbers well into the 200s with problems.

To hear the ghost pitch, you need good quality audio output. I can even hear it using AirPods. 

This is not a Moog CLARAVOX, but a Moog THEREMINI played by Toronto thereminist, Clara Venice, as part of a live streaming Halloween performance. 

The “ghost frequency” in this video sticks out like a sore thumb! (video cued).

Unlike what we hear from the CLARAVOX, this phantom shadows the main pitch output. Curiously, this video was posted by Moog Music Inc., so they seem either to be unaware of the serious flaw in this instrument, or they think that it doesn’t matter.

Out of curiosity, I purchased a THEREMINI when it first came out. I kept it for a few weeks but it was such a piece of junk I got rid of it on ebay.

“If I were going to a party, I would take a THEREMINI with me because you can have fun with it.”  Carolina Eyck 😀😀