AETHERPHON, global theremin family

--- In aetherphon@yahoogroups.com, "thereminjul" <juliecleveland@...> 
wrote:
>
> hello, i'm just getting back to playing...need an amp...if this has 
been discussed a gajillion 
> times, feel free to direct me to archives with the best search 
terms. tx.
> 
> need very small amp for practice, as cheap as possible (WAY under 
$100).
> thanks.
> --jul
>
----------

Hello Jul.  Obviously, at that price, quality of sound will not be 
the main concern.  Also, you don't say if portability and the ability 
to battery power the amp is important to you.

My first suggestion would be one of the little amps made by Marshall, 
Fender, whoever, etc. that are often sold at some music stores.  They 
may have a 4 inch loudspeaker and may even be battery powered with 
the option of plugging in a DC adapter.

I most often see them on a display rack near the doors.  They are 
most likely items set up as impulse buys as in most stores.  I don't 
have time to look it up, but I can't imagine they would cost more 
than $50...possibly even less.

If portability is not an absolute requirement, another option is to 
use the equipment you already own.

One decent possibility is to use a set of computer speakers.  They 
are always powered buy their own internal amp.  All you would need is 
the appropriate adapter(s) from Radio Shack (free plug). You would 
need an adapter with a 1/4" mono phone (instrument) jack to a 1/8" 
(mini) stereo jack. If you use a mono to mono adapter, you will only 
get sound out of one side of the computer speakers (and half of the 
available power).

You can do the same thing with almost any other stereo or sound 
system.  You might be surprised at the sound quality and power you 
can get.  Plus you may have some control over the tone as well as 
volume.

Do you still have an old "boom box"?  With the appropriate adapters, 
you can plug your theremin into the aux (auxiliary), CD, or "Tape" 
input jacks.  In these cases, your adapter will probably need to have 
a splitter to go to the Left/Right RCA jacks on the back of the 
equipment.

Look around and see what you have.  You may be able to set something 
up for less than $10 (for the adapters).

Another option for connection to stereo equipment is to use a small 
mixer.  Radio Shack (another free plug) sells a small, 4-channel 
mixer for $30.  http://tinyurl.com/5o33mh
This will not only make the conversion to Left/Right RCA jacks for 
you, but it will also give you control of the output from the 
theremin.  This is helpful if you want to plug into something 
designed for a low level input, such as a guitar amp.  The RCA patch 
cords and DC adapter are sold separately.