yamaha

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.

CatSynth Pic: Loki, Yamaha DX100, Novation Bass Station

Loki returns, this time with a vintage Yamaha DX100 alongside the more contemporary Novation Bass Station. From thedigitalpurrgatory on Instagram.

The DX100 was the smallest of Yamaha’s DX series. It featured the same sound architecture as most of the other 4-operator FM models (before the TX81Z), but was smaller in size, with mini keys and hooks for a guitar strap. I actually had one which I used primary in “keytar mode” in the 1990s, but rarely used it after that.

CatSynth Pic: Nina and Yamaha CS1x

Adorable Nina sits atop a Yamaha CS1x synthesizer. From ros_franck via Instagram.

The CS1x was a popular synthesizer in the 1990s. Although it carries the “CS” prefix, it’s not really related to the legendary CS line of the 1970s, but a sample-based instrument of its own design. The newer Yamaha Reface CS is a closer emulation of the original CS line.

CatSynth Pic: Betty and the Yamaha CS20m

Betty on top of Yamaha CS20m

Adorable Betty the black cat sits atop a vintage Yamaha CS20m synthesizer. From Edda Jayne Hill via Facebook.

Betty loves the CS20m

And she is certainly in good company! Long before Yamaha’s dominance in the mid-1980s with the DX series of FM synths, they created the CS series of analog subtractive synthesizers. Although similar in topology to other analog synthesizers of the era, they had their own unique sound and character and were prized by many artists.