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Exploring the Octave Cat with James Brennan
🎙️ 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
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By Ian Dixon🎙️ 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