Yamaha CS-80

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Yamaha CS-80
Yamaha CS-80 (1977) 8-voices dual-layered analog polyphonic synthesizer, with 22 preset sounds & 6 user patches - VINTAGE SYNTH @ YAMAHA BOOTH - 2015 NAMM Show.jpg
Manufacturer Yamaha
Dates1977 - 1980
Price
  • US$6900
  • GB£4950
  • JP¥1,280,000
[1]
Technical specifications
Polyphony 8 voices, dual layers
Timbrality Multitimbral
Oscillator 2 per voice
LFO 1 multi-waveform
Synthesis type Analog subtractive
Filter 2 High-pass
2 Low-pass
Attenuator ADSR
Aftertouch expression Yes, polyphonic
Velocity expressionYes
Storage memory22 preset
4 user
Effects chorus, tremolo
Input/output
Keyboard 61-note with velocity
and polyphonic aftertouch (on a per note rather than per patch basis)
Left-hand controlRibbon Controller

The Yamaha CS-80 is an analog synthesizer introduced by Yamaha Corporation in 1977. [2] It supports true 8-voice polyphony, with two independent synthesizer layers per voice each with its own set of front panel controls, in addition to a number of hardwired preset voice settings and four parameter settings stores based on banks of subminiature potentiometers (rather than the digital programmable presets featured on the Prophet-5 introduced soon after).

Contents

It has exceptionally complete performer expression features, such as a layered keyboard that was both velocity-sensitive (like a piano's) and pressure-sensitive ("after-touch") but unlike most modern keyboards the aftertouch could be applied to individual voices rather than in common, and a ribbon controller allowing for polyphonic pitch-bends and glissandos.

Production of the instrument ceased in 1980. Vying with the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 and Oberheim OB-X polysynths for the title, the CS-80 is often described as the pre-eminent polyphonic analog synthesizer, [3] [4] and, together with the monophonic Moog modular synthesizer, commands amongst the highest resale price of any synthesizer. [3]

Software and hardware emulations

There are plug-in instrument software emulations of the CS-80 for usage in digital audio workstation, music sequencer and other software which supports the plug-in formats. This includes the following plugins with the year they were first released:

There are no known hardware clones of the entire CS-80. At the 2014 NAMM Show, Studio Electronics premiered the Boomstar SE80 synthesizer which includes a cloned filter section of the CS-80. Black Corporation's Deckard's Dream (2017) and upcoming Deckard's Dream MK2 (autumn 2024) are rackmount synthesizer with CS-80 inspired architectures and features which support polyphonic aftertouch using compatible third party external keyboards.

In 2015, Yamaha introduced the Reface CS, a 37 key mini synth, based on the CS-80.

Vangelis

The Greek composer Vangelis used the Yamaha CS-80 extensively. He described it as "the most important synthesizer in my career — and for me the best analogue synthesizer design there has ever been ... It needs a lot of practice if you want to be able to play it properly, but that's because it's the only synthesizer I could describe as being a real instrument, mainly because of the keyboard — the way it's built and what you can do with it." [7]

The CS-80's features can be heard on the Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis, in which CS-80 is featured prominently, as well as the composer's soundtrack for the film Chariots of Fire , and the bassline of Peter Howell's interpretation of the 1980 theme tune to the BBC science fiction show Doctor Who .

See also

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References

  1. Colbeck, Julian (1996). Keyfax Omnibus Edition. MixBooks. pp. 131–132. ISBN   0-918371-08-2.
  2. "[Chapter 1] Origins of the Yamaha Synthesizer - Yamaha - United States". usa.yamaha.com.
  3. 1 2 "The World's most desirable and valuable synthesizers and drum machines". Attack Magazine. Attack Magazine. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  4. "The Schmidt synth and the CS80". Synthtopia. Synthtopia. 7 April 2011.
  5. Magnus, Nick; Reid, Gordon (April 2005). "Arturia CS80V - Software Synth (Mac/PC)". Sound On Sound . SOS Publications Group.
  6. "Cherry Audio release GX-80". Sound On Sound . SOS Publications Group. November 2022.
  7. Goldstein, Dan (November 1984), "Soil Festivities Vangelis Speaks", Electronics & Music Maker, retrieved August 22, 2016

Bibliography