Building the OpenTheremin V3

[Mads Barnkob]

I received a bare board and some of the SMD components for a OpenThereminV3, it is a semi-assembled kit that can be bought from Gaudi ( http://www.gaudi.ch/OpenTheremin/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=115 ). The board I got was from a previous unsoldered kit where you have to buy all the components yourself. This totalled to another 35€ in parts as I do not have much SMD components in stock.

It is made as a shield that mounts directly on a Arduino Uno, which also makes the programmering very easy. Plug in USB, download source code from github, download the source to the controller and start playing on your new theremin!

The whole building process is very easy from just looking at the parts list and the schematic when you are in doubt, the silk screen layout is almost good enough to just use that along with parts list to solder it up correctly.

I made a video of the soldering and building process with a bit of testing it at the end

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Here is some more detailed photos of the enclosure, antennas and boards inside. Starting with the Open Theremin V3 board where it is all soldered up and I am fairly satisfied with the result as I just used my regular soldering iron used for DIP components and a very thin solder.



The Arduino Uno board mounts directly on top of it and fits nicely inside of the enclosure.



I used 4 different colour knobs for the potentiometers so it was easier to remember which is volume, pitch, register and timbre, as I did not have anything in mind to use as a front with texts on.



The antennas is all done by hand and bend around a wine bottle, easily done and the result is absolutely perfect!



I did a quick test setup where it was just connected to a tube amplifier I have in my lab, in the future I will try to modify it for MIDI output which there is a separate guide on ( http://www.gaudi.ch/OpenTheremin/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=200&Itemid=121 )

[oneKone]

I watched this last night with my girlfriend, she says your voice is relaxing to listen to.

 The snapping of your fingers than the parts appearing was pretty cool, all the small things you keep adding to your videos make a big difference.

[Mads Barnkob]

I hope it is not too relaxing, as hearing about technical stuff in a relaxing voice might just lull you to sleep

I do not have a set things of "effects" or particular scenes that I use in every video, but I do try to add something different in each video so that I do not end up with hundreds of perfectly aligned edited videos.

Feedback on how to increase the perceived "production value" is always welcome! I am beginning to see a staple view count on my channel and do of cause want to expand that.

[futurist]

Nice build and nicely explained! I'm glad it worked on the first try
In gaudi's kit you also receive adapter for camera stand, I was thinking about making 3D printed adapter for microphone stand which is much cheaper

"and now i will give it to my daughter and enjoy the extra background noise in my life"

[Amessiah]

This really great device. I want one too. But unfortunately can't find components list for v3 board. Do you have list of all components you used in your project? I know it's kinda long time past. Anyway I will be really appreciate if you able to help me with it. Thanks

[Mads Barnkob]

This really great device. I want one too. But unfortunately can't find components list for v3 board. Do you have list of all components you used in your project? I know it's kinda long time past. Anyway I will be really appreciate if you able to help me with it. Thanks

I could not find the BOM either, as it is not mentioned specifically anywhere.

But it is in the github, look for the file "BOMOpenThereminV3.ods" here: https://github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3_Shield/tree/master/PCB

[Amessiah]

This really great device. I want one too. But unfortunately can't find components list for v3 board. Do you have list of all components you used in your project? I know it's kinda long time past. Anyway I will be really appreciate if you able to help me with it. Thanks

I could not find the BOM either, as it is not mentioned specifically anywhere.

But it is in the github, look for the file "BOMOpenThereminV3.ods" here: https://github.com/GaudiLabs/OpenTheremin_V3_Shield/tree/master/PCB

Indeed! Thanks for your time.

[luis]

Hello, I have bought an Open Theremin V3 board and its electronic components without soldering. When checking the values of the components with the diagram published on the gaudi website, some doubts have arisen. Could you help me solve those doubts? I'm not an electronics expert, but I know a little. I am a theremin player and I would like to try playing V3.
I will appreciate your help. Thank you very much and greetings.

 

[petespaco]

I think you need to list your "Doubts" as clearly as you can if you want to get help.

[luis]

I think you need to list your "Doubts" as clearly as you can if you want to get help.

Thank you very much for your reply. The doubts I have are the following:
In the diagram published on the GaudiLabs website about Open.Theremin.UNO, Rev: V3:

Components C20 and C21 indicate 100n. Is it supposed to be 100 nF?

The same in C22 says 10n. If it were 10 nF, the kit I bought does not have that component.

Can you solve these doubts for me? I'll be very greatful.

[V-Troxi]

Yes, n is short for nF.
I don't know what kit you bought, but it would be weird if it was missing some components.
With electronic components, you can also come across some which are labeled like this 0μ1. This is also short for 0.1μF (=100nF). The μ symbol is seen as a decimal point here.
If the capacitors are ceramic ones (or some SMD ones with labeling), they are usually labeled with a 3-digit code like 104 (which also represents 100nF because the third digit acts as a multiplier).

Maybe you can find the capacitors with these tips!

Best regards,

Vtroxi

[luis]

Thank you very much, I think that with your indications I already have everything clear. All the best.