Moog Claravox Centennial Theremin (Right or left Handed)

The Ultimate Theremin
Moog’s Claravox Centennial celebrates the 100th anniversary of the theremin — and redefines the instrument in the process. Dr. Robert A. Moog released his first theremin in 1954, and it was followed by several different models over the ensuing years. Now, along comes Claravox Centennial, Moog’s most advanced professional performance theremin ever, incorporating a half-century-plus of design expertise from the world’s preeminent theremin company. Claravox Centennial builds on this rich legacy with cutting-edge features — and amazing sounds — you would sooner expect to find on a Moog synth than on a traditional theremin. Available only for a limited time, Moog’s Claravox Centennial is a fitting capstone to the theremin’s first century, even as it portends enticing musical opportunities for the next.




A century of theremin
The theremin was invented in 1920 by Russian physicist Leon Theremin, who toured Europe demonstrating his invention before relocating to the United States and patenting it in 1928. He sold the commercial production rights to RCA, who launched their Thereminvox in 1929, just before the onset of the Great Depression. Perhaps unsurprisingly (given the unfortunate timing), the Thereminvox was not a successful product; however, the theremin intrigued concert audiences on both sides of the Atlantic and produced celebrated performers such as Clara Rockmore, a classical violinist who became an early theremin superstar.


From classical and pop to film scores
The theremin has been used by avant-garde 20th-century classical composers, and also in pop music. The Rolling Stones’ multi-instrumentalist and inveterate sound chaser Brian Jones employed the theremin on the band’s 1967 albums Between the Buttons and Their Satanic Majesties Request, and Jimmy Page used the instrument’s pitch antenna along with bowed guitar in his onstage performances with Led Zeppelin. The theremin has also left its inimitable sonic imprint on Hollywood, as deployed by film composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Miklós Rózsa, and Bernard Herrmann.


Bob Moog and the theremin
The name Moog became synonymous with the synthesizer in the 1960s, but did you know Bob Moog actually got his start as an electronic musical instrument designer with the theremin? Bob built his first theremin from instructions in a magazine article in 1949, and manufactured his first professional model in 1954. Over the years, Moog has had several theremin models on the market, most recently Etherwave Pro and Theremini. Now, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the instrument’s first public demonstration by its inventor, Moog has released what can only be called the ultimate theremin, Claravox Centennial. Named in honor of Clara Rockmore, Claravox Centennial is Moog’s most advanced theremin to date.


The most advanced theremin ever
Moog’s Claravox Centennial is an advanced performance instrument for serious thereminists wanting to take their playing to the next level — but it also opens up endless possibilities to musicians who may not have previously considered the theremin but are intrigued by the prospect of adding an element of adventure to their creative process. To that end, Claravox Centennial considerably broadens and enriches the theremin’s traditional sonic palette with switchable Traditional and Modern modes that select between a classic analog oscillator and versatile wavetable generators.


From traditional theremin to epic synth sounds
From classic theremin sounds to epic Minimoog-style bass and searing synth leads enhanced with onboard analog BBD delay, Claravox Centennial delivers a powerful sonic arsenal. In addition to Pitch Quantization and scale selection, Modern mode also expands the traditional theremin range from five octaves to seven (adjustable down to as little as four). Scale selection includes all the modes of the major scale and more, making virtuoso performances effortless as you unleash wicked modal solos with a fluidity and expressiveness not possible with any other instrument we know of.


Feature-packed for expressive performance
Other features of Claravox Centennial include dedicated controls that let you dial in your own response curves to customize your playing feel; Wave and Filter controls that serve up a rich sonic palette; preset storage for instant access to your favorite sounds and settings; and a dedicated software editor that gives you access to front-panel parameters and preset management, as well as advanced internal features and settings. To connect with your computer, Claravox Centennial is equipped with USB/MIDI; it’s also fitted with 5-pin MIDI I/O, as well as two CV inputs and two outputs. Main, Headphone, and Tuner 1/4-inch output jacks are also provided. This generous connectivity opens up the tantalizing implications of using Claravox Centennial as a MIDI controller, and at Sweetwater, we can clearly see a new breed of rock star soloist emerging on the instrument!


Optimized no-touch playing feel
The only thing most people know about the theremin is that you play it without touching it — a function of its unique design. With Claravox Centennial, Moog has paid lavish attention to the playability of this unique instrument, optimizing it to exceed the expectations of today’s most highly skilled thereminists, such as Lydia Kavina, who studied with Leon Theremin himself; and Pamelia Kurstin, an American pianist, bassist, and cellist whose remarkable jazz stylings on the theremin were hailed by none other than Clara Rockmore. Claravox Centennial provides access to multiple levels of control and calibration parameters you can use to customize the playing feel to your unique requirements. Front-panel Pitch and Volume knobs let you quickly dial in to different playing environments, while side-entry calibration ports allow easy fine tuning and dedicated Response knobs let you create recallable custom antenna curves in Modern mode.


Elevate your artistry with a work of art
We’ll just say it: Claravox Centennial is gorgeous — a work of art that will elevate your creativity even as it revolutionizes your sound. Graced with brass antennas, cloth-bound control panels, and a finely grained, furniture-grade walnut hardwood cabinet, Claravox Centennial is handcrafted in Moog’s Asheville, North Carolina, factory using top-drawer materials and electronic components. For those wanting to make the ultimate performance statement, an optional matching walnut stand is available.

Moog Claravox Centennial Theremin Features:

The ultimate performance theremin from the world’s preeminent theremin company
Multiple modes accommodate all kinds of players, from the traditional to avant-garde
Powerful controls, optimized for performance
One-step calibration ensures the Claravox is always within a perfect range
Extended control via Claravox software and MIDI integration
Electronics based on Bob Moog’s acclaimed Etherwave Pro circuitry
Dedicated Response controls let you dial in your own response curves for custom playing feel
Wave and Filter controls derived from Etherwave Pro deliver a rich sonic palette
Traditional and Modern modes select between classic analog heterodyning oscillator and versatile dual DCO/wavetable generator
Pitch Range: 5 octaves (Traditional mode), 4–7 octaves (Modern mode)
Pitch quantization and scale selection available in Modern mode
Onboard analog BBD delay creates rich, deep soundscapes
Front-panel preset storage for instant access to your favorite sounds and settings
Dedicated software editor for easy access to front-panel parameters, advanced features, and preset management
Audio Outputs: 1 x 1/4-inch (Main Out), 1 x 1/4-inch (Headphones), 1 x 1/4-inch (Tuner Out)
CV I/O: 2 x 1/4-inch; MIDI: In, Out, USB
Gorgeous visuals and Moog’s typically flawless build quality
Finely grained, furniture-grade walnut hardwood cabinet with brass antennas and cloth-bound control panels
Optional matching walnut stand available separately
Handcrafted in Moog’s Asheville, NC, factory
Included Detachable Wooden Pitch Arm, Detachable Pitch Antenna, Detachable Volume Antenna, Power Supply, Calibration Tool, Certificate of Authenticity, Owner’s Manual



Tech Specs

Pitch: 5-octave range (traditional mode), 4-7 (modern mode)
Controls: Pitch, Waveform, Delay, Timbre
Outputs: 5 x 1/4" (pitch, volume, tuner, audio, headphones)
MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
USB: USB-B
Material: Walnut Hardwood cabinet with Brass antennas
Power Source: 12V DC power supply (included)
Mounting Options: Custom Walnut Stand (sold separately)
Manufacturer Part Number: THE-CLARA-01

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