the CS80 is by far the MonaLisa of all analog synthesizers. It was often copied, but never matched. The absolutely stable sound quality is also fantastic in the upper frequency ranges. Even at the highest frequencies, the sounds float like in a shallow smoke. Even if you touch the keys, the CS80 sounds as if it was intended that way. This synthesizer is simply fantastic! It is actually a masterpiece of Japanese electronics engineering.
Its design of the oscilators (and they are same for all Yamaha CS analogs). Their frequency / voltage is scaled exponencialy, so they are much more stable and accurate through all ranges and especialy in highest frequencies its apparent a lot. Pretty much all other analog VCO synths are 1V/oct and in higher registers they tend to be very drifty and unstable.
Nothing comes close to this wonderful synth - just the richness of the sound. The top end cuts through anything, the middle is full-bodied and warm, and the bass is rich and full without ever being boomy or overpowering. I have a number of software emulations and, whilst they seem reminiscent enough of that CS-80 sound when you're noodling away on them, none of them has this richness of sound, the overall warmth... every sound in this demo seems just so well balanced tonally - there is nothing too harsh or overpowering, every single sound seems to fill the sonic spectrum just perfectly. And the other thing that emulations can't do is the physical feel of this beast. I have had the good fortune to have played a CS-80, and owned a CS-50 for many years. It's the way the sounds respond to aftertouch, ribbon, and also the way those rocker switches feel to the fingers - completely different to ordinary knobs or sliders, almost like an extension of the hand. The ring modulator, in particular, is a really, really special feature, unique to the CS range. Looking at some of these pics, I can almost smell the heat coming off it 🙂 An absolutely beautiful demo.
Sounds wonderful! You have a perfectly serviced and calibrated CS-80 there. I have serial nr: 1229. It had some service when i bought it 20 years ago and has played beautifully but now has issues and needs a full overhaul and calibration. It´s a job i´ve put off for years, but now time to do it.
I could listen to this all day. I'm as novice as you can be when it comes to synths, i don't even own a synth, but for years there has been a particular synth sound that just captivates me completely but i never thought about it twice. Up until recently i stumbled upon a video explaining the CS80 and why it's so legendary. I had no clue, honestly. But upon hearing it i immediately knew, THAT's the sound that always stops me in my tracks and just freezes me. To think that so long ago, in a time where technology was still really limited, Yamaha developed this line of synths only for it to be left alone in this realm of greatness for decades to come, is more than fascinating to me. I'm one of the few that does not think of Blade Runner when hearing this. I know Blade Runner, but to me, the CS80 does not owe anything to Blade Runner. So, then i found your videos and i keep coming back to them. I can play some keys as i have learned it when i was young, yet i have no interest in buying a synth except... When Behringer does come out with their rumoured DS80, then i think i'll have to force myself. If it can come even remotely close to this, then i'll be in heaven. Anyway, that's an awful lot of text to say thank you very much for your wonderful uploads as they are really invigorating to me and really strike me like nothing else, musically wise. Thank you!
Really good sound design. I always hear the CS80 is described as one of the best polysynths, and here it is proven. Impressive sounds, great use of the ring-modulator, perfect reverb with the lexicon pcm-90, every sound and dynamic is great on this track.
A lot of people say "its amazing because back then technology was limited". But there are different kinds of technology. Technology to make things small, to make things fast, to make things convenient or full of features. But this is a kind of technology to make the soul feel full. That doesn't usually make much money in our society, so its not often researched, tested and produced. For those interested in this kind of technology, i encourage you to look into hi-fi sound systems, especially those components made in japan. Some brands which may share the same herratige as the CS-80 include Air Tight, Leben, Feastrex, and others.
I have always thought that Beaubourg was to a great extend an improvisation on the CS80 to explore its capabilities. Don't get me wrong, I am not intending to talk it down. It is actually my favourite of Vangelis' work. So please take it as a compliment when I say this is YOUR personal "Beaubourg"!
These sound so insanely beautiful... but like other analog polysynths of their time, they were also insanely expensive. Adjusted for inflation, 1977 > 2020: $22,700 usd. That explains a LOT. And we are fortunate...in 2020, one can buy an 8 voice analog polysynth for $1000 or some such. Not a CS80, perhaps... but still, something quite useful.
@Daniel Davis. sorry danny boy but $10k wouldn't be enough....just last year one of these things wen't for $25.000.00 on E-bay but hey danny you can dream,maybe Yamaha will Re-issue it like Moog is doing with their Modulars and the Model-D,or maybe somebody can Clone it.
@@captainvoluntaryistthestat3207 it's not a weapon you can weild. but if you were to use it as one you can certainly bludgen someone to death with it lol
Had a CS60. Became worth too much for me to have sitting around... Still couldn't touch an 80, but I'd rather have the CS60 back, than be settling for a Juno. I miss it a lot.
Of all my analog polys (JP-8, Andromeda, OB-Xa & Sunsyn....and volca keys! :) the CS-60 is my favorite. I was able to snag a time-capsule specimen about 11 years ago for a few $k., and it still plays as good as new in 2021.
