The Noisette Optical Theremin Kit is a great choice for those looking to build their soldering experience, for those wanting to explore electronics for audio, or for those who simply want a cool versatile pocket instrument.
Inside the gorgeous case, the kit contains a PCB and a collection of through-hole parts to assemble. The build looks pretty straightforward and there is some excellent attention to detail, using standoffs to support the LEDs in the case for example, which will leave you with a quality build once assembled.
Once made, you can shift the shape of the sound wave between square or sine and create a variety of tones. You then, using your hands, can control the pitch and volume of the oscillator by adjusting the amount of light that can reach the optical sensors. You can power the device from a 9V battery and use the onboard speaker for portable playing or the device can be powered by a 9V external supply and can be piped into other systems using the 3.5mm jack socket for either line or headphone output.
The assembled Noisette looks excellent, but the design aesthetic is carried over into the extensive 30-page build and operation documentation linked on the product page. This documentation is worth a look in its own right as it’s well-written, easy to follow and a joy to read!
