Octave CAT SRM

A truly superb Octave CAT SRM analogue synthesizer freshly-serviced and in perfect working order.

It was serviced and calibrated including a full overhaul of the keyboard bushings, new jack sockets, recapped power supply and new slider caps. This synth is in excellent cosmetic condition for its age and sounds great. Inevitably for an instrument that’s 30-plus years old, there’s a few scuffs and scratches (see many detailed photos below), but overall it’s in excellent condition.

I lost several hours testing it and very nearly took the listing down from our site – it’s just so inspiring and unlike other synths.

It runs at 240v.

These classic US synths are vastly underrated and represent excellent value for money compared to their more famous rivals, the Minimoog and Arp Oddyssey. They are hard to find, and highly-rated by synth cognoscenti. The flexible nature of this synth means it really punches above its weight: particularly notable features are the cross modulation options and mixable waveforms. It dates from the mid to late 70s and sounds like a classic 70s American monosynth should: powerful and tonally brilliant. Sound design-wise it’s almost limitless with an abundance of bass, leads, and sound effects on tap – it’s easy (and very rewarding) to lose yourself for hours programming this beast…

There are no known operational faults with this unit. (Please note: it is always possible with vintage equipment that some crackly pots/sliders may develop over time when equipment has not been used – even during a short delivery period – this can usually be easily rectified either by use or with Caig Deoxit).

It’s a UK 240v model so will require a step-up transformer for use in USA/Canada – or it can be returned to 100v operation for an additional charge.

To find out more about this unique instrument we’d recommend Gordon Reid’s excellent Octave CAT article.

Also see the Youtube demos below (one is of a later SRM2 Cat) – with thanks to the uploaders: