Sam Sam enjoys relaxing on the beanbag chair in the studio, even while I’m busy working on apps, music, or videos.
I do often envy her approach to life.
Category: Synthesizers
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CatSynth Pic: Gracie, Moog Subsequent 37 and other Synths
Gracie returns, this time with a Moog Subsequent 37. Though she does seem more interested in the Eurorack modules behind it 😸
“Hmmm. Analog …”
From Alsún Ní Chasaide via our Facebook page.
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CatSynth Pic: Just One of Those Afternoons
This picture, which comes to us via the Facebook group Classic FM, does reflect our mood on this dreary afternoon. Making the best of it with warmth and cats.
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CatSynth TV: Wicks Looper (with Korg Delay Monotron)
One of our CatSynth TV episodes this week featured a close-up demonstration of the Wicks Looper by Rarebeasts, a tiny musical instrument that can make beats, loops, and all sorts of noises. We also added a Korg Delay Monotron for filtering and delay effects in the last portion of the demo.
The Wicks Looper is a fun instrument that I have used in several live performances, though less so lately. Its audio jack is a bit fussy at times, but as long as I remember I know how to make it work reliably. Both it and the Monotron should see more use again this year as I plan out new ideas for solo performances. And we still love that cat logo that looks so much like our dear Luna. But there is also a (non-black) Luna who lives with the human who created the instrument, a fact involved in our discovering it in the first place.
Rarebeasts has moved on to newer custom electronic instruments that are quite sculptural in nature. You can see their work at their Etsy shop.
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CatSynth Pic: Cat and XP-50
Cat sitting atop a Roland XP-50 synthesizer, and not looking too pleased 😸
By Dragos Frangulea in the group Synthesizer Freaks.
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CatSynth Pic: Volca Collection (Eevo Lute)
Our fluffy white friend from Eevo Lute Music & Technology is back once again. This time with four Korg Volca synthesizers.
We currently have two Volca’s here at CatSynth HQ, so those stands caught our interest. 😺
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CatSynth Pic: “Mister Bluuuue Skiessss” (Korg VC10 Vocoder)
From Alsún Ní Chasaide on the Facebook group Synthesizer Freaks.
Like I spent weeks restoring this & she can’t wait to get on it. If vocoders aren’t for sits, then why are they made of warm?
We at CatSynth had the opportunity to play with a Korg VC10 vocoder last year. It is indeed made of warm, as are most analog vocoders 😸. It also had a bit of the Korg grit that characterizes their vintage instruments, and best of all it allowed for external carrier signals (this is something I wish was easier to do on the Roland VP-03).
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NAMM Classics: Bastl Instruments and Bitwig Studio
That most wonderful time of year known as NAMM is fast approaching! As we prepare to cover this year’s show, we’re sharing some of our past NAMM videos on CatSynth TV!
This year’s show starts on January 25. Please let us know in these posts about anything specific you would like us to investigate or review while we are there.
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CatSynth Video: Rosie and Korg Electribe MX
Rosie with a blue Korg Electribe MX. (At least we think it’s Rosie. We’re pretty sure about the Electribe.) From our friend Karl Lee Avery via Facebook.
The Electribe family has undergone quite a few iterations, including the newer Electribe 2. I do like the blue-tinted models in particular.
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CatSynth Pic: Mister Kitty and RE-303
Our pal Mister Kitty returns to the pages of CatSynth with his new RE-303 bass synthesizer.
The RE-303 is a replica of the infamous Roland TB-303. This one was assembled by Mister Kitty’s human, Prophei (aka Michael Dietel). We at CatSynth approve of their choice of the black case. Oh, and it sounds great, too.
As a replica, the circuit board and CPU are compatible with the original TB-303, which suggests the parts can be used to refurbish vintage instruments in addition to building new ones. You can read a bit more in this Synthopia article from 2015. Clearly, the statement about DIY kits turned out to be wrong, as evidenced by this article. You can find out more about the RE-303 and kits here.
Meanwhile, we wonder what Mister Kitty may have in store for us next…