Talkboxes and theremins

[Baz]

I have several questions that I hope someone will be kind enough to help me with.

I recently bought a HT-1 Heil Talkbox from a friend who had lost the owner's manual. I saw on several websites that one needs to consider impedance, but I can't figure out what the box's impedence is. Also, say the impedence is 8 ohms, can I plug an amp that is 4 ohms or 16 ohms into the Talkbox's input?

Also, I am interested in buying a theremin. Is it possible for someone whose only electrical skills is soldering guitar cables to assemble the theremin kit? It seems like having a theremin is a bit like a Jedi owning a light saber, the individual should make his own. Could anyone compare/contrast a MIDI theremin with the traditional analog theremins? Lastly, does anyone have a prefered brand of theremin? Please feel free to answer any or all of the above ?'s. Thanks.

 

[Tom Hicks]

Baz
My memory of talk boxes is that they are a tube cemented to a horn driver,which resonates in the mouth cavity and then is picked up by a mic.As I recall,the issue isn't of impedence but rather GROUNDING.This is a safety issue to avoid shocking yourself, perhaps fatally.Many amatuers used to make these things and some guys got hurt with improper grounding.Your commercial unit should be properly grounded though.
My brother built a theramin from the Paia Co.,well known among kit builders,sorta like the old Heathkit Co. was.

Tom

 

[darrin_h2000]

I just purchased a theremin from alesis and It does pack a punch and makes a great effect for my synths.

 

[UnkleSlam]

www.paia.com They have a theremin kit. I don't know how good it is, but they have great support guys. If you are so dumb that you can't figure it out (like me), they will, literally , draw you a picture.