Synthesizers

Preparing for Tonight’s Show at The Lab

I have been busily preparing for tonight’s solo set at The Lab here in San Francisco. As usually happens, I initially plan to simplify the setup, but then as I work on the set musically, more instruments and equipment end up part of the rig. And this one may be one of the largest to date.

In addition to the Nord Stage (aka “The Big Red Keyboard”), there is the newly reconfigured modular synth, the Prophet 12, the Moog Mother 32, Casio SK-1, and iPad. The modular path features multiple voices, including some processing external audio from the Nord and the SK-1, respectively.

Why so big? Well, it comes out the current musical direction, which mixes jazz and funk with experimental electronics. That means a full-size keyboard is always present. And the electronics has to provide rhythmic and harmonic support in addition to timbral support. This always adds significant complexity, but provides for a richer musical experience.

Here are the details on the show, including the other acts. I am excited to have a group improv with my friends Joshua Marshall, Jaroba, and Christina Stanley. And the evening will begin with an orchestra of invented instruments from Pet The Tiger (David Samas, Tom Nunn et al.) with dance by Christina Braun. If you are in the Bay Area tonight, please consider joining us.

Thursday, June 22, 8PM
The Lab
2948 16th St SF

A special evening of funky and noisy sounds, invented instruments, whimsy, and more 😺 🎶

8:00PM Pet The Tiger Inventors Collective performs Arc Weld
8:40PM Amanda Chaudhary solo. Funky and experimental electronics
9:20PM Amanda Chaudhary with collaborators Joshua Marshall, Jaroba, and Christina Stanley

door: $5-10

Additional info on BayImproviser.

CatSynth Video: Roland re-201 space echo + iPad fugue machine + electric violin

From abertronic on YouTube, via matrixsynth.

“Another one of my restored space echo’s now for sale on ebay.

Ive got an iPad with the app ‘Fugue Machine’ playing through one input and live electric violin on another. Just a quick jam showing that this space echo is working as it should.

My cat loves the space echo… unfortunately she cannot be left alone with it because she’ll chew up the tapes!

ROLAND Re-201 Space Echo $899USD
Its just been cleaned, serviced and checked. Cosmetically very good condition!
Internally and externally cleaned. Pots cleaned and lubricated with contact cleaner.
Serial number: 653577
PLUS! 1 tape installed and 5 spare tape loops!!! (new loops)

Pinch roller and tape heads are in excellent condition. Sounds great , with minimum wow and flutter.
Very nice unit!
Full service has been done on this unit including polished tape heads.
youtube demo coming soon…
SHIPPING
$145US SAL economy Air (approx 1-2weeks) .
This item is 100v 50/60hz you may need a power converter depending on your country.”

CatSynth Pic and Video: Cat Full of Ghosts tbar Module

From Cat Full of GHOSTS on YouTube, via matrixsynth. Watch for the cat in the video 😺

“The tbar is a unique unipolar/bipolar variable voltage source and attenuator made by Cat Full of Ghosts Electronics. It boasts beautiful white and gold pcb front panel, walnut stained bamboo ply and matte black bolts. The tbar also boasts a visual feedback led under the + sign so you can monitor the cv you are passing in attenuator mode.

This module will make you feel like you are flying a space ship. It has a smooth motion a firm throttle and solid construction.

The tbar allows for more nuanced control of cv parameters. Why twiddle a cramped knob when you can slide a tbar? It is great for performance and studio use.

The output can be configured to: 0-5v, -5-5v, 0-9v or -5-9v via jumpers on the underside.

This unit is 6hp wide and 51mm deep. It draws current relative to what it is driving but you can expect around 40-50ma on the +12 and -12 rails.

www.catfullofghosts.com”

Available at Patchcable and Turramurra Music.

CDP at the Make-Out Room, San Francisco

Today we look back at the May 1 performance by Census Designated Place (CDP) at the Make-Out Room in San Francisco, as part of the monthly Monday Make-Out series.

We were all very excited to play this show. And then things started going awry. First, our synth player Tom Djll was ill an unable to make the gig. And when we were about to go on, I found myself with cable faults and other technical issues. I had actually anticipated many things and had several redundancies, but also a few blind spots, particularly around 1/4” cables. That will not happen again. And after the anxiety of those mishaps in front of a packed room, we played on, and it turned out to be a great show. We played very well, indeed the heads of the various tunes came out as well as I have heard them, and the energy throughout was great. We even had folks dancing in the audience.

You can see a bit of our set in this clip, featuring our newest tune Marlon Brando.

CDP Marlon Brando May 1 from CatSynth on Vimeo.

We were preceded by two other bands. First was a project from our friend Lucio Menegon from New York, together with Janie Cowan on upright bass and John Hanes on drums.

Lucio Menagon Trio

Lucio’s guitar performance had a very narrative, almost storytelling quality. This was set against a mixture of idiomatic rhythms and percussive stops from Cowan and Hanes.

They were followed by a quartet featuring Anton Hatwich from Chicago together with Ben Goldberg on clarinet, Josh Smith on saxophone and Hamir Atwal on drums.

Anton Hatwich Quartet

During this time, the crowd at the Make-Out room continued to grow, and by the time we were setting up it was as crowded as I have seen there since I played there with Surplus 1980 some four years earlier. Which made the technical difficulties all the more stressful. But as stated earlier, the show ultimately went well as a trio with myself, Mark Pino on drums and Joshua Marshall on saxophones. The music was very well received by the audience and the other musicians.

Thanks to Karl Evangelista for organizing the series, Rent Romus for helping with logistics on that night, and all the folks at the Make-Out Room. Overall, it was a good show, and some important lessons learned on technical blind spots. We will get back to composing, rehearsing and preparing for next ones.