Yamaha CS-80 | |
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Manufacturer | Yamaha |
Dates | 1976 - 1980 |
Price | US$6900 UK£4950 JP¥1,280,000 |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | 8 voices, dual layers |
Timbrality | Multitimbral |
Oscillator | 2 per voice |
LFO | 1 multi-waveform |
Synthesis type | Analog Subtractive |
Filter | 2 High-pass 2 Low-pass |
Attenuator | ADSR |
Aftertouch expression | Yes, polyphonic |
Velocity expression | Yes |
Storage memory | 22 preset 6 user |
Effects | chorus, tremolo |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 61-note with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch (on a per note rather than per patch basis) |
Left-hand control | Ribbon Controller |
External control | audio input as LFO modulator |
The Yamaha CS-80 is a polyphonic analog synthesizer released in 1976. It supports true 8-voice polyphony (with two independent synthesizer layers per voice) as well as a primitive (sound) settings memory based on a bank of micropotentiometers (rather than the digital programmable presets the Prophet-5 would sport soon after), and 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 on the 1980 theme tune to BBC sci-fi show Doctor Who.
Production of the instrument ceased in 1980. Vying with the Prophet-5, and OB-X polysynths, the CS-80 is regularly described as the pre-eminent polyphonic analog synthesizer manufactured, and commands amongst the highest prices of any polyphonic synthesizer so far made.
There are currently two plug-in instrument software emulations of the CS-80 in existence 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 which was released in 2003, and the "ME80" from memorymoon which was released in 2009.