Review: Cherry Audio Octave Cat Synthesizer
4,2 / 5,0 | 
Cherry Audio Octave Cat · Source: Cherry Audio
Cherry Audio Octave Cat FX · Source: Cherry Audio
Cherry Audio Octave Cat Wood Trim · Source: Cherry Audio
Cherry Audio, masters of affordable synth plugins, continue down the vintage synthesizer path less travelled with their recreation of a lesser-known but much-loved classic of the late 1970s with the Octave Cat.
Octave Cat History
If you think the practice of less-than-subtle re-imaginings of vintage synthesizers is a modern thing, think again. Back in the late 70s, when yours truly was transitioning from a punk fan to one of electronic music, Octave had apparently ruffled a few feathers at ARP. And on the surface, you could see why. However, the truth is probably less interesting than the rumours would have you believe…
“I would also like to dispel a rumour that ARP sued us for copying the Odyssey. That’s not what happened. Actually, they sued us for using a duophonic keyboard in the CAT, which they claimed to have patented. They dropped the suit after I presented prior art showing that the technology used in duophonic analogue keyboards predated their patent.”
The Octave Cat, however, was able to forge its own path. This was mostly due to the behaviour of its filter. A raucous, screaming affair, full of self-oscillation. Best of all, it was vastly more affordable than a Minimoog or Odyssey. Thus, it endeared itself to young, less affluent innovators looking for a unique synth sound. Bands like Split Enz, who featured brothers Neil & Tim Finn, used it in their global smash, “I Got You”.
After a few more feline-named releases, Octave merged with Plateau Electronics and gave us the highly sought-after and regarded Voyetra Eight. They still exist today, as Turtle Beach, a brand well-known in computer-based audio technology.
Cherry Audio Octave Cat
Cherry Audio’s Octave Cat
Hot on the heels of their last release, the Novachord and Solovox, Cherry Audio has collaborated with the Octave Cat’s original designer, and founder of Octave Electronics, Carmine Bonnano. This gives this plugin a solid sense of accuracy and reassurance that this is way more than a lookalike. As well as modelling an original Cat, Cherry Audio has expanded the instrument in its usual fashion. We now have 16 voice polyphony, patch-saving capabilities, dual panel views for synthesis and FX sections and a range of performance functions.
The Cat has two VCOs that include saw, triangle, pulse, square and PWM. The four-pole 24db/oct filter accurately replicates the original’s cascaded OTA SSM2040 with its unique resonance. It really nails the screaming bastard nature of the OG Cat. The envelope generators are fully replicated too. But it is what Cherry Audio bring to the table that moves the Cat into the 21st century.
Obviously, we now have full MIDI functionality. All controls on the front panel are MIDI learnable, making mapping to your controller of choice a doddle. The Cat now features a fully integrated FX section featuring distortion, phaser and flanger/chorus along with syncable delays and five reverbs! Better yet, the Cat now supports poly aftertouch and has MPE support for pitch, channel pressure and timbre.
Cherry Audio Octave Cat FX
The Cat’s Meow
So does the Cherry Audio version of the Octave Cat tickle the whiskers? Well, full disclosure, I’ve never had the privilege of playing a real one, but I consulted with synth restorer extraordinaire Kent Spong to understand what I should expect from one. First up, I may as well cover the boring stuff. Yes, it features Cherry Audio’s standard preset browser, which is useful and informative. Setup is a breeze and I had my controller hooked up and in charge from the get-go. The UI is clear, easy to understand and, as have all recent CA plugins, benefits from Mal Meehan’s brilliant visuals. The Cat was never a complex synth and Cherry Audio hasn’t made it as such. The two panels are easily flipped using a toggle switch, top right.
Given the Cat’s tendency to howl like a moggy on heat, the built-in selectable limiter on the master output is very welcome to rein it in. It is so simple to get the Cat to really let go and if distorted, gnarly synth leads and basses are your thing, the Cat is right up your street. On the other hand, it can also do warm, mellow and refined. What Cherry Audio have done, in bringing the Cat up to current standards, is broaden the instrument’s appeal and capability whilst being true to its original character.
The best thing about the Cat is its simplicity. But that simplicity does not come at the expense of capability. Unlike many other instruments, you are able to get really creative very quickly without it turning into an unlistenable kludge. Every control yields some interesting sonic character and that filter is great fun when it begins to self-oscillate.
Cherry Audio Octave Cat Wood Trim
In Conclusion
It is nigh on impossible to not like what Cherry Audio do. They have forged themselves an almost unassailable spot in the plugin market. The Octave Cat simply expands that reputation with an affordable plugin that delivers way more than its price might suggest. The thing is, everyone now knows that the Cherry Audio brand is one that means quality, fun, usefulness and affordability. I hate the fact that such amazing tools were not available to me in my youth, when my creative juices flowed like Victoria Falls. But I am delighted that people can benefit from these things today. Cherry Audio’s Octave Cat delivers one more unique and important instrument to us at pocket money prices, with professional capabilities.
Regardless of whether you already own a plugin or hardware mono/duo synth, the Octave Cat has enough uniqueness about it to warrant a place in your collection. And everyone knows that a synthesizer’s favourite companion is a cat…
Mitsie on a Synth
Cherry Audio’s Octave Cat is available now for $49 intro price, rising to $69 after the launch period. It comes as a 64bit AU, VST, VST3 and AAX plugin, as well as standalone. A free 30-day demo is available. Octave Cat supports macOS 10.13 and above, including Ventura with native Apple Silicon. Windows 7 and up is supported, including Windows 11.
- Cherry Audio’s Website
- More from Cherry Audio
- Interview with Octave Cat inventor Carmine Bonanno
- Retropolis Preset Pack for Octave Cat by James Dyson
- Cherry Audio Octave Cat: Cherry Audio
- Cherry Audio Octave Cat FX: Cherry Audio
- Cherry Audio Octave Cat Wood Trim: Cherry Audio
- Mitsie on a Synth: Rob Puricelli
This might also interest you
3 responses to “Review: Cherry Audio Octave Cat Synthesizer”
The weird thing is that Cherry don’t do an emulation of their own Voyetra 8, there only seems to be a sampled collection by a different company.
“…Cherry don’t do an emulation of their own Voyetra 8”
Yet 😉
Forgotten the name of it, but I downloaded a great freeware Octave Cat 5 years ago. But I like Cherry Audio’s stuff, and I like the Octave Cat, so I’m probably gonna……