From oliverchesler on flickr:
In addition to Zoe the cat, there is a Voice of Saturn, Korg KR-55 and Boss DR-110 rhythm machines, a Roland SH3 and a Yamaha CS5, among others.
Oliver Chesler is also the author of the blog wire to the ear which we at CatSynth follow.
From Señor Pantalones on flickr:
“Cat perspective distortion! (she’s backup security in case the primary one fails)”
In addition to the cat Chloe, there is a Clavia Nord G2, a Moog Voyager, a Snyderphonics Manta (see this NAMM report on the Snyderphonics Manta), L.L. Electronics Rozzbox, several offerings from Roland (System 100m, TB-303, TR-606, MKS-50/Juno), an SH-101 Novamod, and a Cwejman S1 mkII among many others. I also like the modernist studio furniture from Heckler Designs.
You can see a full-size image as well as labels for all the gear on the original flickr page.
Over the last few days, I have largely been absorbed by preparations for my next performance. This one includes a more ambitious element, a 10-minute video entitled 月神1 featuring clips of Luna as well as abstract elements reminiscent of experimental filmmakers such as Stanley Brakhage or Gerhard Richter. The video will serve as a backdrop for live electronic improvisation – it is mostly silent, though I did include some sound at various points so the audience could hear Luna’s voice.
Here are a few example frames from the video:
Some of the video clips of Luna were featured here on CatSynth in the past, including her chattering video, or playing with her blue fish toy. The abstract elements were done is a software package called Processing, a programming language for images, animation and interactions.
Musically, I will plan to focus on a mixture of the Evolver and the Octave CAT synthesizers, along with software on the iPhone and laptop. Indeed, this is the first time I will be using the CAT live, mostly because I am reluctant to move it too often.
Of course, this will only cover about one third of the full performance, so I will be drawing from my repertoire of electroacoustic improvisation to round out the remainder of the time. Although I reuse elements, there is always something new to discover in them.
For those in the Bay Area who may be interested in checking it out, the full information is below:
Full Moon Concert Series: Quickening Moon
Thursday, February 25, 8PM
Luggage Store Gallery, 1007 Market Street @ 6th Street, San Francisco.
The Full Moon Concert Series is an experimental music series offered by Outsound Presents, in partnership with the Luggage Store Gallery. Each concert explores the traditional lore of the Full Moon, and in January, the second annual “Quickening Moon” will feature new music springing to life. First up will be Amar Chaudhary in a solo electronica set (collaborating with his wonder-cat, Luna), followed by the world premiere of a new work for twelve improvisers by Polly Moller, entitled Genesis.
From AutomaticGainsay on YouTube, via matrixsynth:
“Just as you requested, here are a couple of cats getting their groove on with a number of exciting vintage analog synthesizers. “
Submitted by Michael Durek:
Michael is a member of the SK Orchestra, which I had the opportunity to hear and review in New York last November.
He also created this cool tribute in snow:
Some more photos from pulsewidthmod on flickr:
Not “cat and synthesizer” pics per se, but they do include equipment that is often overlooked but still vital to making music. The mound of tangled cables puts our messy cables at CatSynth HQ to shame. They also reminded me a bit of Christina Mazza’s drawings from the SF Recology Artists in Residence opening that I saw a few weeks ago.
This weekend we present a photo of Luna posing with the monome interface:
I like the desaturated grayscale version, but also the original color photo as well:
Notice that there is very little difference in the monome itself between the two photos. It is the new grayscale edition, with a silver front panel, white LED buttons and a black case. The monomes interface all have a very elegant minimalist design, but this edition is particularly well suited for our aesthetics.
I am hoping to use it tonight in a performance I am doing at a Lunar New Year party here in San Francisco.
Monome is a very small operation in the New York’s Catskills region. They design the interfaces and produce limited runs of each edition. We were fortunate to get one when they went on sale at the beginning of January. I thought this photo from their website, showing the team hard at work filling the orders, is quite appropriate:
Weekend Cat Blogging is hosted by breadchick and LB at The Sour Dough.
Carnival of the Cats will be hosted by Nikita Cat on his blog Meowings of an Opinionated Pussycat.
And of course the Friday Ark is at the modulator.
From potterpaint2000 on YouTube, via matrixsynth:
“an improv featuring a KP3 processed Wicks Looper from Australia, a wonderful cacaphonous little device. Thanks Brian!…also a Nord Lead and a Stylophone Drumbeat”
I am not familiar with the Wicks Looper, but I did find some more info here, and another video:
We at CatSynth introduce Mister Kitty!
Photos submitted by prophei.
Although hard to see in this photo, the modular features several of the modules we reviewed in our Analogue Haven @ NAMM article. Mr. Kitty poses with synths from Oberheim and Moog in the first photos.
