Ondes Martenot

The Ondes Martenot (also known as the Ondes-Martenot, Ondes martenot, Ondium Martenot, Martenot and ondes musicale) is an early electronic musical instrument with a keyboard and slide invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot, and originally very similar in sound to the Theremin. The sonic capabilities of the instrument were subsequently expanded by the addition of filter banks and switchable loudspeakers. The instrument is especially known for its eerie wavering notes produced by the thermionic valves that produce oscillating frequencies, responsible for the female voice effects in the original Star Trek theme.

External link

• Keyboard Museum entry
• Christine Ott: Ondes Martenot musican