Syntheremin
Encyclopedia
Syntheremin is a portmanteau of “Synthesizer
” and “Theremin
”, and an original musical instrument that a Japanese composer AQi Fzono
conceived and invented with the cooperation of a Japanese engineer Michio Kurahashi in 1995. It’s a Theremin
with functions of controlling waveforms and parameters as well as synthesizing sounds.
One of the distinctive functions is that it has a series of antennas and each one corresponds to a parameter
, so the parameters (pitch and volume like regular Theremin
, plus filter
, Q, envelope, LFO
speed etc.) can be controlled real-time just like an analog synthesizer
with a lot of knobs. This way the randomness that Theremin has is further emphasized, and the unpredictable and psychedelic
sounds can be generated continuously. AQi Fzono
says in one of his interviews that he likes to use it as a random effect machine like an old and huge Buchla
modular synthesizer
rather than playing tonal scales like a regular Theremin
.
Syntheremin was used for the first time in AQi Fzono
’s 5th solo album “Cosmology
” released in 1998 revealing its intriguing sounds. He says that it was the first prototype it was not very stable, and would like to build another improved unit. It fuses the elements of modular synthesizer
and Theremin
, is thought to be one of the electronic music instruments with unlimited possibilities of expansion in the future. A portable version of Syntheremin was used most recently in Damo Suzuki
(former member of Can
) Japan
tour in 2005.
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
” and “Theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
”, and an original musical instrument that a Japanese composer AQi Fzono
AQi Fzono
is a Japanese composer, synthesizer musician and electronic music artist. The translunary and hybrid sound of his synthesizer/electronic music that fuses trance, techno, ambient, progressive rock and classical music, and his spacey and vast-scaled instrumental electronic music album series that...
conceived and invented with the cooperation of a Japanese engineer Michio Kurahashi in 1995. It’s a Theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
with functions of controlling waveforms and parameters as well as synthesizing sounds.
One of the distinctive functions is that it has a series of antennas and each one corresponds to a parameter
Parameter
Parameter from Ancient Greek παρά also “para” meaning “beside, subsidiary” and μέτρον also “metron” meaning “measure”, can be interpreted in mathematics, logic, linguistics, environmental science and other disciplines....
, so the parameters (pitch and volume like regular Theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
, plus filter
Audio filter
An audio filter is a frequency dependent amplifier circuit, working in the audio frequency range, 0 Hz to beyond 20 kHz. Many types of filters exist for applications including graphic equalizers, synthesizers, sound effects, CD players and virtual reality systems.Being a frequency dependent...
, Q, envelope, LFO
Low frequency oscillation
Low-frequency oscillation is an electronic signal, which is usually below 20 Hz and creates a rhythmic pulse or sweep. This pulse or sweep is often used to modulate synthesizers, delay lines and other audio equipment in order to create effects used in the production of electronic music. Audio...
speed etc.) can be controlled real-time just like an analog synthesizer
Analog synthesizer
An analog or analogue synthesizer is a synthesizer that uses analog circuits and analog computer techniques to generate sound electronically. The earliest analog synthesizers in the 1920s and 1930s such as the Trautonium were built with a variety of vacuum-tube and electro-mechanical technologies...
with a lot of knobs. This way the randomness that Theremin has is further emphasized, and the unpredictable and psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
sounds can be generated continuously. AQi Fzono
AQi Fzono
is a Japanese composer, synthesizer musician and electronic music artist. The translunary and hybrid sound of his synthesizer/electronic music that fuses trance, techno, ambient, progressive rock and classical music, and his spacey and vast-scaled instrumental electronic music album series that...
says in one of his interviews that he likes to use it as a random effect machine like an old and huge Buchla
Buchla
Buchla & Associates, Inc. is a manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, notably synthesizers and unique MIDI controllers. The 200e Electric Music Box and Lightning III are currently in production.-Buchla Music Box :...
modular synthesizer
Modular synthesizer
The modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires to create a so-called patch. Every output generates a signal – an electric voltage of variable strength...
rather than playing tonal scales like a regular Theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
.
Syntheremin was used for the first time in AQi Fzono
AQi Fzono
is a Japanese composer, synthesizer musician and electronic music artist. The translunary and hybrid sound of his synthesizer/electronic music that fuses trance, techno, ambient, progressive rock and classical music, and his spacey and vast-scaled instrumental electronic music album series that...
’s 5th solo album “Cosmology
Cosmology (album)
Cosmology is the second album by Rolo Tomassi, released on 24 May 2010. The album was supposed to be released on 19 April, but was pushed back by Hassle to 24 May 2010. The band had begun recording demos for the record within the first week of October 2009 and wasted no time in getting to record...
” released in 1998 revealing its intriguing sounds. He says that it was the first prototype it was not very stable, and would like to build another improved unit. It fuses the elements of modular synthesizer
Modular synthesizer
The modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires to create a so-called patch. Every output generates a signal – an electric voltage of variable strength...
and Theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
, is thought to be one of the electronic music instruments with unlimited possibilities of expansion in the future. A portable version of Syntheremin was used most recently in Damo Suzuki
Damo Suzuki
, universally known as Damo Suzuki , is a singer best known for his membership in the German krautrock group Can.-Biography:As a teenager, Suzuki spent the late 1960s wandering around Europe, often busking....
(former member of Can
Can (band)
Can was an experimental rock band formed in Cologne, West Germany in 1968. Later labeled as one of the first "krautrock" groups, they transcended mainstream influences and incorporated strong minimalist and world music elements into their often psychedelic music.Can constructed their music largely...
) Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
tour in 2005.
See also
- ThereminThereminThe theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
- SynthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
- Modular synthesizerModular synthesizerThe modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires to create a so-called patch. Every output generates a signal – an electric voltage of variable strength...
- Algorithmic music
- AQi FzonoAQi Fzonois a Japanese composer, synthesizer musician and electronic music artist. The translunary and hybrid sound of his synthesizer/electronic music that fuses trance, techno, ambient, progressive rock and classical music, and his spacey and vast-scaled instrumental electronic music album series that...