Octave Cat SRM II
The Octave Cat is the biggest, meanest, fattest sounding analog synth I have ever heard. I may dare to say that it is thicker than a minimoog due to the fact that it gives you the option of blending in the different wave forms, rather than selecting which one. The Sub-Octave oscillator blended in makes for some deep, deep bass. This was used throughout Bad Guy Music, and in a few choice places on Surface to Air.
Still in our studio, but not used as much anymore. The oscillators are not that stable, so the drift in and out of tune. Also, the scale is off, so switching up to a high sound from a bass sound will require a quick retuning. Probably just mine, not all of them though…
Are you interested in selling yer CAT?
I have one VCF is on the fritz-do you have a schematic for it? can’t seem to find the SRMII only the 1–Thanks!
Comment by Lu Lu — January 25, 2010 @ 9:09 pm
Try contacting Ears in New York. I hear they are the Octave specialists. Good Luck!
Comment by Jim — February 10, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
I’m repairing a CAT with the same scaling problem. It’s likely the CA3046 chip (out of production, but available cheap on eBay) and/or one of the 2K Tempco resistors, also available cheap from precisionresistor.com. All ICs are socketed, so replacement isn’t too difficult, probably less than an hour altogether.
Lu Lu: I’m not sure the difference between the SRM I and II. Schematic/service manual is readily available online not sure which version it’s for, but it matches mine perfectly. I do know the SSM2040 VCF chip in mine is virtually unobtainable. I found ONE from a fellow in the UK who sold it to me for $120USD. Saw one more on ebay get snapped up with a $100BIN – haven’t seen or located another since.
Comment by robert — March 30, 2010 @ 10:48 am