Octave catstick

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PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

the TSTICK synthesizer controller

A NEW AND VERSATILE ACCESSORY FOR ALL PATCHABLE SYNTHESIZERS

Modulation, that's what synthesizers are all
about. It's "modulation" that gives dynamics to
your synthesizer performances. Bending a note,
adding growl, vibrato, trills, that's all modulation.

Up until now. you relied on sliders, knobs, rib-
bons, wheels and pedals to vary your modulation
expression. Each device needed a hand (or foot)
to control each modulation depth. One hand for
vibrato, one for filter sweep, another to bend
notes. Sometimes you'd end up With more
modulation needs than your hands or feet could
handle!

The new CATSTICK synthesizer controller frees
your creatlwty by letting you control 4 different
modulation depths with ONE HANDl Utilizing a
convenient returnetdzero spring-loaded
joystick, two internal LFO's four internal VCA's
and internal voltage processors, the CATSTICK
allows you to obtain a different type of
modulation for each of the four joystick direc-
tions; forward, backward, lett and right. These
directions, labelled Yllforwardl), Y2(backward¢),
X1 (left (-) and X2 (right ->), each have sepa-
rate VCA and Control Voltage sections (see
panel) so that each direction of joystick
movement can have its own particular
modulation setting. And, the versatile output
patching system provides you with independent
control voltages, mixed control voltages and in-
dependent VCA operation for use with any patch-
able synthesizer.

Imagine connecting the CATSTICK to your CAT,
KITTEN, MINIMOOG or OBERHEIM and getting
Vibrato when you pull the stick towards you.
pitch bend when you move it to the right, filter
growl when you move it to the left and then have
it snap back to zero modulation when you
release itl

For your STUDIO MOOG or ARP 2600, or other
modular based synthesizer, you can use the
CATSTICK in series wrth patchcords to turn on a
modulation only when the stick is shifted oif
axis. And. the CATSTICK control voltages are
still available to control other' synthesizer
parameters!

Audio systems can use the CATSTICK too! By
utilizing the independent VCA's, a stereo or quad
panning system can be set up to pan your syn~
thesizer output (or any other audio source) to
different channels in your sound system.

A return-to-zero, spring loaded joystick, 4 VCA's,
2 LFO's and internal voltage processors are all
included in the CATSTICK, The feel-Incredible!
The patching system - 16 jacks for total
flexibility! The construction ~ steel, of course!

The CATSTICK - once you try it, turning knobs
will never be the same!

CHI/E Electronics Inc.

DIVISION OF PLATEAU ELECTRONICS, INC.

09R RDOAIIWAV 7th Fl nnn NFW YORK CITY N V. 10010 mm 673-4905

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memTSTICK concept:

Totally responsive modulation control.
Made possible by a versatile synthesizer accessory device.

THE PROBLEM:

Most synthesizers provide adequate
sound generating devices for creating
an almost infinite variety of sounds.

However, they often lack an efficient
method of expressively controlling
synthesizer parameters during a perfor-
mance.

THE REASON:

The average professional synthesizer
is a relatively expensive instrument. The
addition of an intricate controller sys-
tem would add to the overall cost and
would consume much of the already
crowded panel space. Consequently,
manufacturers have to compromise,
resulting in simple pitch benders or
modulation devices with limited control
capabilities.

THE SOLUTION:

By providing a modulation control de-
vice as an accessory, synthesists who
realize the need for more intricate con-
trol are free to purchase it separately.
Thus, the cost of the basic synthesizer
is minimized and more control capa-
bility can be packed into the external
device without sacrificing synthesizer
panel space.

THE CATSTlCK

is the answer to this growing need for
fast, efficient, expressive control of
todays complex synthesizers.

MODULATION

is what synthesizers are all about - its
what dynamic synthesis performances
are made of. Pitch bending, vibrato,
trills, filter growl, thats all modulation.

THE JOYSTICK CONCEPT:

The CATSTlCK frees your creativity by
letting you control 4 different modula-
tion depths with one convenient re-
turn-to zero spring-loaded joystick.
Each of the four joystick directions
(forward, backward, right, and left) has
a separate VGA and control voltage
section (see panel) so that each direc-
tion of joystick movement can have its
own independent modulation setting.
And, the versatile output patching
system provides independent control
voltages, mixed control voltages and
independent VCA operation for use
with any patchable synthesizer.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE:

The CATSTlCK opens up a totally new
perspective on synthesizer control and
often allows modulation styles not
possible by any other means to be-
come an important part of a perfor-
mance. For example by connecting the
CATSTlCK to a VCO and VCF via the
synthesizer control voltage inputs, it
would be possible to control pitch
bend in one direction, vibrato in the
other direction, and filter sweep and
growl in the other two directions, while
moving the stick off axis allows com-'
binations of these effects. And the
professional spring-loaded joystick
snaps back to its vertical position
when released for quick return-to-zero
modulation.