"Gorf is a simple 8 step sequencer. It isn't as clever or complex as the Sequentix P3 nor as expensive as certain other sequencers.
I was bored one sunday, and wanted to build a simple sequencer I could use to test Defender and other synths I was building."
snip on Defender:
"Defender is my current project, and as such, is a work in progress, so please, don't ask for schematics, code or if you can buy it.
The synth is broken down into three parts,
1. The Voice Card, which holds the filter, oscillators, EGs and LFOs
2. Controller Card, which handles midi, voice assignment and patch storage
3. Front Panel card, which handles the rotary encoders, pitch wheels, etc, etc"
Update via Lord Avon in the comments:
Video demo of GorF (playing Monowave II skin on the SoundArt Chameleon)
Video details:
"GorF is a minimal step sequencer.
I built it to help testing my synth designs.
It sends MIDI notes and velocity on a user selectable Midi channel along with two MIDI CC's (user selectable) and of course has variable sequence length.
You can turn steps on and off using the buttons, but I forgot to show this feature. When I do the next video I'll be sure to show this feature.
It's still in the early stages of development, and has one or two little bugs in it.
The sound is coming from the MonowaveII sound skin.
"I came across this album in a dilapidated Leeds (UK) record shop for just a couple euros and have held onto it for dear life — BBC Radiophonic Workshop on vinyl doesn’t sell cheap. The standout track for me is easily Vespucci, a funky saunter with a very sampleable cool synth melody. The abstract cover from this 1973 release looks quite a bit like a CD exploding, perhaps another ahead-of-their-time move from these old-timers."
"starts with Novation Drumstation into spring reverb, adds some Track Team Aetherweave for ambiance, then the mopho shows up , at the 1 minute mark the t-resonator is turned on and the LFO in that starts to do its work, hence the volume ups and downs on the mopho then I twist t-resonator knobs, which is the source of the squelches, near barks, etc. the t-resonator is really touchy and goes crappy way too fast unless you move knobs real slow and very little at a time, at the 3 minute mark, the T-res is turned off and its fade out time" a note from baghead on this: "this turned out tamer than I expected, I thought the mopho and the t-resonator might get a ltlle more edgy ...maybe its the drums ...borders on boring ....... sigh ....but its late and its what will happen for tonight ....everything is one take at this house" If you don't like the piece, focus on the sounds. You can really hear the drumstation on this one. I like it.
YouTube via snazelle. follow-up to this post. "the final video before it left my home...i was trying to show off some of the freakier sounds but the batteries died again. this one is the best for showing sustain mode"
ark and hold.MOV
"more ark...freakier sounds... this video shows the SUSTAIN mode in a little more detail..batteries die on the camera though"
“The original Octave Cat was a beast. Some features included a four-note sequencer patch, in which using the sub-oscillator on VCO-1 and the additional pulse, were allowed to form steps. Switching the sample and hold to VCO-1 could accomplish pseudo '4-step-sequencing' on VCO-2. More important than flashy tricks was the ease of use associated with Octave instruments. The machine was carefully and logically planned out, with ADSR and AR located on the upper left hand side (this arrangement allows for easy release or attack variations, which should be considered quite nifty). Unfortunately, the pitch bend slider seemed to be in poor review with many users (in the Cat's defense, the pitch slider is equipped with a "dead zone" in which any position 4 millimeters above or below the center hardly affects the pitch. This is probably achieved with the use of diodes). The original A-1000 of 1975 lacked voltage control, and had an external fuse. An updated version included CV control, but retained the external fuse. What I believe to be the final A-1000 revision places the fuse internally, and seems to be the most common of the A-1000 Cats. (Apparently VCO-1 has a different circuit design than VCO-2. It seems that VCO-1 has a better circuit design, so side by side comparisons will be made in the audio sample section.)
Three waveforms with two sub-oscillators offered a pleasing variety of waveforms and a ripping sound. Audio frequency pitch modulation was available, along with cross modulations of VCO-1 & VCO-2 and vise versa. Four envelope destinations along with the squirmy discrete A-1000 filter were enough to bring a smile to any synthesist of the era (a terrific November 1977 A-1000 Octave Cat ad can be seen here).
It is without doubt that the Octave Cat is a "special" synthesizer. Many mid to late 1970's synthesizers fit into this category as well (Crumar DS-2, EML Electrocomp 500, Powertran Transcendent 2000, KORG 800DV, Roland SH-1, Jen SX-1000, etc etc). These are the synthesizers that really never received the exposure of Arps and Moogs. The Cat has been considered a knock-off Arp Odyssey, and unrightfully so. Various sources claim that Arp took Octave Electronics to court, but the reality is that Arp dropped charges, and they were no strangers to "borrowing" ideas themselves. Comparing the Arp Odyssey to the Octave Cat is completely beside the point; they are both amazing instruments of the 20th century.
The Cat electronic music synthesizer has strong metal sliders. They feel very comfortable and precise. Unfortunately Arp opted for plastic sliders, which often feels stiff and hard these days. A good portion of the Cat is sliders, and perhaps 1/3 is knobs. The Cat is a synthesizer that rarely becomes boring, and new original sounds can always be developed. The actual sound of the Cat is unique as it is relatively indefinable, partly because no one has popularized it like the Minimoog.”
Text from- octavecat.homestead.com. The link isn't working for me. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to comment.
"JP VIDEO’S NEW RELEASE
via Dinasaur Gardens where you will find more.
EMS SYNTHI 100
“The original Octave Cat was a beast. Some features included a four-note sequencer patch, in which using the sub-oscillator on VCO-1 and the additional pulse, were allowed to form steps. Switching the sample and hold to VCO-1 could accomplish pseudo '4-step-sequencing' on VCO-2. More important than flashy tricks was the ease of use associated with Octave instruments. The machine was carefully and logically planned out, with ADSR and AR located on the upper left hand side (this arrangement allows for easy release or attack variations, which should be considered quite nifty). Unfortunately, the pitch bend slider seemed to be in poor review with many users (in the Cat's defense, the pitch slider is equipped with a "dead zone" in which any position 4 millimeters above or below the center hardly affects the pitch. This is probably achieved with the use of diodes). The original A-1000 of 1975 lacked voltage control, and had an external fuse. An updated version included CV control, but retained the external fuse. What I believe to be the final A-1000 revision places the fuse internally, and seems to be the most common of the A-1000 Cats. (Apparently VCO-1 has a different circuit design than VCO-2. It seems that VCO-1 has a better circuit design, so side by side comparisons will be made in the audio sample section.)
