The CS-80 Goes Virtual!
The CS-80V is the reproduction of the legendary Yamaha CS-80 which is considered by many as "the ultimate polyphonic" synthesizer. The time has come to rediscover a sound that has extensively contributed to the history of music. With the CS-80V, the richness of the tone turns digital but the inspiring design remains the same.
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The CS-80V offers all the features of the original synth, plus a new generation of innovative features, taking the original design to a new level: with the modulation matrix, you will multiply the possibilities of this sonic and performance orientated beast; with the Multi mode, you will create a new generation of sounds; with the additional arpeggiator and effects, just unleash your creativity.
But is the sound of the CS-80V really close to the original?
It is up to you to decide, but after painstaking efforts and tests, we would tend to say YES. The CS-80V is based on TAE, the proprietary technology developed by Arturia's sound engineers, and already successfully used in the Moog Modular V. TAE stands for True Analog Emulation and brings superior quality of sound when reproducing analog circuits. In the case of the CS-80V, we honestly doubt you could really hear any difference.
The CS-80V offers compatibility with all major interface standards and formats which guarantees a perfect integration into any studio environment. And with the ability to work at 32 bits/96kHz, you can now begin to make music on your computer the way you would with a real hardware synthesizer.
In 1976, Yamaha introduced the CS-80, a synthesizer based on the same circuits as the GX1. The price tag ($6,900) put it out of the reach of most musicians, and the weight (83 kgs with stand) made it sometimes hard to use on stage. But the qualities of this synthesizer, considered Japans first great synthesizer, made it immediately famous in the Music Industry.
The CS-80 was popularised in the late 70's and early 80's by a number of pop groups, including Electric Light Orchestra, Toto, Paul McCartney and Wings. Other artists and bands like Vangelis, Bon Jovi, Jean-Michel Jarre, Geoffrey Down, Stevie Wonder and some others turned the CS-80 into a real myth.
THE ORIGINAL MYTH:- A huge synth: 2 oscillators, 4 filters, 2 LFOs, 4 envelopes "spread out" in two independent synthesis lines. Each line comes with an oscillator (Square, Saw Tooth, Sine wave), a great VCF filter with independent hi pass and low pass resonant filters, a low frequency oscillator for the modulation of the square signal, two envelopes for the filters and the output VCA.
- A unique performance synth: sub-oscillator for vibrato controlled by the After touch, full management of the Expression and Sustain pedals, ribbon controller, polyphonic aftertouch.
- A chorus and a powerful ring modulator
- 22 preset sounds
- A Multi Mode allowing to assign a different sound to each polyphonic voice. 4 different keyboard sections for "multitimbrality", with the possibility to direct each voice (4 polyphonic modes, and 3 unison modes from 2 to 8 voices).
- A Modulation Matrix to rebuild all circuits: a choice of 12
sources and 38 destinations for 10 additional modulations. - Even more routings and synthesis possibilities: a new triangle waveform, a new 24dB filter, expanded possibilities for the LFO, possibility to synchronise Oscillator 1 on oscillator 2 and the possibility to redirect Osc 2 to the filters of the first synthesis line.
- More than 400 presets made by a selection of the most famous sound designers. Ergonomic and easy handling of the presets, ability to import/export any preset from any platform to any other.
- Some additional effects: an arpeggiator and a stereo delay.