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Author Topic: Theremin-like wah?
Topomole

Posts: 11
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Post Theremin-like wah?
on: August 18, 2012, 08:36
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So I recently stumbled onto this guy's website; he makes effects, mainly copycats. They're not top notch stuff, but I have a passion for hand crafted work.
To the point: there's this pedal that's gotten my attention, a wah-booster pedal that is controlled in a theremin-like fashion. It looks interesting, it's super affordable (something like US$55), but kinda saps some body tone (though highs and lows can be set to some nifty combinations).
Anyone tried anything like this before?
Thanks in advance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvE0kt5S7I0&feature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0PyGhuHW8U&feature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AWiEOYuLAQ&feature=plcp

(everything's in Spanish, sorry)
(and that's a big stack of youtube right there)

bear

Posts: 153
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 18, 2012, 08:49
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LDR (light-dependent resistor) games. I've thought about playing with such things and a lot of boutique/handmade builders like to throw that sort of the thing into the mix instead of just normal pots. More interesting to me than the joystick equipped models.

Schrodinge-
rsgoldfish

Posts: 105
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 18, 2012, 20:46
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I know Zachary Vex of Fuzz Factory fame has a couple of these in his line. Interesting at least. If they sap tone relative to a traditional wah treadle pedal, i would write it off as super fun, but ultimately not worth it.

Topomole

Posts: 11
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 18, 2012, 21:17
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That's the one thing I really can't tell (how much of the tone is actually lost). The audio in the videos (and the vid quality for that matter) sucks (the guy himself says so, and is also playing the keyboard through a guitar amp that cracks at the first octave). Add to that the fact that I don't currently own a wah-wah pedal...
Might as well buy it in the near future. It's still a booster, so if the wah doesn't cut the cake you'd still be able to get some use out of the pedal.
Gonna research those Fuzz Factory ones, see what's the word on them.
EDIT: Following up on that last thing: looks like the guy got some (a lot of) ideas from Mr. Vex.

Jeff_H

Posts: 47
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 20, 2012, 06:17
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There's been dome DIY info about cloning some of the ZVEX "Probe" line of effects that have the capacitive plate. The one I remember is here. By the way, this blogger also has some really cool little DIY micro amps!

Topomole

Posts: 11
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 20, 2012, 10:30
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Judging by the date of the blog post, I'm guessing my guy borrowed a lot of info. If he did everything right however, and didn't skimp on the materials, it should be a nice enough pedal.

joe
Administrator
Posts: 224
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 25, 2012, 14:06
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I've got a couple of those Z.Vex pedals with the sensor. Lovetone (not to be confused with Lovepedal) did some models with another variation: a modulation-input jack and a light-sensor mounted inside a quarter-inch plug. (Blocking and unblocking the light would drive the modulation.)

They're both cool, clever ideas — but frankly, I never got comfortable making much music with any of them. Maybe it's just me.

joe
Administrator
Posts: 224
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 25, 2012, 14:06
Quote

I've got a couple of those Z.Vex pedals with the sensor. Lovetone (not to be confused with Lovepedal) did some models with another variation: a modulation-input jack and a light-sensor mounted inside a quarter-inch plug. (Blocking and unblocking the light would drive the modulation.)

They're both cool, clever ideas — but frankly, I never got comfortable making much music with any of them. Maybe it's just me.

Schrodinge-
rsgoldfish

Posts: 105
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 26, 2012, 12:45
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Quote from joe on August 25, 2012, 14:06
They're both cool, clever ideas — but frankly, I never got comfortable making much music with any of them. Maybe it's just me.

As with far too many things, they sound like fun, but their real value to the performing or even recording musician is dubious. Why can't weird and fun always equal useful?

Topomole

Posts: 11
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Post Re: Theremin-like wah?
on: August 26, 2012, 15:58
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I'm thinking, to really get the juice out of those pedals, one should develop some thingamabob that could create some weird patterns. I'm thinking something akin getting a fan close to the thing, and see how it'd react to the blades spinning. Not practical, really, but something like that, aside to regular foot waving.

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