Synthesizers

CatSynth TV Episode 99!

It’s the 99th Episode of CatSynth TV, and we have a special treat for all our readers and videos. It combines many of our interests: synthesizers, cats, experimental music and film, and highways.

Video shot along Highway 99 in California from Manteca through Stockton and heading towards Sacramento. Additional video and photography at CatSynth HQ in San Francisco.

Guest appearances by Sam Sam and Big Merp.

Original experimental synthesizer music by Amanda Chaudhary, based on melodies from “99 is not 100” by Moe! Staiano.

Synthesizers used:

  • Minimoog
  • Arturia MiniBrute 2S
  • Big Fish Audio John Cage Prepared Piano Sample Library (Kontakt)
  • Nord Stage EX
  • Mutable Instruments Plaits
  • Metasonix R-54 and R-53 2hp Cat module
  • 4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator
  • Make Noise Echophon

CatSynth Pic: Dexter and REON Driftbox

Dexter and REON Driftbox

From Melker Häggbom Klingberg via Facebook.

My buddy Dexter, figuring out how to set the MIDI channel on the driftbox.

The REON Driftbox series of small synthesizers was introduced last year. Dexter’s appears to be a Driftbox SE model.

The REON Driftbox SE is a digital paraphonic Synthesizer with 2 digital oscillators and an analog Steiner Parker filter. It features also an impressive amount of connections on the backside.

http://www.synthanatomy.com/2017/09/5-new-reon-driftbox-products-synthesizers-coming-soon-worldwide-presentation-at-synthfest-uk.html

We at CatSynth are learning more about these interesting little boxes. I find myself particularly intrigued by the J and S models.

CatSynth Pic: Studio Cat in Black and White

A black-and-white photo of a cat purrfectly posed in front of stacked keyboards.  By davidpettymusic via Instagram.

davidpettymusic
This fucking guy. If he had a debut album, what would it be called? #catsynth #pets #music #notmycat

The high contrast renders the synths unidentifiable to us, but maybe an intrepid reader is up to the challenge…

CatSynth Pic: Loki and Waldorf Streichfett

Loki poses with a Waldorf Streichfett synthesizer in a beautifully composed photo.  From Nicky Skolagava via the Facebook group Synthesizer Freaks.

The angle makes the Streichfett look large, but it’s a rather compact little box with an interesting story.  From the Waldorf website:

Streichfett combines the best of the previously extinct species of String Synthesizers of the 70s and early 80s. Its dual sound engine features a fully polyphonic strings section and an eight voice solo section, which is essential for recreating classic movie sounds from the 70s and 80s. The Ensemble Effect provides depth and movement to the String Section, while the Effects section adds adjustable Phaser and Reverb. Additionally, the Animate Effect can be used to modulate the strings registration, allowing spectacular sound morphs.

CatSynth Pic: Modal Electronics Modulus 002 Unboxing

This cat is interrupting the unboxing of a new Modulus 002 synthesizer from Modal Electronics.  By Godric Wilkie via Facebook.

When the little thug isn’t swearing at Sascha, he’s sitting on my synths…

The “little thug” has stumbled upon an interesting instrument that we at CatSynth don’t know much about, but learning more here.  Now called a Modal 002, it’s a rather massive beast.

CatSynth Pic: Syd and Roland Juno 60

Syd struts down a Roland Juno 60 with maximum floof effect.  From Moustafa Ismail via the Facebook group Synthesizer Freaks.

A bit more on the Roland Juno 60, one of the classics:

Among the first in Roland’s amazing Juno family! Six analog voices of polyphony and patch memory storage!! The Juno-60 sounds great, however, like the Juno-6 it lacks MIDI control. The Juno-60 includes 56 patches of memory storage. The Juno-60 is still popular due in part to opinions that it sounds better (punchier) than the Juno-106. The Juno-6 and 60 are very rich sounding synthesizers and are great analog machines as long as you can withstand the absence of MIDI control. 

http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/juno60.php