I remember The Cat and The Kitten being sold by a small music shop on Oldham Street in Manchester back in the late 70's and early 80's.it's what got me into making music with synths.
The Octave Cat is a magical dream. It's a listener, thinker, and an absolute beast in its own right. Dave, thanks for sharing this special walkthrough.
Great demo of a great synth, thanks! One trick that I don't see mentioned very often is the "sequencer trick" the Cat offers - VCO 1 set to low frequency VCO 1 kybd control set to OFF VCF set to self-oscillate mix the square and the suboctave from VCO 1 and use them as modulation sources for the VCF. This offers a range of 4-step sequencer patterns - great fun ;)
I was lucky enough to buy one in NY in 1978. Love at first sound. It was a gigging machine! Built like a tank, NEVER gave me a second of trouble. Always sounded VERY fat, and all controls were intuitively placed. Wish I still had it!! The best keep keyboard secret, and by far the best value, of the late 70s.
+Martin Ahlijanian I hear you and I totally agree. I played mine live and people would always say, "how the F*** do you get those sounds out of that". I regret selling it.
Finally! Somebody with a MUSICAL demo of a synthesiser. Why is it that most demo makers seem to think the sole purpose of a synth is just to make the most silly noise possible. Great job, love this synth too
This is the best demonstration of an Octave Cat I've ever seen, and the piece of music at the end was great. "Just play to its strengths, and you'll soon come to realize that these constant comparisons...are often a mask for dullards who can't function without consistent reference points." Well said, sir!
I had one of these briefly in 2006. And I mean BRIEF! I ordered it on eBay. And before it was delivered, my car died. I managed to play it for a couple hours before turning around and selling it again.
Takes me right back! I remember trying to play on one in Chase Musicians on Oldham Street in Manchester. It must have been 1981-82 and I was a spotty 13-14 year old whose first synth was a Jen SX1000 bought from Mamelok on Oxford Road. All I could get out of it actually sounded like a cat being strangled! I must have really pissed off the salespeople in Chase too. Happy Days...
One of my haunts was Chase London and I had a really interesting chat with one of the SOS chaps at SynthFest about Chase Manchester. He mentioned that Amrik's business bible was a 70s US furniture sales catalogue and the old Chase Ads were almost identical. He also said that he still sees him from time to time.
It's so fun to see this little synth get run through it's tricks. In 1977, at 15 years old a Cat synth was the first synthesizer I ever spent any real time with and was the way I learned the basics of analog synthesis. I loved that thing, drifting oscillators and all.
Wow! I never heard any ear poking sharp sound out of that demo. The lovely demo song at the end, got me excited :-) Rumor has it, that Behringer is now recreating that synth as well! I'm a big fan of SSM chiped synths, like the Polysix, and Prophet 5 rev.2. Malekko Manther shows up a nice fat sound, with the new SSM 2044 chip, bundled with a CEM 3340 VCO. Thanks for the demo and the presentation, Dave :-)
Yeah, I have that over a small p/a here. That bottom end is bliss, i can feel that. Well done Mr spiers too for a proper video. Nice archive material for future synth reference. The music in the last few minutes... made my day ! Just sounds so comfortable.
One of the best little synths 'out there'? Where? Geforce, are you going to do a standalone soft synth version the The Cat? This synth is MUCH better than the Arp Odyssey, IMO.
I used to have the Cat Octave just like this one. I loved it. I went away to college and when I returned my family sold it for a hundred bucks! Last time I left instruments with anyone. :-(
Great Demo = brings back memories - I borrowed one of these from a freind in the mid 80s for as couple of years - Great synth, (At the time I always wished 2nd EG was full ADSR)
Dave, I believe you are capable of making an incredible software version of this synthesizer. I have full faith that you would do this wonderful machine justice in the digital realm and would be the first in line to buy it, should it ever exist! Thank you for the marvelous demo. (And please don't stop visiting Sonic Talk, either. :)
am I only one who cant do the like button thing on this video. Anyhow its a blinder ! great vid and deserves many thumbs up ! Thanks for posting this Dave and taking your time to do so, very appreciated
You know I've just seen one of these locally for about$1200, and I've just bought another synth, so this is going to cost me my allowance well into next year. So thank you for convincing me to drain my bank account.
just pulled mine out to try to get it all working right again...decay is real short for some reason... ack. well got it tuned nice anyway...pull it apart again... Swell sounding machines when they're all working right
I have one of these and it still works but i dont use it much because it took a severe beating from the previous owner. Nearly all of the pot stems & sliders have been broken off. Ive been trying to source parts for it so i can get it fixed up. Cant wait to see more of the Catstick!
Hahaha! "...these constant comparisons of "Oh it sounds just like a..." whatever, are often a mask for dullards who can't function without consistent reference points!" Awesome! Hahahahaha! You'e the man. That cracked me up! :] Wicked demo, thank you. I especially enjoyed the composition at the end√ ( Make a RackExtension emulation! )
I miss my Octave Cat, not an ARP Odyssey clone at all, not even close. I have played both, and owned the Cat, I would buy the Cat again in a heartbeat, the ARP Odyssey is my second choice. The Cat is an absolute beast, a snarling intimidating robotic monster, it can get some amazing raw sounds not possible on any other synth.
easily one of the best presentations on any synth - great audio really helps and I'm adding this to my want list. Interestingly I can get my MC-202 sounding similar. How rare are the SRM II's?
Great demo Dave! Even the "Kitten" ( -which I owned back in the day ) was FAT as hell. Could kick sand in the face of any Moog Modular I've come across. Pretty decent for a $349.00 synth!
Another great synth video from you, Dave. Thanks for posting. I was looking forward to seeing this after you mentioned it on Sonic State. (Also, great performance at the end) One thing that isn't clear to me: are there sound differences between the different versions of the Cat, or is it just the duophonic vs monophonic? People selling these often do not say which version they are.
My mate's got the Kitten. It's worth a look as well, if one passes your way. Same sweet sound, but just one VCO. Having said that, it's one of the most comprehensive, fat sounding single oscillator synth's I've ever played. Speaking of little sister's, he also owns an ARP AXXE ;)
Had one of these , they were excellent at the time , unfortunately mine failed a short time after I had brought it and the option was given to me to swap for another sythe as it had to be sent back to the manufacturer for repairs.
Owned the Arp Odyssey and I replaced it with this Cat. It really has a fat sound! Owned a lot of sythns over the years and I wish I would have kept this little jewel. My main keyboard now is a KORG Kronos
This video is still awesome but the thing nigh mentioned is the build quality is horrible. Cutting your hand open at 1am while trying to get the jwire keybed connector fixed......
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I remember The Cat and The Kitten being sold by a small music shop on Oldham Street in Manchester back in the late 70's and early 80's.it's what got me into making music with synths.
The Octave Cat is a magical dream. It's a listener, thinker, and an absolute beast in its own right. Dave, thanks for sharing this special walkthrough.
Great demo of a great synth, thanks!
One trick that I don't see mentioned very often is the "sequencer trick" the Cat offers - VCO 1 set to low frequency
VCO 1 kybd control set to OFF
VCF set to self-oscillate
mix the square and the suboctave from VCO 1 and use them as modulation sources for the VCF.
This offers a range of 4-step sequencer patterns - great fun ;)
I was lucky enough to buy one in NY in 1978. Love at first sound. It was a gigging machine! Built like a tank, NEVER gave me a second of trouble. Always sounded VERY fat, and all controls were intuitively placed. Wish I still had it!! The best keep keyboard secret, and by far the best value, of the late 70s.
+Martin Ahlijanian I hear you and I totally agree. I played mine live and people would always say, "how the F*** do you get those sounds out of that". I regret selling it.
Same here!
Finally! Somebody with a MUSICAL demo of a synthesiser. Why is it that most demo makers seem to think the sole purpose of a synth is just to make the most silly noise possible.
Great job, love this synth too
That's one well looked after synth. For a 40 yr old instrument, it looks (and sounds) like its just come out the factory.
This is the best demonstration of an Octave Cat I've ever seen, and the piece of music at the end was great.
"Just play to its strengths, and you'll soon come to realize that these constant comparisons...are often a mask for dullards who can't function without consistent reference points." Well said, sir!
Wish either Korg or Behringer would make this instead of the Odyssey
I had one of these briefly in 2006. And I mean BRIEF! I ordered it on eBay. And before it was delivered, my car died. I managed to play it for a couple hours before turning around and selling it again.
Takes me right back! I remember trying to play on one in Chase Musicians on Oldham Street in Manchester. It must have been 1981-82 and I was a spotty 13-14 year old whose first synth was a Jen SX1000 bought from Mamelok on Oxford Road. All I could get out of it actually sounded like a cat being strangled! I must have really pissed off the salespeople in Chase too. Happy Days...
One of my haunts was Chase London and I had a really interesting chat with one of the SOS chaps at SynthFest about Chase Manchester. He mentioned that Amrik's business bible was a 70s US furniture sales catalogue and the old Chase Ads were almost identical. He also said that he still sees him from time to time.
One of the greatest synth demo vids i've ever seen; phenomenal job illustrating this gem; very entertaining
Best review I've found, informative, plus gorgeous sounding outro
I have one of these synths but you blew me away with the music at end of vid.
Inspirational Mr. Lewis, Thanks for this well done presentation.
It's so fun to see this little synth get run through it's tricks. In 1977, at 15 years old a Cat synth was the first synthesizer I ever spent any real time with and was the way I learned the basics of analog synthesis. I loved that thing, drifting oscillators and all.
I love the Punchy sound this has to offer...wow wish i had one
Wow! I never heard any ear poking sharp sound out of that demo. The lovely demo song at the end, got me excited :-) Rumor has it, that Behringer is now recreating that synth as well! I'm a big fan of SSM chiped synths, like the Polysix, and Prophet 5 rev.2. Malekko Manther shows up a nice fat sound, with the new SSM 2044 chip, bundled with a CEM 3340 VCO. Thanks for the demo and the presentation, Dave :-)
Beautiful demo, thank you! Im truly glad behringer revived this Gem and have given me the chance to explore it!
Excellent Demo , and very good work at the end. Thanks.
Yeah, I have that over a small p/a here. That bottom end is bliss, i can feel that. Well done Mr spiers too for a proper video. Nice archive material for future synth reference. The music in the last few minutes... made my day ! Just sounds so comfortable.
Nice presentation.... I used my Cat live on stage to get all the great synth sounds of the day...ELP..Yes..Floyd.... Lots of fun and good music! ;)
Great tune at the end!
Oh how I miss the Octave Cat I use to own. Great demo on this bold classic synthesizer jem. Love the ending performance!😮
Had one once. Looking to buy another. Love these.
one of the best reviews and tests i've seen. I came cos i got a deal upcoming and this made me definitly want to add it to my studio.
One of the best little synths 'out there'? Where? Geforce, are you going to do a standalone soft synth version the The Cat? This synth is MUCH better than the Arp Odyssey, IMO.
I used to have the Cat Octave just like this one. I loved it. I went away to college and when I returned my family sold it for a hundred bucks! Last time I left instruments with anyone. :-(
Your reviews are top class!
A great review of the Octave CAT, nice track at the end too.
Much closer in sound to the Korg Mono/poly than the Arp Odyssey. The SRM I version sounds virtually identical to the MP4.
I love how I feel like I am getting to know these super odd synths I have never encountered before. I love your taste in synths, by the way.
I had never heard of these, sounds good! Nicely done video.
Great Demo = brings back memories - I borrowed one of these from a freind in the mid 80s for as couple of years - Great synth, (At the time I always wished 2nd EG was full ADSR)
Thanks for sharing the experience. Fantastic walk-through and example piece. :)
Beautifully done, Dave. And what a brilliant restoration job someone did - looks good as new!
Dave, I believe you are capable of making an incredible software version of this synthesizer. I have full faith that you would do this wonderful machine justice in the digital realm and would be the first in line to buy it, should it ever exist! Thank you for the marvelous demo. (And please don't stop visiting Sonic Talk, either. :)
Another favorite of mine! Peace Christo
this thing looks so awesome! so straightforward
Great video! First time I've actually heard a 'Cat' and it sounded superb. Thanks!
Excellent walkthrough 😎👌
Love the percussive elements you can get out of this...
am I only one who cant do the like button thing on this video. Anyhow its a blinder ! great vid and deserves many thumbs up ! Thanks for posting this Dave and taking your time to do so, very appreciated
Great Demo....You sure know how to work it!
You know I've just seen one of these locally for about$1200, and I've just bought another synth, so this is going to cost me my allowance well into next year. So thank you for convincing me to drain my bank account.
Great video - and that piece of music starting from 17:40 is simply gorgeous!
Great video demo ! The song at the end is brilliant.
I love your demos, Dave! Keep up the great work. Love ya on the podcast too!
What a synth! It's a shame it's so rare to find and prices are high. But this made me want one :)
Very interesting also the end.and hardware has good sound!
just pulled mine out to try to get it all working right again...decay is real short for some reason... ack. well got it tuned nice anyway...pull it apart again... Swell sounding machines when they're all working right
Thank a lot for this video. Please make some more, you have such a lot of cool gear I never can afford!
Functionality aside, this thing looks and sounds great. The build quality looks great. Superb overview I love watching your videos.
I have one of these and it still works but i dont use it much because it took a severe beating from the previous owner. Nearly all of the pot stems & sliders have been broken off. Ive been trying to source parts for it so i can get it fixed up.
Cant wait to see more of the Catstick!
14:49 - Was there the CAT's meow? :)
Great video indeed. Thanks for sharing!
I wish to have the CAT in my collection...
15:58
Hahaha!
"...these constant comparisons of "Oh it sounds just like a..." whatever, are often a mask for dullards who can't function without consistent reference points!"
Awesome! Hahahahaha! You'e the man. That cracked me up! :]
Wicked demo, thank you. I especially enjoyed the composition at the end√
( Make a RackExtension emulation! )
Holy cow that filters so expressive!
Great demo, Dave! Looks like I've got some cloning to do. Would love those VCO's in my euro-modular.
I miss my Octave Cat, not an ARP Odyssey clone at all, not even close. I have played both, and owned the Cat, I would buy the Cat again in a heartbeat, the ARP Odyssey is my second choice. The Cat is an absolute beast, a snarling intimidating robotic monster, it can get some amazing raw sounds not possible on any other synth.
Purfect Demo and Info :)
What a lovely Synth!!!!!
its so warm!!
Ah, I used to have one of these back when they weren't considered vintage.
Love the video.... The song is brilliant!
easily one of the best presentations on any synth - great audio really helps and I'm adding this to my want list. Interestingly I can get my MC-202 sounding similar. How rare are the SRM II's?
My first synth.
Goddamned that's a great sounding little beast! I can't believe I've only just heard of recently. (due to you, via Sonic Talk of course).
Wish i still had mine!
I can hear so many songs !
We can heard that sound inside the albums of Stevie Wonder
Great demo! Thanks!
Great demo Dave! Even the "Kitten" ( -which I owned back in the day ) was FAT as hell. Could kick sand in the face of any Moog Modular I've come across. Pretty decent for a $349.00 synth!
As a fan of your stuff I was wondering why we still haven't got a VST for this hahah.
how would this be compared to the pro one
Dope walkthrough. Hope you guys do an emulation of this one day
Another great synth video from you, Dave. Thanks for posting. I was looking forward to seeing this after you mentioned it on Sonic State. (Also, great performance at the end)
One thing that isn't clear to me: are there sound differences between the different versions of the Cat, or is it just the duophonic vs monophonic? People selling these often do not say which version they are.
I love your videos!!!!! You are the man
That helps immensely, thank you.
Great demo, thank you
My mate's got the Kitten. It's worth a look as well, if one passes your way. Same sweet sound, but just one VCO. Having said that, it's one of the most comprehensive, fat sounding single oscillator synth's I've ever played. Speaking of little sister's, he also owns an ARP AXXE ;)
Great demo! its amazing!
lovely synth
👍👍👍All theses Synthe was born between 75 / 85
Had one of these , they were excellent at the time , unfortunately mine failed a short time after I had brought it and the option was given to me to swap for another sythe as it had to be sent back to the manufacturer for repairs.
love it! + cat stick, yeah!
Awesome demo!
Love it!
Fantastic!
Sonicstate brought me here. So many layers to this video... 9?
I'd like this just for the weird half-wave sync mode thing.
Owned the Arp Odyssey and I replaced it with this Cat. It really has a fat sound! Owned a lot of sythns over the years and I wish I would have kept this little jewel. My main keyboard now is a KORG Kronos
So Dave how's the software version coming along? 😊
17:05 OH MY!!!
Cool video Dave...
😮😮😮😮😮😮wow!
Definately more Moog than Arp like, but with better modulation than a Mini
Love the music at the end... beats the hell out of the proliferation of techno garbage on TH-cam that's enslaved to the soulless trends of the day.
soo this the thing that they used for the song "banana" by die antwood
Oh my God. Awesome demo, one of the best but dude - cut your nails sometimes!
This video is still awesome but the thing nigh mentioned is the build quality is horrible. Cutting your hand open at 1am while trying to get the jwire keybed connector fixed......
13:50 Damn!!!!!