LEAP MOTION THEREMIN PATCH
LEAP MOTION THEREMIN SERIES

The M box is used for the output to the mixing desk and the monitor headphones. The delay adds the echo effect that produces a sound like theremin. The delay loop connected to the sine wave oscillator i.e. These two objects will them be connected to my patch. I will use a midi control in for the slider object to control from Max.

LEAP MOTION THEREMIN PATCH

I will connect the leap motion to the patch using the leap motion software package and the program Gecko app. I am using both the leap motion and slider object for the performance I need to connect each to the patch in Max/Msp. This is an example of what my patch looks like in terms of how it will work and be set up for the signal processing. I will use both a slider and the leap motion for the performance as I could use both and switch between the two during the performance if decided during the interpretation.

Although it may not be necessary to use a slider, it would ultimately be up to preference of what I preferred it sound like. Also like most theremin’s the pitch can sound flat or sharp due to the lack of precise control using just hand moments to control the frequency in comparison to a slider. This is evident in the close up that a tannerin is being used in the video of the performance. An example of a piece that uses a tannerin is Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys. If I were to create something similar to that of a tannerin, it would be more appropriate to use a slider object on Max, or a midi slider. The tannerin was created to replicate the sound of a theremin, but was controlled by a slider to get more control over the pitch. Another Idea to have more control over the theremin is to create something similar to an electro theremin i.e. I thought what could be suitable for the performance is to use the Leap motion hand sensor to change the frequency of the theremin patch. I then started research on different type of theremin’s and even contemplated making a theremin. Theremin’s are a popular instrument used In Sci-Fi which did complement the fluid synth and also inspire the overall genre/ style for our performance. After listening to this original version I immediately decided I wanted to create a theremin in Max/Msp. The sounds of the synthesizer sound like a theremin and are created using a test-tone oscillator.

This original theme is from 1963 created using music concrete. During my research I came across the original Doctor Who theme by Ron Grainer. Mitchell had created his instrument before I decided on what I wanted to create. I obtained inspiration online while searching for Sci-Fi sounds that would complement the sounds Mitchell had created from his fluid synth.

This is how we will be present our piece for our final performance. Mitchell is using an app to control the fluid synth object. Mitchell’s instrument is a fluid synth that he has also created using Max. This will provide interaction with the sound and the audience as I the performer is using gestures to create the sound. For my instrument I have created a theremin sound in Max, I will be controlling the frequency of the theremin by using a Leap Motion hand sensor. The performance will be an improvised piece as it would be suited to the interactions of the performance. Mitchell and I will be keeping track of time using a stopwatch.

LEAP MOTION THEREMIN SERIES

Since we have created a series of sounds controlled using interactive devices for the performance we have both decided that there will not be a specified duration for the piece (despite the time frame time of the criteria). thus why we have named our piece “Galactica”. Both instruments that have been created to contain a series of Sci-Fi noises and sounds created by a sound font synthesizer and Theremin. My instrument presents sounds with a thin eerie tone colour that was created to replicate a theremin similar to the Sci-Fi sounds in the Doctor who original theme. Mitchell and I have created a series of sounds for our performance using Max/Msp.

Leap motion theremin