rob robinson

Dahlia and GR-1 Granular Synthesizer

The beautiful Dahlia returns once again, this time with a GR-1 granular synthesizer from Tasty Chips Electronics. From our friend Rob Robinson (orderofthestatictemple on Instagram).

The GR-1 is relatively new to me, but I do know that granular synthesis is in right now. Here is some more info from Tasty Chips’ website.

The GR-1 is massively polyphonic: It’s capable of 128 grains per voice, which can add up to a total of 1000+ grains simultaneously. Playing rich chords to create granular harmonic clouds is an easy task for the GR-1. Hook up your (USB or DIN) MIDI keyboards and you are ready to go.

The GR-1 is a sample-based device. Load in your own samples or feed live audio through it using a class-compliant interface and you are now ready to granulate all your source samples into countless variations. Anything is possible, ranging from subtle changes that still represent the original sample to a completely mangled and scattered manipulation of the original. Imagine what it would sound like if you hear thousands of little sound particles (grains) swarming around to reconstruct any sample you present it. Depending on what source sample you want to use, results can be lovely, soft, and soothing but also chaotic, aggressive and unpredictable and everything in between.  

Dahlia with Roland JP-8080 and other synths

Dahlia strikes another beautiful pose, this time next to the Roland JP-8080. In the background, we also see a Korg MiniKorg 700, an Ensoniq ESQ-1, and a red Roland SH-101. We at CatSynth particularly covet a couple in this collection.

Submitted by our friend Rob Robinson (@orderofthestatictemple on Instagram).

Dahlia, Roland MC-202 and JP-8080

The beautiful Dahlia returns, and she has brought some great vintage Roland machines: the MC-202 rhythm composer and the JP-8080 virtual analog module.

Submitted by our friend Rob Robinson (@orderofthestatictemple on Instagram).

MC-2oh2 and Grand Duchess Dahlia Darling of Meowington Manor (Dahlia for short)…I interrupted a meowing and rubbing tirade to snap this pic. She went back to meowing and rubbing immediately after. She’s the best puss.

Persephone and Rob Robinson in the Studio

We have a new picture of Persephone in the studio with her human Rob Robinson, as they get ready to record some new material.

Working on new Order of the Static Temple. The junior studio tech’s input… ‘make it noisier!’ As you wish, mewskers…

This is almost the same as this previous photo featuring Persephone and includes many of the same instruments.

Dahlia, Roland W-30, Behringer VC340 Vocoder

The beautiful Dahlia returns; this time she is playing a tune on a Roland W-30 with a Behringer VC340 vocoder above. From our friend Rob Robinson via Instagram.

The Roland W-30 was a sampling workstation released in 1989 (about the same time as the Ensoniq EPS workstation that I chose for my own work). The Behringer VC340 is a recreation of the Roland VP-330 vocoder. I was quite intrigued by this offering, as we can see from this NAMM 2019 video.