Cats

Sunday Newsletter: Sam Sam’s 7th Gotcha Day!

Today marks the 7th anniversary of Sam Sam’s arrival at CatSynth HQ! Please join me in wishing her a Happy Gotcha Day!

As we have related in previous years, Samantha, better known by her nickname “Sam Sam”, had been through a series of homes, including (as I like to say) “out in back of Palmdale where the turkey farmers run”. Our friends who were looking out for her let me know that she needed a new home and knew that I had recently lost Luna. Grief is a non-linear process, and I had not yet been looking to welcome a new cat into my life. But I could say no to this adorable kitty in need. So of course, I said yes, and she made the long trip up from Southern California to join us at HQ.

She was very skittish at first, but soon grew into her new home, and of course, we have loved having her ever since. It’s hard to imagine life at CatSynth without her.

It’s not common for Sam Sam to get up on the desks in the studio, but she does get curious from time to time, as seen in the image above. In recent years, she has also become one of the stars of our Caturday Shorts series on CatSynth TV, along with her frenemy Big Merp.

We certainly hope to share our home and life with Sam Sam for a long time to come.

Dahlia and GR-1 Granular Synthesizer

The beautiful Dahlia returns once again, this time with a GR-1 granular synthesizer from Tasty Chips Electronics. From our friend Rob Robinson (orderofthestatictemple on Instagram).

The GR-1 is relatively new to me, but I do know that granular synthesis is in right now. Here is some more info from Tasty Chips’ website.

The GR-1 is massively polyphonic: It’s capable of 128 grains per voice, which can add up to a total of 1000+ grains simultaneously. Playing rich chords to create granular harmonic clouds is an easy task for the GR-1. Hook up your (USB or DIN) MIDI keyboards and you are ready to go.

The GR-1 is a sample-based device. Load in your own samples or feed live audio through it using a class-compliant interface and you are now ready to granulate all your source samples into countless variations. Anything is possible, ranging from subtle changes that still represent the original sample to a completely mangled and scattered manipulation of the original. Imagine what it would sound like if you hear thousands of little sound particles (grains) swarming around to reconstruct any sample you present it. Depending on what source sample you want to use, results can be lovely, soft, and soothing but also chaotic, aggressive and unpredictable and everything in between.  

Ringo and Waldorf Blofeld Soundscape

Ringer creates a soundscape with the Waldorf Blofeld. Submitted by our good friend Damien Olsen.

We also see a Line 6 delay pedal, Korg M50 and TR61 keyboard synthesizers, a Roland SP-404 SX sampler, and more.