Air Theremin: A Webcam-Powered Browser Instrument

Experience a digital instrument that you play without touching any keys physical contact. Air Theremin allows you to generate sound simply by waving at your camera or tilting your device.

🕹️ Control Mechanisms

You can interact with the instrument using two distinct input methods:

1. Hand Tracking (Webcam)

Using your camera, the app tracks your motion to modulate sound:

• Volume: $\text{Spread hands} \rightarrow \text{Loud}$
• Pitch: $\text{Raise hands} \rightarrow \text{Higher Frequency}$
• Tone: Lean backward to create a "darker," more spacious atmosphere.
• Mute: Place your palms together for total silence.

2. Gyroscope (Mobile)

On a smartphone, the device's orientation controls the output:

• Volume: Tilt the phone left or right.
• Pitch: Tilt the phone forward or backward.
• Silence: Move the marker outside the designated frame.

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📊 Comparison of Input Modes

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🛠️ Technical Setup & UI

To begin, simply click the START button. If you are using a mobile device, hold the phone steady so the system can calibrate to your specific grip.

Setup Checklist:

• Grant camera/gyro permissions
• Press START
• Calibrate grip (Mobile only)

Audio Configuration

The interface provides several options to customize your sound:

Waveforms: SINE $\rightarrow$ TRI $\rightarrow$ WARM $\rightarrow$ REED

Effects (FX):

• VIB (Vibrato)
• TREM (Tremolo)
• ECHO (Delay)
• REC (Recording)
• PAUSE

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📐 Logic Flow

💻 Implementation Detail

The relationship between motion and sound can be simplified as: $\text{Output} = \text{Waveform}(\text{Pitch}) \times \text{Volume} \times \text{FX}$

// Conceptual logic for volume based on hand spread
if (handDistance > threshold) {
    volume = map(handDistance, min, max, 0, 1);
} else {
    volume = 0; // Palms together = silence
}

Credits & Origins Developed by Pavel Gurov (Contact: lucius.gu@gmail.com). This project is based on the work found at theremin.site.