Linus Åkesson took a successful computer from the 80s (and 90s in Eastern Europe) and turned it into another musical instrument.

The theremin was one of the first electronic instruments (a synthesizer). Leon Theremin invented it in 1920, more than a century ago. This instrument can produce sci-fi sounds indeed. It has a high-pitched, wobbly sound, imitated, for example, in the intro to Dr Who. Later, the theremin was associated with aliens and paranormal phenomena due to its supernatural sound.

You don’t even have to touch it to make it emit sound, as it generates electromagnetic fields between two antennae points, which you can manipulate in the air to adjust the depth and strength of the sound. Let’s imagine it is based on the Commodore 64, but it sounds different because it’s based on the C64’s SID sound chip. Åkesson explains in the video below that he’s added two 555s, four resistors, a spoon and a clamp on the computer, and from start to finish, he explains how the C64’s theremin works, giving a scientific insight, and you can hear how it sounds next to a piano. It’s safe to say that it will be completely unusual, but that’s only natural, as it’s not a simple keyboard or wind instrument…

He says it’s challenging to play but adds that holding a note in the air in front of you is quite a special feeling. But you don’t see the instrument used musically much these days. However, stylistically it’s pretty limiting where it can be effectively used. (Perhaps in some folk music, it can pass as a background instrument.)

That said, it’s good to see that the computer launched four decades ago is still loved by many, although technologically, it’s left behind. However, many great musicians have worked on the Commodore 64 in their careers. Two excellent examples are Jeroen Tel and Rob Hubbard, who have shown fantastic quality in several games.

Source: PCGamer