Author: catsynth

  • CatSynth Video: Cat and ProSonus Faderport

    CatSynth Video: Cat and ProSonus Faderport

    This cat (one of Mandy and Phoebe) is clearly fascinated by the motorized fader.

  • CatSynth Pic: Scout with Roland Juno 106, Dreadbox Hades, and more

    CatSynth Pic: Scout with Roland Juno 106, Dreadbox Hades, and more

    Scout sits atop a vintage Roland synthesizer. We are pretty sure it’s a Roland Juno 106. In the back, we see a Dreadbox Hades, as well as offerings from Novation and Arturia. From Carl Peczynski via our Facebook page.

  • Wordless Wednesday: Fleischmann Pier

    Wordless Wednesday: Fleischmann Pier

    Sculpture at Fleishmann Pier in Peekskill, NY

    Sculpture at Fleishmann Pier in Peekskill, NY. We see the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge in the distance.

    Last week’s Wordless Wednesday was also taken in Westchester County along the Hudson River.

  • CatSynth Pic: Mojo, Arturia Keystep, Moog Minitaur

    CatSynth Pic: Mojo, Arturia Keystep, Moog Minitaur

    Mojo the cat looks on as a musical performance with an Arturia Keystep and Moog Minitaur unfolds. He seems to quite enjoy it. Submitted by Bruce Oliver via our Facebook page.

    Mojo was my little buddy for 17 years. He loved synth sounds but would vacate the room if you picked up a guitar!

  • CatSynth Pic: Dexter and LinnDrum

    CatSynth Pic: Dexter and LinnDrum

    Dexter sits atop a vintage LinnDrum. Quite a prize of an instrument for feline and human alike! From Peter Fitzpatrick via our Facebook page.

    Irish cat Dexter warms up the new Linndrum
    Now resident in @Circuit3’s studio.

    You can find out more about Circuit3 at their official website. Here is a sample of their music.

    https://soundcloud.com/circuit3/sets/for-your-own-good-single
  • Weekend Cat Blogging with Big Merp

    Weekend Cat Blogging with Big Merp

    This weekend, we check in with Big Merp.

    He’s definitely enjoying indoor-outdoor life as a pet cat. Most, though, just wants to chill out. And, he loves his food.

    With the dreary weather of late, we certainly can’t blame him for spending time indoors, and we are glad that he has a place where he is safe and loved. But he does like to go outside when there is a break in the weather, patrol the neighborhood, and find his friend Hissy.

    We hope you are all having a good weekend, and staying warm and dry.

  • CatSynth Pic: Kasey, Roland, and Arturia

    CatSynth Pic: Kasey, Roland, and Arturia

    Kasey finds a comfy spot between a Roland Plug-Out system, Roland modules, and an Arturia Beatstep Pro. Submitted by Chris Bentley via our Facebook page.

    Kasey the cat. Passed away at the age of 19 back in August 2017 but used to love to hang out on my desk while I was tinkering in the studio.

    We are very sorry to hear of Kasey’s passing, and our hearts go out to Chris as the rest of Kasey’s family. A wonderful studio cat who lived a long and loved life 💕

  • CatSynth Pic: Ripley, Akai MPC, and Ensoniq SQ 1

    CatSynth Pic: Ripley, Akai MPC, and Ensoniq SQ 1

    Ripley is quite proud of his synths, an Ensoniq SQ 1 and Akai MPC. From Chris Ratterree via our Facebook page.

    Here’s Ripley the boombap cat. She follows me at http://www.instagram.com/chrisratterree

  • Wordless Wednesday: Tappan Zee Transition

    Wordless Wednesday: Tappan Zee Transition

    Tappan Zee Bridge (new and old)

    The new Tappan Zee Bridge in front the remaining sections of the old bridge, partially demolished, in late November, 2018.

  • CatSynth Pic: Space Echo RE-201

    CatSynth Pic: Space Echo RE-201

    Biggie Smalls contemplates a vintage Roland Space Echo RE-201. From Brandon Fitzsimons via our Facebook page.

    “What’s making that noise in there??”

    The RE-201 continues to be prized by musicians for its sound. It is actually a true tape-echo machine (plus a spring reverb).

    [Ikutaro] Kakehashi’s breakthrough development came in 1974 with the RE-101 and RE-201 Space Echo units, which used the standard 1/4″ tape of the open-reel variety, but made as one, continuous loop. It uses no reels of any kind; the tape is transported via a capstan drive. The tape loop is contained in a loose, constantly moving jumble in the tape chamber (also known as the tape tank) under a plastic panel which protects the tape and keeps it from getting tangled. The design resulted in lower levels of noise, wow, and flutter, and cut down on tape wear.[1] Replacement tapes were sold as well, named RT-1L.[2]
    There are several control dials on the device that alter such aspects as tape speed, repeat pattern (an 11-position rotary switch), one instrument and two microphone inputs, a single analog backlit VU meter for all three inputs, wet/dry mix for both echo and reverb, and intensity (number of repeats), that can be adjusted to a user’s liking; and bass/treble controls to EQ the sound of the repeats (not the dry signal), as well as dry and effected “Echo” output jacks with a switch for output setting (-10, -20, -35db levels.)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_RE-201

    It is interesting to read this as I have been working extensively of late with the Magneto tape-echo simulator module from Strymon. You can see our review of the echo mode in this recent video.