cat

Ansel and Yamaha QX3

Ansel the cat sits to the right of a Yamaha QX3 sequencer on its side.

The handsome Ansel poses next to a Yamaha QX3 sequencer in mid-repair. From our friend Charles Whiley.

The QX3 features the distinctive Yamaha industrial design that they used for most if not all of their instruments in the mid-1980s. This look holds a special place for me as it was the time when I started exploring synthesizers and electronic music. The QX3 also has those vintage computer-style keys, which is a very nice touch. As a sequencer, it is less convenient than many hardware sequencers, but still quite powerful, especially in an era where analog sequencers with short step counts have enjoyed a renaissance.

Saruman plays the Casio SK-1

Remember Saruman from last week? His human, hdgenis, shared this reel with us where he “plays” the Casio SK-1.

My cat with his first synthesizer

We see a Strymon Timeline delay pedal – it sounds like the SK-1 is playing out through it; a Maschine (Native Instruments) sits nearby as well.

Saruman, Yamaha CS-30, Casio SK-1

Cat on top of a Yamaha CS-30 synthesizer, pressing two keys. A Casio SK-1 keyboard sits below.

Saruman the cat plays a note or two on a vintage Yamaha CS-30 synthesizer. Below we see a Casio SK-1. From hdgenis on Instagram.

My cat on Yamaha CS30 🐈‍⬛🎹

The Yamaha CS-30 is a fully analog subtractive synth with two VCOs, to VCFs with lowpass and hi-pass, as well as VCAs, envelopes, etc typical of analog synths. What is interesting about it is the ability to route the various elements in a semi-modular fashion. The SK-1 is of course a rather coveted sampling keyboard from the early 1980s.

Loki and Polymoog

Loki sits comfortably atop a vintage Polymoog synthesizer. From aagtive on Instagram, who provides the following commentary:

Been using the Polymoog keyboard more lately. I’m finding on its’ own it’s rather limited. But the rock organ bass with the filter on can be be quite strong and effective. Also, by building an audio effect rack even the piano preset can become something quite interesting like you heard on my previous post.

Each note has its own circuit board apparently. Perhaps that’s part of the charm. I also enjoy the wobbly sounds I get when it’s first powered on and hasn’t had time to warm up yet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CccE1ymOYHN/

I did have the opportunity to see those boards on the inside of a Polymoog recently.