CHICAGO, IL – November 27, 2017: Zeppelin Design Labs of Chicago has released the Altura Theremin MIDI Controller: wave your hands over the Altura to control any MIDI device. The Altura comes as an easy DIY kit or ready-to-play. The Altura’s right-hand sensor transmits MIDI Note-On data to control pitch. You can select the octave range, key and scale, with notes either ascending or descending. The left sensor transmits a wide range of control data, such as portamento time (for that genuine theremin sound), pitch bend, velocity, volume, and modulation. In X-Y mode, both sensors transmit any MIDI data to any two Control Change numbers for complete creative control: shape your sound with a wave of your hands.
The Altura uses sonar range finders in place of antennae found on the original theremin. ZDL designed the Altura as a companion to their Macchiato Mini Synth: there are a few special features that will only work well when paired with the Macchiato. Otherwise, the Altura conforms with General MIDI specifications and will easily control any MIDI device.
The key to achieving that slithery theremin sound is effective use of Portamento. Many MIDI instruments do not fully implement portamento, and those devices may not give the “Star Trek Theme” sound we associate with the theremin. The Macchiato, however, incorporates full and effortless portamento implementation.
The Altura open-source code was written in the Arduino environment and is freely available from Zeppelin. Arduino enthusiasts can modify the code and flash it to the Altura for customized performance.
The Altura is available from Reverb, Etsy, or Zeppelin Design Labs’ own web site. $49 - $119.
ALTURA FEATURE SET
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 Data):
• Pitch Bend
• Modulation
• Velocity
• Channel Volume
• Portamento Time
• Data value is adjustable to any range from 0-127, ascending or descending
Other Features
• 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
The Altura uses sonar range finders in place of antennae found on the original theremin. ZDL designed the Altura as a companion to their Macchiato Mini Synth: there are a few special features that will only work well when paired with the Macchiato. Otherwise, the Altura conforms with General MIDI specifications and will easily control any MIDI device.
The key to achieving that slithery theremin sound is effective use of Portamento. Many MIDI instruments do not fully implement portamento, and those devices may not give the “Star Trek Theme” sound we associate with the theremin. The Macchiato, however, incorporates full and effortless portamento implementation.
The Altura open-source code was written in the Arduino environment and is freely available from Zeppelin. Arduino enthusiasts can modify the code and flash it to the Altura for customized performance.
The Altura is available from Reverb, Etsy, or Zeppelin Design Labs’ own web site. $49 - $119.
ALTURA FEATURE SET
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 Data):
• Pitch Bend
• Modulation
• Velocity
• Channel Volume
• Portamento Time
• Data value is adjustable to any range from 0-127, ascending or descending
Other Features
• 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
Attachments
Here's a demo video, prepared as a companion to the Altura Quick Start Guide:
Altura Quick Start Demo Video
Altura Quick Start Demo Video
Last edited:
Software Update 1 was released 1-Feb-2018. This update fixes a bug sometimes encountered when changing scales, and significantly improved right-sensor performance. The result is much easier playability, and more accurate behavior in XY mode.
You can find the update on our Github page, or return your unit postage paid for a free upgrade.
You can find the update on our Github page, or return your unit postage paid for a free upgrade.
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