How does one summarize a year like this? Words like “unprecedented” seem trite, and we learned from our experience with 2016 that even a difficult year has its beautiful moments. 2020 started out normal enough, with our annual pilgrimage to NAMM but quickly veered into surreal territory, and that was before the first COVID-19 lockdown was announced…on my birthday. Everything that has happened since has happened in the shadow of the pandemic. Perhaps the lowest moment was losing our dear friend Serena Toxicat. But the year has also brought unique experiences and opportunities, such as making music with musicians I admire together on opposite sides of the country. Indeed, as I was grieving the sudden loss of Serena, I received a call from my then-new collaborator G Calvin Weston offering comfort and support, and we have developed a closer friendship along with our musical collaboration. That moment perhaps summarizes the complexity of 2020 as much as any.
It has also been a banner year for CatSynth TV with rapid growth in viewership and subscriptions, but also the craft of making the videos in a variety of structures: synth reviews, interviews, documentaries, and art pieces. Of course, a few things remain active on the blog, our cat-and-music pics, Wordless Wednesday, and the occasional article. But for the most part, the transition from blog to video is complete.
The year ends on a note of optimism for 2021. The vaccines are arriving (we just need to make sure people take them); things are a bit more hopeful politically in the country, and we can start to repair the damage of the past five years. The album I have been working on – a musical statement – is coming together and will be released in the first part of the new year. Our little household at CatSynth HQ is safe and healthy and closer than ever – even Sam Sam and Big Merp seem to be getting along better now. And of course, we’re going to continue to share more videos, images, and ideas.
2020 has reminded us that we cannot know what is in store, and that improbable things can have a tremendous impact on our lives. We will face what comes as best we can, and focus on what is most important. And thank you for continuing to be a part of this journey with us.
A very pretty cat framed by a wide variety of modular synthesizers, including offerings from Make Noise, SOMA Laboratory (the Lyra-8 in the lower left corner), Instruo, Erica Synths, Mutable Instruments, and many more.
From Simon RD via Facebook. You can see this cat’s previous appearance here.
We kick off this week with an epic photo featuring two cats and a massive modular synthesizer system. One of them has decided that the modular is a great spot for a nap.
From blush_response via Instagram.
ｄｒｅａｍｌａｎｄ🌫
This cat holds court in an impressive collection of vintage synthesizers and sits on a Yamaha SK50D. We also see a Yamaha CP10, a Moog synthesizer, an electric piano in the back, and more! From Sai Barker via Facebook
She is enjoying the vintage synths. Happy Sunday! Greetings from Mexico.
We at CatSynth are also enjoying all the vintage synths. If you can identify any of the others in this photo, please let us know in the comments.
Cool cat with a lion cut on a Korg modular synth. This appears to a vintage Korg PS-3300. From Very Records via Twitter.
Kat on a Korg.. 🙂
The PS-3300 is a rather rare synthesizer, but an impressive one. I did get to play the closely related PS-3100 early this year at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum. You can hear a bit in this video.
Fern poses with her Behringer Model D synthesizer. From Mouth Full of Corpses on Twitter.
fern please dust your synth
Moose has found a nice spot behind the Make Noise 0-Coast and 0-Ctrl semi-modular synthesizers. Submitted by Galen Disston via our Facebook page.
Moose is putting together a sequence on the 0-Ctrl.
The 0-Ctrl and 0-Coast are quite a pair, a real-time sequencer control surface to go with a very playable semi-modular synth. We know Moose and his human are going to have a lot of fun making music with them.
