@@MrMisterMist The greatness is in this synth already Mr. As it is in its modern counterpart. The CS reface. The problem is the idiots who think something has to be huge and heavy. And very expensive to be any good. Try making a complete synth pop track on a CS80. If it can stay in tune long enough. I've done that on my CS reface. Including all the drums and percussion. Label hogs never make any great music. They just talk about old synths and who used them.
I love your musical creations. So many people get stuck in trying to recreate specific sounds or styles of music, however you seem to be able to artfully blend all sorts of things together to make stuff that sounds familiar but unique. This is the stuff that I really love to listen to!
I thought for sure the CS01 would show up on Bad Gear before landing here. Glad to see this little gem being celebrated. I added MIDI to my CS01 and, wow, just wow.
Now this is the absolutely brilliant content I keep coming back for. 😀 Hilarious, informative, and good music. You've positively outdone yourself once again, Mr. Ball.
My first synth, which I still have 40 years later. I used it a lot, and as a tradition, it's the first synth I use when I test a new effect or piece of audio equipment.
One of my favourite synth/keyboard artists Jean-Phillipe Rykiel is a master on the CS01. He can really make this little synth sing using the breath controller. Highly underrated little mono synth, I'd say!
Ah thanks for the tip Xavier. I've now heard some rather impressive breath controller demos as a few have posted them. Shame I haven't got the breath controller.
You're so right! Jean Phillipe Rykiel is the absolute master of the CS01, especially when he uses the breath controller for expression control. I've seen him play it live on several occasions and was amazed how brilliant he made it sound.
Wow loved when you played music - those two little blasts of creativity were just what I needed after a hard work day. That second bit of music, any foxy females and handsome dudes wanting to get on the dance floor would never be able to get off as long as something that funky was playing. Keep it up!
Another superb and entertaining demo, brilliant stuff. This was actually my first ever synth when I was a kid so I assumed that all synths had pulse width modulation that sounded this good, but despite the Junos and Jupiters that followed I never heard anything else that matched the richness of this little fella's PWM, it's just gorgeous
Alex probably made that little cs01's day. It probably longed to be in a cool piece of music, but getting to meet and play with an iconic synth like the system 100m was the icing on the cake. Could be the highlight of its life.
Agreed Alex. Dismiss it at your peril, it's a mini monster. I love mine, great at slow filter sweeping stuff. Glad you brought it to the attention of those who were unaware of this little beauty. Entertaining as ever. Thank you.
I've still got mine! It was given to me by my music teacher some 25 years ago, I dropped it on the floor and cracked the pcb. Years later, I came back with the soldering iron and rescued it. Its a true underdog and sounds like a beast! Great vid as usual Alex! Thanks! 👍
I hate when people says: It`s a toy! There is no toy instruments. If you a creative person, EVERY instrument is relevant. I saw so many people with very powerful equipments, but even such equipments did not help them to conjure up the magic! At the other side, I saw some persons which are capable to present a miracle almost on everything what is finding in their hands! So if you want to own some gear, it`s OK, but it is more important to work on YOUR creativity, elegance and the other skills. The better skills almost always lead to the possibility to choose! Alex, great work!
I have a CS01-2..(thrift store find for $5 , one partially cracked key).. I keep it in my bathroom and fire it up everyday...love the PWM, Wind, EG, everything about it.. takes a few minutes to warm up... :)
What a powerful little beast. Back in the eighties a workmate had a band, their keyboard player had one. I still remember seeing them play live with this hung on a strap like a guitar. Ah memories 😁
I love my Reface CS - so quick to dial in great sounds and great mojo. If disaster struck it's the keyboard I'd grab on my way out (and not just because it's light).
@@kaitlyn__L yep, they're great - I _love_ the YC and I use the CP a lot though it's a great pity they didn't give it a "Mrs Mills" upright piano instead of the toy piano (they'd have sold zillions to Beatles fans if they'd done that because good upright sounds are scarce). The only Reface I don't have yet is the FM but that's because I already have more FM synths than I need for my type of music.
@@unclemick-synths I’ve lusted after the reface DX since its release but now I think I may end up getting the Korg Opsix instead… after all, it’s two Volca FMs stuck together with the Minilogue’s screen and a few analogue filters added too. As cool as the reface DX is, six operators beat four… and the ergonomics of the control panel seem better.
A friend had one, and that was my first encounter with a synthesizer. Back then the borderline between the electric organ and the synthesizer was not so clear, but the CS-01 had a distinctive PWMish sound that screamed SYNTHESIZER. It set a standard in me for what a synthesizer should sound like.
I'm still waiting on my blender video, but, Hainbach had Alex a bit stumped with the Ciat-Lombardi. But, to be honest, it was not a fair test. Given a minute or two, I'm sure Alex would make that sing too.
As a teenager, This was almost going to be my first mono synth shortlisted with the Jen SX-1000, then the Roland SH101 came out and I bought that instead.
Yay!!, the first synth I ever bought in 1981, a guitar strap and the breath controller (cost almost as much as the synth) took it to another level, eventually traded it for a deposit on a jx3p, would buy one for nostalgia's sake, but people want such silly prices for these things now.
Ooohmygod. The intro broke me for a sec. Rising up on the synth noise while making that face, and then just immediately gazing elsewhere to discuss the setup to this installment... LOL!
I love Moogs and classic Roland synths, but I’ve noticed more and more that I REALLY like 2 pole filter synths. OG ARP, Oberheim, this thing…all sound awesome!
Love this little jigger.. I played around with one of these in the early 80's - Tons of fun and great sounds to be found here. Thanks for doing this demo, Alex - it brings back fond memories!
20 years ago, vintage synths were more affordable (less insanely priced, anyway), yet CS01 and mkII (and an HS-60) were the most I could justify. My AIRA-looking mkII is still kicking-limited uses, but plenty of fun, and as well demonstrated here: these multitrack well and pair well with effects (yay, pedals)! Quick to adjust, WYSIWYG, and I’ve even got the 2nd version breath controller (TRS expression pedal seems to work for that breath control port, too).
I think all the CS mono syntbs are pretty underrated. They all sound great and they all have some unique features. But I guess that's life if you've got the CS-80 as bigger brother.
Just dropping in after picking up BabyAudio's newly released soft synth inspired by this little beast. I picked up what's probably the modern version of this in the Reface CS as one of my first synths. Another instance of a little Yamaha CS that was probably overlooked due to its appearance!
I love my CS01 - first synth I ever bought. I’ve also got the breath control, which is odd, but kind of works. Basically changes the volume/envelope. There’s probably a video of someone playing one on TOTPs in the early 80s.
I literally had one as a kid from a yard sale , but I’m pretty sure I gave it to good will a year later because i was an OG hater of small keys lol and was so young I had no idea what it was really. Damn it . Killer tune as per usual . Cheers
This was a very slow burn, but 8 months later, I decided to buy a CS01 because of this video. Oh, and a UMR2 kit as well to give it basic MIDI functionality.
I was lucky enough to find one of the MkIIs a few years ago, they have full VCF resonance control, these work well as a budget SH-101 alternative (ok, until the market was flooded with clones). There's a lot of modding potential for those inclined, to add MIDI and even hybrid waveforms!
I like all the Yamaha CS synths. I have a CS5 that sounds absolutely fantastic. Not many controls. Really rather basic subtractive synth architecture with one oscillator but it sounds great. So much character. Great video. I was hoping to grab one of these at some point too but now the price is going to go up. ;)
My first synth was the Casio CZ-101 in 1986. Small, portable, MIDI, programmable via dedicated knobs, sliders, and buttons, and sounded pretty good. But gotta say the CS01 sounds even better. Then I got the Roland Juno-106 which was a very good synth. But when I got the Roland D-50, the Oberheim Matrix 1000, and the Yamaha TX-81Z, I finally sold the CZ-101 and Juno-106.
![KAYTRANADA - Witchy (feat. Childish Gambino) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jGK3YVmGZ3Y/mqdefault.jpg)
"Even the smallest synthesizer can change the course of the future."
- Galadriel, "The Lord of the Ring Modulators"
Frodosynthesis.
You shall not low pass!
😂
If we make cheap synths, then every no talent would have one. It would be like a schmee for all.
Oh my precious CS01. Don't laugh at My precious
This is a great example that it's the creativity and expertise behind the instrument that counts.
That and the ability to control one's laughter.
Polishing turds is a craft, Alex can make turds sound like a golden nuggets.
@@MrMisterMist
The greatness is in this synth already Mr. As it is in its modern counterpart. The CS reface. The problem is the idiots who think something has to be huge and heavy. And very expensive to be any good.
Try making a complete synth pop track on a CS80. If it can stay in tune long enough. I've done that on my CS reface. Including all the drums and percussion.
Label hogs never make any great music. They just talk about old synths and who used them.
My music teacher at school had one of these (late 1980's) was the first analog synth I ever used. He let me borrow it. I borrowed it, a lot! 🤣
Awesome! School of synthing?
I love your musical creations. So many people get stuck in trying to recreate specific sounds or styles of music, however you seem to be able to artfully blend all sorts of things together to make stuff that sounds familiar but unique. This is the stuff that I really love to listen to!
Thank you! The joy of synths is that you can quickly move through lots of timbres until something works with your other parts. Really liberating.
I thought for sure the CS01 would show up on Bad Gear before landing here. Glad to see this little gem being celebrated.
I added MIDI to my CS01 and, wow, just wow.
How does one even begin to add midi?!
It's RAD gear!
@@MePeterNicholls There used to be a mod board you could add to these. They don't make them any more, last time I checked - about 5 years ago.
@@AlexBallMusic RAD GEAR needs to be a thing!
Same here. Somehow I managed to add the MIDI board without sacrificing the internal speaker. This really is a secret weapon synth.
Now this is the absolutely brilliant content I keep coming back for. 😀
Hilarious, informative, and good music. You've positively outdone yourself once again, Mr. Ball.
😀
He always does😊👍🏻🎹
Every time you said "Stop laughing" I started laughing. 😄
Totally
We've got a badass over here watch out!
Stop laughing!
I love it!
That's not funny.
My first synth, which I still have 40 years later. I used it a lot, and as a tradition, it's the first synth I use when I test a new effect or piece of audio equipment.
You had me at Schmangelis
One of my favourite synth/keyboard artists Jean-Phillipe Rykiel is a master on the CS01.
He can really make this little synth sing using the breath controller. Highly underrated little mono synth, I'd say!
Ah thanks for the tip Xavier. I've now heard some rather impressive breath controller demos as a few have posted them. Shame I haven't got the breath controller.
You're so right! Jean Phillipe Rykiel is the absolute master of the CS01, especially when he uses the breath controller for expression control. I've seen him play it live on several occasions and was amazed how brilliant he made it sound.
do you know more about the breath controller he uses? JPR made me interested in this synth
Wow loved when you played music - those two little blasts of creativity were just what I needed after a hard work day.
That second bit of music, any foxy females and handsome dudes wanting to get on the dance floor would never be able to get off as long as something that funky was playing.
Keep it up!
I played one years ago and loved it!! Uli!! Pick this bad boy up!!
Another superb and entertaining demo, brilliant stuff. This was actually my first ever synth when I was a kid so I assumed that all synths had pulse width modulation that sounded this good, but despite the Junos and Jupiters that followed I never heard anything else that matched the richness of this little fella's PWM, it's just gorgeous
Alex probably made that little cs01's day. It probably longed to be in a cool piece of music, but getting to meet and play with an iconic synth like the system 100m was the icing on the cake. Could be the highlight of its life.
Borrowed one for about 8 years until my guitarist remembered I had it. Dammit. It was so good.
A guitarist having an 8-year memory lag sounds right.
(I'm a guitarist)
You made my day in the first 3 seconds of this video.
Agreed Alex. Dismiss it at your peril, it's a mini monster. I love mine, great at slow filter sweeping stuff. Glad you brought it to the attention of those who were unaware of this little beauty. Entertaining as ever. Thank you.
my first synth. - I don't remember it ever sounding that good.
Some mighty fine PWM for your first time.
@@AlexBallMusic Some therapist will help Nick Batt to remember having had one as a wee lad one day it will all make sense .
Batt Man origins.
@@AlexBallMusic 🤣
A lot of techno heads first like Bomb the bass etc
I've still got mine! It was given to me by my music teacher some 25 years ago, I dropped it on the floor and cracked the pcb. Years later, I came back with the soldering iron and rescued it. Its a true underdog and sounds like a beast! Great vid as usual Alex! Thanks! 👍
Freur used this in their live performances a lot. It sounds so awesome
I hate when people says: It`s a toy! There is no toy instruments. If you a creative person, EVERY instrument is relevant. I saw so many people with very powerful equipments, but even such equipments did not help them to conjure up the magic! At the other side, I saw some persons which are capable to present a miracle almost on everything what is finding in their hands! So if you want to own some gear, it`s OK, but it is more important to work on YOUR creativity, elegance and the other skills. The better skills almost always lead to the possibility to choose! Alex, great work!
Nobody did
Already the first 10 sec of the video are a masterpiece for the senses!
Dude! I can’t believe you just published this video! I’ve been watching reface Cs videos all day ! 😍
It's a rather amazing line with so many sleepers.
Wasn't reface a film with Travolta and Cage?
@@AlexBallMusic I want to insert animated face-off gif here
@@AlexBallMusic No, you're thinking of "Face Time." :)
Well done for referring to the mc4 and the system 100m as the phone exchange and taxi meter, I enjoyed that.
I have a CS01-2..(thrift store find for $5 , one partially cracked key).. I keep it in my bathroom and fire it up everyday...love the PWM, Wind, EG, everything about it.. takes a few minutes to warm up... :)
This really is the Susan Boyle of synths.
What, Scottish?
@@AlexBallMusic I could imagine Simon Cowell’s pretend ‘shock face’ when hearing the first few notes.
What a powerful little beast. Back in the eighties a workmate had a band, their keyboard player had one. I still remember seeing them play live with this hung on a strap like a guitar. Ah memories 😁
The reface CS is also worth looking into if you want sounds like this, but some polyphony and midi features mixed in :)
I love my Reface CS - so quick to dial in great sounds and great mojo. If disaster struck it's the keyboard I'd grab on my way out (and not just because it's light).
The whole reface series is really good! And sadly underestimated by some because of their toylike appearance (much like the CS-01 I suppose).
Yes. Very cool little synth!
@@kaitlyn__L yep, they're great - I _love_ the YC and I use the CP a lot though it's a great pity they didn't give it a "Mrs Mills" upright piano instead of the toy piano (they'd have sold zillions to Beatles fans if they'd done that because good upright sounds are scarce). The only Reface I don't have yet is the FM but that's because I already have more FM synths than I need for my type of music.
@@unclemick-synths I’ve lusted after the reface DX since its release but now I think I may end up getting the Korg Opsix instead… after all, it’s two Volca FMs stuck together with the Minilogue’s screen and a few analogue filters added too. As cool as the reface DX is, six operators beat four… and the ergonomics of the control panel seem better.
A friend had one, and that was my first encounter with a synthesizer.
Back then the borderline between the electric organ and the synthesizer was not so clear, but the CS-01 had a distinctive PWMish sound that screamed SYNTHESIZER. It set a standard in me for what a synthesizer should sound like.
Bought the CS01 about 22 years ago for $50. Great little synth.
Alex could make toast with yesterday’s jam sound incredible
This sounds like a challenge.
How do you mic up toast?
Thank You Alex, Great Video. You always make me discover something New!
that intro was amazing
That first track gave me tingles in places I didn't know I had.
Your appendix?
@@AlexBallMusic An abnormal nodule on the back of his pituitary. Lucky for him. Some urgent surgery took care of it. You're a life saver.
I think the real talent here is you Alex. You could probably get a good sound out of a toilet seat!
I'm still waiting on my blender video, but, Hainbach had Alex a bit stumped with the Ciat-Lombardi. But, to be honest, it was not a fair test. Given a minute or two, I'm sure Alex would make that sing too.
Bog n Roll is a new genre I'm working on.
@@h2o1969 I just used it to chop fruit in the end. Way better.
:)) Oh gawd.. what have i started 'ere.
@@AlexBallMusic Is that like Out-House?
As a teenager, This was almost going to be my first mono synth shortlisted with the Jen SX-1000, then the Roland SH101 came out and I bought that instead.
good choice! sh101 go beep boop shrrrrz
Yay!!, the first synth I ever bought in 1981, a guitar strap and the breath controller (cost almost as much as the synth) took it to another level, eventually traded it for a deposit on a jx3p, would buy one for nostalgia's sake, but people want such silly prices for these things now.
Got one of the first in the country, with the breath controller, and still have both. The PWM is amazing. Will never sell it just sounds so good!!
Oui le PWM est monstrueux!
@@subtension C’est magnifique
Those first 5 seconds are absolutely brilliant. Thanks for posting!!!
Your sense of humor just lands perfectly with me 😅 love it
0:18 Now this is the humor that I look for in your videos.
Every time you said, "stop laughing," I lost it. LOL!
Ooohmygod. The intro broke me for a sec. Rising up on the synth noise while making that face, and then just immediately gazing elsewhere to discuss the setup to this installment... LOL!
It's how I appear.
@@AlexBallMusic Seriously, I already enjoy your work. But, all these extra, campy bits just seem appropriately "you" and make it all that much better.
I love Moogs and classic Roland synths, but I’ve noticed more and more that I REALLY like 2 pole filter synths. OG ARP, Oberheim, this thing…all sound awesome!
skweee dudes and Dorian Concept ain't laughing when it comes to cs01 noodles
So I've heard. Need to go check that out.
Loved that little end jam Alex.. sending u some love and positive vies from australia.
Cheers! Positive vibes back to you.
Just watching the Australian GP qualifying funnily enough.
Mine sits next to my desk - always ready for a quick jam!
Pretty sure this guy could make even a 90s touch tone home phone sound awesome.
I love this little bastard!! Grew up with it😍🤘🎹 So glad to have found another one🎶
Love this little jigger.. I played around with one of these in the early 80's - Tons of fun and great sounds to be found here. Thanks for doing this demo, Alex - it brings back fond memories!
Really amazing Alex ; along w/the eu_rack. Keep it going
Yeah sounds lovely. Cool little synth for sure.
Good choice of subject matter, nice tunes and all round itch scratching stuff. Thanks Alex.
nearly bought one of these a few months ago, beginning to regret that now that the prices are inevitably going to skyrocket 😂
Love the mighty little CS01. You make that little thing sound BIG! My old DX100 had strap pegs too ...Good times ...great presentation!
I like my old casios. SK-5 etc etc. This little guy is on top of my list now!
20 years ago, vintage synths were more affordable (less insanely priced, anyway), yet CS01 and mkII (and an HS-60) were the most I could justify. My AIRA-looking mkII is still kicking-limited uses, but plenty of fun, and as well demonstrated here: these multitrack well and pair well with effects (yay, pedals)! Quick to adjust, WYSIWYG, and I’ve even got the 2nd version breath controller (TRS expression pedal seems to work for that breath control port, too).
Had one since the week they came out. Back then, nothing came close for the money. Used it live in my first band.
Hey Brian. Ah, very interesting to know where you started!
I think all the CS mono syntbs are pretty underrated. They all sound great and they all have some unique features. But I guess that's life if you've got the CS-80 as bigger brother.
That jam at the end is brilliant. Love it.
Thanks!
The Philip of the CS range.
I had one of these with the breath controller. Brilliant little keyboard. Wish I'd kept it.
Outro song was awesome
I bought one in mint condition last year and retrofitted MIDI to it [top tip: use a TRS socket rather than a DIN socket]. The PWM is a beast!
Alex Ball: releases the video.
CS01 prices:
And just like that, the resale price has gone from £ to £££££.
Yep
Actually its just gone from ££££ to £££££.
From p to pp.
These are already hugely sort after in the reggae world - as they pretty much defined the digi era basslines in Jamaica from the mid 80s to early 90s.
@@naram.riddim.section any good vids of people playing one through a Jamaican soundsystem?
Had been the very first synthesizer I got back in time. Loved that tiny little thing.
Today, the Reface CS does the same magic and more. :)
Ok.
Just dropping in after picking up BabyAudio's newly released soft synth inspired by this little beast. I picked up what's probably the modern version of this in the Reface CS as one of my first synths. Another instance of a little Yamaha CS that was probably overlooked due to its appearance!
Those rock, I had one and MR-10 that came in the set with monitors, mixer etc.
My wife has the 2nd version with breath controller.
you know these cables, brilliant
I love my CS01 - first synth I ever bought. I’ve also got the breath control, which is odd, but kind of works. Basically changes the volume/envelope. There’s probably a video of someone playing one on TOTPs in the early 80s.
3:05 we making it out of the unknown with this one🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
That intro is how the evening news should start
That intro bought you a new subscriber.
Sounds ace through my headphones
My go to monosynth. Great to see it getting some love.
Ive got one, plus breathe controller. Its great for teaching simple synthesis to my students
I literally had one as a kid from a yard sale , but I’m pretty sure I gave it to good will a year later because i was an OG hater of small keys lol and was so young I had no idea what it was really. Damn it .
Killer tune as per usual . Cheers
This was a very slow burn, but 8 months later, I decided to buy a CS01 because of this video. Oh, and a UMR2 kit as well to give it basic MIDI functionality.
That's a nice piece of machinery.
I was lucky enough to find one of the MkIIs a few years ago, they have full VCF resonance control, these work well as a budget SH-101 alternative (ok, until the market was flooded with clones).
There's a lot of modding potential for those inclined, to add MIDI and even hybrid waveforms!
Oh god! I HAD one - secondhand in a Brighton junk shop in about 1995 for £20. Loved it. I lent it to someone and they "lost" it. Bastards!
Did it come with a stick of rock and a seagull?
Track them down. NOW
@@rachelar :-)
Great demo! Love the sound and the track!
All the classic cs line , rocks!!!
Second jam was stomping! 👌👏
Cheers!
I had one late 70s early 80s and miss it. It had great sounds in it.
I've got a small collection of old Yamaha and Casio synths from the 80s and they're pretty dang cool.
YOU instigated the laugh.. I was seriously perplexed but/and pleasantly suprised. LOL.. Brilliant!! 😉
😉
YAHAMA CS-1 is my 1st synth... I love it !
Your songs are so amazing
Cheers!
I like all the Yamaha CS synths. I have a CS5 that sounds absolutely fantastic. Not many controls. Really rather basic subtractive synth architecture with one oscillator but it sounds great. So much character.
Great video. I was hoping to grab one of these at some point too but now the price is going to go up. ;)
Have two CS5s and decades and dozens of synths later, they're still my absolute favorites and get used in every track.
My first synth was a CS01. Loved it! I had the breath controller, too, which helped with expression. Pity the pitch bend only went up and not down.
My first analog synth, found in a garage sale for 2 euros, in 2000.
That is a good synth. I use it a lot for recordings.
Nice video & tracks.
;-)
Your intro is always so iconic, I'm still repeating that Moog intro and you got another one hahaha(content is awesome too!!!
Cheers! I shall carry on with the silly intros.
@@AlexBallMusic I absolutely love them😍
Sounds so good, adding the oberheim drum machine and a well made layered composition does not hurt either.
My first synth was the Casio CZ-101 in 1986. Small, portable, MIDI, programmable via dedicated knobs, sliders, and buttons, and sounded pretty good. But gotta say the CS01 sounds even better.
Then I got the Roland Juno-106 which was a very good synth.
But when I got the Roland D-50, the Oberheim Matrix 1000, and the Yamaha TX-81Z, I finally sold the CZ-101 and Juno-106.
I love the strap pins.
Bloody awesome tune buddy
Dude that beat at the end was nasty! Good lord!