Synthesizers

CatSynth pic: M-Audio Venom Synth Keyboard

Via matrixsynth, where you can find more info.

49 full-size keys with velocity
12-voice polyphony
Features 512 single patches and 256 multi-sound patches
41 oscillator waves and 53 drum sounds sampled from vintage analog and digital FM synths and drum machines
Three oscillators per voice
FM, sync, and dynamic wave-shaping
Three LFOs and three AHDSR envelopes
Four-part multitimbral
Four independent MIDI-syncable phrase sequencers
Two global bus effects and one inset effect per part
Classic arpeggiator
Tap tempo and top-panel BPM control
Built-in USB 2.0 2-in, 2-out 24-bit audio interface
Microphone, instrument, and stereo line level inputs
MIDI in and out via 5-pin DIN connections
Large custom LCD display
Four rotary encoders for editing and performance control
Assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels
Vyzex Venom software editor for Mac and Windows included”

Cool cat not included.

We think the cat probably prefers the box 😉

CatSynth pic: Techno Kitty (with Korg iMS-20)

Via matrixsynth.

“Techno Kitty…. On a vocal tip. Bwoyeee!”

Maybe I should try recreating that patch on the Korg iMS-20…

CatSynth pic: Alaska and Kawai K4

Submitted by Raluca Moldovean via our Facebook page.

“Alaska, muse for the romanian band Casetofoane, posing on the Kawai K4.”

CatSynth pic: Chewie on Ensoniq EPS

Chewie the cat posing handsomely behind an Ensoniq EPS sampling synthesizer. Submitted by Kiki Cameron via our Facebook page.

The Ensoniq EPS and its successor, the ASR-10, were longtime workhorses in my synth collection. Even though the ASR-10 mostly sits in the closet now, I still use some of the sounds from it. You can hear an example here.

CatSynth pic: Cat vs Modular Synth

From Peter Gorges on flickr, via matrixsynth.

Modular synth aside, that chair would be perfect at CatSynth HQ 🙂

CatSynth pic: Samantha and Akai AX80

Submitted by Andrew Wayne, who appeared at this year’s Outsound Music Summit Touch the Gear event.

“Here is my cat, Samantha, taking a little nap by my Akai AX80.”

This Samantha looks surprisingly like another Samantha that we have featured on this site before.

CatSynth pic: Skinny and Elektron MonoMachine

Submitted by Alessandro Automageddon via our Facebook page.

This is dedication, I only buy new gear so I can take pictures of them with my cats and send them to your blog!

That is indeed quite a commitment! We wish Alessandro and Skinny the best of luck on this, and keep sending us the pics 🙂

CatSynth pic: Scampi and Roland JX-3P

Submitted by Jonathan Redman via our Facebook page. He also has an Electronic Instrument Archive that is quite impressive and worth checking out.

“Our Cat Scampi likes to sit by Synths – not on them.”

You can find more info about the Roland JX-3P at the archive.

CatSynth video: Donna’s stone table dance

From Ebotronix on YouTube, via matrixsynth.

Korg MS 20 duophonic via
Kenton Pro Solo & Pro Solo Mk 2
Yamaha MCS 02
FX TC M 3000 Boss VF 1
Logic Master Clock & Drums

Weekend Cat Blogging: Luna (Noise Research)

We at CatSynth are always curious about musical contraptions whose names include “Luna”. The latest we have encountered is luna_NT from Luna Noise Research (aka luna_lab).

Of course, I had to coax Luna to pose with it. She was mildly curious (as she is with anything that arrives at CatSynth HQ).

But what does this contraption sound like? I managed to rustle up a 9-volt battery and fire it up. Here is a brief video of what we encountered:

You will have to pardon the bad iPhone videography. But it does give an idea of what the basic functions do. What I can do with it musically remains to be seen.

Weekend Cat Blogging #387 is hosted by Samantha, Clementine and Maverick.

The Carnival of the Cats will be up this Sunday at Mind of Mog.

And the Friday Ark is at the modulator