Theremins for the VERY young.

I've been asked to come up with some ideas for an art exhibit, art for 0-3 year olds! (that's not art by 3 year olds btw, before the jokes start :) )... I'm thinking along the lines of some kind of 'son et lumière'.
Theremins instantly sprung to mind. So here's the question. I'd need to incorporate some kind of theremin. I don't really want to use an optical theremin as I like the idea of it being interactive and reactive in all directions. Also since the device is probably going to be buried quite deep in the structure (maybe some kind of polyurethane foam covered form with embedded lights / laser harp / LEDs it needs to be a sensitive device with good range. I suppose a midi theremin would also be useful as I could hide a pc somewhere nearby and have it select from a wider sound pallet than just a sine wave (although I love that sound).

Anyone have any recommendations as to what type of machine to go with?

As always budget is also an issue. I'd love to hide a moog earthwave in there but .. probably not.

Thanks.

You shouldn't plan to bury it too deep within your structure, you might not be able to tune it to sense outside all the foam etc you're thinking about.

You shouldn't use anything with lasers (laser harp) because a baby might stick their eye in one.

I don't think that Laser Harps use visible light, as far as I'm aware. They're infra-red aren't they?

I'd reccomend a Kees or Etherwave. Both would suffice, and should be fine provided that the two antennae protrude sufficiently / aren#t covered completely.

hehe .. NO I wasn't planing to use actual lasers.. just light gatesor sonic distance detectors

I had images of Dr. Evil using a "laser" on the little ones.

Maybe then he would set up an eviel petting zoo...

Ah ha.

For one of my final art projects this year (i'm in my final year of schooling here in Australia) i created an artwork centred around the theme of reflection. With this i used a floor panel 1M by 1M which consisted of a panel of black card and clear perspex. In between these two panel i placed some wires which were connected to two simple digital theremins, so when the viewer stepped ont he panel to view my canvas hanging on the wall they get two sounds.

So that could be one option, i have photos but i'll post them when i can get home.

Enjoy
Tatems

Well as promised here are some photos of the piece.
Its probably no help but i'd thought i share the idea.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/tatems/DSC03749.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/tatems/DSC03745.jpg

Enjoy
Tatems

Another option.

Tony Bassett (no1nderland (http://www.no1derland.com/web05/home.htm)) is a UK based manufacturer that makes, amongst other things, funky little battery powered pitch only theremins (http://www.no1derland.com/gallery2/gal002.htm) in a mad variety of colours and patterns for £59 (+£5 p&p). The antennae are six inches tall and have a big plastic ball on the end for safety.

He also sells a very basic Ring Modulator (http://www.no1derland.com/web05/Sounds.htm#RingModulator) for £39 (+£5 p&p) in the same zany selection of patterns. No battery required.

I'm thinking that a couple of one-sticks feeding into a ring-mod would be a bunch of whacky fun for young and old alike.

If you're going to be embedding the theremins in stuff, ring Tony and talk to him about it. He's a nice guy, and does custom jobs. (He used to sell one that you could attach to a pot-plant (for instance) as an antenna. It's not part of his current range as he is reworking it.)

I was gong to attach one to a pot plant but my brother dried and smoked the plant, leaving only the pot....

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