Etherwave Theremin, Moog reworks Bob Moog’s 1994 Theremin design and expands it with connections, making it ready for the next Thereminist generation.
The Theremin is a legendary instrument with a long history. Already in the 1940s, the company founder and synth pioneer Bob Moog created his first Theremin. At the young age of 14 years. An instrument that is still fascinating to young and old today because you can play it without touching it but just moving your hands in the air in the proximity of two metal antennas.
In 1996, Bob Moog developed a modern version of the Theremin called Etherwave. Today, 26 years later, the instrument is coming back in a revised version that combines the feature set of the Standard and Plus versions. With the Etherwave, Moog shows a modern Theremin for the music world of 2022. With the same elegant simplicity and inherent expressive nature of the original but improved in many points: precision, portability, and playability.
Moog Etherwave Theremin
The Moog Etherwave core is based on the original Moog Etherwave circuitry and aesthetic, designed by Bob Moog himself in 1996. It used a basic analog synth engine featuring a heterodyning oscillator, a VCA as well as pitch and volume antennae for control.
This engine makes a comeback in the new Etherwave (2022) which promises better bass response and stability in the lowest registers. It also offers improved precision, portability, and playability for the professional thereminist or curious newcomer. The Etherwave comes with a wooden case with a black front. Very classic and elegant.
Also, the new version of the Etherwave remains very simple and classic in terms of features and operation. The parameters are on the front panel so you can operate the device very hands-on. You can find here the parameters for the waveform and brightness.
Moreover, it has a mute button, a headphone jack with dedicated volume control, as well as controls for outgoing volume and pitch range. Neat addition, when the mute button is activated, the headphone output remains active, so you can make setup at any time during a performance.
Modular Connectivity
Moog has given the new Etherwave Theremin a variety of analog connections, so you can also integrate it into other setups such as semi or fully analog synths. The connections are on the back and offer an audio output, a mute switch input, 3,5mm outputs for CV/gate as well as CV control over the volume. So you can use it also as a controller for other synths. Great addition.
Also worth saying is that Moog has updated the antenna connections to enable quick assembly and easy removal for travel. Plus, users get a newly developed custom-fit, tear-resistant Etherwave SR Series Case with generous padding and plenty of storage for safe and convenient transport of the instrument.
And it comes with a quick-release mic stand adapter for attaching and detaching the instrument for mic stands.
A nice elegant update for an exceptional instrument. I’m sure in 50 years when we’ve gone through all kinds of synthesizers, the Theremin will be one of the instruments that will excite people the same way it used to.
Moog Etherwave Theremin is available now for 999€/$899 USD.
More information here: Moog Music
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26 years…? 🙂
I’ll wait for the 99 Euro Behringer version