Synthesizers

Infinite-Response VAX77

I have been pondering a replacement for my aging Roland A80 keyboard. The VAX77 MIDI Keyboard Controller from Infinite Response seems like a possible candidate:

This was the model with the heavier weighted keys (closer to a piano keyboard). It is one of the first I have seen since the A80 and the Ensoniq keyboards that has polyphonic aftertouch, as well as release velocity. I also liked how it folded down to have size and fit into a bag. It’s still a heavy keyboard, but it’s at least “schlepable”.

One caveat is the controller section, which is handled via the touch screen. I am interested in seeing touch-screen technologies grow in use, but there is a part of me that still wants physical knobs and sliders for my real-time controllers.

Old Favorites: Moog and Dave Smith Instruments

While looking for more esoteric instruments, we do stop at all favorites. It’s always very comforting to visit Moog Music, as the sound of Moog instruments and effects is really liquidy and instantly pliable, it feels really easy to play.

Dave Smith Instruments is in some ways the opposite, but I have long used the DSI Evolver in my music for its really intense sound. Today I tried out the Mopho.

It’s a small monophonic synthesizer, and caught me a bit by surprise when I pressed the “press me” button.

UPDATE: Prophet 08 (with Poly Evolver in the background):

I managed to get some great inharmonic (and somewhat unstable) patches in only a few minutes of floor time.

Nord Wave and Stage EX

As soon as I arrived in the hall at NAMM I immediately faced the bright red instruments from Nord. The Wave synthesizer (featured below with Zip) was interesting in terms of programming features though the use of external waves was a but limited. I did like the new filter models including the multi.

My friends had recommended the Nord Stage. I tried out the electric piano models and now I want one for my live shows! its too bad the stage and programming products arent in a single package.

NAMM iPhone App

I am expecting to see several iPhone applications at NAMM, but this one is particularly handy as I start my tour:

It can be used to map the convention halls, search vendors by name, category and location, and “bookmark” them so you can see on the map where you might actually want to go (and thus avoid getting lost in the endless sea of guitars in the middle of the convention center). I was able to quickly put in some of my own priorities as well as those I have followed on matrixsynth and elsewhere.

CatSynth at NAMM

We at CatSynth are delighted to be attending the NAMM 2010 Show!

It is the first time I have been to the big music gear show since 2006. While Orange County, California may not be quite as exciting as some of the other locales I have written from, there is certainly going to be a lot of fun gear to look at, to play with, and to photograph with gratuitously posed stuffed cats.

Look to this site and our @catsynth twitter feed for our rather eccentric and eclectic coverage.

Acxel Resynthesizer and Rhodes Chroma

From Kevin Kelly of The Audio Playground Synthesizer Museum, via matrixsynth:

The Technos Acxel is an interesting synthesizer, based on manipulation of spectra in the frequency domain. This is something several of us have been doing in software for quite a while.

In addition to the Acxel and the Rhodes Chroma, I see an E-MU EMAX in the background.

CatSynth pic: Button and a Dotcom Modular Bed

From James Price, via matrixsynth:

“This is my mostly empty dotcom with my kitten, Button, inside.”

“dotcom” of course refers to the Synthesizers.com rack, which apparently doubles as a comfortable napping spot.

We would like to remind everyone that you can submit your own cat-and-music pictures via our online form, via facebook, or @catsynth on twitter.

CatSynth pic: Happy Times

From Retribution Body on flickr, via matrixsynth:

“I’m very happy with the new rig. It’s very West Coast Serge / Buchla compared to the ARP, it’s a very different beast. I’m looking forward to doing some serious recording with it.”

“Once again, Ernie is very helpful.”

You can see more on the associated flickr set.