Online theremin: continuous touch-controlled sound
Hold the touch field and move your finger or mouse. Left to right raises frequency continuously from C3 to C6 without semitone steps. Moving up increases intensity; moving down silences it. Release to stop.
How to use it
- Hold and drag across the field. Move horizontally slowly to hear a continuous glissando.
- For keyboard control, focus the field with Tab. Hold Space to play and use the arrow keys to move. Shift makes finer adjustments; Escape stops.
- Pitch and Intensity sliders plus Play sound provide an alternative to dragging. Use Stop to silence everything.
Help and explanations
A traditional electronic theremin uses two antennas, one for pitch and one for volume. This interface translates those independent controls to a touch plane. It uses no camera, distance sensor or microphone. The timbre is a gentle harmonic synthesis.
Independent pitch and volume
The horizontal scale is logarithmic: equal distances represent equal musical intervals. The centre is F sharp4 with A4 = 440 Hz. Vertical intensity follows a smooth curve for gradual attacks and endings.
How does the physical instrument work?
The Moog Etherwave guide describes the pitch and volume fields. On the physical instrument, approaching the volume antenna reduces sound. This screen uses an upward gesture for an intuitive mobile control.
Tips
- Find a note by its frequency in Hz, then try returning to it by ear.
- Move slowly around one position to create vibrato. The note name is only the nearest equal-tempered pitch: the sound remains continuous between notes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an installation or microphone?
No. The instrument plays in your browser and generates audio on your device. It does not capture a microphone.