Developed by John Nordberg and Giosuè Russo, Theramin I/O is an iPhone app that captures the essence of a theremin - one of the world’s first electronic instruments - by allowing users to create unique notes and haunting melodies with an iPhone camera.
Harnessing the camera’s motion sensor and light measurement capabilities, users are able to create sounds by simply moving a hand (or object) in front of the lens. The app’s customisable presets allow for the composition of unique, bizarre and often unexpected sounds, as with the real instrument. Budding iPhone musicians can download Theremin I/O here, with a MIDI-capable upgrade also available for a small fee, turning the app into an audio controller which can sync with your favourite music software.
In other theremin-related news, Moog Music and Butterscotch Records recently held Odd Harmonics, an exhibition at New York's Judith Charles Gallery that merged art, music and design with a collection of twelve custom built theremins.
Theremin I/O
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