CatSynth TV Korg Volca Modular GIVEAWAY - Ends 9 Feb 2020

Published on Jan 6, 2020 CatSynth TV

"We are excited to announce our first ever giveaway on CatSynth TV! We will be giving away a Korg Volca Modular and two CatSynth T-shirts on February 9, 2020. This video demonstrates the Volca Modular and provides instructions on the giveaway.

Visit https://gleam.io/competitions/RBzhC-c... to enter, and good luck!
_______
Contest Rules

CLICK FOR MORE »

Amanda Solo Performance at Center for New Music (Compton's Cafeteria Series)

Published on Sep 4, 2019 CatSynth TV

New performance from supporting site member, Amanda Chaudhary of www.catsynth.com!

"Amanda Chaudhary's full solo performance from the Compton's Cafeteria Series show at the Center for New Music in San Francisco. She performed two extended pieces: White Wine (solo version) and Donershtik, using Arturia MiniBrute and MicroFreak, Nord Stage EX, Novation controller, MOK Waverazor, Strymon Magneto, and more.

To see excerpts from all three sets please check out our previous video: [below]
For more new and adventurous electronic music, please subscribe to this channel and visit www.catsynth.com.

_________
Amanda Chaudhary’s live performances bring theatricality and flare to the sometimes staid world of experimental electronics. She combines sophisticated modular synthesizers and software, with conventional instruments and even toys and DIY electronics for a unique experience that moves effortlessly between experimental noise, jazz and funk, ambient abstract landscapes, and more. She has been performing solo and with various groups in the Bay Area, New York, and beyond for many years and is deliberately difficult to pin down to a particular style or practice, except to say that her work is always fun to experience. Amanda is also the founder of CatSynth.com and CatSynth TV, which covers music, synthesizers, art, and culture through the prism of a love for cats. The feline sometimes works its way back into her music."

Compton's Cafeteria Series (Amanda Chaudhary, Rusty Sunsets, Pitta of the Mind)

Published on Aug 31, 2019 CatSynth TV

"The Center for New Music in San Francisco presents the inaugural show of Compton's Cafeteria Series, commemorating the Compton's Cafeteria Riot of 1966 and transgender visibility.

0:20 Rusty Sunsets: rustysunsets.bandcamp.com
1:51 Pitta of the Mind (Amanda Chaudhary and Maw Shein Win): www.facebook.com/pittaofthemind
3:16 . Amanda Chaudhary: amandachaudhary.com
5:15 Gratuitous shot of Amanda's rig for the evening featuring Arturia MiniBrute and MicroFreak, Novation controller, MOK Waverazor, Strymon Magneto, and more.

For more adventurous music, please subscribe to CatSynth TV and check out www.catsynth.com"

Arturia Jup-8 V4: Demo and Tutorial by CatSynth TV

video by CatSynth TV

"A detailed look at the new Jup-8 V4 from Arturia. It is a newly designed version of their recreation of the legendary Roland Jupiter 8, with a new interface and voice features. We cover all the features on the main panel as well as the advanced section, showing how you can use them to recreate your own sounds. We also go through a few of the factory presets.

00:26​ Brief history of the Jupiter 8
01:00​ Main panel functions of the Jup-8 V
01:53​ VCOs, filters and modulation
10:39​ Bottom section (Voice modes, apreggiator, dispersion modes, pitch/mod wheels)
16:00​ Advanced panel functions
22:00​ Factory presets

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

And one I missed from CatSynth TV on the Arturia Chorus JUN 6:

Arturia Chorus JUN 6: Quick Review and Demo
"We take a quick look at the new Chorus JUN-6 effects plugin from Arturia (Free through December 29, 2020). It is emulation of the chorus effect from the Juno 6/60 synthesizer, and also part of the Jun-6 V virtual instrument.

To find out more and to download, please visit https://www.arturia.com/freegift-chor...​

0:20​ Background and Introduction
1:11​ Electric piano demo (Arturia Stage 73 V2)
1:56​ Minimoog
2:51​ Metasonix R53/R54/RK5 through the Chorus JUN-6

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

Arturia Vocoder V: Demo and Tutorial by CatSynth TV

CatSynth TV

Arturia V Demo and Tutorial posts by CatSynth TV

"A detailed look at the new Vocoder V from Arturia! It reimagines a classic 16 channel analog vocoder, along with a built-in two oscillator synthesizer for the carrier wave. We explore the main panel functionality, both voice and sample modes, and some of the advanced features. We also give a brief overview of vocoder concepts and history.

00:24 History of vocoders
01:33 Basic features of the Vocoder V
02:55 Synthesizer section
04:38 Vocoder section
06:25 Voice/sample selection panel
09:30 Other advanced panels (modulation, effects)
12:44 Factory Presets

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

Arturia MiniBrute 2 Overview by CatSynth TV

Published on May 17, 2018 CatSynth TV

http://www.catsynth.com

"First of three videos exploring the new MiniBrute 2 monophonic analog synthesizer from Arturia. In this first installment, we focus on the synthesizer voice features:

Oscillator 1 waveforms and modulation
Oscillator 2 as a bass or FM source
Filter modes
Filter modulation
Self-oscillation of the filter
The BRUTE Factor
Putting all together into a complex patch
Exploring a patch from the included Cookbook.

From Arturia's website (https://www.arturia.com/minibrute-2/o...
"From the earliest electronic instruments, synthesizers have expanded and enhanced the possibilities available to musicians. We decided not only to apply this mantra to the sound of our new instrument, but to synthesizer itself. MiniBrute 2 was born! A synthesizer that would sound huge and yet be compact, self-contained and versatile. An instrument that would be both comprehensive and evolving."

Part 2 of this series will look at the sequencer and arpeggiator functions, and Part 3 will explore using the MiniBrute 2 with external elements, including the RackBrute. Please subscribe to this channel to be notified the next installments are released."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Arturia Introduces Acid V | Corrosive Bassline Machine

video uploads by Arturia

"Acid V channels the cult-classic bass synth that pushed the underground into overdrive. Pump your mixes full of reactive ever-evolving bass grooves, unleash mutated sequences fizzing with distortion, and experiment with extra features for revitalized rave energy."

💥 Exclusive intro offer until September 14, 2023.

Playlist:
Acid V | Corrosive Bassline Machine | ARTURIA
Tutorials | Acid V - Overview
Acid V | How To Make Acid Bass
Acid V | How To Make Ambient Acid
Acid V | How To Make Trance Acid

And a video from CatSynth TV

Arturia Acid V: An Acid and Techno legend reborn! (Demo and tutorial)

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We get squlenchy with the newly-released Acid V from Arturia, a re-creation of the legendary and infamous Roland TB-303 bassline synthesizer. In this demo and tutorial, we go into detail on its features and explore a few of the factory presets. There will be a lot of acid and techno - you have been warned.

00:00 Introduction
00:36 History of the TB-303
01:28 Overview of the Acid V
02:09 A few factory presets
03:06 Playing sequences and individual notes
03:38 Oscillator and sub oscillator
05:22 Filter and envelope
07:50 Vibrato
08:48 Distortion
11:03 Advanced Trimmers
12:55 Playing sequences and the arpeggiator
14:15 Creating and editing sequences
17:36 Modulators
19:01 Effects
21:29 More factory presets"

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

CatSynth TV Volca Modular Giveaway Winners (and modular jam)

Published on Feb 10, 2020 CatSynth TV

"We announce the winners of our just-concluded giveaway! First prize was a Volca Modular synthesizer, and the runner-up prizers were CatSynth T-Shirts.

Congratulations to the winners, and if you didn't win this time, no worries - there will be another giveaway in a few months. And please stay tuned for the opening of our store where you can get t-shirts and other CatSynth merchandise 😺

We also include a short jam featuring the Volca Modular, Strymon Magneto, QuBit Prism, and After Later Pique at 1:19."

Follow-up to this post.

https://catsynth.com

EP346 Arturia Phaser BI-TRON - Demo and Tutorial

video by CatSynth TV

"We preset a detailed demo and tutorial of Arturia's Phaser BI-TRON, a recreation of the classic Mu-Tron Bi-Phaser effect unit.

00:30 Background info on phasers and the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase
01:19 The main interface of the BI-TRON
01:56 Minimoog example
02:35 Detailed walk-through of features (with Arturia CS-80 V as source)
05:57 MicroFreak example (and envelope follower)
07:00 Vocoder and and BI-TRON with envelope-follower
08:44 Retro sci-fi example with Sequential Prophet 12
09:33 Funky jam with three BI-TRONs!"

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

Part 1:

Arturia FX Collection: Bus Effects (Bus FORCE, EQ SITRAL-295, Comp DIODE-609)
video by CatSynth TV

"In the first of several videos exploring the updated FX Collection from Arturia, we look at the brand new bus effects: EQ SITRAL-295, Comp DIODE-609 and Bus Force. We demonstrate individual parameters and factory presets of these plug-ins and show how to use them on mixes.

00:47 EQ SITRAL-295
03:49 Comp DIODE-609
10:38 Bus FORCE"

Arturia Flanger BL-20: Demo and Tutorial

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We present a detailed demo and tutorial of Arturia's Flanger BL-20 effect plug-in. It is a recreation of the rare Bel BF-20 Stereo Flanger from the 1970s. We cover each of the parameters individual as well as some of the factory presets.

00:29 Background and history of flangers
01:41 The basic interface of the Arturia Flanger BL-20
02:21 A simple electric piano example
03:24 A detailed look at the main panel parameters
05:50 Advanced panel
09:35 An example with the Buchla Red Panel dual oscillator
10:28 Factory presets using the Arturia MicroFreak as a source

'Based on a beloved studio classic, Flanger BL-20 is unpredictable and inspiring in equal measure, pushing the familiar jet-engine effect into endless modulation territory.'

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

CatSynth TV Arturia posts

CatSynth TV: E350 Morphing Terrarium [Episode 98]

Published on Dec 8, 2018 CatSynth TV

http://catsynth.com

"A demonstration of the E350 Morphing Terrarium from Synthesis Technology. The E350 is a wavetable oscillator that allows morphing between a large number of waveforms along three axes of control.

We go through the basic functionality of the bank-selection and Morph X,Y and Z controls. We then use the LFOs and keyboard of the Arturia MiniBrute for expressive control of the module and its parameters.

This demo also includes a brief introduction to the MTX "Morphing Terrarium Expander" from Manhattan Analog that provides access to hidden parameters, including morph/phase toggle and "glitch" mode that switches between wavetables without the smooth morphing.

For more on the E350 Morphing Terrarium, visit http://synthtech.com/eurorack/E350/

For more on the MTX, visit https://manhattananalog.com/products/mtx

For more synth demos, please subscribe to this channel and visit www.catsynth.com


Bernie Sanders impersonation by Amanda Chaudhary."

Snack the Cat: the Purrfect instrument for a CatSynth review+tutorial

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We at CatSynth are proud to preset Snack the Cat, a free instrument from SoundIron based on recorded samples of Snack, the feline companion of SoundIron founder Mike Peaslee. There are straight samples of Snack, as well as processed loops and sounds made into ambiences, and in this latest 'and friends' version sounds of other animals. There is also a wavetable synth, filters, and a full-feature effects section. We explore all of these in this detailed review and tutorial.

00:00 Introduction
00:24 Overview
01:03 Samples of Snack the Cat
03:26 Advanced layer features (Filter, LFO, Arpeggiator)
04:40 The FX Rack
06:49 Other animals
09:45 Ambiences (based on recordings of Snack the cat)
13:48 Wavetable synth
16:20 Putting it all together in a multi-layer instrument
22:35 Factory Presets
24:54 Conclusion

To found out more, please visit https://soundiron.com/products/snack

________
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"

CatSynth TV Episode 99

Published on Dec 25, 2018 CatSynth TV

"A special video for our 99th Episode!

Video shot along Highway 99 in California from Manteca through Stockton and heading towards Sacramento. Additional video and photography at CatSynth HQ in San Francisco.

Guest appearances by Sam Sam and Big Merp.

Original music by Amanda Chaudhary, based on melodies from "99 is not 100" by Moe! Staiano.

Synthesizers used:
Minimoog
Arturia MiniBrute 2S
Big Fish Audio John Cage Prepared Piano Sample Library (Kontakt)
Nord Stage EX
Mutable Instruments Plaits
Metasonix R-54 and R-53
2hp Cat module
4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator
Make Noise Echophon"

Qu-Bit Electronix Prism

Published on Oct 18, 2019 CatSynth TV

"We check out the Prism multidimensional signal-processing module from Qu-Bit Electronix, with an assist from Big Merp.

0:04 Introduction
0:38 Basic functionality with steady-state Sputnik Dual Oscillator as input
2:15 Demo with Dual Oscillator controlled by Make Noise Rene Sequencer
3:31 Using Arturia MicroFreak as source
4:14 Clock mode (synchronizing delay times to external clock)
5:00 Using MicroFreak pressure as CV control from Prism decimation function
5:10 Big Merp crashes the party

'Prism is a multidimensional signal processor that creates a framework for the spectral metamorphosis of any input signal. This stereo audio buffer can be navigated through on 3 axes, each of which provides a different sonic journey through its array of time based controls.

The X and Z planes are home to a flexible delay line capable of long clocked delays, slapback echo, or comb filtered vocoder-esque timbres. On the Y axis is the decimate control. This sets the audio fidelity of the buffer by manipulating the sample rate and bit depth of the output. A state variable filter with configurable low pass, high pass, and band pass outputs can be enabled at the beginning or end of the signal chain providing yet another dimension of spectral transformation. And thanks to its digital architecture, the current buffer contents can be locked in place with the Freeze control, creating glitch and beat repeat effects which can be synced to an external clock source.'

For more synthesizer demos, please subscribe to CatSynth TV and visit www.catsynth.com

(Bernie Sanders action figure voiced by Amanda Chaudhary)"

Death Valley [Episode 190]

Published on Oct 11, 2019 CatSynth TV

"From the depths of Badwater Basin to the heights of the Amargosa mountains, we explore and celebrate the beauty of Death Valley with original music by Amanda Chaudhary.

For more adventurous music, please subscribe to CatSynth TV and visit www.catsynth.com

Software instruments:
Tracktion BioTek
Arturia Mellotron V
Arturia Pigments
Arturia CMI V
Arturia Prophet VS
Arturia Piano
MOK Waverazor
Kontakt (John Cage Prepared Piano, Grindhouse, World Impact)
EastWest Orchestra Gold

Hardware Instruments:
Vintage Minimoog Model D
Sputnik Modular Dual Oscillator
Qu-Bit Prism module

Additional foley and sound effects via samples."

Touch the Gear 2019 (Outsound New Music Summit)

Published on Jul 25, 2019 CatSynth TV

"Scenes from the Touch the Gear event at the Community Music Center in San Francisco, part of the 2019 Outsound New Music Summit.

"Outsound's original public event Touch the Gear is a hands-on, family-friendly exposition open to the public. During the evening attendees get to roam among inventors and musicians while experiencing sound producing gear, computers, instruments and inventors with their various different configurations of “gear”--everything from oscillators and electronics, to planks of wood with strings attached. All attendees get to ask questions, make sound and experience how the instruments work, in an environment that demystifies technology while inspiring creativity.

Gear Presenters: Amanda Chaudhary, Bryan Day, Cheryl E. Leonard, Colleen Kelly, David Leikam, David Molina, David Samas, Hugh Behm-Steinberg, J. Lee, Jeff Klukowski, Johny Radio, Jorge Bachmann, Michael Mersereau, Peter Whitehead, R. Duck, Stephen Paris, Tom Duff"
http://www.outsound.org/summit

For more unusual and adventurous musical instruments, please subscribe to CatSynth TV and check out www.catsynth.com"

See the Touch the Gear and Outsound Music Summit labels directly below for more.

Catsynth TV Winters [Episode 122]

Published on Feb 16, 2019 CatSynth TV

"A video poem for Winters, California. Winters is a town in Yolo County, east of Sacramento. Scenes include the Putah Creek, Main Street, Rotary Park, and the Putah Creek Cafe.

Hardware Synthesizers [Eurorack]:
Strymon Magneto 4-head tape-delay simulator
2hp Pluck
Epoch Modular Benjolin

Software Synthesizers:
MOK Waverazor
Tracktion BioTek
Kontakt running Grindhouse from Big Fish Audio"

www.catsynth.com

Rotowhisker [Episode 143]

Published on May 21, 2019 CatSynth TV

"We explore the Rotowhisker, an instrument invented by Bryan Day, at our own studio. In addition to playing it dry, we run its output first through the Make Noise Echophon, and then the 4MS Spectral Multiband Resonator.

For more information on the Rotowhisker and other instruments by Bryan Day, please visit www.bryanday.net.

For more electronic musical instrument demos, please subscribe to CatSynth TV and visit www.catsynth.com."

Lori Varga and Unpopular Electronics

Published on Sep 21, 2019 CatSynth TV

"We return to the Luggage Store Gallery in San Francisco to see Lori Varga (16mm film, slide projectors, and electronic sounds) join forces with Unpopular Electronics (Gino Robair and Tom Djll on sundry synthesizers).

For more adventurous art and music, please subscribe to CatSynth TV and visit www.catsynth.com.
_________
Unpopular Electronics is a project by Gino Robair. Gino will be performing improvisational electronic sets on modular devices and otherworldly analog sound devices, alongside the multi-talented musician Tom Djll w/ bay area veteran Expanded film artist & noise maker Ms. Lori Varga.

Lori Varga creates handmade 16mm films ,35mm analog Slides & Free- improv- Noise collage. This night's performance will accompany two very unique, cagian-like experimental sets of instrumental soundscapes and electronic music in duo and trios. 16mm Film materials will be processed live turning inks into tonal and dronal sound bursts , utilizing the Oramic method of cine-sound, LIVE. Intense /profound Knob twisting /free radical expressive electronic music and non-musics to be heard with the flicker of analog films & hand manipulated projected light paintings."

EXCLUSIVE! Arturia Pigments 1.2 First Look

Published on Jun 13, 2019 CatSynth TV

"An exclusive first look at the newly released version 1.2 of Arturia's Pigments software synth.

New features include:
* 3rd Combinate operator (combine and modify other operators for unique control sources)
* Remap mode for all Combinate operators
* Microtuning tables
* "Super" unison mode for wavetables (e.g., "Supersaw")
* Aftertouch curve setting
* Separate clock dividers for each arpeggiator/sequencer track
* 50 new presets

From Arturia's website:
Pigments features a twin audio engine, letting you mix virtual analog and wavetable oscillators to create the perfect starting point for your patch. You can even morph wavetables, or import your own.What you do next is up to you. Experiment with 3 envelopes, 3 LFOs, and 3 function generators. Assign modulators to animate your sound, and breathe life into it. Add controlled, or totally wild random changes to any parameter with a Turing probability generator. Run it through 2 filters, with any combination of iconic analog filters or modern formant and surgeon filters you want. Process your patch with exciting contemporary effects like wavefolder and multifilter, or vintage studio reverbs, delays, and EQs.

For more synthesizer demos, please subscribe to CatSynth TV and visit www.catsynth.com"

And from Arturia:

Pigments 1.2 Free Update | Overview

Published on Jun 13, 2019 Arturia

"🎦 | Pigments 1.2 - Overview

#Pigments is a vibrant, intense, and modern synth that’s inspiring, hugely powerful, and great fun.

This FREE update to version 1.2, features new sounds, new abilities, and we’ve made a special discount just for those who doesn't already own it."

Simeon Coxe and Silver Apples: A Tribute by CatSynth TV

CatSynth TV

"We pay tribute to electronic-music pioneer Simeon Coxe, who passed away on September 8, 2020. As half of the duo Silver Apples, he was among the first to introduce synthesizers into rock music as a central melodic and harmonic element (rather than as a novelty) with his custom instrument made up of numerous test oscillators, telegraph keys, wah-wah pedals, and Echoplexes. The original duo only lasted three years, but they had a major influence on the electronic-infused bands of the 1970s and beyond. Coxe reformed Silver Apples in 1996, and then continued to perform as a solo act in the 2000s.

We extend our thoughts to his friends and family. We also feel that Simeon Coxe has not gotten his proper due for his early innovative and influential work with electronics and hope that his legacy continues to grow.

https://silverapples.com/

News reports
https://pitchfork.com/news/silver-app...
https://www.al.com/life/2020/09/famed..."

"Musical clips by Silver Apples, with a few additional background clips by Amanda Chaudhary on modular synthesizer."

https://www.catsynth.com

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Update: you can find additional posts featuring Simeon Coxe here.