Basti with Sequential Prophet X

Basti naps near a collection of keyboard synthesizers, including a Sequential Prophet X. We also see a MicroKorg and a Novation keyboard. From Andras Karoly via Facebook.

Here is a close-up of Basti sleeping.

The keyboard in this photo appears to be a Nord.

Please check out our chat with Dave Smith about the Prophet X from NAMM 2019.

Cats with Yamaha SK30 and Korg Polysix

An adorable photo of a mother and kitten on a Yamaha SK30. Above them is a Korg Polysix, and off to the right is a Roland Juno. From Frank Jacobs via Facebook.

My cuties love analog, too.

The SK30 was a combination organ, string, and subtractive synthesizer, released in 1980. All of the SK series had the organ and string sections, but different models had different synthesizer sections. The SK30 had two synthesizer sections, a dual-oscillator polyphonic section that was good at classic pads, and a solo monosynth section with multiple waveforms, envelope and filter. As a bonus, one could play the solo synth and one of the other modes (organ, string, polysynth) at the same time.

SOMA Laboratory Lyra 8

This cat has found a nice warm napping spot atop a SOMA Laboratory Lyra 8. Submitted by Robin Hill via our Facebook page.

We at CatSynth are quite intrigued by the instruments coming out SOMA Laboratory, who are based in Russia and Poland – not our neighborhood of San Francisco. They seem quite original and inventive.

Welcome to the world of sound of LYRA-8, the unique organismic analogue synthesizer designed by Vlad Kreimer. “Organismic” means that LYRA uses some principles that lie in the base of living organisms. The way how LYRA’s modules interacting between each other and the behaviour of the instrument resembles a live conversation.

https://somasynths.com/lyra-organismic-synthesizer/

Serum, BeatStep Pro, Eurorack, Strymon Big Sky…

A cat sits in the command char or a small studio featuring the Serum wavetable software synthesizer, a large Eurorack system, an Arturia BeatStep Pro, Strymon Big Sky, and more. We are particularly curious about that small device with the grid of purple buttons. The cat, on the other hand, looks ready for a nap.

Malestro plays the Serum

The kitten Malestro looks to be having a lot of fun scamping up and down the keys and making beats with the Serum and other synthesizers. From sonofanuzi on Instagram.

One Random Note: Roland SH1000

Josie performs a one-note jam on a Roland SH1000 courtesy of our friend Merce the cat. Here are some more detailed photos.

The SH1000 was perhaps Roland’s first keyboard synthesizer. It had a single oscillator and filter, along with an ADSR, two LFOs, and separate noise sources. It’s look is more like an electric organ and demonstrates the conceptual bridge between these instruments, even if their architecture and playing techniques are quite different. As our feline friend demonstrates, it is particularly good for drones or unique bass tones.

[The SH-1000] features 10 Preset sounds, but they are pretty weak. Fortunately you can create your own sounds for some really great mono-synth bass, lead, percussion and FX sounds. Basic square, ramp and pulse-width waveforms are available from the oscillator and the LFOs have sine, square and sample+hold. It has a terrific ‘Growl’ and ‘Wow’ effect for a pretty scary analog sound. It also features white noise, pink noise, portamento, octave transposition and a Random Note Generator. Although there is no user memory, unique sounds can still be quickly recreated or discovered thanks to its simple interface.

http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/sh1000.php

It also paved the way for later classics like the SH1 and SH101.