We just saw Saruman with his Yamaha SK50D, CS30, and DX7. Now we can here them being played. While Héctor Genis plays a classic synth-pop jam with lush cords, Saruman bounces around and supervises, as a cat does.
yamaha
Mistie and Yamaha DX7
Mistie poses proudly atop a vintage Yamaha DX7 synthesizer. From Rob Puricelli (Pro Synth Network) via Facebook.
I think I also espy a Yamaha QX3 sequencer just to the left of Mistie.
These 1980s DX-era instruments loom large in my personal synth history, often as aspirational. We do have a couple of TX modules still in use along with our RX5 drum machine here at CatSynth HQ.
Saruman with Yamaha SK50D, CS30, and DX7
Our friend Saruman is back, and he is showing off his vintage Yamaha gear. We see a Yamaha SK50D to the left, a CS30 to the upper right, and a DX7 at the bottom. Three different types of instruments from three different periods of Yamaha’s keyboard and synth history.
Submitted by Héctor Genis (@hdgenis) via Twitter/X.
Lou and Yamaha CS-15
Lou basks in the sun above a vintage Yamaha CS-15 synthesis. From synthguy216 on Instagram.
That’s what a sunny afternoon is for. Lou recharging next to my CS-15
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdEQoKeOBGb/
The CS-15 is not one I know much about, compared to some of the others in Yamaha’s famous CS series. A bit from Vintage Synth Explorer:
This synth really has its own sound. The CS-15’s got style. Built like a tank with a lot of nice knobs and best of all, not one but two of those funny sounding multimode filters…The best things about it are the flexibility of the VCFs and the routings to the filters and envelopes. You can rout VCO 1 to both VCFs and the VCFs to any of the envelopes positive or negative voltage. The VCFs are 12 dB/Oct and are switchable between low, band or high-pass. They are the key to the nice sound of the Yamaha CS family. Other nice features are noise, external-in for processing other sounds, LFO with Sample & Hold for those bubbling sounds and an individual auto-bend for the VCOs.
https://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/cs15.php
PixL, Moog, E-MU SP-12, Yamaha, more
Meet PixL, who debuts with a couple of very stylized photos. This first one features PixL atop a Moog synthesizer (specific ID left as an exercise to the reader). This next picture includes an E-MU SP-12 drum machine, a Yamaha TG-33, and more. From burnsfield_art on Instragram.
There’s a new kid in town.
Sarper Duman and his Cat return
I can always count on Sarper Duman and his cat to help restore my faith in humanity. This video is exceptionally sweet – I love the way his cat rolls on the keys to add some extra harmony.
Big Merp, Yamaha RX5, and Modular
Today we feature our very own Big Merp in the studio. He was assisting with our recent video on the Yamaha RX5 – specifically the “RX5USB” cartridge. We also one portion of our modular collection, including Metasonix modules, Rossum Morpheus, E350 Morphing Terrarium, Benjolin, Expert Sleepers, Sputnik Modular, Mordax, 4MS, Make Noise, Pittsburgh Modular, Koma Elektronik, 2hp, Folktek, and more.
This is the video we were working on at the time.
We also have a detailed tutorial for the RX5 itself
Bread and Tuna with Yamaha DX100 and RX7
Bread (orange) and Tuna (black) team up again. Bread is playing the Yamaha DX100 FM synthesizer and Tuna has his paws on the RX7 drum machine. Together, they are ready for some retro-1980s Yamaha-synth fun. From thedigitalpurrgatory on Instagram.
The RX7 is quite similar to the RX5 drum machine we have here at CatSynth HQ, and a fine instrument in itself – the only main differences are that the RX5 has separate outputs for different pads and more complex envelope editing. You can find out more about the RX5 (and by extension the RX7) in our recent demo and tutorial.
Saruman on Yamaha SK50D
Saruman performs for us on the Yamaha SK50D vintage analog ensemble synthesizer.
From hdgenis (Héctor D. Genis) via Instagram and Twitter.
Saruman en el estudio grabando algunas de sus ideas para una nueva canción.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrkHqRdsZXd/
We’re now getting to the point where I can start to translate Spanish myself without resorting to Googlish.
“Saruman in the studio recording some of his ideas for a new song”
Sarper Duman and his cat (Yamaha digital piano)
We start out the week with a warm and uplifting video from Sarper Duman and his cat. The shared love between them and for music always brightens my day.