How To Build A Theremin Using Infrared Sensors

Photo: Yuki Mizuma

In this article from IEEE Spectrum, we learn how an infrared censor, alongside the help of an Arduino Mega, were used to turn a Casio keyboard synth into a theremin.

“In particular, I wanted to be able to hook up different sensors and translate their readings into musical notes. So when the makers of the TeraRanger One—a US $140 range-finder sensor—sent me a sample unit, the wheels in my head started turning.”

If you read the article, you can tell that the construction of this theremin-like synth was no easy task, requiring a large amount of mechanical expertise. All we know is that we would die to be able to play it!