MOTM

From: DAVEVOSH@...
> << Tannerin  >>
> 
> larry,
> let me trot out my ignorance once again and ask what this is supposed to
be? 
> i`ve never heard of it but you made it sound interesting!
> best,
> dave

Dave a Tannerin, as the name has been coined after the guy that built the
first one, Paul Tannerin, is an alternate controller for oscillator
frequency.  It was the instrument used to make the sliding oscillator
sounds on the Beach Boys song "Good Vibrations"  Many people mistakenly
believe this was a Theremin.  The Tannerin essentially produces a similar
output to the Theremin.  However, as anyone who has ever tried to play a
Theremin will testify (I own one), it is virtually impossible to pick those
notes out of thin air.  So, the Tannerin transfers that control to a slider
that travels along a horizontal surface.  A keyboard can be "drawn" on that
flat surface showing where to "slide" the control to so that you get in the
vicinity of the correct pitch.

I think the original Tannerin (and some of the Tom Polk designs) have a pot
operated with the left hand to control volume output of the internal
oscillator.  These were originally designed as "stand alone" instruments. 
However, one can see how a simple CV output would make them a relatively
cool modular controller.  Tom is working on the final stages of a CV
Tannerin as we speak.  I think to be a good modular controller, one would
need to add some method to generate gates or gate / triggers.

Dave B asked for the URL again, so here is Tom Polk's URL with information
about Theremins and Tannerins, along with links to other sites where you
can find more.  Be sure to check out Dave Millers Tannerin, built by Tom.
 
>                                      http://www.tompolk.com

Scroll down past the real estate parts to the "home built instruments"
link.

Enjoy,
Larry Hendry