International Journal of Circuits, Systems and Signal Processing

   
E-ISSN: 1998-4464
Volume 15, 2021

Notice: As of 2014 and for the forthcoming years, the publication frequency/periodicity of NAUN Journals is adapted to the 'continuously updated' model. What this means is that instead of being separated into issues, new papers will be added on a continuous basis, allowing a more regular flow and shorter publication times. The papers will appear in reverse order, therefore the most recent one will be on top.

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Volume 15, 2021

Title of the Paper: Optical Digital Theremin with Audio Synthesis and Graphic Interface

Authors: Marcos Ramos dos Santos, Andres Eduardo Coca Salazar

Pages: 1613-1623 

DOI: 10.46300/9106.2021.15.174     XML

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Abstract: The theremin is one of the first elec- tronic musical instruments and one of the few played without physical contact since it only re- quires hand and finger movements to control the amplitude and frequency of the musical note. However, the capacitive functioning of the anten- nas increases the sensitivity to electrical interfer- ence, its timbre is fixed, and the frequency an- tenna's vertical arrangement could limit the use of people with amputated fingers. Furthermore, it does not contain any help to guide the execu- tion, which makes it a very difficult instrument to play. In this paper, we present the development of a digital optical theremin with an audio syn- thesis process, intuitive graphical interface, frequency antenna in the horizontal position, and linearization of the frequency-distance relationship. These features are intended to aid learn- ing and interpretation of the instrument and ex- tend access to people with finger limitations. In order to validate the instrument's behavior and characteristics, we conducted three experiments: 1) accuracy analysis of the linearization through the mean absolute error in units of cents and the Kruskal-Wallis statistical inference test, 2) val- idation of the steps of the audio synthesis mod- ule, and 3) checking of the timbral diversity, both through the Fourier spectrum. This prototype could be used as an auxiliary tool in musical initi- ation and the development of musical perception.