Groundhog-Synth Pic: Herman and Yamaha RX5

Closeup photo of a stuffed groundhog sitting atop a Yamaha RX5 drum machine.

It’s Groundhog Day, so we’re featuring the venerable Herman, the stuffed-toy groundhog I have had since childhood, atop our Yamaha RX5 drum machine. Definitely a vintage vibe on both counts.

If you haven’t yet seen or detailed demo and tutorial on the Yamaha RX5, please check it out.

Saruman, Yamaha CS30 and DX7, Casio SK-1

We have another show of Saruman in action on his vintage Yamaha CS30 and DX7 synthesizers. In true cat form, he is able to play both at the same time. We also see the Casio SK-1 sampler in the middle.

From our friend hdgenis (Héctor D. Genis) on Instagram. To see Saruman’s other appearances on CatSynth, please visit his tag.

Bread and Yamaha DX100

Bread checks the volume on his Yamaha DX100 synthesizer. Submitted by thedigitalpurrgatory via Instagram.

The DX100 was the smallest of Yamaha’s famous DX series. A 4-op FM engine with mini keys, it’s sounds were compatible with the other 4-operator instruments, including the TX81Z, though it did not include some features of the latter.

Shiro and Yamaha SK50D

We close out a week of white cats with Shiro playing a tune on a Yamaha SK50D. From hdgenis in Mexico City via Instagram.

The SK50D is a two-manual beast of an instrument, an ensemble synthesizer with a drawbar organ, strings, a mono bass synth, and more. It was released in 1980 and is quite rare. Shiro is demonstrating the organ section for us, along with a one-note vocal.