This cat sits atop an Alesis QS7 keyboard. In the back, we see a Korg Kross workstation and a Nord Stage that looks quite similar (but not identical) to one we have here at HQ.
From Andy Kockelkoren via Facebook.
nord
Panda with Elektron, Sequential, Access, and Nord
Basti with Sequential Prophet X
Basti naps near a collection of keyboard synthesizers, including a Sequential Prophet X. We also see a MicroKorg and a Novation keyboard. From Andras Karoly via Facebook.
Here is a close-up of Basti sleeping.
The keyboard in this photo appears to be a Nord.
Please check out our chat with Dave Smith about the Prophet X from NAMM 2019.
CatSynth pic: Studio Buddy (Moog and Nord)
A pic from the studio of our friend and collaborator Bill Wolter. His cat naps in front of a Nord Electro and Moog Sub 37.
Studio buddy. She’s my friend until I start playing drums.
Our cats are used to all sorts of crazy loud sounds emanating from the studio, but I suppose live drums is something altogether different from a psychoacoustic perspective.
You can see the many other posts on CatSynth featuring Bill here.
CatSynth Video: Blush Response – Cat Synth jam (Elektron, Nord, Modular, more)
CatSynth Pic: Cat and Nord Keyboard
CatSynth Pic: Nord Stage 2
Cat playing a Nord Stage 2 keyboard. From Nord (@nordkeyboards) via Instagram.
We love our Nord Stage EX at CatSynth HQ, though we often covet the newer features of the 2 and 3. But not enough to replace what has been a fine keyboard for over 10 years.
Farewell to 2019: Tipping Point
Our year-end collage is a long-standing tradition at CatSynth. And we had a lot of fun making this year’s edition, so many wonderful images to choose from. One of my best solo performances to date took place at the Compton’s Cafeteria series at the Center for New Music. Big Merp came to live with has at CatSynth HQ. And our adventures took us from the halls of NAMM to the bottom of Death Valley to the subways of New York.
As we mentioned at the end of last year, most of the energy has moved to CatSynth TV and our social media platforms (especially our Facebook page). The blog is mostly our core cat-and-synth pics these days, although I do enjoy sharing long-form articles now and then. And In 2020, I do plan to revive the “primary highways” series from eight years ago.
On the video side, things have been going very well. Here are the top videos for 2019:
- Rick and Morty Pocket Operator, Part 2
- Introduction to the KOMA Field Kit [Episode 106]
- Ginger Baker, In Memoriam
- EXCLUSIVE! Arturia Pigments 1.2 First Look
- Folsom Street Fair 2019
- NAMM 2019: Rossum Electro-Music Trident [Episode 116]
- Rick and Morty Pocket Operator Unboxing [Episode 166]
- Mutable Instruments Plaits [Episode 102]
- Strymon Magneto Loop & Sample Modes [Episode 125]
- NAMM 2019: Interview with Dave Smith of Sequential
By early autumn, I was also thinking about this year as a “tipping point.” The transition from the blog to the video channel is the most obvious, but it also applies also on the personal side. The arrival of Big Merp was one of the big stories, and it’s been a tough integration getting both cats to coexist, but things have been trending well in the past few months, with Sam Sam regaining her confidence and HQ becoming a more harmonious place again. Musically, I have moved in a direction that is perhaps closer to my roots in jazz, fusion, funk while maintaining the experimental electronic aspects. I have also moved to a point where studio work is how I spend most of my musical time, between the videos and other projects. Finally, I am getting older, as we all are, and that adds both perspective and a need to focus on health and wellbeing. In 2020, I may “do fewer things” than in the past, but I hope the things I choose to do make an impact both personally and beyond.
There is a lot to look forward to in the coming days: NAMM 2020 is around the corner, I have a full queue of demos to share, and I am laying the foundations for some major musical projects. And of course, we will continue to post cats and synths.
CatSynth Pic: Rusty in the Studio (Waldorf, Nord, and more)
Today’s CatSynth pic takes us to the 2000s, with Rusty and his human James Maier in the studio. We see a Waldorf Microwave XT, a Nord Micro Modular, and more. From James Maier via Facebook.
TBT – Rusty Inspects Studio in 2000
Although it’s a small photo, it looks like Rusty has some of Big Merp’s color and markings.
Merp Monday: Novation LaunchPad Pro and Arturia MicroFreak
Yesterday afternoon I was practicing for tonight’s solo electronic concert at the Make-Out Room in San Francisco; Merp decided that two of the main instruments, the Arturia MicroFreak and Novation LaunchpadPro, would make a great napping spot. Adorable as it is, it certainly made it more challenging to use them.
Merp’s rear paws occasionally kicked off beats on Ableton Live! while I was trying to do some playing on the Nord Stage EX (off-screen). Fortunately, he did eventually get up and I was able to continue with my preparations.
If you are in San Francisco this evening, please stop by the Make-Out Room to hear me perform several pieces on solo electronics. No cover charge, and close to public transportation. Details can be found here.