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  • Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Exploring the Modular and Roland JP-08

    Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Exploring the Modular and Roland JP-08

    Sam Sam checking out the next studio setup

    Sometimes Sam Sam ends up in CatSynth pics of her own, as when she recently got up to explore the redesigned studio space.  She is fascinated by the new decorative shelves as well as the narrow band between the video/office corner and the modular synth.

    Perhaps she is picking up some scents on the modular case from our recent live performances.

    I have been having a lot of fun in the studio lately, especially making videos and exploring our synthesizer collection in greater depth.  I really should be working on some more formal compositions, but it seems I am in more of experimenting and exploratory mood at the moment.  I have also, unfortunately, been battling insomnia.  It ebbs and flows, and on the worst night (about a week ago), I decided to sit up for a while and play with the Roland JP-08 boutique synth.

    Sam Sam and the Roland JP-08

    The size is actually ideal for playing in bed late at night.  I spent some time exploring the architecture (it’s basically a Jupiter 8 with a few extensions) and came up with some new and unusual patches.  We hope to share them with you in an upcoming CatSynth TV.

     

  • CatSynth Pic: Cat Mug and TTSH (Arp 2600 Clone)

    CatSynth Pic: Cat Mug and TTSH (Arp 2600 Clone)

    Cat mug with a TTSH, a clone of the Arp 2600 synthesizer.  By Alexander Henriksson‎ on Facebook.

    And another cat has found its 🏠

    The TTSH is an Arp 2600 clone that can be built as a DIY project, as described by The Human Comparator.  San Pedro Labs builds full versions, including wood casings. (They used to be here in San Francisco, but have recently relocated to New Mexico.)

     

  • CatSynth Video: Charlotte and Circuit-Bent Big Mouth Billy Bass

    CatSynth Video: Charlotte and Circuit-Bent Big Mouth Billy Bass

    Charlotte the cat contemplates the horror that is a circuit-bent Big Mouth Billy Bass.  From Ok Housecat on YouTube.

    I was often sardonically amused by this fishy contraption since the commercials in the 1990s.  But now I am genuinely intrigued by its circuit-bending possibilities.  At the very least, it could make for a fun CatSynth TV episode.  I found at least one set of instructions here, but it might be even more fun to just take it aport and just explore with alligator cables.

    The Horror…The Horror…

    From Ok Housecat. Visit their website okhousecat.com, where you can see an amazing array of circuit-bent and other custom electronic instruments. We at CatSynth are going to spend some more time exploring the video demos 😻

  • CatSynth Pic: Black Cat and Vintage Keyboards

    CatSynth Pic: Black Cat and Vintage Keyboards

    A black cat posing with several vintage small keyboards, including some familiar ones from Casio and Yamaha. From Milomi Studio on Instagram.

    Some of these keyboards may be considered “toys”, but they are still musical instruments. I coveted some of these small keyboards before I discovered synthesizers. I do now have a Casio SK-1 that gets used in live performance.

  • Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Geometry Studies

    Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Geometry Studies

    After several days of cold, wet, dreary weather, we finally have sunshine again.  Not that we can really complain compared to our friends on the east coast after the recent storm.  Sam Sam enjoys looking out the windows, though she hasn’t shown the same interest in venturing outside as Luna did.

    I like the contrast of angular lines against Sam Sam’s natural shape in this one.  One can see more of this geometric contrast in this pose on the stairs.

    It’s a treat to capture such an image.  But we also enjoy the everyday antics, such as Sam Sam’s patented “Scratch and roll.”  It’s her way of currying favor.

    Sam Sam scratch and roll.

    It’s always a good day with Sam Sam.  We hope you have a wonderful day, too.

     

  • CatSynth Pics: Cat, Korg Volcas, Electribe, and More

    CatSynth Pics: Cat, Korg Volcas, Electribe, and More

    Cat and Korg Volcas

    Just a cat lounging on a mixer next to a pair of Korg Volcas.  I’m pretty sure I see a Sample and Kick, along with an Arturia BeatStep Pro.

    By Jente Boes via the Facebook group Synthesizer Freaks.  Here is a second picture, this time with a Korg Electribe.

  • CatSynth Pic: Cat in the Studio

    CatSynth Pic: Cat in the Studio

    No, this isn’t Sam Sam, though this cat does look a bit like her from behind.  This is the cat that lives with synthguy216, who shares this photo via Instagram.  He has certainly mastered the art of playing two-tier keyboards 😸

  • CatSynth Pic: Kona and Moog Theremini

    CatSynth Pic: Kona and Moog Theremini

    Kona and Moog Theremini

    Kona the cat is quite excited to play the Moog Theremini.  We certainly enjoy playing ours 😺

    From our friend Daev Roehr via Facebook.

  • CatSynth Pic: Cat and Keyboard

    CatSynth Pic: Cat and Keyboard

    This cat is getting ready to play an A flat, or an F sharp, or maybe the G in between them. By Jess D. Skov-Nielsen via Facebook.

  • CatSynth Pic: Mr. Maximillion and Novation Peak

    CatSynth Pic: Mr. Maximillion and Novation Peak

    Mr. Maximillion returns, this time in a handsome portrait with a Novation Peak synthesizer.  By Charles Whiley via Facebook.  You can see Mr. Maximillion’s previous appearance here.

    We were wondering what exactly an “Oxford Oscillator” is, as Novation chose to display the term prominently on the panel.  From their website:

    The implementation of the FPGA opens the doors to a new type of oscillator design for Peak — The New Oxford Oscillator — the design of which stems from the analogue imperative. Peak’s raw waveforms are generated using an architecture designed and realised by Chris Huggett. It employs two waveform-generating techniques: Numerically Controlled Oscillators (NCOs) and wavetables.

    The NCOs are used for the traditional subtractive-synthesis waveforms (e.g., saws, squares, pulses, and triangles).  The wavetable oscillators can morph between different source tables.   The architecture of the oscillators with traditional waveforms reminds me a bit of the Evolver from Dave Smith Instruments.  It is quite intriguing, including the fact that it is implemented on an FPGA.