You can't buy publicity like…

Well, just as we take up the question of cats-and-synths versus dogs-and-synths, the blog Create Digital Music asks the same question, prominently featuring CatSynth and our presentations of Convoy the Cat and the now infamous catsynth tatoo.

Speaking of the tatoo post, it made “CatSynth” of the Day over at dreamchimney a couple weeks back. Congrats to ben who seems to be enjoying the moment.

And while writing this, we find one more surprise reference today, from bloggins:blog, who says, “i don?t know what this is, but, cats with synths are cool.”

We've certainly gotten some attention from these sites, and like they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity.

Most of the “CatSynth” media that has appeared lately was submitted directly to this site, with the balance coming our way via places like matrixsynth and sendling. Thanks everyone, and keep those pics, videos, and whatever else coming…




More CatSynth pics today

We have more cat-and-synth pictures for today. Originally from pzlonvent, via matrixsynth:

There are more pics at pzlonvent from the same series, include this one:

So many fun places for a cat to play among racks and shelves of synthesizers…

The posting at matrixsynth spurred a discussion of why there are so many pictures of cats and synthesizers, and so few of dogs. Not the first time that subject has come up. Certainly, the fact that there are so many interesting spots for a cat to explore (or take a nap) allows for more photo opportunities. They are also gerally more nimble and less clumsy than their canine counterparts.

I also tend to think that cats are in behavior and personality more compatible with the personalities and aesthetics of “synth geeks” (and electronic musicians in general). The aloofness and independence and air of sophistication are characteristics I certainly find more appealing than the stereotypical “loyalty and obedience” of dogs. Dogs are also high-maintanance, need a lot of attention and of course their “walks,” taking away from time in the studio, while a cat is content to sit on a ledge or on a lap. Certainlly, Luna sometimes sits on my lap in the studio, as can be seen in at least one earlier post. And her presence in the studio is always a delight. By contrast, a clumsy and messy dog demanding attention would be quite unwelcome.

Consider the aesthetics of cats, too. Cats are common in still life paintings and photography and lend an elegant quality, while dogs are more common in, say, poker scenes or creepy Norman Rockwell illustrations with kids. That is not to say I haven't seen some really great or endearing photos of dogs – but it is a very different aesthetic from cats.

Certainly, these are all opinions, and we at CatSynth freely admit our feline bias. But to the best of our knowledge, there is no DogSynth site…





Podcast correction

A serious “mybad moment” with the podcast series. The March 25 release “Charmer:Firmament from Woodstockhausen 2003” had the wrong audio file. I have now corrected the situation, and the proper audio is linked in.

Those who have already subscribed and downloaded the March 25 episode will probably have to either unsubscribe (as I did in iTunes) or perform some other acrobatics to get the updated audio.

The “incorrect” piece was an ensemble improv from 2004 that I may release in an upcoming episode, this time properly labeled and attributed.





New Podcast: Improvisation with Octave The Cat

Another Sunday, another podcast release. Tonight I present a short improvisation on the recently acquired Octave CAT synthesizer. I have been playing with this instrument now for several days and getting a better feel for both it's timbres, it can do some really smooth analog sounds and really glitchy complex elements as well. I try to cover both qualities in this performance. Enjoy!

I am also rolling out the new logo, part of reintroducing the podcast as “The CatSynth Channel.”








Moo-gee-O!

No, this article has nothing to do with Moog. Rather, it's just a story with a happy ending published by the local SPCA a month or so ago (unfortunately, they appear to have removed the link to the original PDF). Everyone needs a happy story now and then, even the rather dark and cynical characters who spend time on this forum.

A cat had been found in a San Jose alley nursing her kittens. She had been a victim of animal cruelty and had a 14-inch slash that extended from under her left arm to the end of her stomach. She had been rushed to an emergency vet hospital where surgery was performed to stabilize her and clean and repair her wounds.

Now it's possible that the 14-inch slash on the cat's belly was an accident, but it's more likely that it was a deliberate act of cruelty. What sort of sick, depraved, person slashes a poor kitty, let alone a mother with kittens? I suspect kids. Pro-lifers, take notice! Fortunately, the cat did recover from her wounds:

Although in pain and barely alive, Kitty continued to love and care for her three kittens. The staff at the humane shelter quickly realized this was a special cat as she was extremely sociable and quite the purr-box.

She was then transfered to the Santa Cruz SPCA, where she acquired the name Princess Mugio. Mugio is a Latin verb for groan/roar/bellow, and of course, “moo.” The following is a quote from the person who fostered her during her recovery:

Upon laying my eyes on this severely injured cat, a tremendous wave of sorrow came over me. I could not understand what would possess someone to commit such a heinous act. Here laid this helpless animal, weighing a mere five pounds, suffering from a fourteen-inch thoracicabdominal wound. Princess Mugio had done nothing to deserve such abuse.

Pro-lifers, take note a second time.

Happily, Princess Mugio did make a full recovery, and became quite a charmer:

Princess grew stronger and healthier with each day. She began to flourish. Her unique personality slowly emerged. She began conversing more, especially in the mornings and when I would return from work. It became clear she was a remarkably intelligent cat.

Sounds a lot like Luna, who is not only a “princess”, but is also quite the conversationalist in the morning and evening (when I get home from work).

Eventually, Mugio was ready for a permanent home, and was featured as a “Pet of the Week,” with her own ad in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. It stated: Deserving Princess Seeks New Castle. The link takes you to their archives.

Apparently it didn't take long for someone to give her that “castle” and what appears to be a happy ending to what could have been a very tragic story.









Weekend "CatSynth" Blogging #97: Luna and TX802

Weekend Cat Blogging crosses the CatSynth juggernaut:

Here we see Luna posing next to a Yamaha TX802.

The shine on her fur on this photo looks a lot like the cute black cat Puddy, who is hosting Weekend Cat Blogging #97 along Kate at A Byootaful Life.









Octave The Cat

Well, after months of trying to track one of these down, I finally have in my posession an Octave CAT!

Of course, I find myself wanting to write “Octave the Cat” because of the main “Octave / The Cat” fan site, and repetition of the phrase at matrixsynth and elsewhere.

It turns out to be in fantastic shape, both cosmetically and functionally. I brought it in to work on the grounds that it might need a little work, and instead we've been having a great time playing with it. No repair work necessary. A wonderful addition to the collection (and quite appropriate for this site, don't you think?)