The Altura MkII Theremin MIDI controller / sequencer / arpeggiator emulates the behaviour of the early electronic instrument invented by Russian physicist Léon Theremin in 1920. With Theremin’s gadget, as the player moves his right hand closer to one antenna, the device emits an eerie tone that rises in pitch. As the player moves his left hand farther away from the other antenna, the tone becomes louder. The device is very sensitive, and makes wonderful, spooky music – but it is very tricky to play. The performer can only play by ear: there are no frets in mid-air!
Altura MkII MIDI Controller version uses sonar range finders in place of antennae, and rather than producing sound directly, the Altura MkII emits MIDI messages that are interpreted by a separate synthesizer. The Altura MkII was designed as a companion to the Macchiato Mini Synth by Zeppelin Design Labs: there are a few special features that will only work well when paired with the Macchiato. Otherwise, the Altura MkII conforms with General MIDI specifications and should easily control any device bearing this mark. Many MIDI devices do not conform to the General MIDI specification. In these cases, you may need to fiddle with your synthesizer some before it will respond properly to the Altura MkII . Please download the Quick Start Guide and Reference Manual for all the details!
FEATURES
NEW FEATURES WITH MkII RELEASE!!!!:
- Save / Read up to 21 presets
- Arpeggiator / Step sequencer
- Program any 8-step sequence over a 2-octave range
- Use right hand to set initial note
- Sequence always plays in selected key and scale
- Tap Tempo
- Use left hand to multiply tempo
Plus all the original Altura features:
- Right Sensor – MIDI Pitch (Note On/Off)
- Octave Select – set 1 to 8 octaves, ascending or descending
- Key Select
- Scale Select – choose from 12 different modes
- Left Sensor – Send Control Change
- Pitch Bend
- Modulation
- Velocity
- Channel Volume
- Portamento Time
- Data value is adjustable to any range from 0-127, ascending or descending
- X-Y Mode: Both left and right sensors send Control Change data, any value, any two controllers
- Channel Select
- Articulation (responsiveness) adjust
- 9V DC Power Input — wall wart or battery
- MIDI Out
- Power On indicator
- 3-digit display
- ISP Header
- Requires 9V DC (Centre Negative) Power Supply
INTERNAL SOFTWARE
The Altura MkII MIDI Theremin open-source software is covered by the Creative Commons Share Alike / Attribution / Non-Commercial License. The Altura MkII code was written in the Arduino 1.8 environment and is available open-source on our Github page. Arduino enthusiasts can modify the code and flash it to the Altura MkII using a programmer. Find detailed instructions in the README.md file on Github.
DOWNLOADS
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Here’s everything you will need to build the Altura MkII Theremin MIDI Controller kit:
- Digital multimeter, able to measure resistance
- #2 Philips screw driver
- Tiny straight screwdriver
- Soldering iron, 15-50 watt
- Wire strippers
- Flush cutters or small diagonal cutters
- Clamp or vice to hold the printed circuit board while soldering (optional, but handy)
- Solder sucker or solder braid (optional, but very handy)
- Solder
To build the acrylic cabinet kit, you will need the following:
- Steel straight edge
- X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife and/or scissors
- Plastic cement and/or Super Glue
- Toothpick
- Piece of tape
To make your own cabinet using the provided template, you will need the following:
- Stiff craft cardstock or a cereal box (30×30 cm)
- Steel Ruler or Straight edge
- X-Acto knife or other sharp hobby knife
- Two push pins or thumbtacks
- Scissors
- Butter knife
- A few small binder clips
- Rubber cement