Getting to know the Gakken Premium Theremin

The Gakken Premium Theremin is an affordable and highly playable battery operated theremin instrument. Unlike most theremins, it uses an armband contact instead of a connection to earth ground. It also features - - coarse and fine controls for both pitch and volume antennae - master volume - 1/8" audio output jack - instrument stand mounting thread www.makershed.com Video & Music by Collin Cunningham
In the Maker Shed: Gakken's EX-150

Available at www.makershed.com The Gakken EX-System is a series of educational electronics kits produced by Gakken in the late 1970s. The kits use denshi blocks (also known as electronic blocks) to allow electronics experiments to be performed easily and safely. Over 25 years after its original release, one of the main kits from the series was reissued in Japan in 2002 and now you can get it here! Instruction Manual Included is in Japanese. English PDF Instructions available.
Make Magazine Gakken ex-150 cicuits kit build led lights radio makershed shed makezine marc de vinck devinck makemagazine
In the Maker Shed: Gakken Stirling Engine Kit

This week I made the Gakken Stirling Engine Kit from the Maker Shed. It's a really nice kit, in fact it's my new favorite kit made by Gakken, although they are all awesome. I took a few pictures of the build so you could see how it went together. Check out makezine.com for more information and pictures. www.makershed.com
make magazine makezine Gakken engine kit stirlin electronics makershed shed marc de vinck devinck technology makemagazine
Gakken SX-150 Analog Synthesizer Demo

I just got it today. The controller is not good for serious play but this "Toy" is generating good sound.
Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Okamoto Gakken

Short clip of Sensei Seigo Okamoto from Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu Roppokai - www.daitoryu-roppokai.org from a Gakken video.
daitoryu aikijujutsu jujutsu jiujitsu aiki aikido japan martialarts budo neigondotnet
In the Maker Shed: Gakken Cross Copter EX

The Gakken Cross Copter EX kit has two contra-rotating rotors, driven by one small electric motor that's connected via a cord to the hand-powered generator. Available in the Maker Shed makershed.com (Oh, and the original video uploaded was 45 seconds!)
make magazine gakken marc de vinck devinck kits maker shed makeshed fun toy gift holiday makemagazine
Gakken Mospeada Ride Armor Toy Commerical

In my opinion, of the greatest toy commericals if only for the riding sequence in the middle :)
gakken mospeada ride armor cyclone toy commerical stop-motion robotech cyckath
Mospeada - Large Gakken Legioss Toy Commercial

Toy commercial for the larger transformable Gakken Legioss Armo-Fighter toy. Still amusing for the dodge, but not nearly as enjoyable as the Ride-Armor commerical.
gakken mospeada legioss armo-fighter alpha fighter veritech toy commerical stop-motion robotech cyckath
modded gakken sx-150 guitar style

a quick and terrible demonstration of my modded sx-150. i replaced the original slide thingy with a softpot from trossen robotics and i added an fsr (force sensitive resistor) to control volume or crazy resonance distortion (if the res is switched on). sounds nice, very expressive and fun to play. this is recorded dry, with no fx.
Polyphobia - Gakken SX-150

All noises on this tune multitracked with the mighty Gakken SX-150, the A-100 was only used to trigger the Gakken.
Gakken SX-150 sequenced via Novation BassStation

The Gakken SX-150 stylus gets the CV and GATE information from the ribbon-like slider pad. I just connected the Novation BassStation Rack CV and GATE out to the stylus and voilà! - have my MIDI controlled Gakken. The cheapest way to do this is to cut a patch cable in half, took the plastic bits off the wire coming from the tips of the jacks, roll them together and stick the Gakken's stylus into. You may notice that it only works if the BassStation's CV type set to '00' (Roland/Sequential/Arp) - because of the voltage and plug the Gakken SX's out to a mixer rather than using the built in speaker - this is needed as the ground. I believe this works with other MIDI-to-CV converters too. This video is to show that it works, not a musical statement. Have fun!
Gakken SX 150 analog synthesizer synth sequenced by elektron machinedrum sps-1 UW MID MIDI to machine via Novation bassstation Rack CV GATE converter bass techno electronic electro analogue thelefthandedheroes
Machinedrum Gakken Acid Jam

Poor Timmy wanted a TB-303 for Xmas to go with his shiny new Machinedrum, but his mummy could only afford a Gakken SX-150. It looked like Timmy was doomed to playing out of tune stylophone cover versions, instead of the funky fresh acid of his dreams. Then one day whilst getting his acid fix on youtube, Timmy discovered that all was not lost, and that the Gakken may work out after all...... Timmy, you owe me a beer.
Elektron machinedrum modular synthesizer acid techno daren ager tb-303 synth Gakken SX-150 sx150 darenager
J-List Review - Gakken Science Projects for Adults Vol. 02: Synthesizer Chronicle

Gakken Science Projects for Adults is a new series of magazines from Japan that come with all the materials you need to build a specific project. These aren't simple baking soda and vinegar volcano projects either (although they are fun too), but technical/ mechanical projects based on previous technology allowing you to experience it first hand. Everything from vacuum engines, to 4-bit micro computers and even constructing your own electric guitar are available. Who says kids get to have all the fun? This project features a fully functioning SX-150 synthesizer that allows you to make a variety of electronically generated sounds. It can be hooked up to various instruments to alter the kind of sound generated. Some assembly required.
Jairo Moreno on the Gakken Premium toy Theremin - Oscar Tango (Simon Jeffes 1987)

Jairo Moreno Playing "Oscar Tango" on the Gakken Premium toy theremin. Penguin Cafe Orchestra cover. Written by Simon Jeffes back in 1987.
Jairo Moreno Theremin Solo Oscar Tango penguin cafe orchestra gakken premium toy moog etherwave pro bass mirror pco simon jeffes minimoog voyager gore t-shirt devo marshall MS-2 amp piano upright doublebass clara rockmore tattoo lady gaga canon 5D mark II roland td6 electronic drum set Gretsch rickenbacker lag washburn commodore 64 chip music atari st sinclair zx spectrum cobra laser busker barcelona Lev Termen Leon Samuel Hoffman テルミン Jr Werewolf
Gakken Super Cobra, Tiger Afterburner & Tiger Sonic 3 Review

Double Bill Sunday Special 2. Season 2 - Part 8 - Gakken Super Cobra Tabletop and Tiger Afterburner handheld and Sonic The Hedgehog 3 handheld, One excellent tabletop game and 2 super handhelds, Enjoy your Sunday.Season 2 from Video Games and Consoles From The Loft a series looking into My collection of Video Games, Consoles and Accessories. Follow Me On My Main Youtube Channel www.youtube.com Follow Me On My Second Youtube Channel www.youtube.com Follow Me On My Third Youtube Channel www.youtube.com For exclusive updates about the channel and up and coming videos and events you can follow me and the channel on Twitter www.twitter.com Facebook www.facebook.com Facebook Fan Page www.facebook.com The music in this video is licenced from www.royalty-free.tv Music by Gavin Courtie & Liz Radford PRS - On Thin Ice
landsey gakken super cobra review tabletop arcade japan france sega tiger afterburner reviews handheld sonic the hedgehog reviewed 1992 lcd aa batteries chipsturs toptenvideogames the3dvideogamer yt:stretch=16:9 collection
In the Maker Shed: Gakken's Aurorarium

Available at makershed.com and more information is at makezine.com Create your own aurora-like effects with this awesome device. Leave the cone on and enjoy the soft changing lights, or fill the tray with water and see the amazing aurora lights on your wall or ceiling.
Make Magazine Gakken Aurorarium kit build led lights makershed shed makezine marc de vinck devinck makemagazine
Gakken SX-150 DIY Modular synth ( In progress )

So I have been building my own analog synth out of 3 inexpensive Gakken SX-150 synths. Lots of bending involved. Here's what I have done so far: 500MM softpot added as a control strip for all 3 units. Each unit is tuned by replacing the 75k resistors with 10k potentiometers. The LFO is connected through patches in order to enable it to oscillate the filter. The resonance switch is also set to allow the resonance to self oscillate for a gritty distorted sound. Added 1/4 inch outs that allow each Gakken to be patched in discretely for left, right and left-right panning. Batteries replaced with 6v power supply and of course, I built a case that folds up and down like a Moog Model D. More to come, but I decided to put it through it's paces. In the video, I've added some delay to the unit, but it's pretty beefy on its own. In a world full of digital samplers and autotune, there's something very inspiring about the imperfect nature of analog voltage.
Gakken SX-150 SX-150 DIY Synth Analog Synth Circuit Bending seanrieger
Micro Mechamo (Mechanical Animal) Series from Gakken : DigInfo

DigInfo - movie.diginfo.tv At the International Tokyo Toy Show 2008, Gakken exhibited a miniature version of the hugely popular Mechamo series that was first released in 1972 as a series of scientific toys for adults. The new series is approximately 20% smaller than the original toys. Mechamo, an abbreviation for mechanical animal, uses mechanisms called links to reproduce the movement of birds and bugs.
diginfo Micro Mechamo Gakken International Tokyo Toy Show Diginfonews
Gakken Theremin Mini Review

I just bought this neat little thing and decided to do a review on it. After seeing this video: www.youtube.com Then I found a mini version on the Chinese version of ebay. So I looked up this video: www.youtube.com Way way WAY cool! Bought one, got it a few hours ago.... What do you think?
Esh's Aurunmilla (1983 Funai/Gakken) Start to Finish on Daphne Emulator

A platform/Run n' jump game where you play Don Davis the hero. Emperor Esh, has kidnapped princess Sindy and is trying use her as a tool to take over the Universe Orion. You must rescue Princess Sindy from the evil Emperor Esh. Your only weapon is a sword, you must fight your way through the obstacles to rescue the princess and save the universe! Notice: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
arcade game laserdisc platform run 'n jump hero villian evil emperor universe sword princess Funai/Gakken 1983/1984 oldclassicgame
Gakken sx-150,sx-150markⅡ,iTablaPro for iPAD App,Memory Man Hazarai,Korg kp quad

Gakken sx-150,sx-150markⅡ,iTablaPro for iPAD App,Memory Man Hazarai,Korg kp quad(version-anmbient)
Gakken sx-150 sx-150markⅱ itablapro for ipad App Memory Man Hazarai bpmt 45 hi
J-List Review - Gakken Science Projects for Adults Vol. 24: 4-bit Micro Computer

Gakken Science Projects for Adults is a new series of magazines from Japan that come with all the materials you need to build a specific project. These aren't simple baking soda and vinegar volcano projects either (although they are fun too), but technical/ mechanical projects based on previous technology allowing you to experience it first hand. Everything from vacuum engines, to 4-bit micro computers and even constructing your own electric guitar are available. Who says kids get to have all the fun? This project features a project assembling a 4-bit Micro Computer, the kind that was used for popular 80's electronic toys like the Speak and Spell as well as old school game sound effects for the Atari. Several sample programs are included which demonstrate what you can do with the 4-bit Micro Computer which range from using it as a timer, making sound effects, playing 4-bit music, using it as electronic dice and even getting it to say letters with a computer voice. Relive the days when computing was back in its infancy.
GAKKEN SX-150 by S-CAT

CIRCUIT BENT WITH 6 MODIFICATIONS - INC. AUDIO TRIGGER INPUT.
SPACE-CAT AUDIO TECHNOLOGIES CIRCUIT BENDING GAKKEN SX-150 PHONICPOTION
Gakken SX-150 Synth - Controlled with MIDI and Ableton Live through Arduino

Here is my hacked Gakken SX-150 synth. I added MIDI input and a 1/4' input plug, to make it more universally compatible with mixers and soundcards. Some more info about this hack here: mrbook.org more music at: www.nextdoorninjamusic.com http Cheers, H
make synthesizer gakken sx-150 arduino ableton live MIDI kbroom
Gakken Mini Beast by Theo Jansen

Theo Jansen's wind powered Mini Beast by DIY Kit by Gakken Japan. Available at compactimpact.com
gakken theo jansen diy wind power holand architect kit hobby Japan compactimpact
Original Trojan Horse LCD card game by Gakken

Original Trojan Horse LCD card game by Gakken (1981). "Among soldiers rushing into the castle, introduce only your soldiers to inside by placing the drawbridge, while let fall the enemies into the moat. Trojan horces appear sometimes, and soldiers try to enter into the castle from the horse's neck. Here attack only enemies by spears."
Gakken Trojan horse LCD card game old retro handheld console The Hulluu
J-List Review - Gakken Science Projects for Adults Vol. 25: 35mm Twin Lens Camera

Gakken Science Projects for Adults is a new series of magazines from Japan that come with all the materials you need to build a specific project. These aren't simple baking soda and vinegar volcano projects either (although they are fun too), but technical/ mechanical projects based on previous technology allowing you to experience it first hand. Everything from vacuum engines, to 4-bit micro computers and even constructing your own electric guitar are available. Who says kids get to have all the fun? This project features the construction of a 35mm Twin Lens Camera. It's not only great for display but actually can be used to take pictures with 35 mm film. See how photography was done before digital cameras and SLRs.
J-List Review - Gakken Science Projects for Adults Vol. 17: Theremin Mini

Gakken Science Projects for Adults is a new series of magazines from Japan that come with all the materials you need to build a specific project. These aren't simple baking soda and vinegar volcano projects either (although they are fun too), but technical/ mechanical projects based on previous technology allowing you to experience it first hand. Everything from vacuum engines, to 4-bit micro computers and even constructing your own electric guitar are available. Who says kids get to have all the fun? This project features the construction of your own Theremin mini, a smaller more compact version of the original Thermin instrument which is the worlds oldest electronic instrument. Invented in 1920 by Russian scientist Leon Theremin, the device is played by holding your hand closer or farther away from the antenna with your right hand and using your left hand for other note variations (from creating a rhythm, sustaining or stopping a note, creating legato etc). When performed by a professional Theremin musician, it can sound as lyrical as a violin and look wonderfully magical because they are producing music without even touching the instrument. A great way to impress your friends with a rarely seen and unique instrument. All videos used are copyright their respective owners.
MAKE MEETS GAKKEN-3: KOROBOT

Phillip Torrone of "MAKE" magazine visited Gakken's HQ. In this video, Gakken fellow, Hirofumi Yumoto, shows their latest product: "Korobot"; $20 toy robot that keeps going how many times it's been tumbled. a must-have for all entrepreneur! ;-) it goes on sale on Nov. 29th 2007 (in Japan) Many thanks to Fumi for translation! She should be blogging about this visit here: joilab.ito.com
Gakken Make Phillip Torrone 湯本博文 学研 学習研究社 korobot コロボット nobihaya
J-List Review - Gakken Science Projects for Adults Vol. 18: Wind Power Generator

Gakken Science Projects for Adults is a new series of magazines from Japan that come with all the materials you need to build a specific project. These aren't simple baking soda and vinegar volcano projects either (although they are fun too), but technical/ mechanical projects based on previous technology allowing you to experience it first hand. Everything from vacuum engines, to 4-bit micro computers and even constructing your own electric guitar are available. Who says kids get to have all the fun? This project features the mini power generator that uses wind to generate enough electricity to light up the LEDs on the back.
Gakken Wind power generator science projects windmill wind turbine jlistcom
Gakken Gramophone

Mike and I built this Gramophone from only Kanji instructions. It also has a steel needle and allegedly records--I'll upload that when we figure it out!
Stirling Engine kit by Gakken powering the fan and a generator connected to a LED

This movie is showing a Stirling engine kit by Gakken that I built together. The engine is mounted on a car like vehicle. The gear box could connect the wheels, a fan and a generator to the engine. The generator is connected to a LED. The engine itself is one encapsulated cylinder containing two pistons. The cylinder has a cool part (the metal part in the middle) and one warm part (the glass cylinder to the right). Inside the steel part of the cylinder there is a airtight piston and inside the glass part there is a semi-airtight piston made of steel wool. For more information about Stirling engines and how they work please have a look at: en.wikipedia.org
Stirling Engine kit Gakken motor stirlingmotor power fan propeller generator LED cylinder pistons piston warm cool Zarkx 2000
SynthroTek Sequencer added to my Gakken SX-150 DIY synth

So I am just about finished with my DIY synth. I've always wanted an analog sequencer and I found a great DIY one from the folks at SynthroTek. This video shows the end result. More info on the project to be found here: bipolarization.com
Gakken SX-150 DIY synth synthrotek Synth Analog Sequencer Step Sequencer SX-150 Gakken Analog seanrieger
The Swan on Gakken Theremin

The Swan on Gakken Theremin Theremin solo by Chan Wai-fat The Gakken theremin sounds very good but it requires some modification to play tunes. I've got these information from Sirant who posted his youtube video on modification by putting a tin foil between battery. Eventually I've found longer tin foil is better for playing control, the pitch is actually affected by two hands. It is perhaps some better way to modify and this is what I've found. Instructional video clips on tuning and demonstration in details available from the offical Gakken website. Also check out Yoko Onichi's brilliant performance on playing the Gakken theremin on the youtube, and thank Thomas Grillo for his instructional video, which is the only comprehensive instruction available I think. It is very helpful to understand the playing the Theremin. Check out him on youtube, he has some amazing performances on the B3 and Moog Theremin on youtube. Of course the "Grandmother of the Theremin" Clara Rockmore. Finally thanks again Sirant for youtips and Bun for your Sony DV cam. Chan Wai-fat (Hong Kong)










