I’m working really hard on some of the other Electric Western kits and instruments.
First on the list is the EW Ribbon Controller:
20″ long & designed as an ergonomic instrument meant to be played! The current version sends 2 position CVs and has an optional expression pedal input/output (uses a roland or other keyboard expression pedal). It’s solid state & uses a permeable electric membrane touch surface. It’s not quite like John Simonton’s proposed ribbon at Paia, but it is driven actively and does provide two independent CVs allowing two hand (finger) playing & it will be compatible with pretty much any synth out there.
Phantastron Production Model: A phantastron designed to be economical as a completed instrument or module (not just a kit).
The 1936 Warmifier (v2):
Essentially a very tonal pre-amp / di with 1930s style vacuum tube input and output & a formant resonator section. Unlike a filter, the formants are RESONANT & can be additive or subtractive. This is accomplished with high quality inductors and shunts (not grounded resistors or potentiometers), much like the resonant networks used to add overall harmonic depth in the Trautonium or the Hammond Novachord.
I’m still searching out the right tranformer (1000-3000 ohms:600 ohms). Until I perfect my winding jig, I just can’t wind all the transformers myself. Oh and if anyone knows a good source of bakelite that might be nice too.
I’m also still working on theremins and martenot circuits. I think a FAITHFUL martenot inspired instrument is inevitable, but it’s taking some time. Currently, I do have a “gong speaker” and I’ve carved some wood for a “palm speaker”. I have also gotten the heterodyne oscillator and ring/string controller licked, but there are modifications that need to be done. Just because it works doesn’t mean it plays…
Thanks to everyone who’s been supporting Electric Western with kind words and orders.
Regards,
Lorin
Proprietor and Designer and turret riveter. (for better or worse)
Hi Loren,
I’m also building a Martenot-inpired instrument. I’ve designed a ring controller device that will sit in front of any keyboard, even a piano keyboard.
A left-hand button will control attack/volume, and a foot switch will control timbre. It is all interfaceable with my modular synthesizer for the actual sounds.
However, I’m also interested in having it interact with a tube-based heterodyne oscillator, for a more authentic Martenot sound. I’d be interested to hear about your progess.
Best,
- Dana
Comment by Dana Countryman — December 4, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
Dana,
Sounds awesome! My own work and prototypes have been a bit more historical — I’m not working on a ring controller for CV purposes, but rather, one that interacts with the heterodyne oscillator directly. I have a number of the Martenot schematics and research, etc… Unfortunately, that one is on the back burner for a little while – although I’ll keep playing with it when I can.
Tube based heterodyne oscillators are great. They have such a lovely sound, and are easily done (relatively speaking). They also “lock” more predictably, which gives the characteristic timbre of an Ondes or a Theremin more easily. Unfortunately, though, they often lock too much, and can be tweaky.
A Voltage Controlled heterodyne oscillator has been something I’ve been thinking about lately. Maybe I should move it up in priority…
Maybe I’ll have to commission you for one of your ring controllers to control my other stuff.
Comment by LorinParker — December 4, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
I would love a VC tube heterodyne oscillator. I’ve considered replacing my transistor theremin with one of your tube theremins, but my electronic music is made with a modular system. Although times have been rough and I haven’t been able to buy a Phantastron yet, I am very interested in that, as well as the Warmifier. I hope that I will be able to support you, just as I’ve found a way to support Eric Barbour and others. Please stick around long enough for us to find our way in this broken economy. Fortunately, the kit concept is ideal.
Comment by David Hernandez — January 3, 2009 @ 4:01 am
Hi Lorin,
I have two YouTube videos up now, of my progress on the Martenot controller.
You can check the newest one here:
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/01/27/building-an-ondes-martenot/
I am interested in the heterodyne oscillator you’re working on. The actual Martenot has a distinctive sound that seems to vary timbre, when the volume is raised…
- Dana
e-mail me at dana@danacountryman.com
Comment by Dana Countryman — January 27, 2009 @ 4:21 pm