Yamaha CS-80

The Yamaha CS-80 is an analog synthesizer released in 1977.[1] 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 the Prophet-5 would sport soon after).

Yamaha CS-80
ManufacturerYamaha
Dates1977 - 1980
Price
  • US$6900
  • GB£4950
  • JP¥1,280,000
Technical specifications
Polyphony8 voices, dual layers
TimbralityMultitimbral
Oscillator2 per voice
LFO1 multi-waveform
Synthesis typeAnalog subtractive
Filter2 High-pass
2 Low-pass
AttenuatorADSR
Aftertouch expressionYes, polyphonic
Velocity expressionYes
Storage memory22 preset
4 user
Effectschorus, tremolo
Input/output
Keyboard61-note with velocity
and polyphonic aftertouch (on a per note rather than per patch basis)
Left-hand controlRibbon Controller

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. This 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.

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,[2][3] and commands amongst the highest prices of any polyphonic synthesizer.[2]

Software and hardware emulations

There are two 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 that these instruments were implemented and released in: the "CS-80 V" from Arturia[4] which was released in 2003, the "ME80" from memorymoon which was released in 2009.

There are no known hardware clones of the entire CS-80. At the 2014 NAMM Show, Studio Electronics premiered their new Boomstar SE80 synthesizer which includes a cloned filter section of the CS-80. At the 2018 NAMM Show, Black Corporation showed Deckard's Dream, a rackmount synthesizer with CS-80 inspired architecture and features and supports polyphonic aftertouch via compatible third party external keyboards.

In 2019, Yamaha introduced the Reface CS, a 37 key mini synth, based on the CS-80.

Vangelis

Main article: 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."[5]

Notable users

Main article: List of notable Yamaha CS-80 users

See also

References

  1. "[Chapter 1] Origins of the Yamaha Synthesizer - Yamaha - United States". usa.yamaha.com.
  2. "The World's most desirable and valuable synthesizers and drum machines". attack magazine. Retrieved 2014-11-12.
  3. "The Schmidt synth and the CS80". synthtopia. 2011-04-07.
  4. Magnus, Nick; Reid, Gordon. "Arturia CS80V - Software Synth (Mac/PC)". Reviews : Software: ALL. Sound On Sound. No. April 2005.
  5. Goldstein, Dan (November 1984), "Soil Festivities Vangelis Speaks", Electronics & Music Maker, retrieved August 22, 2016

Bibliography