Apple’s MacBook series has had sensors in the hinge since 2019. One developer, Sam Henri Gold, decided to put that to use, first transforming the hinge into a creaking door, and next a playable Theremin.
Sam has gone viral on BlueSky with this — the first I can recall that happening on that platform with this sort of hack. It all started with a creaking door:
Did you know your MacBook has a sensor that knows the exact angle of the screen hinge? It’s not exposed as a public API, but I figured out a way to read it and make it sound like an old wooden door.
— sam henri gold (@samhenri.gold) September 6, 2025 at 10:44 PM
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Next was a functionality which I’m just going to refer to in full from now on as “Fuck it. Theremin mode.” partly because I know that’s the four-letter word Chris Randall most often associates with Theremins. (This is a test of the is-Chris-Randall-reading-when-CDM-mentions-Theremin early alert system.This is only a test. Anyone who followed us both on Twitter back in the day understands.) Yes, yes, this is a Theremin only in the sense of you get a sensor modulating a continuous pitch, and unlike the actual Theremin, it even provides force resistance/physical feedback, so you could argue this is already superior to a Theremin.
you know what? fuck it. theremin mode. github.com/samhenrigold…
— sam henri gold (@samhenri.gold) September 7, 2025 at 1:04 AM
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You can grab the code on GitHub. Obviously, a supported Apple device with a hinge is required.
https://github.com/samhenrigold/LidAngleSensor
Fuck it. Theremin mode. *this is how the commits describe the feature, too.
Now I’m interested to post this for two reasons. One, I’m curious if we can solve why it’s apparently not working on M1 Macs, which is what I’ve got here. Two, if we did get it working, I would feel obligated to build a Max for Live plug-in that maps this to modulation so you can grab your hinge during a set.
Please comment.
Side note: people who follow Apple notebook hardware closely will know this particular sensor is something of a controversial item. Basically, Apple’s new method of sensing the angle means that owners of these machines can have issues if there’s a problem with calibration. Here’s more on that topic:
Beating Apple’s Secret Lid Angle Sensor Calibration With Custom Tool
Completely off-topic, but I briefly went to type M4 and wrote “G4,” and I did get hit with a wave of nostalgia, so here you go.