️ This Week on the Show: Exploring the Octave Cat with James Brennan
James Brennan is back! Following his popular appearance discussing the Polyvox, James returns to dive deep into another quirky classic – the Octave Cat analog synthesizer.

In this episode, we explore the history of Octave Electronics, how the Cat compares to synths like the ARP Odyssey and Minimoog, and what makes this rare monosynth so unique. James also shares a fascinating story about acquiring and restoring his Cat, explains the synth’s duophonic mode, and walks us through its filters, modulation, and signature growl.

We also touch on the synth’s connection to Turtle Beach, discuss vintage synth quirks, and talk about modern recreations from Behringer and Cherry Audio.

Whether you’re a synth nerd, collector, or just love analog gear, this episode is packed with insight and great sounds.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & James Brennan returns
00:51 – Polyvox follow-up and interesting backstory
03:12 – Introducing the Octave Cat
04:46 – History of Octave Electronics and Turtle Beach connection
06:05 – Other synths by Octave Plateau
07:16 – Voyetra 8 and early computer integration
08:00 – Acquiring the Octave Cat (and restoration troubles!)
11:56 – Octave Cat architecture overview
14:00 – Sound demo: resonant bass and envelope looping
16:00 – LFO tricks and sample & hold
17:00 – Performance section quirks
18:05 – Versions: CAT, SRM1, SRM2 – key differences
19:04 – Filter discussion and SSM 2030
20:00 – VCO1 deep dive and modulation
22:50 – Waveform mixing & sub oscillators
24:25 – VCO2 features and metallic cross-mod sounds
25:32 – Filter section demo and self-oscillation
27:00 – Filter modulation and ring mod-style effects
28:36 – VCA & noise generator
29:36 – Hard sync sound demo
31:05 – Duophonic mode and how it behaves
33:38 – ARP lawsuit story and duophonic patent
34:52 – Filter-as-oscillator trick & sine wave glide
36:40 – Final sound demos: fat bass, duophonic chords
40:00 – General impressions & how it fits synth-pop
41:25 – Behringer and Cherry Audio versions of the Cat
43:03 – Synth collection chat: Polyvox, Monopoly, JD-800 trade
45:27 – Outro and thanks

Want to be on the show? Email me:  podcast @theDigitalLifestyle.com

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This week I’m joined by musician and synth aficionado Peter Teipe for a deep dive into decades of gear, sound design, and creative inspiration. From his early days on the Roland JX-10 and Yamaha RY30 to sampling with EMU samplers, gigging with the Virus TI, and exploring granular synthesis, Peter shares insights from his journey blending guitars and synths in both hardware and DAW-based setups.

We also chat about:

The charm and power of the Korg Modwave

Recreating classic sounds with Behringer clones

Using limitations to spark creativity

Capturing inspiration on the fly

Favorite plugins, drum machines, and DIY gear

Whether you’re into vintage hardware, modern production, or hybrid setups, this episode is packed with nostalgic gear talk and practical production tips.

Peter’s Music:
https://Peterteipe.bandcamp.com

Want to be on the show? Email me:  podcast @theDigitalLifestyle.com

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Podcast 2025: New Surface Devices, Snapdragon Music Tests, & EV Show Highlights
This week, Garry returns and we catch up on all the latest in tech and electric vehicles!

️ I dive into testing the new Snapdragon-powered Surface Pro 11, sharing my experience using it for music production with Cubase 14 ARM and low-latency studio headphones. We also cover the newly announced 12″ Surface Pro and 13″ Surface Laptop, exploring their specs, price points, and limitations.

We also talk about OneOdio Studio Max headphones, the challenges of audio drivers on ARM, and Microsoft’s new AI-powered features like Recall.

Garry shares his trip to Everything Electric London, test driving the new MG EVs, the exciting MG Cyberster, and exploring cutting-edge tech like Android Automotive in the Kia PV series. He also covers electric vans, camper conversions, smart home charging gear, and the growing EV infrastructure in the UK.

Whether you’re into Windows, synths, or EVs—this episode’s packed with insights!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:20 Surface Pro 11 for Music Production
10:00 OneOdio Studio Max Headphones
13:00 AI features & Recall on Surface
16:30 New 12″ Surface Pro & Surface Laptop
25:00 Everything Electric London Recap
34:00 Kia PV Series & Android Automotive
41:00 Hydrogen vs EV: What’s Next?
48:00 Retro-Inspired EVs & New Tech
51:00 Smart Home Gadgets & Wrap-Up

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This week on TDL Synth Chat, Ian Dixon is joined by keyboardist, composer, and producer Beat Zimmermann for a deep dive into music, synths, and an exciting upcoming project. Beat shares his journey from classical piano training to jazz and fusion, his early passion for synthesizers, and his impressive collection of gear through the decades—from DX7s to JX-3Ps and beyond.

They explore the evolution of live performance setups, the shift from hardware to software, and Beat’s refreshing take on recording in the modern age. Plus, he discusses his ambitious new album project Unicorn Umbrellas, featuring Michael Sadler of Saga on vocals and Todd Sucherman of Styx on drums. Hear how the collaboration came together, the tech and instruments behind it, and how he’s handling production and remote recording.

It’s a conversation full of synth nostalgia, production tips, and inspiration for musicians at any level.

Topics include:

Beat’s transition from classical to prog and fusion

His vintage and modern synth setups

The use of AI in demo production

Building a personal studio

Collaborating remotely with legendary musicians

The making of Unicorn Umbrellas

More on Beat: https://beatzimmermann.com
Follow Unicorn Umbrellas on Facebook for updates.

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Synth Chat with Seth | From Teenage Engineering to Take 5 and Beyond
Welcome to this week’s episode of The Synth Show! Ian chats with Seth Weisfeld—a product designer, synth enthusiast, and founder of Function Health—about his synth journey, gear picks, and design philosophy.

Seth shares how his background at Facebook shaped his views on user experience in synths, why he’s drawn to the OP-1 and Hydrasynth, and how he’s chasing the perfect balance of playability and depth. We dive deep into gear he’s loved (and sold), why he’s back in love with the Take 5, and his hopes for a future synth that balances immediacy with innovation.

Topics include:

His synth journey from Nord to OP-1 Field

Thoughts on the MicroKorg 2, Multi/Poly, and synth UI design

Why build quality and playability matter more than ever

The magic of beginner-friendly synths that still go deep

The role of AI in shaping the future of music gear

What makes Behringer, Teenage Engineering, and Yamaha stand out (or fall short)

Why we’re all just chasing sounds we fell in love with decades ago

️ Whether you’re a vintage synth nerd or modern groovebox fan, there’s a ton to dig into. If you’ve ever debated keeping or flipping a synth, you’ll relate to this one!

Links:
Check out Seth’s music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7FqwuGlrHQknBUbYX3xLMr?pi=fmyCc1vHT8m_6

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If you want more information about how to subscribe to podcasts read our Podcast How To page. Follow us on twitter @isdixon @garrywma @Thedigitallife

In this episode of TDL Synthchat, we dive into the world of Soviet-era synthesizers with special guest James Brennan. We explore the legendary Polivoks , a raw and aggressive analog synth known for its powerful filter and Cold War aesthetic. James shares his journey into electronic music, how he acquired his Polivoks from Ukraine, and the quirks that make this synth a unique piece of history.

We also discuss the broader landscape of vintage synth collecting, the resurgence of analog gear, and modern alternatives to the Polivoks . Plus, James gives a live demo of the synth’s brutal sound—despite a few technical hiccups! Whether you’re a synth enthusiast or just love hearing about rare and unusual gear, this episode is packed with deep-dive insights and sonic nostalgia.

00:00 Introduction

03:33 Background on James

07:40 First synth

10:47 Why Polivoks

14:08 Polivoks background

16:48 The look

28:16 Maintenance

35:13 Audio demo

45:05 What’s next for James?

49:20 Dreadbox

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Welcome to the latest edition of TDL Synth Chat! This week, I’m joined by experimental musician and synthesist Ever Orchid . Ever shares her journey into electronic music, how she got started with sound design, and the inspiration behind her unique approach to music creation.

We discuss her first synthesizer, the challenges of learning new gear, and how she’s evolved her setup over time. Eva also talks about the latest synths and effects in her studio, revealing how she uses them to craft atmospheric and immersive sounds. Whether you’re a seasoned synth enthusiast or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights into the creative process of an electronic artist.

Topics Covered in This Episode: How Eva got into electronic music and sound design

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Links from this week’s show:

In this episode, Ian Dixon and Garry Whittaker catch up on various topics, including recent music interviews, travel experiences, and the efficiency of charging networks. They discuss Ripple’s receivership and its impact on investors, as well as Garry’s home projects like a rain sensor with impressive battery life. Ian shares his work on programming drum machines and recreating sounds from various artists, while Garry talks about AI integration in his smart home system. They also touch on the latest builds of Windows 11 and the functionality of Copilot in Visual Studio. The episode concludes with plans for future shows and guests.

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

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This week on the show, I’m joined by Carlo from Audiothing to talk about his recreation of the classic monosynth, the Jen SX1000. Carlo’s love for this budget-friendly 1978 mono synth inspired him to bring it back as a plugin.

We discuss how he got into synthesizers and why the Jen SX1000 was his first analog synth. Carlo shares his approach to designing the plugin, what makes the Jen SX1000 a great synth to recreate, and the design choices he made—including some added functionality. We also chat about the new synth projects he’s currently working on.

Check out my comparison video, where I put my original Jen SX1000 side by side with the plugin.

The Jen SX1000 plugin is available for €69, with a free trial for those who want to try it out first.

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

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Welcome to this week’s podcast!

TDL Show #978

On the show this week, we are joined by Mark Pigott, sound designer and musician, to talk about his love of sound design. Mark has created many video tutorials on using the Waldorf Blofeld, Korg Modwave, and Korg Multi/Poly.

We discuss how he got into synthesis, the art of programming wavetable synths, and much more!

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

Listen Here (download mp3)

If you want more information about how to subscribe to podcasts read our Podcast How To page. Follow us on twitter @isdixon @garrywma @Thedigitallife