Breadboard kit · One 555, two photocells

555 Optical Theremin

A two-handed light theremin from one 555 timer and a pair of photocells. The cells sit in series as the timing resistor, so either hand moves the pitch and both together move it further, and cupping both stops the note dead. That note-off is what makes it playable.

• Buildsthe 555 Optical Theremin guide, free to read first
• BoardMB-102 solderless breadboard
• Power9V battery into the breadboard power module, both in the box
• SolderingNone
• InstructionsA printed bench guide: the parts, the exact holes and how to power it up
• PartsAll brand new

Breadboard Kit

Solderless. The parts push in and pull back out, so you can build it, take it apart and build the next one on the same board. The off-board parts come with wires soldered on and the ends crimped to push into the breadboard.

Parts Only, Wired

Every component for this build and the printed bench guide, with no board, case, power module or battery. The off-board parts come wired and crimped for a breadboard. For refilling a breadboard you already have.

Parts Only, Unwired

The same parts and bench guide, with the off-board parts loose for you to wire. For your own breadboard, solderable or not.

Want to solder it and keep it? There is a permanent kit of this build.