# The Theremin at 100

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2021-02-19
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100
- Listen: https://www.eetimes.com/podcasts/eetoa-ep123/

## Summary

Cyril Lance, CTO of Moog Music, and musician Jonathan Segel discuss the 100th anniversary of the theremin, explaining its heterodyne oscillator technology and the unique biophysical challenge of playing it without touch. They trace the instrument's history from Lev Theremin's 1920s inventions through Bob Moog's transistorized kits and the Etherwave, to the modern ClaraVox. Segel shares his experience transitioning from violin to the theremin, highlighting the performative gestures required to control pitch and volume.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=9) Introduction and History of the Theremin
- [7:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=450) The Physics and Circuitry of the Theremin
- [17:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=1047) Clara Rockmore and Early Virtuosity
- [20:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=1228) Bob Moog and the Evolution of Theremin Designs
- [20:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=1228) The ClaraVox and Modern Integration
- [32:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=1933) Jonathan Segel's Journey with the Theremin
- [37:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=2266) Playing Techniques and Performance
- [44:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100#t=2692) Theremin's Legacy and Espionage

## Topics

- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Moog Music (company)
- ClaraVox (product)
- Etherwave (product)
- Camper Van Beethoven (other)
- RCA (company)
- Bob Moog (other)
- Clara Rockmore (other)
- Lev Theremin (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [491: Oscillators Oscillating Other Oscillators](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-12-13-491-oscillators-oscillating-other-oscillators) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 319: Experimental Archaeology, Demoscene Oscilloscope Music, and Electronic Memories](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-05-02-ep-319-experimental-archaeology-demoscene-oscilloscope-music-and-electronic-memo) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 222: VCF East Special Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-06-09-ep-222-vcf-east-special-edition) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 173: EMF Camp Special Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-06-17-ep-173-emf-camp-special-edition) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [474: The Doublemint Gum Remote Control](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-03-07-474-the-doublemint-gum-remote-control) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-02-19-the-theremin-at-100. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to EE Times Current.