Octave Cat by Cherry Audio synth plugin interface

Octave Cat: Virtual Duophonic Synth Plugin by Cherry Audio

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (131 ratings)

Octave Cat is a virtual synthesizer plugin from Cherry Audio that models the 1976 Octave Electronics CAT duophonic synth, extended with polyphony, effects and a sequencer.

VST3VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Octave Cat is designed to recreate the sound and behavior of The CAT, a duophonic analog-style synth released in 1976. Cherry Audio developed the plugin in partnership with the original designer, Carmine Bonanno. It keeps the hardware's aggressive resonant filter, oscillator cross-modulation and oscillator sync, then adds up to 16-voice polyphony, a built-in effects section and a dual eight-step sequencer.

Best for

Aggressive bass synths
Resonant filter sweeps
Retro lead sounds
Step-sequenced basslines
MPE expressive performance
Analog-style pads

Developer: Cherry Audio
Category: Synths
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Models The CAT's oscillators, filter and transient generators in detail
Monophonic, duophonic and polyphonic modes up to 16 voices
Two VCOs with saw, triangle, pulse, square and PWM waveforms
Four-pole 24 dB/octave filter based on the SSM2040 topology
Sample and hold with VCO1, VCO2 or noise source and glide
Dual-channel eight-step sequencer with tempo sync and quantization
Integrated distortion, phaser, flanger/chorus, delay and reverb
MPE support plus full MIDI learn and DAW automation

03In depth

Sound Engine and Synthesis Character

Octave Cat models the original CAT signal path in detail. Two oscillators offer discrete wave, modulation, sample-and-hold and sub-octave settings. VCO1 provides saw, triangle and pulse waveforms with PWM, while VCO2 provides square and saw.

The filter is a vintage-correct four-pole 24 dB/octave design based on the cascaded OTA SSM2040 topology, with resonance intended to replicate the original's character. Two envelope generators are included: a standard ADSR and an AR envelope. Sample and hold can use VCO1, VCO2 or noise as its source, with glide to smooth the voltage steps.

Workflow, Controls and Sequencing

The plugin offers monophonic, duophonic and polyphonic voice modes, with unison available in mono and duo modes. A Main panel holds the synthesis controls, and a second FX/Seq panel adds extended features. Two view skins are selectable: the original Mark I look or the later SRM style.

The classic-style dual-channel, eight-step sequencer can be assigned to oscillator pitch, filter cutoff and VCA amplitude, with tempo sync, quantization and keyboard transpose. Channel pressure, polyphonic aftertouch and MPE pitch, pressure and timbre are supported as modulation sources. All controls can be mapped to MIDI and automated from the DAW.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Cherry Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Synth
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Octave Cat based on?

Octave Cat emulates The CAT duophonic synthesizer released by Octave Electronics in 1976. Cherry Audio developed it in partnership with the original designer, Carmine Bonanno.

What formats and operating systems does Octave Cat support?

Octave Cat is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone formats. It runs on Windows 7 or later, including Windows 11, and macOS 10.13 or later, with native Apple M1 support.

What do I need to run Octave Cat?

Octave Cat runs as a standalone application or inside a compatible DAW. It needs a 64-bit system, about 21 MB of disk space, and an internet connection for product activation. A quad-core computer with 8 GB of RAM is recommended.