The Behringer CAT is a synthesizer that seems to breathe new life into the classic Octave CAT SRM model of the ’70s. This modern machine has been making waves in the music industry for its vintage, uncanny approach to sound design and its newfangled, hands-on features. In this Behringer Cat review, we intend to delve into its nuances, giving potential users a broader understanding of its capacity. From the oscillator design to the filter architecture and modulation possibilities, attention to detail and expert craftsmanship are evident in every aspect of this synth, exemplifying why Behringer has steadily maintained popularity among music producers and DJs alike.
Contents
Unboxing and First Impressions
Upon receiving the Behringer CAT synthesizer, the box comes in a neatly packed, sturdy packaging. Right at the outset, it gives the impression of being a product of high quality. It’s compact, well-built, with a bright, distinctive design that stands out in the crowded analog synth market.
Opening the box reveals the synth nestled securely within it. The first thing you will notice is the weight of the CAT. It has a subtly substantial feel to it, suggesting a robust build quality without being overly heavy or unwieldy. Within the box, along with the synthesizer, you’ll find a power cord, manual, and a USB cable.
The CAT analog design is immediately striking, with its bold-colored, clearly laid out interface. The front panel boasts large, solid knobs and switches that give a satisfying tactile response when used. There’s a clear attention to detail in the build, which strikes the balance of appearing both modern and true to its vintage inspiration.
The case is made of metal, which adds to the overall feeling of durability and quality. The wooden side panels add to its visual representation, giving it an appealing touch of retro aesthetics. The synth feels robust enough to stand up to heavy usage in a professional environment, yet its sleek design would also make it a pleasing addition to any home setup.
When you turn on the CAT, you are greeted by a row of striking LED lights. They light up the panel making it easy to navigate, even in low light settings. The pots and switches feel robust and have a smooth movement, while the sliders run smoothly and evenly.
Even without jumping into the audio capabilities yet, the unboxing experience and the hardware reveal demonstrate a strong commitment by Behringer to produce a top-tier synthesizer. The solid build quality, the thoughtfully designed interface, and the impressive aesthetics already suggest excellent value. Thus, at the first glance, Behringer CAT synthesizer promises a blend of aesthetics and performance desired by any synth aficionado.
| Product Name | Amazon Link |
|---|---|
| Behringer CAT Synthesizer | Find more info on Amazon here! |
| live | Find more info on Amazon here! |
Key Features and Functionality
The Behringer Cat, a remake of the classic Octave Cat synthesizer, delivers a feature-packed functionality matrix that is both impressive and innovative in its design. Here are some of the key features:
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Dual VCOs: The Behringer Cat includes two Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs). Each of these VCOs allows you to switch between sawtooth and square waveforms, resulting in a strikingly rich and diverse sound palette.
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Four-pole filter: The Cat’s filter section is a gem, featuring a self-oscillating, four-pole filter that offers both low pass and bandpass options. This highly versatile filter can be modulated to create incredible sound effects and reinforces Cat’s potential as a creative tool.
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Dueling Envelope Generators: This synthesizer offers two ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release) envelope generators. These envelope generators can be sharply tuned to form the basis of your sound sculpting, adding further depth and texture to your music.
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Sample and Hold: The Behringer Cat comes with a sample and hold feature that offers intriguing possibilities for sound manipulation. Generating random voltages, it is typically used for synthesizing disparate sound effects.
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Keyboard control: The 49-note, full-size keyboard is semi-weighted and offers aftertouch. Despite the complex sound shaping features, the controls are intuitively laid out and easy to grasp, making it user-friendly.
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MIDI and USB connectivity: The Behringer Cat provides access to modern music setup with USB and MIDI. It allows users to interface with other music gear and computers seamlessly, expanding its application beyond a standalone instrument.
In summary, the Behringer Cat synthesizer is a well-designed, robust piece of music gear that boasts a multitude of professional features. It delivers top-notch performance, ticking boxes for professional musicians, sound engineers, and synthesizer enthusiasts alike. The combination of its impressive functionality and affordability gives the Behringer Cat an edge that is hard to overlook in today’s market.
Sound Quality and Performance
The Behringer CAT stands out for its sound quality and performance. It aims to replicate the analog sounds from the classic synthesizer and adds modern twists for enhanced functionality. Its oscillators produce vibrant, rich, and full-bodied sounds that stand out in any mix.
The CAT boasts two VCOs (Voltage-Controlled Oscillators) that have three variable waveforms: triangle, sawtooth, and square. Each of these waveforms brings a distinctive sonic character, helping you to diversify your sound production.
One significant feature of the Behringer CAT is its duophonic capabilities. This feature is instrumental in producing two different pitches simultaneously, while still allowing you to control these pitches separately. It allows you to add more depth and creativity to your music, hence bringing alive the real essence of synthesis.
The CAT also comes with a rich filter section featuring a self-oscillating resonant filter, a filter cut-off, and a resonance control. These features let you sculpt the perfect tone for your tracks with precision. A standout is the ‘intermodulation’ feature that enables you to modulate the filter’s cutoff frequency using the VCO, pulse width, or LFO. This capability helps to create very unique and organic sounds.
Rounding up the sound functionalities of the CAT is a balanced set of envelopes and LFOs that helps you modulate your sounds to your preference. The Behringer CAT’s full-bodied sounds, matched with its far-reaching tweakability, gives you access to a wide range of sound production options, from earth-shaking basses to piercing leads.
All being said, the sound quality and performance of the Behringer CAT synthesizer deserve commendation. It manages to pack all the essential features for a superior analog sonic experience. The Behringer CAT is the perfect mix of the past and the present, with its superb sound quality and high performance winning over fans and critics alike.
Connectivity and Integration
The Behringer CAT synthesizer prides itself on its superb connectivity and seamless integration. One of its strongest features is its capability to connect with other devices – an essential aspect for music production that makes it stand out amongst other music synthesizers.
Equipped with a traditional 5-pin MIDI DIN connection, the CAT allows users to connect various synthesizers, drum machines, or computers easily. This feature opens a window of opportunities for the users to explore and enhances its compatibility with a host of musical instruments and systems. Its USB connectivity, an added advantage, offers a more convenient connection to modern devices including computers, tablets, and even certain smartphones.
Offering a wide range of integration options, the synthesizer also finds compatibility with Eurorack format modular systems. This notable feature lets users combine the CAT with other musical modules, creating a more customized music production experience.
The Behringer CAT also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which enables private listening. It also includes a quarter-inch mono audio out for public performance or recording sessions.
Moreover, the unit features a Control Input section that lets you modulate using external gear, and CV (Control Voltage) inputs for each of the two oscillators and the filter, facilitating flexible manipulation over the sound production.
In summary, the Behringer CAT goes beyond the basic to offer an extraordinarily flexible array of connectivity and integration options. It truly caters to diverse musical needs, making it a versatile choice for music enthusiasts around the globe.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Versatile Sound Design: The Behringer CAT synthesizer is a versatile instrument with a generous array of options for sound creation. Inspired by the legendary Octave CAT, it offers a dual-VCO design with wave-shaping function for more dynamic creations.
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Build Quality: With a sturdy metal casing, the Behringer CAT is built for long-term use. The robust potentiometers and sturdy switches contribute to the overall quality and longevity of the CAT.
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Integrated Effects: The inclusion of the BBD-based chorus creates a more enhanced audio effect. With an adjustable decay, it also allows great flexibility in sound production.
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Flexible Connectivity: Equipped with a variety of input and output connections, the Behringer CAT is designed to be readily compatible with your setup. With MIDI in and thru, as well as USB, it’s an instrument that’s ready for the digital age.
Cons
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Limited Polyphony: The Behringer CAT being a monophonic synth might limit your creative ability. If you’re looking for a synthesizer that can produce multiple sounds at once, this may not be the best choice.
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Learning Curve: With all the features packed into this synth, there is a learning curve involved. If you’re a beginner, it might take some time to fully understand its functionalities and make the most of it.
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No Presets: Unlike some modern synths, the Behringer CAT doesn’t come with preset sounds. This could be a disadvantage if you’re looking for quick and easy sound designs.
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Size: The Behringer CAT is a bit bulky and might take up a notable amount of space in your setup. This can be a disadvantage if you’re dealing with a limited workspace.
Comparisons with Other Synthesizers
When comparing the Behringer CAT to other synthesizers in the market, several key differences and similarities emerge.
First, we must acknowledge the CAT’s design, which directly draws from the classic Octave CAT. Fans of vintage synthesizers will appreciate that Behringer has remained faithful to the original design while integrating modern features. This blend of old and new gives the CAT a unique place in the current synthesizer market.
Next, let’s compare the Behringer CAT with other popular Behringer synths. For instance, compared to the Behringer Model D, the CAT is a duophonic synthesizer while the Model D is monophonic. This means the CAT allows for more harmonic complexity as it can play two notes simultaneously.
Switching focus to sound, CAT’s two VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) provide a good base for sculpting sounds. Unlike the Behringer Neutron, which has a more aggressive and brash sound structure, the CAT can generate a wide palette of sounds ranging from gentle, soft pads to growling basses.
In terms of functionality, the Behringer CAT compares well with higher-end synthesizers. Its 47 controls, all directly available on the panel, provide an intuitive interface that rivals Moog Matriarch or Korg Prologue in tweakability.
It’s also worth comparing the CAT to true analog classic synthesizers like the Korg MS-20 or Minimoog. While these offer richer sound and have established their places in music history, Behringer CAT is a much more affordable alternative providing an authentic analog sound.
However, in contrast to more modern synthesizers such as the ASM Hydrasynth or Novation Summit, the Behringer CAT doesn’t feature digital functionalities such as saving patches or extensive modulation matrix. The CAT is more about direct control and immediate tweakability, which appeals especially to those who prefer less menu diving and more hands-on approach.
Overall, the Behringer CAT synthesizer offers a unique mix of authentic vintage sound, hands-on control, and affordability, carving out its own niche in the diverse world of music synthesizers.
Price Point and Value for Money
The Behringer CAT synthesizer is priced competitively compared to other synthesizers in the market, making it a strong contender in terms of affordability. What makes its price point more compelling is the wealth of features and functions packed into this analog instrument.
Lovers of vintage synthesizers would appreciate how the Behringer CAT captures the essence of classic sound design while being available at a fraction of the price of original vintage units. It replicates the features of the original Octave CAT, a classic from the ’70s, while adding modern technology that integrates it seamlessly into contemporary music production set-ups.
This blend of old and new creates an alluring value proposition. Where else could you get a multi-oscillator synth with dual VCOs, four variable oscillator shapes, 47 controls for real-time access, and a 16-step sequencer with 7 tracks, each with 250 user patterns? All of these are housed in a robust and road-ready chassis that can be taken from the studio to the stage and back with ease.
The Behringer CAT offers a versatile and functional piece of equipment for a reasonable price. The value for money is strong, with the variety of sound options appealing to both novices and experienced synth players. It’s hard to find competing products with the same range of features and sturdy construction at a similar price point.
To that end, the Behringer CAT brings the authentic synthesizer experience within reach of musicians with different budget levels. Its competitive price point doesn’t compromise the quality of its performance, proving the synthesizer to be worthy of its value for money.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Despite the Behringer CAT being a clone of the classic Octave CAT, it successfully creates its own identity in the synthesizer world, combining vintage sounds with modern functionality. This instrument provides an incredible array of choices for synth enthusiasts, presenting a unique blend of flexibility, quality, and affordability.
The overall build quality of the CAT is robust and reliable, designed to withstand heavy-duty use. Knobs and switches have a solid feel, adding an enjoyable tactile experience when shaping sounds. The semi-modular nature of this synthesizer also makes it a learning tool for novices looking to dip their toes into modular synthesis.
The sound quality of the Behringer CAT is truly something to marvel at. From thick, rich basses to otherworldly effects and leads, the sonic palette available within this machine is phenomenal. It is capable of producing sounds that can compete with synthesizers far beyond its price range.
However, if you’re someone who prefers having a digital display and/or presets, this might not be the synthesizer for you. The Behringer CAT is fully analog, offering no presets or automation capability. Therefore, it requires a more hands-on approach that can be somewhat daunting for novices.
Despite this, we fully recommend the Behringer CAT for both newcomers and experienced synthesizer users. It provides a great introduction to the world of analog synthesizers for beginners, while simultaneously offering depth and complexity to please seasoned synth veterans. For its price point, it is a ‘value for money’ synthesizer without compromising on sound quality and build.
Remember: your music is only as good as the tools you use to create it. The Behringer CAT is a robust, capable, and inspiring tool that has every potential to bring your musical expressions to life.