CATSYNTH

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Category: Synthesizers

  • NAMM: Buchla 200h series and LEM3 Spider

    Buchla introduced several new instruments and add-ons this year, including an entirely new modular series, the 200h. The 200h aims to be a more compact (and hopefully lower cost) series of modules, but the same esoteric sound and control that make Buchla instruments infamous. They have been assembled into “mini-systems” including the LEM3 Spider shown below.

    Buchla LEM Spider

    That colorful circular thing is actually a 200e series, specifically a 252e polyphonic rhythm generator. It is visually gorgeous!

    Here is a short video of my attempts to play the LEMs.

  • NAMM: Moog Modular and More

    Moog Music seems to have a bigger presence and NAMM every year. This time they had a large enclosed space complete with retro neon signs.

    Moog neon sign

    But that merely prepared the way for what was inside. The centerpiece and main attraction was the reintroduced Moog Modular.

    Moog modular

    There was quite a bit of excitement with the news about the modular. Besides being huge and impressive, it also boasts simple and easy to control modules with distinctively Moog sound.

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    While some sounds that one could get out of the demo system reminded me of the Minimoog, it was a different instrument. It is a modular, so the combinations can go quite distant from the classic Minimoog subtractive sound. Since the modules are fairly basic in terms of function compared to the recent Eurorack modular releases, it does take quite a few to make a patch. The larger size of the modules and knobs does make it easy to handle and play. But it is probably more of a studio instrument than a live instruments (especially with the high price tag).

    More down-to-earth but perhaps odder was the Moog Werkstatt, a tiny patchable synth with Moog sound that interoperates nicely with Eurorack systems.

    Moog werkstatt

    This one is indeed something for live use. I’d love to see how it works together with the Theremini. It does make some weird crunchy sounds, and would make a great first stage of a modular in between the Theremini as controller and various Eurorack modules as post processing.

    In between, Moog does continue to provide its “Phatty” line, including the Moog Sub 37. These are quite practical to get a Moog sound for live-stage situations.

    Moog Sub 37

    Of course there was quite a crowd to see the Modular. We at CatSynth certainly wish them well with the new instruments and exposure.

  • NAMM: Dave Smith Instruments and Sequential Prophet 6

    Our first stop at NAMM 2015 was Dave Smith Instruments. And they certainly had big news, with both the acquisition of the legendary Sequential Circuits (aka “SEQUENTIAL”) brand name and their first instrument under the new name, the Prophet 6.

    We were able to talk with Dave Smith himself about the “new old name” and the new instrument.

    The Prophet 6 itself is quite a sight. It includes the industrial design, lettering and other features from the Prophet V, and includes custom component based VCOs and analog filters.

    Sequential Prophet 6

    It has a rich sound that ranges from the lusciousness of the Prophet 12 to the nastiness of the Evolver, though it doesn’t really do the same things as either of those instruments. As described in the video, it doesn’t have the complexity and feature set of the Prophet 12, but it’s not intended to. It is it’s own creature, and probably best as a lead synth used in conjunction with others. And it was definitely fun to play.

    Amanda tries out the Prophet 6

    It does appear that both the Dave Smith Instruments and Sequential brands will be used on future offerings, which we look forward to seeing and hearing.

  • CatSynth pic: Ready for tonight’s gig (Roland GAIA)

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    From milescosmo on instagram.

    “His face is blurry because of the face melting keyboard solo he’s right in the middle of.”

    Nice bow tie 🙂

  • CatSynth pic: m!lTone Air Synth

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    Introducing the m!ltone Air Synth, fun for humans and cats alike. Photo from Steve Libbey and his cat in the Weird Musical Instruments Tribe group on Facebook.

  • RIP Mimi the Synth Cat

    Mimi and Juno 60

    We received some sad news today. Our dear friend and frequent guest on CatSynth Mimì passed away this weekend. She was 19. Mimì had the best synthesizer collection of any cat we knew; and more importantly, she loved a long full life and was very much loved.

    mimi-casio-vl1

    Our thoughts and condolences go out to Eric Pochesci of polynominal.com for his loss. He has put together this wonderful tribute page for Mimì. You can also see her many appearances on CatSynth here.

    RIP Mimì. You will be missed.

  • CatSynth pic: Panelin with Malicester Meowly (Serge)

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    Serge panel. From our friend Puzzle Abalos via Facebook.

  • CatSynth video: Taide’n Borg – Jorgos and The Revenge on the Iron Beast

    From Sun’s May Flower on YouTube, via matrixsynth.

    “Equipment:

    Poly synth – Roland Super JX 10
    Bass – Korg Monopoly
    Synth Lead – Arp Odyssey
    Strings – Solina String Ensemble
    Drums – Akai S900

    Effects:

    Reverb – Lexicon LXP 15 II
    Analog Delay – EEM 2000 ST
    Chorus – Boss CH1 Super Chorus
    Stereo Phaser – Arion SPH2”

    Spot the cat 🙂

  • CatSynth pic: Cat Who

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    New year, new pictures and posts! From the Facebook group of Cats on Synthesizers in Space. There are at least four levels of awesome in this image 🙂

  • 2014: Transition and Turbulence

    CatSynth 2014 in Review
    [Click to enlarge.]

    Once again, it’s time for our traditional end-of-the-year image at CatSynth. 2014 was a year like no other for us: transition, turbulence, complexity, controversy, beauty. Luna turned 10, and is enjoying the life of a mature but very spoiled house cat. And for me, the year began with a profound change that is still reverberating. Some things stayed remarkably constant, as one can see from themes in the words and images here. But others changed in ways I was not prepared for. Changes in my music, my personality and identity, my friendships and relationships, and my professional life. But in the end I learned the importance of speaking one’s truth. It comes with tremendous risks, but with potential great rewards. So what this means is that even more big changes are likely in store for 2015, especially in music, work, and the pages of this website.

    The blog did suffer a bit amidst all the tumult of this past year, but we are reinvigorating it for 2015. There is the new look and feel – one of our truths – and more posts and channels coming. Thank you for being part of this year with us, and looking forward to the next!