Goonbug (aka “Goombub”) has found a nice patch of sun on this Roland amp. We see a keyboard in the back that appears to be a Rhodes stage piano. It is clearer in this photo.
While not technically a synth, the Rhodes electric pianos are among my favorite instruments and definitely an important part of any keyboard studio.
From @DuderDudre on Twitter.
Today on CatSynth we feature the one and only Lil Bub! She is playing on a vintage electric piano (Rhodes or Wurlitzer). Regular readers know these classic instruments are among our favorites, and often used in our own 1970s funk/jazz/
From Lil Bub’s Twitter.
songs in the key of BUB
We resume of coverage of the 2018 NAMM Show after a few days break – and a nasty bout of “NAMMthrax” – with the latest spin on an old favorite: the Nord Electro 6.
Longtime readers know that I have been a user of Nord keyboards since I got my trusty Nord Stage EX back in 2010. It has served me well, but have sometimes been envious of the features in subsequent generations, notably the expandable Piano Library and Sample Library (the original Stage does not support the sample library at all). With the Electro 6, the separation from the Stage line is much more blurred, and it calls into question the need for a Stage at all for those of us who fell in love with Nord keyboards for their electric pianos. The Electro 6 supports up to 3 layers and splits (something previously limited to the Stage). The electric piano (and acoustic piano) section is enhanced with new layering features and its own filter section that allows one to dial in different tones within a particular model. And the piano library is expandable with 1GB of memory. The organ section uses the C2D engine, and a rock organ is quite handy in a variety of situations. The sample library allows for classic Mellotron sounds as well as a variety of others. The one section from the Stage that is missing is the independent A1 synth (similar to the Lead). Personally, it is the section I use the least, so I wouldn’t miss it if I moved over to the Electro. Plus, this model would be a little bit easier to schlep back and forth to gigs.
The Electro 6 comes in three models: 61-key and 73-key semi-weighted with mechanical organ drawbars; and the “HP” version with 73 fully weighted keys and LED drawbars. As a pianist, the latter would be my preference.
If you are already fortunate enough to have an Electro 4 or 5, the 6 probably won’t be a big enough change to warrant an upgrade, especially at the high prices these instruments command. But if one has been waiting eight years, it might be the time…
From Andor Polgar on YouTube, via matrixsynth. Rhodes, Make Noise Morphagene and cat, what is not to love?
Things used in the video: vegan sausage for taming the cat (that’s her favorite), Make Noise Morphagene eurorack module, Rhodes Mark I electric piano, Expert Sleepers Disting mk4 for the reverb effect.
http://andor.cool
https://instagram.com/andorgram
It may be time to experiment again here at HQ with the Nord and some Make Noise modules…
Via matrixsynth. This one is a true blast from the past, posted there only a week after CatSynth was founded 🙂
This one in via Michael. “Attached photo: Rico the cat playing a solo lead line while accompanying self on Rhodes. He hasn’t yet got the hang of the (unfinished) modular, but my other cat has opposable thumbs and is a fast learner. Putney and Minimoog on loan from Reed.”
From Michael Van Dijck via our Facebook page.
Here is an example of the Hohner piano in action:
In this video, Chick Corea plays a Hohner Electra piano with Miles Davis. (Keith Jarrett is playing a different electric piano.)
Electric pianos are of course not strictly synths, as they are electro-mechanical rather than electronic. But these instruments are favorites of ours here at CatSynth.
Submitted by Ian Miles Becker via Twitter. Two classic instruments, Rhodes 73 electric piano and Prophet 600 synth.
You can always follow us on Twitter @catsynth and share your own cat-and-music pics with us there.
Today we have another photo of Video the cat. Submitted by The Wiggly Tendrils via our Facebook page.
“Video hangs out with a silver face Fender Champ, under a Wurlitzer 200a.”
If you have a cat-and-music picture to share, you can do so via Facebook, Twitter, or contacting us.
Another picture of Video the cat relaxing on the Wurlitzer 200e electric piano. Submitted by The Wiggly Tendrils via our Facebook page.
“Video” the Cat takes a stroll on a Wurlitzer 200e electric piano. Submitted by The Wiggly Tendrils via our facebook page.
One may argue that a Wurlitzer electric piano isn’t a “synthesizer” per se. But electromechanical pianos (Wurlitzer and Rhodes) are among my favorite instruments and feline pictures with them are always welcome here!
Me too. I bought this one in Oshkosh Wisconsin years ago at the music store that time forgot. The guy was renting them out to piano students who didn’t have pianos at home. (their original purpose) I eventually talked him into selling me one. I love it. I also briefly had a Yamaha CP-70 but had to sell it when I moved from Philly to Berkeley.