CatSynth

Via matrixsynth.

“Kitty says keep away from the Juno 106.”

Here is another improvisation, or perhaps a meditation, on the analog modular synth. Enjoy!

This one used most of the modules in the system, including the Metasonix R53, both Make Noise modules, the Morphing Terrarium from Synthesis Technology, the Koma Electronic SVF-201 filter, the Polyvoks filter, and the Noisering from Malekko Heavy Technology, all mixed together via Pittsburgh Modular’s Mixer and Out. The Noisering was in many ways the foundational element for this meditation.

Please share your thoughts either in the comment section here or on SoundCloud.

From Travis Johns via the CatSynth Facebook page.

Mandarina “assisting” with some modules – March is the hottest month in Costa Rica and my studio is on the second floor of a building with a metal roof so daytime temperatures render it unusable – so I’ve been bringing work home with me in order to work at night when the temp’s a little more bearable. Unfortunately, there’s usually a certain orange snag to that plan. The modules themselves are from a class I’m teaching called TicoTronics – teaching basic electronics and circuit design via open source synth schematics, modified to use only components common to Costa Rica. For more info – www.vauxflores.com

You can see an example of Travis Johns’ creations and here.

Submitted by Regina Cherene via our Facebook page.

The Korg Poly 800 (mkII) could have ended up as my first synth, though it ended up not being the case.  If you have one, what do you think of it in a contemporary context?

By Joel Rich on YouTube.

The sounds around 2 minutes in do sound a bit like a cat

Another from Regina Cherene, submitted via our Facebook page.

“housemate’s cat with my JX-8P”

If you have cat-and-music pictures to share, you can post them to Facebook, tweet us @catsynth, or contact us.

One of the most anticipated synthesizers of this year’s NAMM show is the Korg MS-20 Mini. And here it is:

This is basically a classic MS-20, including the analog circuitry, but in a modern replica of the case that is 86% of the original size. It also has MIDI and USB for external control. But of course it is really about the analog synthesis, and especially the filters. After getting my bearings on the device, I shut off the VCOs and set up both the hi-pass and low-pass filters to self-oscillate. This us the signature sound of the original instrument, and while it’s difficult to tune self-oscillating filters they did seem playable for arpeggios or lines.

The street price appears to by $599, although it is not shipping yet. Korg has been good at reintroducing its classic technologies at affordable prices. And it is certainly a lower price tag than the other covetable instruments I reviewed yesterday.

Submitted by Bright Star Cat via our twitter feed @catsynth.

Submitted by Louisa Hufstader via our Facebook page.

“Francisco Silverado Léon at Styrene Studios West, Napa, Calif., home of The Styrenes.”

If you would like to submit your own cat-and-music pictures, you do so via Facebook, by tweeting us @catsynth, or contacting us.

Submitted by Torley via our Facebook page.

“Nearing three years after her first appearance, Uni meows at CatSynth, this time on the OMG-1!”

If you haven’t yet seen it, please check out my article on the Presidio Pet Cemetery in San Francisco, part of our weekend featuring the Golden Gate Bridge and vicinity.