How do I play the Giant Theremin?
- Step inside the Giant Theremin activation zone in front of the instrument and listen to your movement create a sound.
- Move your whole body in different directions, at different speeds, in different shapes. Keep listening – you’ll soon get the idea.
Please note:
- The activation zone is approximately 10 metres across by 6.5 metres deep. Outside of this, you are no longer able to play the instrument.
- Bust your most radical moves in front of the instrument, but please do not climb on the Giant Theremin.
- Even the sophisticated technology of the Giant Theremin may get tripped up on occasions: rapidly changing light conditions and eight or more people trying to play at the same time are the most likely scenarios to cause problems.
Who can play?
- City of Melbourne is providing this free interactive experience for everyone.
- The Giant Theremin can be played by up to eight people at any one time. Each player will have their own unique instrument, sound or effect.
- Respect your fellow players. Have fun creating music together.
The Giant Theremin can be exclusively booked for 30 minute sessions, allowing a group to play instrument exclusively. Book a slot .
When can the Giant Theremin be played?
The Giant Theremin operates until 15 April 2012.
1 to 31 March: 8am to 8pm daily
1 to 15 April: 8am to 7pm daily
Please note: There are special performances and workshops associated with the Giant Theremin. On occasions, the Giant Theremin will not be operational due to competing events or may require maintenance. Check the calendar for the latest information.
What should I do if the Giant Theremin doesn’t seem to be working?
- All players should leave the activation zone until there is no sound. Then re-enter one at a time.
- If you seem to be losing your “voice”, keep physically separated from other players.
- If you notice an ongoing issue, please call 9658 9658 or e-mail gianttheremin@melbourne.vic.gov.au
How does it actually work?
There is a camera at the top of the aerial which tracks the movement of people in its vision below. The vision is converted into data and then the data is in turn converted to sound. Custom-made software has been designed so that any sound type can be played by the people in the activation zone.
More information:
The Giant Theremin operates via a complex video-tracking to audio package designed by Robin Fox using only off the shelf Max5 and cv.jit objects. The basic premise is that you have a live video feed, shot from a height of 7 metres. This video feed has a background, which is subtracted form the tracking window in order to allow only new movement to be detected. Using the cv.jit library, it is then possible to track what are called ‘blobs’ (in this case people walking across the tracking area) and to keep track of these blobs as much as possible assigning each one a ‘voice’ on the instrument.
In order to create the classic theremin sound, a simple mapping sees the x (or horizontal) axis of the incoming video signal as ‘pitch’ and the y (or vertical) axis of the video image as ‘loudness’. The camera can track multiple points allowing for the possibility of a polyphonic, interactive instrument controlled, as is the case with a real theremin, without touching anything. Extending the area of the blob also has an effect: the larger you make yourself appear to the camera, the more vibrato there is.
However, the parameters that relate to x-axis, y-axis and area are assignable. The creator of the sound design (or sound map) can control volume, pan, various filters and effects, frequency, loop speed and more, depending on the mode used.
The instrument has three primary modes, or voice settings.
- Waveforms
This follows the original theremin instrument, employing only simple waveforms. The first is the classic sine wave or pure tone, the second is the square wave (only odd harmonics…think the clarinet….), the third is the triangle wave and the fourth the sawtooth wave. These basic wave-shapes and their combinations form the basis of most simple synthesis techniques.
- Samples
This mode uses one loadable file for each voice. This file can be any length and any sound and will be manipulated by the movement of the blobs on both the x/y axes and in terms of blob area. How the files are treated is modular. Each interactive parameter can be mapped to each interactive point (loop size, loop speed, loop direction, filter type, frequency and Q etc etc). This particular methodology is perhaps best suited to opening the theremin up to invited designs from interested sound artists.
- MIDI
Finally, to facilitate a more traditional musical design, the theremin is also capable of addressing midi instruments. This allows designers to bring their own sound fonts to the process as well as sound files. Kontakt has been used to bridge the MIDI sources and sound files to the Giant Theremin output.
It is possible to assign any of the three environments mentioned above to eight discreet voices. In this way, voice one can produce a classic theremin tone, voice two can manipulate a sample, voice three can control a midi instrument and so on.
Who decides what sounds the Giant Theremin makes?
There is a three-stage process:
- Robin Fox has designed the architecture that allows sound maps to be loaded onto the Giant Theremin.
- Sound artists have been commissioned to create sound maps. These include Robin Fox, DJ Dexter and Tim Shiel. These determine what sounds, instruments and effects the players will activate. The calendar shows which sound map is on when.
- The players – anyone from the general public - determine the actual sound through their movement around the activation zone in front of the Giant Theremin
Why did the City of Melbourne create the Giant Theremin?
City of Melbourne Councillors were inspired by a set of Piano Stairs installed in Sweden (Youtube video). The Council was interested in creating a fun and physically active way in which to engage the residents, workers and visitors of the city, but wanted something new and uniquely Melbourne.
Following an expression of interest process, the City of Melbourne engaged sound and visual artist Robin Fox to create the new instrument.
Can I book the Giant Theremin so I can create a really cool dance piece?
Yes, your dance group, school, community organisation, family or friends can get exclusive use of the Giant Theremin for 30 minute periods. Typically these are at 10.30am, 2.30pm and 7.30pm each day. This will allow you dedicate some time to discovering the Giant Theremin in depth. Don’t forget to bring a cameraperson and upload your video for the world to see. Remember that eight is the maximum number that can play the theremin at any point in time.
Follow the instructions to book your session.
What is the Giant Theremin made of?
The pyramid object is a grid frame clad in steel that has been given a special coating to give it a rusted look. The aerial is made from stainless steel tubing.
What gear did you use inside?
The equipment includes G5 Mac Pro Computer, Motu Ultralite Mk3 soundcard, ADVC-55 composite to firewire, 280, Camera -composite DV-Pal and Max5 / Jitter software
Why is the Giant Theremin only installed until April 2012?
The installation was always designed to be temporary. Initially it was due to be de-installed in February 2012, but has been given an extra lease of life due to its popularity. Nevertheless, sound works in the public domain generally have a limited lifespan and even though the Giant Theremin in infinitely changeable, the novelty may wear off for people who use Les Erdi Plaza daily.
What will happen to it afterwards?
The City of Melbourne, in conjunction with the Cultural Development Network are looking into the feasibility of the Giant Theremin touring to Victorian regional centres over 2012 and possibly beyond. Subsequently the installation may be available to travel outside of Victoria. If you are interested in hosting the Giant Theremin in your vicinity, please e-mail gianttheremin@melbourne.vic.gov.au
For more information on the Giant Theremin, contact the City of Melbourne on 9658 9658 or visit Melbourne.vic.gov.au or City of Melbourne’s Facebook page.
Return to Giant Theremin.