MOTM

Just wondering about the Tannerin and the
ribbon control device - What exactly is
the construction ? I have seen things as
simple as a pecil streak on a strip of 
whatever with a probe all the way up to
a fancier Moog type where the conductor and
connection are all inside the ribbon  unit.
I think there may even be a special oil
type that when You press on it the oil seperates
(viscosity break point) and makes a floating
connection along a couple of conductive strips of
metal. The moog one since it went into mass
production is I suppose a good one but I need to
know what it was made out of. Any ideas ?
Thank You ahead of time- Bill.
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> From: william Hanson <williamneumann@...>
> 
> Just wondering about the Tannerin and the
> ribbon control device - What exactly is
> the construction ? 

The Tannerin is not really a ribbon device.  The slider that goes across
the top is mechanically linked to a potentiometer that is used to control
the frequency (or supply control voltage in the case of the one I am
getting.  I think the tricks of construction are a rugged, yet easy to
slide mechanism and a method to connect that motion to the pot so that the
result is a rather linear scale (although it will not be perfect). 
However, since you "draw" the keyboard template onto the top under the
slider, some slight non-linearity can be compensated with by stretching one
end of the template.

I am hoping that Tom will get to mine soon.  I have been standing in line
for a while, and these are one-offs.  Mine will be different that the
others he has made since control voltage is my only required output.  The
other ones he has built are self contained and include the oscillator
circuit too.

Larry H

There are several on this list that are interested in alternate controllers, 
and there has been much about ribbon controllers in the past here 
specifically. In the mid eighties Serge Tcherepnin gave me rather specific 
instructions on how to build one (he apparently had designed one for the 
Synclavier). Like all other ribbon designs I've heard about, the problem 
arises with the resistive element. Serge suggested using conductive paint and 
mixing it proportionally with nonconductive paint. But as he had mentioned, 
the paint would be hard to find in the small quantities that I would need. 

Gene (ASM1) Stopp has a circuit description which uses a strip of a black 
plastic trash bag (which has a good amount of resistance across a couple of 
feet -- like maybe a couple K). Also, Dave Bradley described in detail the 
his non-working Moog ribbon with, what sounds like a large exposed wire wound 
resistor as the resistive element. I know I've seen large wire wound 
resistors (like 18" or so) closer to Hendry's area than Paul's area of 
electronics, and if they come say 30" these might be the perfect thing -- 
there has to be something more durable than a strip of trash bag, and cheaper 
than several gallons of conductive paint.

JB

In a message dated 12/1/99 11:31:58 PM, williamneumann@... writes:

>Just wondering about the Tannerin and the
>ribbon control device - What exactly is
>the construction ? I have seen things as
>simple as a pecil streak on a strip of 
>whatever with a probe all the way up to
>a fancier Moog type where the conductor and
>connection are all inside the ribbon  unit.
>I think there may even be a special oil
>type that when You press on it the oil seperates
>(viscosity break point) and makes a floating
>connection along a couple of conductive strips of
>metal. The moog one since it went into mass
>production is I suppose a good one but I need to
>know what it was made out of. Any ideas ?
>Thank You ahead of time- Bill.

In a message dated 99-12-02 19:42:16 EST, you write:

<< The slider that goes across
 the top is mechanically linked to a potentiometer that is used to control
 the frequency  >>




larry,
i meant to comment earlier on this point.....if my memory serves me correctly 
something like this was first used in the 1930's with the french made  "ondes 
martenot"  with the scale notes maked on the supporting board. 
best,
dave

> From: DAVEVOSH@...
> larry,
> i meant to comment earlier on this point.....if my memory serves me
correctly 
> something like this was first used in the 1930's with the french made 
"ondes 
> martenot"  with the scale notes maked on the supporting board. 
> best,
> dave

I have not a clue Dave.  I know some about the Theremin History, but almost
nothing about the history of what I believe may have originally been called
"Electro-Theremin."  The term "Tannerin,"  was adopted by the general
Theremin community today to describe the custom instruments that Paul
Tannerin built (and played) for the Beach Boys.  I don't know how these
instruments today vary from what may have been a similar French creation
(other than the obvious - was tube, now solid state).

BTW, for people seriously interested in Theremins and related instruments,
there is a mail list called Levnet, where you can meet THIS decade's expert
players and technicians.  There are a lot of smart and creative people on
that list (and a few loonies too).

Larry (I still can't play the d** thing) Hendry

In a message dated 99-12-05 16:36:41 EST, you write:

<< BTW, for people seriously interested in Theremins and related instruments,
 there is a mail list called Levnet, where you can meet THIS decade's expert
 players and technicians.  There are a lot of smart and creative people on
 that list (and a few loonies too). >>



larry,
now thats amazing......sounds like something worth checking out for a while 
as an educational experience.
best,
dave

You will enjoy it Dave.  I had to get rid of it because of the sheer volume
of the 4 lists I was on (Levnet, AH, synth-diy, and motm).  I dumped AH and
Levnet.  There are some guys over there real sharp in Theremin design too
(even tube design).
Larry H

> From: DAVEVOSH@...
> 
> larry,
> now thats amazing......sounds like something worth checking out for a
while 

> as an educational experience.
> best,
> dave

In a message dated 99-12-05 23:56:48 EST, you write:

<<  sheer volume
 of the 4 lists I was on (Levnet, AH, synth-diy, and motm). >>




larry,
i`m familiar with the problem just from the 3 lists that i`m on.........too 
much information, not enough time.......
still,
i may check it out for a little while just to get the "flavor" of the 
subject. tube theremins...... hmmmm...... seems like i should have a 
schematic in a book somewhere.......i`ll have to try and think.........
best,
dave