Cats

CatSynth Pic: Kurzweil K250

A handsome tuxedo cat introduces the Kurzweil K250 synthesizer. By Jamie Breustedt via Facebook.

The K250 was the first of the Kurzweil’s “K” series of synthesizers in the 1980s and 1990s. Released in 1984, it was among the first to allow ROM-based samples to be layered and played on a keyboard – although the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI already offered sampling at this time. But it did have features such as variable rates and 16-bit sources that gave it the ability to play long samples and get closer to that holy grail of sampling a grand piano – indeed the K250 was supposedly inspired by a bet between Ray Kurzweil and Stevie Wonder on whether he could make a synthesizer that sounded like a “real piano.”

Big Merp with Yamaha RX5 Drum Machine

Big Merp the cat sitting on a Yamaha RX5 drum machine

Big Merp has taken to our recently acquired Yamaha RX5 drum machine. I think he will be ready to lay down some rhythm tracks soon. He also has his rear paw on another recent acquisition: the Buchla Red Panel 158 oscillator. Look for these two instruments featured in upcoming episodes of CatSynth TV!

Back in the late 1980s when I was getting into synthesizers, Yamaha’s DX series dominated the landscape (along with Roland’s D series). I got Yamaha’s “After Touch” magazine which featured new releases including the RX5, which became the flagship of their drum-machine line. It was beyond my reach then, but I now I have one and looking forward to seeing what I can do with it in our eclectic studio at CatSynth HQ.

Gucci Boy KOMA Field Kit, Arturia BeatStep Pro, Modular

This cat is posing purrfectly with a Koma Field Kit and Field Kit FX, Arturia BeatyStep Pro, and modular synthesizer. I espy a Qu-Bit Chords and a Mutable Instrument Plaits (right between the ears).

From Jared Grim via the Facebook group KOMA Field Kit Users. Update: this handsome cat’s name is Gucci Boy.

If you haven’t done so already, please check out our intro to the KOMA Field Kit.

CatSynth Pic: Moog One

The black cat is proud to own this Moog One synthesizer. From Jon Sellers via Facebook.

Yet again, I forgot to check the scheduling link to see if the room was reserved

Fortunately, Sam Sam and I have a pretty good arrangement for sharing the studio. Merp, however, prefers to drop in unexpectedly – but we have a good time.

The Moog One is quite an impressive synth for a cat or a human.

 Per voice, Moog One offers 3 newly-designed analog VCOs, 2 independent analog filters, a dual source analog noise generator, analog mixer with external audio input, 

CatSynth Pic: Roland SH-1000

Cat posing proudly on a Roland SH-1000 synthesizer. From Ian Alexander Ratzer.

Bass lines with a phatness. SH-1000 with the filter up. No effects necessary.

There is also a video with the cat and the bass line

The Roland SH1000 was one of the first of the “SH” line of instruments, as exemplified by the organ-like elements. From Vintage Synth Explorer:

The SH-1000 is a monophonic analog synth with a single oscillator feeding a lowpass filter, an ADSR envelope, and two LFOs. It 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