analog

CatSynth Pic: Buchla Skylab

Cat with Buchla Skylab modular synthesizer.

Today we have a rather handsome cat next to a rather handsome Buchla Skylab system. It includes the “Thunder”-style controller and a 227e module as a customization. Overall a very impressive modular synth.

From user @ddp on Twitter. And it was quite an interesting turn of events to discover one another. It was through our cat-blogging friend Sue Strong who longtime readers might remember from the old Carnival of the Cats and Weekend Cat Blogging days. Good times!

CatSynth Pic: Big Merp, Sensel Morph, Arturia MicroFreak, and Modular

Our very own Big Merp is our featured cat as he sits in the middle of our demo rig featuring a Sensel Morph (with Buchla Thunder overlay), Arturia MicroFreak, and our modular synth setup.

If you haven’t already done so, please check out our recent video with Big Merp’s performance and our demo connecting the Sensel Morph to the modular via Max/MSP.

CatSynth Pic: LepLoop

A rare LepLoop synthesizer and groove box in front of a fanciful feline artwork. From LepLoop on Instagram.

We at CatSynth are not particularly familiar with the LepLoop, so we looked it up. Here is a brief summary from a 2016 Sound On Sound article.

The LepLoop is an analogue synth, sequencer and percussion module all the way from sunny Italy. Hand-built into a light wooden enclosure, this tiny groovebox is pock-marked with patch points and able to hook up with MIDI, CV or DIN Sync gear. Regardless of its connectivity, the LepLoop inhabits a wayward world of its own when it comes to traditions such as melody and control. This is because at its heart is a sample and hold generator that provides source material for a looping analogue sequencer. Notes generated at random are captured and — if you like what you hear — worked on until you feel like dipping in again.

Inside are two VCOs, a noise source, a low-pass filter, a dedicated bass drum, twin VCAs (each with a simple envelope) and a switching system offering near-modular flexibility.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/lep-leploop

CatSynth Pic: Self-Oscillating

We at CatSynth have been enjoying this meme over the last half-year. But this may be my favorite instance to date 😹🎹🎛.

The first synth I had that could self-oscillate was the Evolver from Dave Smith Instruments (now Sequential). I enjoyed performing with the “fifth oscillator” as I called it. Since then I have found myself experimenting with such phenomena on many a module.