The CAT SRM by Octave

A Lawyer’s Favorite: the ARP Odyssey Clone

The CAT SRM by Octave

Octave THE CAT SRM, Octave Electronics/Octave-Plateau, 1975/1982, From the collection of: EBOARDMUSEUM
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A lead synthesizer of the late ‘70s.

Well, specialist instruments ensure the survival of specialist industries.

Heavy pianos and notably grands give furniture movers a reason to smile.
Theremins keep realtors alive: “My neighbor practices the theremin. Do you have another apartment for me?”
Electromagnetic Hammonds with their mechanical generators which need regular oiling are also partly responsible for constant fluctuations in international oil prices.
Certain string and wind instruments give joke book publishers a steady flow of inspiration: “Why aren’t orchestras family-friendly? Too much sax and violins.”

And the Octave CAT SRM allowed some lawyers to go on a Caribbean vacation with the whole family.

Its similarities to the legendary ARP Odyssey remained obvious, including to Alan Richard Pearlman’s team. This resulted in a few proceedings, and the CAT also caused various other lawyers to purr with delight. 

But many musicians from OMD to Dave Greenslade from Colosseum even knew this brutal, two-voice-max synthesizer was something to be treasured.

Octave THE CAT SRM - Detail (1975/1982) by Octave Electronics/Octave-PlateauEBOARDMUSEUM

Potentiometer knobs

The rather austere design of the potentiometer knobs might not be the cat’s whiskers …

… but sound-wise, the CAT can absolutely show its claws when it needs to, as this video proves:

Octave THE CAT - Demo (1975/1982) by synth4everEBOARDMUSEUM

The CAT by Octave

Demo

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