Since I run sound for nearly 250 shows a year, it’s not often that I’m stumped by an obscure instrument on a stage plot. But when I looked over the plot for Kenny Hale’s Really Big Rock Show, there it was—an instrument I’d never heard of: the theremin. I stared at the word for a moment, puzzled. Should I know what this thing is?
Not wanting to look unprepared when the band arrived for load-in and soundcheck, I turned to my good friend ChatGPT to find out. The funny thing is, I’d actually seen one before in videos—I just never knew what it was called or where it came from.
What Is a Theremin?
The theremin is one of the earliest electronic instruments, invented in 1920 by Russian physicist Leon Theremin—and it’s played without ever touching it. It has two antennas: one controls pitch, and the other controls volume. As the performer moves their hands closer or farther away, they manipulate electromagnetic fields that change the sound. There are no keys, no strings, no frets—just air and precision. The result is a smooth, continuous tone that can feel somewhere between a human voice and a haunting sci-fi effect. And from a live sound perspective? It’s as unpredictable as it is fascinating—because the performance space itself can influence how the instrument responds.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Connection
The theremin found its way into rock history thanks to Led Zeppelin, specifically through guitarist Jimmy Page. In their song Whole Lotta Love, Page used a theremin during the song’s psychedelic breakdown section to create those wild, otherworldly sweeps and sonic textures. It wasn’t about playing notes in a traditional sense—it was about creating a moment. Live, it became a visual spectacle too, with Page waving his hands around the instrument while bending pitch and feeding his guitar into controlled chaos. That performance cemented the theremin as a legitimate tool in the rock world—not just a sci-fi novelty.
When the Theremin Took the Stage
The entire show, I found myself anticipating this strange, fascinating instrument. As the night neared its end, it finally made its appearance—Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin. I leaned into the moment, adding a generous dose of delay to enhance the effect. The crowd went wild, and honestly, so did I.
Enjoy this clip from my mix of Kenny Hale’s Really Big Rock Show as he brings the theremin to life.
Why This Job Never Gets Old
Moments like this are a good reminder that no matter how many shows you’ve mixed, there’s always something new waiting to show up on a stage plot. That’s part of what keeps this job interesting—and honestly, what keeps it fun.
The theremin might be one of the most unusual instruments I’ve come across, but at the end of the day, it’s just another voice in the mix. And like any instrument, when it’s used well and supported properly, it can create a moment the audience won’t forget.
And that’s really what we’re all chasing out there—moments.
Soundcheck Diaries 