ICONIC Conversation with Jeff Blenkinsopp of The Analog Lab

video upload by Iconic Instruments

"This is a conversation with synthesizer genius, Jeff Blenkinsopp, from The Analog Lab (www.theanaloglab.com)."

CONTROl with co-founder Daren Ho makes an appearance at the end.

The video above comes in via an article on Jeff Blenkinsopp recently written up on Hell Gate. You can also find in on The Analog Lab's blog on their website here. Jeff is the man behind The Analog Lab which provides various resources for synth repair. The site is well worth a look.

From the intro to the article on Hell Gate, written by Adwait Patil:

Below: "Jeff Blenkinsopp after repairing the Beatles' VOX Continental organ, last used at their 1966 Shea Stadium show (The Analog Lab)"

"Jeff Blenkinsopp toured with Pink Floyd and Vengelis, repaired instruments for the Smiths and the Beastie Boys, but his greatest legacy might be his willingness to share his craft.

As one of New York's most meticulous and beloved vintage gear technicians, Jeff Blenkinsopp's legend precedes him. A North England native, he began repairing synthesizers in the late 1960s, worked his way into London’s disco scene as a live stage technician, and later took his talents on world tours with English rock giants Sweet and Pink Floyd, and Greek composer Vangelis. In 1978, he moved to New York, quickly gaining the trust and fixing synthesizers for bands like the Beastie Boys and the Smiths, and carved out a home for the nerds whose vintage gear obsessions were about to peak at the turn of the millennium with his workshop Expert Audio Repair Services, or EARS. At EARS, he devised hands-on methods to pass on his knowledge to some of the city’s most beloved musicians, all of whom came to learn from the guy who became Pink Floyd's synth technician at the age of 21.

Blenkinsopp’s career first took off in 1974, when he was working in London as an instrument repairman for General Electro Music. There he was introduced to Pink Floyd, who were looking for a technician, and met the criteria to join the band's French tour: he knew how to take care of a Hammond, and he had a passport. Blenkinsopp had never toured with a band, and now was in charge of setting up Richard Wright and Floyd's organs and synthesizers on a nightly basis. From then, he became a constant fixture for British bands who toured with a hefty load of keyboards, and that’s what initially brought him to New York City in 1978, touring with British glam rockers Sweet. A tour that changed his life."

Octave Plateau Voyetra Eight Synthesizer FULLY RESTORED

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"Like nearly all the high end vintage analog synths we sell, this item has been METICULOUSLY disassembled, cleaned inside and out, FULLY serviced by professionals who’ve been servicing and selling vintage synths for more than the last 3 decades, and systematically tested multiple times over a long period to ensure it’s working exactly as it should. No BS. No ebay surprises. We’re perfectionists and don’t cut corners. Although this instrument came to us in relatively good shape, we want our items to be better than the rest and invested *many* hours of tech time plus parts costs to fully overhaul this unit so it would be clean, working like new again and as reliable as possible for its next owner. This was a serious investment of time, love, and money, and was definitely worth the effort and is of course reflected in the higher than usual price. If you’re looking for a great sounding example of this model that works just like it should without needing to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in tech fees and waiting from weeks to years, this one should make you very happy.

We’re happy to announce we’ve got another meticulously refurbished Voyetra Eight with keyboard ready for sale. This unit took us approximately 76 hours of skilled vintage synth tech time plus parts costs to get it up to our high standards.

This work included not just getting everything working perfectly, but also applying custom modifications to make tuning better than it was when it left the factory, as well as taking future-proofing measures that other sellers don’t do, but that will hopefully keep this one running well a lot longer than lesser examples you may find.

After 76+ hours of restoration by our very experienced V8 expert and our focus on perfection rather than cost, you won't find a better one."

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Octave CAT SRM Model 1853 SN B4046

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"A bold, duophonic analog classic with a reputation for massive tone and underrated flexibility.

This is the Mk II version of the legendary Octave CAT — a U.S.-built synth from the mid-to-late 1970s that offers two VCOs with saw, square, and triangle waveforms (VCO 1 only), cross modulation, oscillator sync, and mixable waveforms. With duophonic capabilities and a famously powerful filter section, the CAT delivers deep bass, snarling leads, and complex drones with ease.

Key Features:

Two VCOs with independent modulation routing

Oscillator sync, cross-mod, and sub-octave options

VCF with audio-rate modulation and noise source

SRM (Series Revision Model) Mk II panel layout with white-only graphics

Bypass switch, modulation source selectors, and fine-tuning control

Serial number B4046

This unit is fully functional and sounds incredible. Cosmetically, it shows normal wear for its age, but everything works as intended.

An increasingly rare and highly regarded U.S.-made synth that stands tall next to the Minimoog, ARP Odyssey, and Pro-One — but with its own unique voice and vibe."

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Voyetra Eight Synthesizer Brochure

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"Voyetra Eight Programmable Polyphonic Synthesizer brochure (brochure only). Eight pages, glossy color pics of synthesizer and VPK-5 keyboard. Some description with detailed specifications. Used, Good condition, vintage original, no punch holes, no writing, no highlights, some wear spots. Approximately 43 years old. No returns, no returns. Time keeps on slipping, slipping into the future."

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Octave-Plateau Voyetra Eight w/ 61 Key Voyetra VPK-5 Keyboard

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"If you are looking at this you know what it is. The granddaddy of 80’s era programmable poly synths. This one had a $3k service by Jeff at The Analog Lab (one of the creators of the synth) about 18 months ago and hasn’t left my studio since. This is a hybrid of Revs, between a 2 and a 3 as many are.

Everything works perfectly when controlled by the VPK5. It sounds incredible and has real depth to its programmability. Auto tunes perfect. Comes with the power cord, pdf manual, and I’ve got a hard case that I’ve adapted to ship the VPK5.

One note, some people get a cord adapter to use other midi controllers rather than the VPK5. If you go this route Jeff said the midi notes may hang or be glitchy. There is an early EPROM that he did not have on hand that is needed to swap in to correct that issue. I’ve only used it with the VPK5 so it works 100% as it should. You can keep an eye out for the Rev 2 EPROM if you want to add that functionality. ALL ELSE WORKS PERFECTLY."

Check out the custom racked Oberheim Four Voice system in the background.

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OCTAVE ELECTRONICS CAT SRM Demo

video upload by Synth Tailor Electronics

"Here’s another Octave Electronics CAT SRM synthesizer that we restored here at Synth Tailor Electronics. This demo video is for the owner, Rick Bottari going over functionality/quick play through of the CAT SRM!

Repairs done:
-Rebuilt PSU
-Replaced polarized electrolytic capacitors and tantalum capacitors
-Full rebuild on Pratt Read Keybed (new bus bars, bushings, and J wires)
-Fixed tuning problems due to intermittent resistor/bad op amps
-Hit cold solder joints on connectors
-Replaced RCA CMOS for future reliability
-Cleaned up front panel, controls, pots and switches
-Full calibration, tuning and 24 hour burn in

If you have a vintage synth, drum machine, outboard effects or tape machine that needs repaired, please contact us on our website: www.synthtailorelectronics.com"

Seventeen Mins of Vintage Synthsploration and a GR-1 / MonoPoly / Xpander / CS-30 / CAT SRM2 / EM-1

video upload by HanzVolt

"Various nights of synth exploration... sometimes thru the Maestro Echoplex EM-1 tape delay. Just twisting knobs and seeing where they take the sound... + Entropy & Sons Recursion Studio #synthrenegades

00:00 MonoPoly & EM-1
00:55 CAT & EM-1
02:29 CAT & EM-1 2
03:05 GR-1, MonoPoly & EM-1
04:12 MonoPoly
04:31 CS-30
05:11 Audio output of CS-30 into the CS-30 EXT input
06:45 CS-30 Audio rate LFO
07:53 CS-30 SFX
11:51 Xpander DNB
12:51 Xpander stereo bliss
15:31 Xpander multipatch
16:35 Xpander Utopia & EM-1"

Another Vintage Analog Synth Jam

video upload by Reuben Jones

"A simple jam I made a while ago and uploaded to Instagram (@reuben0jones). Now on YouTube.

The Tempest, apart from doing drums, is clocking both the PolyEvolver making the digital sounding effects, and a Tanzbar which is simply clocking a sequence on the ARP Sequencer and sending CV/Gate to the Pro~One which is sending CV back to the ARP Sequencer so I can change key on the Pro~One's keyboard. At least I think that's how I did it. Korg MS10, Logan Vocalist and Octave Kitten 2 are played on top.

ARP Sequencer Model 1611
Dave Smith Poly Evolver
Dave Smith Tempest
Korg MS10
Logan Vocalist
Octave Kitten 2
Sequential Circuits Pro~One"

70s/80s Horror Vintage Synth Jam #3! #synthesizer #synth #synthwave #elkasynthex #loganvocalist

video upload by Reuben Jones

"Some more 70s/80s horror synth music inspired by the likes of Goblin and the more contempary Zombi. I made this track for my Logan Vocalist demo [posted here] but I thought I'd upload it separately. Ignore the drumsticks, I had to correct some errors and timing issues. I'm not sure why I decided to use them!

Logan Vocalist
Mario Maggi Synthex Mk1
Octave Kitten 2
Dave Smith Tempest
Yamaha TRB5f"

OCTAVE CAT SRM I DEMO FOR MATT

video upload by Synth Tailor Electronics

"On Christmas Eve, a demo was released highlighting the wonderful, odd, and charismatic Vintage Synthesizer made by Octave Electronics, the CAT SRM (1978).

This crazy CAT SRM synthesizer packs quite a lot into it's package, and can be dialed up to make sweet, calm Cat sounds, or very weird Sci-Fi and Noise sounds.

This CAT SRM was just repaired and restored by our shop Synth Tailor Electronics, this video demo is for Matt from Sensorium Studios.

History on Octave Electronics (later Octave Plateau) CAT SRM:

In 1978 Octave upgraded the Cat to the "Series Revised Model "(aka SRM). This added several improvements, including an SSM2040 VCF, an LFO delay and a pedal input jack for offsetting the VCO1 frequency. The main improvement was the keyboard interface circuitry which included sample and hold circuits for both of the control voltages generated by the keyboard. On most duophonic synths of the era, there was only one sample and hold dedicated to the keyboard, so when playing duophonically, when the keys were released, the secondary control voltage would jump to the primary voltage, meaning that it was impossible to get duophonic notes in the envelope release phase. The Cat SRM would hold both control voltages, so a two-note chord would continue to sound as a chord through the release phase. This was an unusual feature for an analog duophonic keyboard and quite an improvement over competing designs.

If you have a vintage synthesizer, drum machine, piece of rare studio equipment, outboard gear or tape machine...please reach out via our website to send it in for repairs and restoration. Were based out of Columbus, Ohio and our website is: www.synthtailorelectronics.com"

Voyetra 8 Custom Patches [Bank 3] by SYNTH_NYC

SYNTH_NYC brought us the OEI Voyetra Eight (8) TouchOSC Bidirectional Editor v2.0

"You can listen to them in high resolution (24bit 96kHz PCM WAV masters, FLAC encoded) on my site (optimized for Chrome on MacOS and Windows) or in low resolution on my bandcamp.

All recorded at 24bit 96kHz PCM on UAD Apollo X hardware with mainly UAD FX.

Enjoy!"

OEI Voyetra Eight (8) TouchOSC Bidirectional Editor v2.0

AUDIO VIDEO DEMONSTRATION (starting at 01:42 in the video above):
- Send Program Change (PC) 42
- Listen to Program 42
- Request Program 42 to editor
- Edit Program 42 (in the synth buffer)
- Press Transform Buffer, then Press Request Buffer to record it in your DAW / SYSEX librarian; or save it manually in the synth



GENERIC FEATURES:
- Display parameter Name and Value
- Double click a slider or button to reset it to a default value
- MIDI data rate efficient: only sends a MIDI message if the parameter value is incremented or decremented by 1

SPECIFIC FEATURES (FW REV4):
- (115) Program parameters implemented in the editor using SYSEX. Program parameters are bidirectional
- (14) Panel Buttons / MIDI / Normal Pages parameters implemented in the editor using SYSEX
- MIDI Channel + Program (change) selection slider + buttons
- Buffer Request, Buffer Init, Buffer Transform buttons using SYSEX

WORKFLOW 1 (starting at 00:05 in the video above):
- Select a Program
- Press Buffer Request to load it to the editor
- Start editing (the loaded patch) on the editor (the Patch is edited in the synth buffer)
- Press Transform Buffer, then Request Buffer to record it in your DAW / SYSEX librarian; or save it manually in the synth

WORKFLOW 2 (starting at 01:04 in the video above):
- Press Buffer Init to send an init patch to the synth buffer
- Start editing (the init patch) on the editor (the Patch is edited in the synth buffer)
- Press Transform Buffer, then Press Request Buffer to record it in your DAW / SYSEX librarian; or save it manually in the synth

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Octave Cat SRM model 1853

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Vemia listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

"The CAT SRM (MK1) synth is a monophonic/duophonic analog synthesizer with two oscillators capable of sawtooth and square waves. The first VCO also has a triangle waveform. very distinctive sounds vs ARP Odyssey/Minimoog/Pro-One. Lot of HUGE bass, leads AND drones due to the particular and clever synthesis architecture you can't obtain on others synths below This piece is in excellent condition, and a real pleasure to play (thx to the KB quality !)"

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California 24 and I-980: The East Bay's Most Scenic Freeway

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We take a ride along one of the Bay Area's most scenic freeways, California Highway 24. Branching off from I-680 in Walnut Creek, it heads west through a verdant landscape of hills and small towns. It crosses the Berkeley/Oakland hills through the Caldecott Tunnel and then emerges into Oakland with views of the East Bay and even San Francisco.

Passing Interstate 580, California 24 transitions to Interstate 980 through downtown Oakland, ending at Interstate 880 which continues through the city's southwestern industrial area and onward towards San Jose.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system runs along the median of CA 24 for much of length, both in the eastern section and in Oakland.

Original music by Amanda Chaudhary, featuring G Calvin Weston on drums and Amanda Chaudhary on synthesizers and electronics:

Arturia ARP 2600 V, Stage 73, CP 70-V, Phaser BI-Tron, LX-24
Cherry Audio Memorymode, Elka-X, Octave CAT, Sines, Stardust 201
Minimoog
Octave CAT
MOK Filtryg
SWAM Violin, Violin Section, Viola Sections
SWAM Trumpet, Trombone, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bariton Sax
Buchla Red Panel 158
Strymon Starlab
Metasonix R54, RK2
E350 Morphing Terrarium
EastWest Stormdrum II and Orchestral Percussion Gold
AudioThing Wires

Please consider supporting this channel to help us bring you more synthesizer tutorials and other content. Merch: https://shop.catsynth.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/catsynth Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/catsynth"

Octave-Plateau Voyetra-8 rev4 & VPK-5 SN GM4806

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Vemia listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

"Ultra-rare Voyetra Eight analogue polysynth, complete with its even rarer VPK-5 companion keyboard. Serial number GM4806. We think this is a rev 4. The Voyetra sounds great, but autotune is sometimes a bit slow and sometimes painful. Occasionally (after 20 minute warm-up) it runs through the process without any trouble, but other times it can need many repeated attempts. (The auto-tune log from March: 29/3 evening: 3 attempts, 16 voices tuned. 30/3 morning: 12 attempts, 16 voices tuned.) The keyboard has one slightly raised key, and is very clacky - could do with rebushing, which we will leave to the new owner. There has been an issue with the X-Mod axis on the joystick - which might be a V8 issue rather than a keyboard fault - but we think it may have resolved itself. ***UPDATE: no - it's working over MIDI but not from the keyboard's joystick.***
Cosmetically the keyboard is very nice, and the Voyetra Eight front panel too, but the V8 white casing (like every example I've seen in the last 20 years) is looking a bit sad. I can't help thinking using white wasn't the best choice.

Not a big issue when you have the chance to pick up one of the rarest and nicest sounding synths ever. Originally US power, but changed to UK/Euro (switchable internally). Supply your own IEC mains lead. MIDI is on XLR - we will supply a lead for the keyboard and two to link the V8 with other standard 5-pin MIDI controller devices.

We will pack with the utmost care, but low-volume vintage synths , particularly card-frame designs like this and the Korg PS series, are likely to need cards re-seated and/or expert re-calibration if couriered. Please factor that in to your bid amount. Packing 36GBP."

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Entropy & Sons Recursion Studio / Octave CAT SRM2

video upload by HanzVolt

"37 second test of how audio in affects the RS. The Recursion Studio is a very deep video synth. Worth every cent. Octave CAT SRM2 and Maestro Echoplex on the delay"

Joh Mustad AB Klavitron (type: IE-40 C), portable tube organ 60s

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

Interesting bit of history. See this previous post from 2005 for additional pics, info, and context.

SN 691 via this listing

"Swedish made electric tube/valve organ from the 60s in great condition. Portable with a cover that can hold the legs, original tele cable and the music stand.

All original tubes are working and it tunes up nicely.

Same manufacturer as the Tubon keytar but this has full polyphony a optically actuated volume knee bar and a lot more sound options.

It is like a museum piece but with a great sound."

Octave The Cat 37-Key Duophonic Analog Synthesizer with Manual SN A1553

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Pics of the inside below.

"Released during the era of the Minimoog and ARP Odyssey, Octave's The Cat is a classic analog synthesizer whose design closely resembles the ARP Odyssey, leading to legal action from ARP in the late 1970s. This monophonic/duophonic synthesizer features two oscillators capable of square and sawtooth waveforms, with VCO 1 also offering a triangle waveform. Each waveform can be played simultaneously and mixed, with additional sub-octave oscillators on each VCO for creating rich and interesting sounds.

The keyboard can switch between 2-voice (poly) and 1-voice (mono) modes. In mono mode, the two oscillators can be stacked for a rich mono-bass or mono-lead synth sound. Poly mode splits the oscillators into separate voices, allowing for slightly more complex melodies with overlapping notes or basic pads. The sub-oscillator plays an octave below the actual note, adding warmth and depth to your sounds.

The Cat has been used by artists such as The Dust Brothers, Chemical Brothers, Devo, Rod Argent, David Bedford, Lyn Berger, Dave Greenslade, OMD, Loaded, and Mixmaster Morris. This particular unit features an additional, unlabeled knob next to the pitch slider, which controls the modulation intensity on the VCO. When turned to its maximum value, it creates a "pulse-like" effect, producing an extreme pump sound wave. This unique modification enhances the synth's versatility and character.

The synthesizer is in very good condition, fully functional, and includes the bottom panel, which was removed only for photographing the circuitry and showcasing the clean internal workings. The only real sign of wear is the power cable is missing the grounding prong. Complete with the original manual, this vintage Cat synthesizer is a rare find for any enthusiast or collector."

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Behringer Neutron / Octave CAT Stick... Pure nasty from the behringer #shorts #shorts

video upload by HanzVolt

"using the CAT Stick to send CV to OSC1 & OSC2 shape & pulse width. Filter resonance, LFO rate, and envelope gate.
If you don't know what the CAT Stick is...Its a synthesizer controller that gives you 4 VCA and 2 LFO. There is a VCA for each of the quadrants. They is are X+, X-, Y+,Y- You can assign either LFO1 or 2 to each of the areas and the amounts for VCA and LFO. The LFOs range is 0.5hz - 50hz. Each has Pulse Saw or Triangle waves"

Octave Plateau Voyetra 8 Poly Analog Synth SN BN2804A

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Additional Retro Gear Shop Listings

Pics of the inside below.

"This is one of the great classics of vintage synthesizers, on similar league with other great classics like the Roland Jupiter-8, Elka Synthex, Sequential Prophets, Oberheims and Moogs. The Voyetra is a magical huge phat sounding machine with amazing capabilities. This one just got back from servicing by Peter at DoubleTake, one of the last experts around to handle and service these synths, with big cost and long wait time to get servicing completed. Peter gave it everything he felt it needed and Peter has been kind enough to offer communication with any new owner about the work and servicing done."

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