From memory, I thought the Yamaha CS-5 competed against the Korg MS-10, and the CS-10 against the MS-20. My first synth purchase was in 1981: I entered a music shop with enough cash to buy a CS-5 or MS-10. I left with a Moog Prodigy.
The CS-5 was the entry-level model of the CS line during its production run (the black models.) The CS-10 was replaced by the CS-5 in the product line after one year of production. Both competed with the Korg MS-10. The CS-15 was most comparable in price and features to the Korg MS-20. The CS-30 was an excessively full-featured monosynth that had no equivalent in the Korg line, unless you maybe paired up an MS-20 with an MS-50 and treated them as one synth. As Sam mentions, the CS-20m, CS40m and were from different CS generation.
I keep one of these around for one sound only, a female voice patch. Essentially it’s just the saw wave with a little vibrato through the bandpass with high resonance and some glide. For some reason it sounds absolutely amazing, especially when layered over some vintage stringer.
My first synth in the early 00's was a CS-15, still to this day my favorite sounding monosynth. Big tip: Plug a drum machine (one of those preset organ top boxes will do) and run it through the internal HPF. Bump the resonance and find the frequency of the bass drum: Instant 808 bass.
Yamaha Released the CS-10, CS-30, and CS-30L in 1977. Yamaha wanted to make both the 10 and 30 less expensive and released the CS-5 & 15 the following year, in 1978. In 1982 they released the CS01and finally in 1984, the CS01 II. So the model numbers do not go in release sequence. There are many differences between the 2 oscillator CS-30, 30L, & 15, so I'll just go over the differences between the one oscillator CS-10 & CS-5. Both have the same VCO, 12db VCF, & the same VCA. The CS-5 has one envelope generator routed to both the VCF and VCA, and the CS-10 has two EGs - one each for the VCF & VCA. Additionally, the CS-10 has the 5x switches on both envelopes and a "hold" switch which bypasses the VCA's envelope and holds the note. The CS-10 has a switchable PW / PWM whereas the CS-5 has just PWM. The CS-5 has an LFO with square, sawtooth, and Sample and Hold whereas the CS-10's LFO does not have S&H. Both have Portamento, but the CS-10 has a slider next to the Pitch Bend and the CS-5 has a knob on the panel. Other Yamaha CS analog synths were the wooden cheek and partially preset CSs: the monophonic CS-15D & CS-20M, the duophonic CS-40M, and the polyphonic CS-70M. And finally there is the flagship CS-80, the scaled down CS-60, and the 4 voice poly CS-50. These all overlapped in release times making it somewhat confusing (throw in the concurrent Electone organs and it gets even worse.)
From the datasheets. Compared to the CS 10 the CS 5 lacks the separate VCF envelope, the envelope time switches, the legato / retirg switch and the switchable PW/PWM but gains a initial level pot instead of a switch for the VCA and a S+H wave for the LFO. The CS 15 is closer to two CS 5 than two CS 10.
Primary difference between CS-5 and CS-10 is the CS-10 has separate VCF and VCA envelopes. The CS-15 is very different because it has 2 synth paths (2 VCOs, 2 VCFs, 2 VCAs, 2 envelopes) and you can run them as two isolated separate synths or mix them together or cross mix the VCOs to two different VCF/VCA paths. Even the MS-20 doesn't do that. The CS-30 and CS-30L take this dual path thing even further, with 3 envelopes and a lot more control on how you route the LFO, the envelopes, and the VCOs. The CS-30 has an 8 step sequencer. The CS-30L has some better performance controls (similar to the CS-15). Sadly, the CS-30 lacks these performance controls. There are other differences between these models that really set each one apart such as dual vs. single CV/gate in or out controls, single vs. split audio outputs, different LFO waveforms and routing methods, different performance controls like brilliance (filter) on the CS15 and CS30L that are lacking on the CS-5 and CS30. The CS-10 and CS-30/30L are the early generation of the CS "black" line. The CS-5 and CS-15 came later, so you will see that the CS-30 is very odd (more like a modular synth) whereas the CS-5 and CS-15 are more like common synths. The CS15D, CS20M, and CS40M are a different generation that come after the CS "black" series. These are a lot more like common mono synths. These all have microprocessor controlled presets. The CS15D is more of a preset synth with some basic synth controls, but the 20M and 40M are more full mono synths with presets (actually the 40M can work as a two voice synth). The CS-70M is a poly synth but of the same series as the CS20M and CS40M, and of course the CS50, CS60, and CS80 are completely different animals (more similar to the CS-70M, but very different). That being said the entire CS line uses similar or the same IC's and circuit designs from the CS-5 all the way up to the CS-80, and the CS-30/30L even has one CS-80 style 5 control envelope (Initial Level, Attack Level, Attack, Delay, Release). I have a CS-30, CS-15, and CS-10 and love them all. I also have some Korg synths of the same era (MS-20, 700 FS, 770). All these synths have that 70's Japanese mono synth sound. Korg and Yamaha shared a lot of ideas and technology back them. More radical sounding using cross mods, dual multi-mode filters, and crazy LFO and envelope capabilities compared to other mono synths of the time. That more radical sound is why they tend to be less popular than Moog, but the 70's Korg and Yamaha synths are still very nice synths.
@@TwinCitiesOxygen The CS-30 is my favorite, because it is literally a modular synth without patch wires - so versatile. It is the most unique mono synth I have. You can route the 2 oscillators, 2 filters, 2 VCOs, and 3 envelopes in a wide variety of ways, or treat it as two independent synths. Plus the sequencer adds a lot allowing one synth path to be sequenced while you play the keyboard for the other, or sequence both, or use the sequencer with keyboard control for pitch shifting ARP/sequences. But the CS-15 is a close second. It can act as two isolated single oscillator synths, but you can also combine them in many ways. Plus the CS-15 has a few more useful live performance features like the brilliance control which adjusts both filters at the same time, and some different external control features the CS-30 doesn't quite do as well. Neither replaces the other. I use them for different purposes. The CS-30L doesn't have the sequencer, but it has the single control for affecting both filters. So the CS-30L and CS-15 are more alike - both are more performance oriented. It would be neat to have a CS-40M or maybe CS-20M, but they are more generic synths. Cool synths, but I have that kind of synth covered in many other ways. Of course the CS-70M is a standout, but not worth the usual selling price in my opinion. Plus complexity of the circuits on all the CS-xxM line (due to patch saving - lots of ADCs and DACs and CPU controlled) means more to go wrong for a vintage synth.
@@TwinCitiesOxygen I had a CS-10 and currently have a CS-15, CS-20m and an SK-50d. The CS-20m is my favorite mono ever. I had a broken CS40m at one point and no one could seem to repair it, so I don't know what I'm missing out on there. I bought the CS-15 this year for ~$800 and it is a steal for that price. A marvelous sounding synth with a great keybed, expression controls, interesting modulation possibilities and the CS filters that I am addicted to hearing. But the CS20m has a big fat sub oscillator that you can mix in after the filters to restore exactly the right amount of bass that you need. It is magical.
I own a CS-5, and actually had two of them at one point. They're so simple, but sound absolutely fabulous. I sold one of the CS-5s to help fund a CS-30 that I had shipped from Japan, as it's the top of the range when it comes to the all black CS series. The CS-30 feels like Yamaha's answer to the Korg MS-20, as it's kind of semi-modular because you can use the plethora of switches to route things all over the place. Plus it has the cool 8 step sequencer (although the CS-30L version omitted that).
I've just bought a CS-5 - my first of the CS analogue synths - so can only imagine what a CS-15 or 30 can do. Let's just say that after being initially a little underwhelmed, I'm really coming to appreciate it.
Lol I know a certain troll who got one of these, then sold it. He bought it because he thought it would get him views, he never used it, never intended to. I love it when old gear gets put in the hands of skilled and talented people. Thx for the upload.
The CS series of CS5 to CS15, WOW! They so easily produce a warm low rip and twang that nothing else can match. It's all about that sound and these are the best! To me these are truly fantastic and create a sound to rival or probably even better the Minimoog. Having had them all I had to pick one to keep and I stuck with the CS15 due to space restraints. Find one, buy it, keep it. Nothing else is as easy or as instant to use, which off the bat sounds so good. A gem.
Those old synths really do have a load of character! I remember a friend having a CS01 or maybe it was a CS-5... was so long ago now. The SY-1 I remember was quite a nice synth too... they had a lot of presence.
I've got a Yamaha CS-15, a 2004 FZ6, plus vintage 80's acoustic and electric guitars from them. I used to own a 72 CS5e, which sounds like a synth, but is a 2-stroke street bike. Yamaha rules.
Love this video! I had a CS10 in the 80s, loved the fat bass sounds I could make. I ran it through a couple of BOSS guitar effect pedals (chorus and flanger). I also fed external audio into it that ran through the filters and envelope generator. I foolishly traded it for a Commodore 64 Jellinghaus MIDI cartridge in 1985. I wish I still had it. I recently designed a replica JMS C64 MIDI Cart... but there is no way I could build a replacement CS10.
I have a pristine CS10. The M&S switch is the difference between multi and single trigger of the envelope. The annoying thing regarding the cv gate is that it operates on hz per octave and not volt per octave. Fortunately the old bass station rack offers both so functions well as a midi cv gate converter. The multiband filter on this synth is beautiful. I’m glad I got mine and it’s definitely a keeper.
You can sequence the cs15 as two separate synthesizer. 2 cs10s really. It makes a great drum machine haha. All pairs nicely with an ms20 for some serious minimal synth and early industrial vibes. Got a whole hz/volt band going.
The CS-5 and CS-10 has a really nice filter! I mainly used to use my old CS-5 for its external audio input TBH. Bunging breaks and pads thru it and the like.
Well, that was a trip down memory lane as the CS10 was my very first synth. I did manage to obtain a CS30L in the early 2000s, which I think is more like the MS20. The CS30L didn’t have the sequencer but it was built into its own case. And was f***ing heavy! A real backbreaker. Great demo btw you really showed the CS10 at its best. (I loved the x5 switch as you could make envelopes last foreveeeeeeeer.)
I had one… i can’t remember if it was a 10 or a 15 though. The reason i cannot remember well is because a friend who worked at the music shop said “its a shame its not the model above.. the CS20” but it stands a chance he may not have known about the 15 existing. I remember loving the pwm and band pass filter. I had it mid to late 90s… so sequencing it wasnt an option. Back then my mixing desk output went straight to stereo cassette…. So the CS didnt get integrated into my music much. It was a great fun hands on synth though. (Well, still is).
Nice video as always! You mentioned that Initial lvl and Envelope lvl are the same thing on both synths but named differently. But at least on CS80 initial lvl controls the start and end point of the envelope (the floor). So it does not just attenuate the whole envelope. And the attack lvl basically attenuates the the top part of envelope by adjusting how high the attack goes.
The Dare album is one my favorites from the Human League. Most of the album is a lot darker in sound and texture then the well known hit single Don’t You Want Me Baby. The songs Darkness and Seconds in particular are my favorites from the album. The Travelogue album has some good stuff too like Beeing Boiled, I wonder what synth they used on the lead part as really stands out as the driver of the song.
@@tubthump I've seen people claim the extra price is purely for the denser vinyl, but the truth is all the vinyl pressing plants are fully booked-up now and offer higher prices to people who want to jump the queue. They're also opposing new pressing (or injection-moulding, was crap back in the day but is allegedly good enough now; guess we'll see) plants being built, because of course that would make the price sensible again and we can't be having that!
CS-10 is a cool synth. One thing you can do on these is run the audio out back into the external in for feedback tricks. This might work better on the CS-15 because it has a low and high out where the 10 just has 1 output I believe. CS-15 also has a headphone out which I never use but I guess it's there. Remembering the yamaha synths isn't that hard you can think of them in 3 groups. The 5,10, 15, and 30 are all one family. The 20m, 40m, and 70m all have memory (hence the m) 20m and 40m are similar but 70m is different I believe. 50, 60, and 80 are the third family of CS. There's also the oddball CS-15d which I don't know much about but I don't think it has much in common with any other CS.
I've had my CS-10 for over 30 years - single oscillator, 2 (very fast) envelope generators (one for the VCF and one for the VCA.) LFO is audible range, so it's a little weird. You can sequence it with the Korg SQ-1 (set to 8v/oct.) But you can also lower the SQ-1's output voltage which will drop the CS-10 an octave. The Yamaha CS has a much tamer filter than the Korg MS-10 or 20, so it's a different sound entirely. I like the CS-10's square wave way down low. I also like to control the VCF's envelope - it give you a lot of sound shaping ability in addition to the Cut Off and Rez. Add a delay, reverb, or chorus pedal, and you have something a lot larger.
I own two MS10s which I truly love and an MS20 (later filter type). I've just acquired a CS-5 and I'm very impressed. I'd gladly swap one of my MS10s for a CS10.
As a Bass synth, these are absolutely awesome--among the best ever. What's good are the snappy envelopes and nice PWM. What's bad is the limited LFO mod, especially on pitch. Yamaha intended this to replicate acoustic instruments, so the LFO is more for subtle vibrato than wild sirens. In general, not a great sound-effects machine, but a very playable synth.
I think the most fundamental thing is that all CS synths (excl. CS-01) share 100% same components for audio path. Same VCO IC, same VCF IC, same amps etc.. different is just their sheer amount (+ some special ones for waveshaping in more expensive models) and all the possible magic you can do with it. :) And CS-10 > MS-10 anyday! ;-)
I have long wondered about the relative sounds throughout the CS series; and yes, the CSO one sounds very impressive, but different from the others. I didn’t know they all had the same internals for sound generation, but I always thought it would’ve made sense.
Human League's Dare was already mentioned, but there's scant other info on the monophonic CS synths being used in recordings. Towa Tei used either a CS-5 or CS-10 on Deee-Lite's album Dewdrops in the Garden on the song, Music Selector is the Soul Reflector. It's a repeating riff with the filter slowly opening.
Right! Vince Clarke complained about carrying his CS-5 on the trains and subways in order to get to their TOTP gig. He said that he had the heaviest synth in the band.@@bigjoescientist
I owned one, and a CS-5, but if those voice chips go you are looking to pay around minimum £200, before you get it repaired. Nice sounds, but glad I sold mine due to the difficulty sourcing parts when they go wrong.
I have wanted one for years and the price keeps going up, I figure this video will make the price jump again, so I finally pulled the trigger today on one. I almost got a CS-15 instead, but the CS-10 goes to a much higher rate than the 5 and 15.
I'd happily make room for any CS synth in my studio. The only one I own is a CS-5 but even that basic, simple-as-the-come, analog synth sounds phenomenal. Those old 70's era, single osc synthesizers all sound fatter than they would seem to have any right to. My MicroMoog is the same way.
Chant No.1 was miles better in my opinion. I also prefer The Freeze, which I'm pretty certain also featured the CS-10.Actually, it might well have been their main synth on their debut album; Journeys to glory.
@@DankePlace A Pioneer AS-1? I mean, that's 3 times the price of the Behringer Clone... But I don't need one anyway, I get that oscillator syncbass with my Nord Modular.
@@RegebroRepairs I thought you meant an original Pro One. AS1s can be bought super cheap, Behringer P1 here is $500, AS1 I can get bnib for $589. I already have 2 and almost bought a 3rd. That's a P6 voice for very little, sounds great too.
@@DankePlace I did mean an original. OK, the AS-1 was cheaper than I thought, but the Behringer Pro-1 is $300, not $500... Anyway, as pointed out, I'm not interested in either.
Run itself through its own external input.. use patch cable from headphone output to external input … new area of sounds unlocked! I use this hack on the CS 15 - adds a bit of scream/grit 🙂
off top of my head yamaha cs10 is hz/octave (linear) same as the korg MS range, however i think yamaha is V trig and korg is S trig, but its a simple converter requiring only a transistor and a resistor if you are feeling fruity, you can fit them in the top of a big jack
Yeah, see, speaking as a massive MS-10 fanboy.... I think this one is a bit better... certainly got more things on it. Needs more LFOs though... but I dream of something stupid, like 20, LFOs or something.
I have a CS-30. The CS Mono Synth series are the most underrated Synth of all time
Also one of the most beautiful looking in my opinion.
From memory, I thought the Yamaha CS-5 competed against the Korg MS-10, and the CS-10 against the MS-20. My first synth purchase was in 1981: I entered a music shop with enough cash to buy a CS-5 or MS-10. I left with a Moog Prodigy.
Correct!
The CS-5 was the entry-level model of the CS line during its production run (the black models.) The CS-10 was replaced by the CS-5 in the product line after one year of production. Both competed with the Korg MS-10. The CS-15 was most comparable in price and features to the Korg MS-20. The CS-30 was an excessively full-featured monosynth that had no equivalent in the Korg line, unless you maybe paired up an MS-20 with an MS-50 and treated them as one synth. As Sam mentions, the CS-20m, CS40m and were from different CS generation.
Yo Yamaha can I get a classic synth and a snowmobile to go
with suzuki, I can get an omnichord or a motorcycle - they’re about the same price
Ask Yamaha for a mini jet boat and a ford taurus SHO motor for me too dude
Don't forget the full concert grand piano!
Honda should make synths.
Probably one of the best demos Ive yet seen on a proper vintage synth by anyone. Meat and potatoe stuff!! Love it! 😊
I keep one of these around for one sound only, a female voice patch. Essentially it’s just the saw wave with a little vibrato through the bandpass with high resonance and some glide. For some reason it sounds absolutely amazing, especially when layered over some vintage stringer.
I read that as "Female Vintage Stripper" 🩰
My first synth in the early 00's was a CS-15, still to this day my favorite sounding monosynth. Big tip: Plug a drum machine (one of those preset organ top boxes will do) and run it through the internal HPF. Bump the resonance and find the frequency of the bass drum: Instant 808 bass.
Do you know if the 808 bass trick would work with the CS-5 as well?
@@MisAnnThorpe I haven't tried it, but it is the same filter and both have the ext in. Should behave the same.
@@reedsutter8485 Thank you.
Yamaha Released the CS-10, CS-30, and CS-30L in 1977. Yamaha wanted to make both the 10 and 30 less expensive and released the CS-5 & 15 the following year, in 1978. In 1982 they released the CS01and finally in 1984, the CS01 II. So the model numbers do not go in release sequence.
There are many differences between the 2 oscillator CS-30, 30L, & 15, so I'll just go over the differences between the one oscillator CS-10 & CS-5. Both have the same VCO, 12db VCF, & the same VCA. The CS-5 has one envelope generator routed to both the VCF and VCA, and the CS-10 has two EGs - one each for the VCF & VCA. Additionally, the CS-10 has the 5x switches on both envelopes and a "hold" switch which bypasses the VCA's envelope and holds the note. The CS-10 has a switchable PW / PWM whereas the CS-5 has just PWM. The CS-5 has an LFO with square, sawtooth, and Sample and Hold whereas the CS-10's LFO does not have S&H. Both have Portamento, but the CS-10 has a slider next to the Pitch Bend and the CS-5 has a knob on the panel.
Other Yamaha CS analog synths were the wooden cheek and partially preset CSs: the monophonic CS-15D & CS-20M, the duophonic CS-40M, and the polyphonic CS-70M. And finally there is the flagship CS-80, the scaled down CS-60, and the 4 voice poly CS-50. These all overlapped in release times making it somewhat confusing (throw in the concurrent Electone organs and it gets even worse.)
From the datasheets. Compared to the CS 10 the CS 5 lacks the separate VCF envelope, the envelope time switches, the legato / retirg switch and the switchable PW/PWM but gains a initial level pot instead of a switch for the VCA and a S+H wave for the LFO. The CS 15 is closer to two CS 5 than two CS 10.
The 10 also has faster envelopes as I recall. They possibly might have longer times too.
My first synth ever was a CS-5. Back in the 80s. Still have it..
Primary difference between CS-5 and CS-10 is the CS-10 has separate VCF and VCA envelopes.
The CS-15 is very different because it has 2 synth paths (2 VCOs, 2 VCFs, 2 VCAs, 2 envelopes) and you can run them as two isolated separate synths or mix them together or cross mix the VCOs to two different VCF/VCA paths. Even the MS-20 doesn't do that.
The CS-30 and CS-30L take this dual path thing even further, with 3 envelopes and a lot more control on how you route the LFO, the envelopes, and the VCOs. The CS-30 has an 8 step sequencer. The CS-30L has some better performance controls (similar to the CS-15). Sadly, the CS-30 lacks these performance controls.
There are other differences between these models that really set each one apart such as dual vs. single CV/gate in or out controls, single vs. split audio outputs, different LFO waveforms and routing methods, different performance controls like brilliance (filter) on the CS15 and CS30L that are lacking on the CS-5 and CS30.
The CS-10 and CS-30/30L are the early generation of the CS "black" line. The CS-5 and CS-15 came later, so you will see that the CS-30 is very odd (more like a modular synth) whereas the CS-5 and CS-15 are more like common synths.
The CS15D, CS20M, and CS40M are a different generation that come after the CS "black" series. These are a lot more like common mono synths. These all have microprocessor controlled presets. The CS15D is more of a preset synth with some basic synth controls, but the 20M and 40M are more full mono synths with presets (actually the 40M can work as a two voice synth). The CS-70M is a poly synth but of the same series as the CS20M and CS40M, and of course the CS50, CS60, and CS80 are completely different animals (more similar to the CS-70M, but very different).
That being said the entire CS line uses similar or the same IC's and circuit designs from the CS-5 all the way up to the CS-80, and the CS-30/30L even has one CS-80 style 5 control envelope (Initial Level, Attack Level, Attack, Delay, Release).
I have a CS-30, CS-15, and CS-10 and love them all. I also have some Korg synths of the same era (MS-20, 700 FS, 770). All these synths have that 70's Japanese mono synth sound. Korg and Yamaha shared a lot of ideas and technology back them. More radical sounding using cross mods, dual multi-mode filters, and crazy LFO and envelope capabilities compared to other mono synths of the time. That more radical sound is why they tend to be less popular than Moog, but the 70's Korg and Yamaha synths are still very nice synths.
What’s ur fave of the Yamahas
@@TwinCitiesOxygen The CS-30 is my favorite, because it is literally a modular synth without patch wires - so versatile. It is the most unique mono synth I have. You can route the 2 oscillators, 2 filters, 2 VCOs, and 3 envelopes in a wide variety of ways, or treat it as two independent synths. Plus the sequencer adds a lot allowing one synth path to be sequenced while you play the keyboard for the other, or sequence both, or use the sequencer with keyboard control for pitch shifting ARP/sequences.
But the CS-15 is a close second. It can act as two isolated single oscillator synths, but you can also combine them in many ways. Plus the CS-15 has a few more useful live performance features like the brilliance control which adjusts both filters at the same time, and some different external control features the CS-30 doesn't quite do as well. Neither replaces the other. I use them for different purposes.
The CS-30L doesn't have the sequencer, but it has the single control for affecting both filters. So the CS-30L and CS-15 are more alike - both are more performance oriented.
It would be neat to have a CS-40M or maybe CS-20M, but they are more generic synths. Cool synths, but I have that kind of synth covered in many other ways. Of course the CS-70M is a standout, but not worth the usual selling price in my opinion. Plus complexity of the circuits on all the CS-xxM line (due to patch saving - lots of ADCs and DACs and CPU controlled) means more to go wrong for a vintage synth.
@@TwinCitiesOxygen I had a CS-10 and currently have a CS-15, CS-20m and an SK-50d. The CS-20m is my favorite mono ever. I had a broken CS40m at one point and no one could seem to repair it, so I don't know what I'm missing out on there. I bought the CS-15 this year for ~$800 and it is a steal for that price. A marvelous sounding synth with a great keybed, expression controls, interesting modulation possibilities and the CS filters that I am addicted to hearing. But the CS20m has a big fat sub oscillator that you can mix in after the filters to restore exactly the right amount of bass that you need. It is magical.
Thank you for explaining my Yamaha CS10 to me a little better. Now I understand how everything works.❤
This is the perfect going through of the sounds of a monosynth. Well done.
well I've never seen such a good demonstration of the importance of a good envelope generator
I own a CS-5, and actually had two of them at one point. They're so simple, but sound absolutely fabulous. I sold one of the CS-5s to help fund a CS-30 that I had shipped from Japan, as it's the top of the range when it comes to the all black CS series. The CS-30 feels like Yamaha's answer to the Korg MS-20, as it's kind of semi-modular because you can use the plethora of switches to route things all over the place. Plus it has the cool 8 step sequencer (although the CS-30L version omitted that).
I've just bought a CS-5 - my first of the CS analogue synths - so can only imagine what a CS-15 or 30 can do. Let's just say that after being initially a little underwhelmed, I'm really coming to appreciate it.
Lol I know a certain troll who got one of these, then sold it.
He bought it because he thought it would get him views, he never used it, never intended to.
I love it when old gear gets put in the hands of skilled and talented people.
Thx for the upload.
Who?
@@fortheloveofnoise your bestie John.
The CS series of CS5 to CS15, WOW! They so easily produce a warm low rip and twang that nothing else can match. It's all about that sound and these are the best! To me these are truly fantastic and create a sound to rival or probably even better the Minimoog. Having had them all I had to pick one to keep and I stuck with the CS15 due to space restraints. Find one, buy it, keep it. Nothing else is as easy or as instant to use, which off the bat sounds so good. A gem.
Did you ever own a CS-30?
@@MisAnnThorpe Yes, it was rather large! A great synth and quite complexed. I sold it and kept the CS15.
Those old synths really do have a load of character! I remember a friend having a CS01 or maybe it was a CS-5... was so long ago now. The SY-1 I remember was quite a nice synth too... they had a lot of presence.
Thank you for teaching me about this beautiful symphasizer.
I've got a Yamaha CS-15, a 2004 FZ6, plus vintage 80's acoustic and electric guitars from them. I used to own a 72 CS5e, which sounds like a synth, but is a 2-stroke street bike. Yamaha rules.
I have a CS5,, got it in 1981,,, 2nd hand, still working well,, sounds great with some Reverb and Delay,,,
Nice little synth! I would love to see you having a go at the Minikorg 700S!
Yeah...now THAT'S a synth with character!
Mine is the oldest synth I own, and certainly the most vintage.
Love this video! I had a CS10 in the 80s, loved the fat bass sounds I could make. I ran it through a couple of BOSS guitar effect pedals (chorus and flanger). I also fed external audio into it that ran through the filters and envelope generator. I foolishly traded it for a Commodore 64 Jellinghaus MIDI cartridge in 1985. I wish I still had it. I recently designed a replica JMS C64 MIDI Cart... but there is no way I could build a replacement CS10.
I have a pristine CS10. The M&S switch is the difference between multi and single trigger of the envelope. The annoying thing regarding the cv gate is that it operates on hz per octave and not volt per octave. Fortunately the old bass station rack offers both so functions well as a midi cv gate converter. The multiband filter on this synth is beautiful. I’m glad I got mine and it’s definitely a keeper.
I think S is "single" trigger and M is "multiple", that's how it's called on my KARP 2600
This was my very first synt! Used to put the guitar into and use the LFO saw tooth.
You can sequence the cs15 as two separate synthesizer. 2 cs10s really. It makes a great drum machine haha.
All pairs nicely with an ms20 for some serious minimal synth and early industrial vibes. Got a whole hz/volt band going.
The CS-5 and CS-10 has a really nice filter! I mainly used to use my old CS-5 for its external audio input TBH. Bunging breaks and pads thru it and the like.
My dreamteam were a CS-10, MS-10 and a Bass Station Rack, which also fed Midi to CV into the Korg and Yamaha.
Well, that was a trip down memory lane as the CS10 was my very first synth. I did manage to obtain a CS30L in the early 2000s, which I think is more like the MS20. The CS30L didn’t have the sequencer but it was built into its own case. And was f***ing heavy! A real backbreaker.
Great demo btw you really showed the CS10 at its best. (I loved the x5 switch as you could make envelopes last foreveeeeeeeer.)
@@group-musicYou lucky, lucky bastard! 😉😃
I had the CS-5 and that was awesome! Nice to see the Jen SX1000 in the background there - I had that one too! 😁
I love the poster of the electromagnetic spectrum on the wall. Just really cool.
I have a cs30, the one with the little sequencer. I shall be buried with it.
Great clip of a great synth. I've just had a filter control socket fitted to my CS-10 which I thoroughly recommend.
I love mine - it's truly bread and butter :) very nice filter and can get wacky too. Always craved a CS30
I have a CS-5 and even with the most simple model Yamaha made I think it is a fantastic synthesizer.
I literally sold mine to fund a trip to Paris. It was worth it but DAMN do I miss that CS10 so bad
I love that wooden thud from that super short decay.
I had one… i can’t remember if it was a 10 or a 15 though. The reason i cannot remember well is because a friend who worked at the music shop said “its a shame its not the model above.. the CS20” but it stands a chance he may not have known about the 15 existing.
I remember loving the pwm and band pass filter.
I had it mid to late 90s… so sequencing it wasnt an option. Back then my mixing desk output went straight to stereo cassette…. So the CS didnt get integrated into my music much. It was a great fun hands on synth though. (Well, still is).
Best demo of this.. in good hands
Used this as my bass synth during the early 80s
Nice video as always!
You mentioned that Initial lvl and Envelope lvl are the same thing on both synths but named differently. But at least on CS80 initial lvl controls the start and end point of the envelope (the floor). So it does not just attenuate the whole envelope. And the attack lvl basically attenuates the the top part of envelope by adjusting how high the attack goes.
Human League used one of these on Dare. Remember reading about it in the sleeve notes when I was a kid. Always wondered what it was!
I was checking out Dare vinyl lp in hmv yesterday. Feels a lot weightier than the one I bought back in the day. 28 quid takes the piss though.
@@tubthump don't be silly. Just buy it second hand for a quid on CD.
The Dare album is one my favorites from the Human League. Most of the album is a lot darker in sound and texture then the well known hit single Don’t You Want Me Baby. The songs Darkness and Seconds in particular are my favorites from the album. The Travelogue album has some good stuff too like Beeing Boiled, I wonder what synth they used on the lead part as really stands out as the driver of the song.
@@tubthump I've seen people claim the extra price is purely for the denser vinyl, but the truth is all the vinyl pressing plants are fully booked-up now and offer higher prices to people who want to jump the queue.
They're also opposing new pressing (or injection-moulding, was crap back in the day but is allegedly good enough now; guess we'll see) plants being built, because of course that would make the price sensible again and we can't be having that!
I thought that they used a CS-15 but I could be wrong . . . I could be right!
CS-10 is a cool synth. One thing you can do on these is run the audio out back into the external in for feedback tricks. This might work better on the CS-15 because it has a low and high out where the 10 just has 1 output I believe. CS-15 also has a headphone out which I never use but I guess it's there. Remembering the yamaha synths isn't that hard you can think of them in 3 groups. The 5,10, 15, and 30 are all one family. The 20m, 40m, and 70m all have memory (hence the m) 20m and 40m are similar but 70m is different I believe. 50, 60, and 80 are the third family of CS. There's also the oddball CS-15d which I don't know much about but I don't think it has much in common with any other CS.
Just bought one of these. Love it!
I think it sounds really good.
I've had my CS-10 for over 30 years - single oscillator, 2 (very fast) envelope generators (one for the VCF and one for the VCA.) LFO is audible range, so it's a little weird. You can sequence it with the Korg SQ-1 (set to 8v/oct.) But you can also lower the SQ-1's output voltage which will drop the CS-10 an octave. The Yamaha CS has a much tamer filter than the Korg MS-10 or 20, so it's a different sound entirely. I like the CS-10's square wave way down low. I also like to control the VCF's envelope - it give you a lot of sound shaping ability in addition to the Cut Off and Rez. Add a delay, reverb, or chorus pedal, and you have something a lot larger.
I own two MS10s which I truly love and an MS20 (later filter type). I've just acquired a CS-5 and I'm very impressed. I'd gladly swap one of my MS10s for a CS10.
this was a reminder why we love vintage synths
We have one at Synthesizer Studio Berlin. I love it for some fat and dirty leads and basses. The audio rate LFO is just amazing
As a Bass synth, these are absolutely awesome--among the best ever. What's good are the snappy envelopes and nice PWM. What's bad is the limited LFO mod, especially on pitch. Yamaha intended this to replicate acoustic instruments, so the LFO is more for subtle vibrato than wild sirens. In general, not a great sound-effects machine, but a very playable synth.
I want that poster behind our protagonist! Looks awesome!
8:40 Flat beat (Official Video with Flat Sammy)
Yeah. Sounds just like Mr. Oizo :D
Proving that single oscillator synths don't have to be wallflowers.
@8:30 had flashes of Flat Eric going through my mind!
maaaan you really do just got all the cool shit, love the channel mate
this thing sounds way too cool,
I think the most fundamental thing is that all CS synths (excl. CS-01) share 100% same components for audio path. Same VCO IC, same VCF IC, same amps etc.. different is just their sheer amount (+ some special ones for waveshaping in more expensive models) and all the possible magic you can do with it. :)
And CS-10 > MS-10 anyday! ;-)
I have long wondered about the relative sounds throughout the CS series; and yes, the CSO one sounds very impressive, but different from the others. I didn’t know they all had the same internals for sound generation, but I always thought it would’ve made sense.
Sam, as ever great work, you are a mad musical & technical genius! 🙂😎🤓❤
yes it is, all cs series is wonderfulll!!!!
Human League's Dare was already mentioned, but there's scant other info on the monophonic CS synths being used in recordings. Towa Tei used either a CS-5 or CS-10 on Deee-Lite's album Dewdrops in the Garden on the song, Music Selector is the Soul Reflector. It's a repeating riff with the filter slowly opening.
Depeche Mode’s Speak and Spell LP?
Right! Vince Clarke complained about carrying his CS-5 on the trains and subways in order to get to their TOTP gig. He said that he had the heaviest synth in the band.@@bigjoescientist
Didn't Aphex Tein use one?
Probably, he has used a lot of synths over time. @@fortheloveofnoise
@@fortheloveofnoise Indeed he did; a CS-5.
Is Nick’s PWM fetish the most well-known running gag in synthdom?
Haven’t seen him for a while, is he in PWM detox ?
freerunning gag
I think it sounds friggin awesome
I owned one, and a CS-5, but if those voice chips go you are looking to pay around minimum £200, before you get it repaired. Nice sounds, but glad I sold mine due to the difficulty sourcing parts when they go wrong.
This video is (not) scuffed, and I'm here for it.
That lowpass has some MIGHTY lowend, always had a soft spot for yamaha gear, good stuff sam!
that sound @4:40 is sick reminds me of combichrist never surrender
I had a CS-10! My first synth!! ♥
I have wanted one for years and the price keeps going up, I figure this video will make the price jump again, so I finally pulled the trigger today on one. I almost got a CS-15 instead, but the CS-10 goes to a much higher rate than the 5 and 15.
I'd happily make room for any CS synth in my studio. The only one I own is a CS-5 but even that basic, simple-as-the-come, analog synth sounds phenomenal. Those old 70's era, single osc synthesizers all sound fatter than they would seem to have any right to. My MicroMoog is the same way.
4:49 great impersonation of the legend himself
the difference is an extra envelope.. Try the long envelope mode - or a long lfo trigger great for drony stuff and also BD
Excellent contribution to culture. No Spandau Ballet's best song without it, to cut a long story short!
Chant No.1 was miles better in my opinion. I also prefer The Freeze, which I'm pretty certain also featured the CS-10.Actually, it might well have been their main synth on their debut album; Journeys to glory.
Yeah, classic. But I still put the MS-20 or the Pro-One above it. HOWEVER, it's in contention for the best single oscillator mono synth.
Try an AS1 for your Pro 1 needs, surface wise, you can't do much, but get a MIDI controller and you have the cheapest alternative to a P1
@@DankePlace A Pioneer AS-1? I mean, that's 3 times the price of the Behringer Clone...
But I don't need one anyway, I get that oscillator syncbass with my Nord Modular.
@@RegebroRepairs I thought you meant an original Pro One.
AS1s can be bought super cheap, Behringer P1 here is $500, AS1 I can get bnib for $589.
I already have 2 and almost bought a 3rd.
That's a P6 voice for very little, sounds great too.
@@DankePlace I did mean an original.
OK, the AS-1 was cheaper than I thought, but the Behringer Pro-1 is $300, not $500... Anyway, as pointed out, I'm not interested in either.
If you ever get your hands on a Yamaha SK50D, please do a video on it or at least highlight it in a video. Thanks 👍🏼
I have a CS-01, not really relevant to the convo, but just wanted to bring it into the CS talk 😅😂
That also has PWM that I'm sure Nick Batt would most approve of!
i'm not at all familiar with this synth, but I like it alot. Sounds awesome.
The 5 and 10 are from different CS series in different years, confusingly.
The 10 and 30 came out in 1977 and the 5 and 15 came in 1978.
GET THE CS15 , ITS MENTAL
damn I refreshed the home page at the right time didn't I lol
The Best Thing about this synth is it’s external input ..Run anything thru the filter and it sounds better
Run itself through its own external input.. use patch cable from headphone output to external input … new area of sounds unlocked! I use this hack on the CS 15 - adds a bit of scream/grit 🙂
Quite a useful little synth, IMO
That noise at 0:42 was the sound of a clown car honking outside at a BMW driver not indicating.
Everyone loves pulse-width modulation
Is this the Moog MS-20?
would you suggest i get this over an sh2? I love them both
You could buy two, maybe three of these for the price of an SH-2 and patch them together.
Nice demo 2x👍
Do the Casio CZ series next
Did they use these on 70s Dr Who?
They used a CS-80 on the 80s Dr Who theme.
@@unclemick-synths And an Odyssey.
The CS series in 3 divisions:
1) CS50, CS60, CS80
2) CS5, CS10, CS15, CS30
3) CS15D, CS20M, CS40M, CS70M
Nice demo. I think I have a couple of Yamaha mono synths in the attic. Perhaps time to revive them.
ps. ffs dust it off.
It's not that dusty? Got a bit of patina :)
Wow, that sounds very 'Aphex Twin' ish. Love the sound of that filter.
Richard actually used one, there is the whole story with CS-5 and his engravings on it.
@@toitoitoy Oh cool! I didn't know that but the sound is so recognizable.
@@toitoitoy Yes, so a synth that many turn their noses up at was used by Richard D. James a lot!
Can you patch it to the MS-10 or 20? Don’t they share a different CV standard than Moog/Roland etc…
off top of my head yamaha cs10 is hz/octave (linear) same as the korg MS range, however i think yamaha is V trig and korg is S trig, but its a simple converter requiring only a transistor and a resistor if you are feeling fruity, you can fit them in the top of a big jack
Nice bit of Kraftwerk you were playing there for awhile.
Don't forget the Yamaha CS01...
3:29 oh hey Flume
So i want Johnny to talk and play! And also he on a ms10 😂
could you get more wobbly ancxiety inducing stand please?
I use plywood held up by sawhorses...you would faint 😂
14:03 Karl Bartos wants to know your location....
cs 15 D too
S = Single trigger M = Multi trigger
Yeah, see, speaking as a massive MS-10 fanboy.... I think this one is a bit better... certainly got more things on it.
Needs more LFOs though... but I dream of something stupid, like 20, LFOs or something.
Problem : the filter chip is fragile, and hard and expensive to found… so… you have to know it