yamaha

Big Merp, Yamaha RX5, Modular

Today we have CatSynth pics with our very own Big Merp, who loves to jump up on the desk. Here we see him with our Yamaha RX5 drum machine and our massive modular system. The Metasonix modules are easy to spot, as are the Make Noise modules. We also have MOTM, Rossum Electro-music, Sputnik modular, 4MS, Malekko, Folktek, Mordax, and more as we get into the second grouping in the distance. We also see a bit of the Arturia MiniBrute 2 and Moog Mother-32. A fuller accounting can be found in the tags.

Saruman, Roland JX-8P, TR-707, Yamaha YC-20

Our friend Saruman from Mexico City has a nice stack of keyboards today: a Roland JX-8P (with a TR-707 drum machine on top), a Yamaha YC-20 combo organ below with its beautiful red finish; Saruman seems particularly interested in the small keyboard in the middle, which I’m thinking is actually two Casio SK-1s…

From Héctor Genis (hdgenis) on Twitter.

Olive, Korg DW8000, Yamaha MOTIF

Tab cat sitting and looking at the camera. Behind her are two keyboards stacked - a Korg DW8000 and a Yamaha MOTIF

The lovely Olive returns, this time with a Korg DW8000 and Yamaha MOTIF. From Charles Whiley on Facebook.

I have been fascinated for a little while with DW8000. I encountered it back in the 1980s, but it was overshadowed for me by offerings from Yamaha, Roland, and Ensoniq. It came back to my attention a few years ago, and I started looking for an EX8000 (the rack version) – ultimately, I settled on its new successor, the Korg modwave.

You can see Olive’s previous appearances via her tag.

Groundhog-Synth Pic: Herman and Yamaha RX5

Closeup photo of a stuffed groundhog sitting atop a Yamaha RX5 drum machine.

It’s Groundhog Day, so we’re featuring the venerable Herman, the stuffed-toy groundhog I have had since childhood, atop our Yamaha RX5 drum machine. Definitely a vintage vibe on both counts.

If you haven’t yet seen or detailed demo and tutorial on the Yamaha RX5, please check it out.

Saruman, Yamaha CS30 and DX7, Casio SK-1

We have another show of Saruman in action on his vintage Yamaha CS30 and DX7 synthesizers. In true cat form, he is able to play both at the same time. We also see the Casio SK-1 sampler in the middle.

From our friend hdgenis (Héctor D. Genis) on Instagram. To see Saruman’s other appearances on CatSynth, please visit his tag.

Olive in the Studio (Yamaha, E-MU, more)

Olive is sitting pretty in a corner of the studio with sundry synths, including some older Yamaha instruments like a TX802, MCS2, and more). We also see an E-MU Proteus-2000-era module on the rack. The remaining synthesizers are left as an exercise to the reader.

From Charles Whiley via Facebook.

Saruman, Yamaha CS30 and DX7, and Casio SK-1

Our friend Saruman is back, playing us a tune on a vintage Yamaha CS30 synthesizer. We also see a couple of other classic instruments: a Yamaha DX7 and a Casio SK-1.

From hdgenis (Héctor D. Genis) on Instagram.

Shiro and Yamaha SK50D

The beautiful Shiro is back, and sitting atop the Yamaha SK50D synthesizer.

Submitted by hdgenis (Héctor D. Genis) via Instagram.

You can see Shiro’s other appearances with vintage Yamaha instruments via this tag.

Saruman with Yamaha PSS-780 keyboard

Saruman has claimed this Yamaha PSS-780 keyboard – an all-in-one instrument with a simple synthesizer, drum pads, and drum patterns.

From Héctor D. Genis (hdgenis) via Instagram. You can see some of Saruman’s previous appearances via this tag.

Bread and Yamaha DX100

Bread checks the volume on his Yamaha DX100 synthesizer. Submitted by thedigitalpurrgatory via Instagram.

The DX100 was the smallest of Yamaha’s famous DX series. A 4-op FM engine with mini keys, it’s sounds were compatible with the other 4-operator instruments, including the TX81Z, though it did not include some features of the latter.