Yamaha CS-80

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synthesizer
photo
General
Surname CS-80
Manufacturer Yamaha
Sound synthesis analog, subtractive synthesis
Period 1977 - 1980
Price (year of publication) US $ 6,900
properties
Polyphonic yes, 2 × 8
Multitimbral No
filter Low pass and high pass , each with resonance (analog)
LFO yes, modulation of VCO , VCF and VCA
Keys 61, velocity sensitive with aftertouch (polyphonic)
Int. Game aids Ribbon controller
Ext. Controller Foot switch, sill
Effects Tremolo , chorus
Interface (noun) -
Sequencer -
Program memory 4th
Ext. Memory -

The Yamaha CS-80 is a synthesizer from the Yamaha company . When it came on the market in 1976 , it was one of the first commercially available devices that allowed polyphonic playing.

The CS-80 is a milestone in the development of synthesizers; earlier polyphonic synthesizers, such as the Polymoog , use organ technology and are not very flexible, or, such as the Yamaha GX-1 , very experimental.

Structure and technology

The CS-80 is the top model of the CS series, which also included the four-part CS-50 and the eight-part CS-60 . The discrete circuits in the GX-1 were initially tested in IC form in the CS-50 and later perfected in the CS-80. Its sound generation was based on the analog subtractive synthesis that was customary at the time , with the 16 oscillators (sawtooth, square and sine wave) being able to generate and mix two sounds independently of each other in eight voices. The further sound processing took place via a resonance-capable envelope- controlled high and low pass filter (12 dB / octave), as well as an LFO (sine, sawtooth wave) and ring modulator . At the end there was a tremolo and chorus to round off the sound.

All controls for sound generation were once again designed four times as miniatures under a cover, with which four sounds could be programmed and called up again. Proper digital storage of the programs, as later offered by Prophet 5 , was not possible. Together with the main controls, this made six freely programmable ones, plus 22 permanently programmed sounds (presets).

The CS-80 had a weighted, velocity-sensitive keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch , which could be used to influence the sound and its course in a variety of ways. There was also a so-called ribbon controller that could be used to influence the pitch. The new thing was that the zero point was always where you put your finger first.

Disadvantages of the CS-80 were the high price, the heavy weight of 100 kg and the uncomfortable property of being out of tune, which was additionally exacerbated by temperature problems in the housing. The CS-80 was therefore a studio and not a touring device. Today it is considered a great rarity, especially since only around 800 pieces were built (1001 to 1791 (last known serial number)).

The sound of the CS-80 is still one of the milestones in the field of analog sound generation. The CS-80 can be heard on many of Vangelis' recordings, such as the soundtrack to the films Blade Runner or The Victory's Hour . Also on various pop music recordings, such as on the album SO by Peter Gabriel or the song Billie Jean by Michael Jackson . The French company Arturia has had an emulated software version of the CS-80 in its program, the CS-80V, which can be used on Windows or Mac PCs. From the Norwegian company Memorymoon there is another emulation of the CS-80, the ME-80, also for Windows and Mac - this requires a host program, e.g. B. a digital audio workstation (DAW).

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