This is a really fun project for anyone interested in electronics or music. Best of all, it’s inexpensive, easy to solder, and lots of fun.
You can pick up a kit in the Maker Shed.
Make sure to watch my video demo and take a guess at what song I’m playing!
Like this:
Like Loading...
Step #1:
Next
- Check your kit against the parts list
- Remember to get a mint tin to house the electronics, or pick up a Make Projects tin.
Step #2:
Next
- The first step is to cut out the templates provided in the directions. I used the piece of cardboard that the solar panel was attached to for the Theremin's top.
Step #3:
Next
- Tape the bottom template in the tin. This will stop any of the electrical components from shorting out if they happen to touch the tin.
- Add the long cardboard strip around the interior edge of the tin.
Step #4:
Next
- Solder the 3 transistors and the 22K resistor.
- Make sure you insert the transistors according to the diagram or it will not work.
Step #5:
Next
- You need to connect the (2) supplied capacitors together prior to soldering them.
- Make sure you connect them with the (+) and (-) ends together. The arrows on the capacitors, which happen to point to the negative lead, should be pointing from right to left when looking at the board.
Step #6:
Next
- Solder the capacitors to the board.
- Don't clip the leads yet! You can cut the (+) lead, but the (-) lead will be soldered to the switch.
Step #7:
Next
- Attach the pre-tinned copper wires to the board.
- You can see them at the top of this picture.
- I used the 3rd hand to hold them in place while soldering.
- The (2) 3cm wires go in the middle of the (2) 7cm wires.
Step #8:
Next
- Solder the switch to the (-) side of the board and the twisted pair of wires from the capacitors.
Step #9:
Next
- Add the 12k resistor to the back of the board.
- Make sure to read the included directions carefully and solder it in the right spot.
- One end goes to the (+) side of the capacitors and the other goes to a trace on the board.
Step #10:
Next
- It can be a bit tricky to solder the speaker. I found using the 3rd hand to hold the speaker in place and bending the (2) 3cm wires was the easiest way to solder them together.
Step #11:
Next
- Screw the switch into the cardboard template that you cut out.
- Next, feed the (2) 7cm leads through the holes in the template.
- Now solder the solar panel to the copper tinned leads.
- Make sure you orient the solar panel as described in the instructions.
- The panel can be tricky to solder; make sure you use enough heat.
Step #12:
- Push the whole assembly underneath the lip of the tin.
- The cardboard ring will hold it away from the bottom.
- You might want to use a small screwdriver to slip the cardboard under the lip. It can be a bit tricky, but the template is a perfect fit.
- That's it! Take it outside and make some music.
- Make sure to watch my video demo too!
