yamaha

Mackie and MacBeth M5 (plus Future Retro and Yamaha)

Mackie the cat with a MacBeth M5 synthesizer. We also see a Future Retro Orb sequencer and a Yamaha Reface. From Phil Walling via Facebook.

Mackie (cat) working the ‘Mackie’ (MacBeth M5)

The MacBeth M5 is modern but rare analog synthesizer. It is reminiscent of a black-and-orange ARP 2600, but is a completely different instrument.

While reminiscent of the 2600, this is not a clone. It’s a semi-modular synthesizer that features a significant array of real-time analog controls with absolutely no digital circuitry at all. Totally faithful to the design and concept of early analog synthesizers, all sounds must be created by hand, tweaking knobs, patching cables and using a bit of creativity. There is no patch memory, no MIDI and no USB. Just really great analog sounds.

http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/macbethm5.php

Yamaha SK50D, CP10, Moog, More

This cat holds court in an impressive collection of vintage synthesizers and sits on a Yamaha SK50D. We also see a Yamaha CP10, a Moog synthesizer, an electric piano in the back, and more! From Sai Barker via Facebook

She is enjoying the vintage synths. Happy Sunday! Greetings from Mexico.

We at CatSynth are also enjoying all the vintage synths. If you can identify any of the others in this photo, please let us know in the comments.

Rhodes Mark II and Yamaha Reface

In the purrfectly balanced picture, we have a tableau of cat, ukulele and Ableton Push MIDI controller above a beautiful Rhodes Mark II stage piano and two Yamaha Reface synthesizers. From robbiesko via Instagram.

Rewiring the 100 + cables at home to get things running more smoothly..rat’s nest be gone!! Hope y’all are doin well ✌🏼

Ah, the proverbial rat’s nest of cables. Something we have to take care of periodically here at CatSynth HQ as well. But I am most interested in that Rhodes.

Big Merp with Yamaha RX5 Drum Machine

Big Merp the cat sitting on a Yamaha RX5 drum machine

Big Merp has taken to our recently acquired Yamaha RX5 drum machine. I think he will be ready to lay down some rhythm tracks soon. He also has his rear paw on another recent acquisition: the Buchla Red Panel 158 oscillator. Look for these two instruments featured in upcoming episodes of CatSynth TV!

Back in the late 1980s when I was getting into synthesizers, Yamaha’s DX series dominated the landscape (along with Roland’s D series). I got Yamaha’s “After Touch” magazine which featured new releases including the RX5, which became the flagship of their drum-machine line. It was beyond my reach then, but I now I have one and looking forward to seeing what I can do with it in our eclectic studio at CatSynth HQ.

Cats with Yamaha SK30 and Korg Polysix

An adorable photo of a mother and kitten on a Yamaha SK30. Above them is a Korg Polysix, and off to the right is a Roland Juno. From Frank Jacobs via Facebook.

My cuties love analog, too.

The SK30 was a combination organ, string, and subtractive synthesizer, released in 1980. All of the SK series had the organ and string sections, but different models had different synthesizer sections. The SK30 had two synthesizer sections, a dual-oscillator polyphonic section that was good at classic pads, and a solo monosynth section with multiple waveforms, envelope and filter. As a bonus, one could play the solo synth and one of the other modes (organ, string, polysynth) at the same time.

CatSynth Pic: Phantom and Yamaha DX21

Phantom performs on a Yamaha DX21 synthesizer. From Andreas Gregor via Facebook.

This was Phantom. He had an ear for synthesizers. I recorded him on my DX21 one day. I think he might be the only cat that released a track on iTunes and Amazon. Lol.

The track Naptime Electronique is available on Amazon and Apple Music.