Professor Television Photo-theremin

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Professor Television builds a slightly different kind of theremin called the Photo-theremin. The photo- theremin uses a light sensitive eye to control the pitch, instead of an antenna. Because it works with light, not antenna capacitance, the photo-theremin is not susceptible to radio interference like some ordinary theremins are. Unlike other light activated theremins, this photo theremin is not just a noisemaking toy. Its clean triangle wave tone ranges from a low rumble to a very high frequency. Modulating light sources like video monitors, florescent lighting, and strobe lights produce funky pitch modulations. You can even play it with a flashlight, laser pointer, or TV remote control. The Photo- theremin also has a low frequency oscillator (LFO). The LFO can modulate the frequency of the theremin using either a square wave (makes it sound like a spaceship landing) or triangle wave (gives it a creepy vibrato). You can also control the rate and amount of the LFO. Controls: volume knob, on/off switch, pitch adjustment knob, internal speaker, 1/4 inch output jack to plug it into an amp (speaker automatically turns off when plugged in), LFO mix knob, LFO triangle/square wave switch, LFO rate knob, rate displaying LED, external power jack. Its dimensions are 6x4x2 inches. It runs on one 9-volt battery (included) or a 9-volt AC power adapter (also included). All this for only $ 99.76. If you are interested in buying a Photo-theremin, just e-mail photo@professortelevision.com. His webpage is at www.professortelevision.com. You can also bid on a Photo-theremin auction on Ebay, do a search on "Photo-theremin". The Photo-theremin is also available as a kit (includes all components and instructions, soldering required) for only $69.76.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $99.76

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User Reviews of the Professor Television Photo-theremin

Submitted by kinetic turtle from Oakland, CA (166 points) on Jan 9, 2005
I've had one of these for a long time; in fact, I'm the one that introduced the Professor to the label maker that he now uses on these. So mine was the same blue box pictured above, with hand-written information on the knobs. I've used it in a few different places, and it's an absolutely wonderful basic sound source for anything. Sounds gorgeous through delay. Reacts wonderfully to odd light sources; strobe lights, computer monitors, etc. For some real fun, team it up with effects with photo-eyes on them (Effector 13 makes some great ones), particularly in a rave-esque lighting environment. They'll play themselves. It's beautiful. I recently dropped mine and it stopped working. *sob*
Good Points: Pretty powerful LFO, etc. LEDs. Battery operated or power adapter. Mine didn't come with one, but apparently they do now. The professor was really helpful when I had trouble with mine.
Bad Points: I hope you're not trying to use this as a tonal instrument. It's really really really really hard. Locking power knob is kinda weird sometimes. Have to unscrew it to change the battery.
Price Paid: US$100.00
Purchased At: eBay (from P.T.)
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Submitted by Marcos from Valencia (38 points) on Jan 13, 2004
This is my first theremin, so I can hardly compare with other models. In any case, what I can say is that I'm sure this kicks some serious ass. I'm even considering getting a second one. The theremin has a lot of additional options apart from what you can expect from one of these instruments; such as pitch control, LFO plus waveform control, and even volume for an incorporated speaker! The item is really easy to use (but hard to control, as expected). Experimenting a little bit with it grants an enormous range of weird sounds, and a ton of hours of fun and delight. By the way, I got the new blue translucent case, which looks quite appealing. Awesome!
Good Points: Huge versatility including LFO, incorporated speaker, sexy design.
Bad Points: Weak construction.
Price Paid: US$125.00
Purchased At: eBay
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Submitted by luke from Iowa City, IA (32 points) on Oct 10, 2003
this is the second photo theremin i own and i would say the far better unit. it is a lot more flexible and "sexy" then the other one i own. it took a tremelo and an octave pedal to get my old one to come close, and still not match, this pedal. i was quite impressed and would recommend it to anybody who is looking for one, or two.
Good Points: easy to use for a beginner onboard speaker for use without the amp hooked up does alot for the price
Bad Points: the color
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by Martin from Saguenay (14 points) on Sep 3, 2003
Mmmm, it took me a shitload of time to get this one, but I finally got that beautifull toy. Very interesting and vast sounds which when augmented with pedals (me Boss Flanger) gives very devastating ways of sounds. The Rate, LFO and Pitch buttons are very effectives and kills and the square/triangle switch are vry active to play very vast and fast sounds. The small speaker integrated is very cool when played alone but as soon as you're more than one person, you need an amp. Sincerly, that a very awesome stuff, now I always plays Photo-Theremin when watching tv or speaking with friends... You need one in your life
Good Points: Small, Vast range of Sounds...
Bad Points: Maybe more and more switch and buttons can just make this toy a little more killer, but I don'T see real bad point since I never saw another Photo-Theremin...
Price Paid: US$70.00
Purchased At: Ebay
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Submitted by Christopher from Seattle, WA (14 points) on May 18, 2003
It looks like Professor Television responds to the consumer, as my photo-theremin has rubber feet to prevent slippage... I have had it for about a week and I love it! The light sensor is pretty sensitive to sunlight (it still squeals at a high pitch if you cover it with your hand!) so if you plan to torture drum circles with it (via the built-in speaker) in the light of day, bring something to darken the eye. In artifial lighting, it's much easier to control (I sometimes use my guitar slide to prevent some light getting to the eye...this provides for some great effects as I pull the tube off the eye, tilt it, etc.) The theremin itself already has a variety of effects (turning the rate up and down while playing is a lot of fun) and if you run it through an FX processor (like a KAOSS pad) then, of course, the possibilities unfold!
Good Points: Portable, inexpensive compared to the overpriced theremins you usually see on EBAY (and does all the same stuff), 1/4" output, great sound and great fun!
Bad Points: It did take a while to get (but it was worth the wait).
Price Paid: US$100.00
Purchased At: www.professortelevision.com
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Submitted by Craig from United States (28 points) on Nov 19, 2002
I have an older model (no wave or filter control) but it's still very cool. I used to play bass in a band and would take the theremin to shows to make noises between songs or to piss the band off during quiet songs! I recorded some stuff with it, using a strobe light and running it through an echoplex, it was amazing sounding. We went back later to mix down, and there were still eerie harmonics on the echoplex tape, so we mixed those w/ the vocal track. Now I'v been playing more guitar, I'll probably use my theremin prominently, and I'll probably A/B it with my guitar signal so I can run it through my effects.
Good Points: Easy to use, amazing sounds, very adaptable to different effects, light sources, etc.
Bad Points: Volume is a little unpredictable, the battery compartment is hard to access and is not very secure (the battery rattles around inside the case)
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by Brian from New York, NY (14 points) on Jun 12, 2002
KILLER ! I CANT PUT IT DOWN. A GREAT ADDITION TO MY LIVE BENT TOY/NOISE/TICKLE/POP SET.GREAT SOUNDS AND RANGE....
Good Points: LFO/GREAT RANGE AND VOLUME/ WAVEFORM CONTROL/SPEAKER/ 1/4 INCH OUT
Bad Points: NEED RUBBER FEET !!!
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: GEAR TRADE THRU EBAY
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Submitted by Jeremy from Farmdale, OH (2 points) on Mar 3, 2002
Wonderful little box. Definitely worth the little bit of money it costs. As soon as I plugged it in, I was amazed at the sound quality of it. I run it through an analog filter and get beautiful results. Playing it live will be very exciting, as people generally like to see what I'm doing onstage anyway. Making space invaders sounds on a little gray box with a flashlight will be certain to make my live shows more interesting!
Good Points: Excellent construction; very durable. I like that I can use two different waveforms, and the LFO makes for some fun times. The model that I have has a built in 9v DC input, which makes my life much easier.
Bad Points: The audio out seems to be amplified, making the volume very touchy with my mixer. It makes me slightly nervous that the photo sensor is exposed. I may have to make a shielding for it as it'd physically be a little tricky to replace while preserving the cosmetics. Also, I had to buy some rubber stick-on grips for the bottom so that it wouldn't slide around on any tables during my live performances.
Price Paid: US$100.00
Purchased At: eBay
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Submitted by willis from Austell, GA (6 points) on Jan 12, 2002
from the moment i first plugged in my prof. t.v. phototheremin, i knew what an excellent addition to my home studio this would be. what i didn't realize, however, is just how extensive the range of sounds this little pandora's box could produce. in just weeks i've gone through three batteries with the long sessions i've spent experimenting with the instrument.
Good Points: a great value, i would recommend this to anyone with an imagination and a creative spirit!!!!
Bad Points: not applicable.
Price Paid: US$100.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by eric from Columbus, OH (2 points) on Aug 22, 2001
i guess i bought an older version which kinda sucks because i'd like to have more wave form control. but still, a very unique piece of gear in my collection. ive added it to my live setup going thru a delay into my Twin and it sounds great. i bought a little tiny flashlight as a counterpart. ive been recently recording with it, going thru my space echo and it gives ghastly results. nice job professor!
Good Points: very light, portable as opposed to other Theremin types. more variation of control with el-op. people at shows ask "what is that thing?!?!?"
Bad Points: arrived with ext. speaker bouncing around in the casing, loose. eats batteries for breakfast.
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by John from East Rutherford, NJ (10 points) on Aug 21, 2001
I have one of Professor Television's earlier versions without the built -in wave generator. It is, in effect, a theremin controller for voltage- controlled synthesizers (the BEST kind!)Yes, it does a good job of controlling pitch, or if you have modular gear, any input requiring CV, such as modulation. It takes a little practice to discover how your hand ovementr effects changes, and the types of light you use will also make a difference. Useing a flashlight, or placing the unit inside a cigar box allowing you to close the lid are some other ways to use the theremin.
Good Points: I like it for live performances. Its a lot of fun to be waving your hand around and creating sounds with your gear. Battery power means no stupid wall-wart to get in the way (remember to bring an extra battery) Small unit size fits in well with the rest of your gear.
Bad Points: I wish it also had some kind of gate trigger, I must rely on other sources to control the gate of my synths.
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by David from Ottawa (6 points) on Aug 21, 2001
This is a great unit. harsh is the word. and buzzy... always wondered if I could use this to control some of my analog gear. scared to try cuz i think the output might be kinda hot. if anone has done it please let me know.
Good Points: Can make great sweeps.
Bad Points: The volume knob doubles as the on/off switch. maybe its just mine but as soon as you turn it on it jumps to full volume at a setting of about "1". I have to use the volume control on my mixer to control it.
Price Paid: US$99.00
Purchased At: eBay.com
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