Anyone here used a Yamaha CS-30? Similar sound to the CS-80??

jonnypowell · 17th May 2008, 07:55 AM

Love the CS-80 sound, but realise that unless I become a millionaire in the next year or two it ain't happening..

So.. There is a CS-30 mono synth for sale in my city and I'm considering getting it..
Just want to know if anyone has any comments on the synth and does anyone know whether or not it shares the same components as the CS-80?
I'll settle for one voice of it as I have a JP-8 for my poly synth.

Cheers,
Jonny

chrisso · 17th May 2008, 08:36 AM

Sorry, can't really help except to say I once had a CS40 and it didn't sound like a CS80.
Interesting synth though.

Dave Peck · 17th May 2008, 09:02 AM

It's not at all the same as a CS-80, but don't let that deter you. The CS-30 is a very very good monosynth. One of the biggest and most elaborate fixed-architecture analog monosynths ever made. Highly recommended.

triez · 17th May 2008, 12:28 PM

I have had a couple of CS-80's, I still have one, and I just repaired a CS-30 this week. The usual dead VCA problem, (which is a bit of a worry as the CS-80 has around 220 of them in it). It definitely has the same architecture as the CS-80, with a pair of IG00153 VCO's, a pair of IG00158 Wave shape controllers, a pair of IG00156 VCF's, an IG00152 filter ADSR, an IG00159 amp ADSR and 7 IG00151 VCA's, and it also used the Yamaha trick of blending a sine wave after the VCF to fatten the sound up. So effectively it is equal to, say, a single lower and upper voice of a CS-80. It definitely has the sound.

As Dave mentioned, it is by no means a CS-80, but you can make it sound pretty much exactly like a monophonic CS-80 in as much as it uses exactly the same VCO's, waveshapers, VCF's, envelope generators and VCA's as a CS-80. Somehow it manages to stay in tune a lot better though, The CS-30 doesn't get hot inside so the VCO's don't drift much.

jonnypowell · 17th May 2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triez

I have had a couple of CS-80's, I still have one, and I just repaired a CS-30 this week. The usual dead VCA problem, (which is a bit of a worry as the CS-80 has around 220 of them in it). It definitely has the same architecture as the CS-80, with a pair of IG00153 VCO's, a pair of IG00158 Wave shape controllers, a pair of IG00156 VCF's, an IG00152 filter ADSR, an IG00159 amp ADSR and 7 IG00151 VCA's, and it also used the Yamaha trick of blending a sine wave after the VCF to fatten the sound up. So effectively it is equal to, say, a single lower and upper voice of a CS-80. It definitely has the sound.

As Dave mentioned, it is by no means a CS-80, but you can make it sound pretty much exactly like a monophonic CS-80 in as much as it uses exactly the same VCO's, waveshapers, VCF's, envelope generators and VCA's as a CS-80. Somehow it manages to stay in tune a lot better though, The CS-30 doesn't get hot inside so the VCO's don't drift much.

Is that you Mr Jones?

Just the answer I was looking for... Man you know your shit!

P.S. Need to get my Micro Modular back! I'll email you..

triez · 17th May 2008, 12:40 PM

That would be the one I just repaired if it is a CS-30L, which doesn't have the sequencer but is built into it's own road case, actually it is the first one that I have ever seen, it is somewhat different to a normal CS-30, it was a bit tricky to fix because the boards are different to a straight CS-30, and one of the problems that it had was on the key assigner board, which is a bit different, and Yamaha didn't release separate schematics for this variant. Great synth though, a very different sound to the Roland and Korg machines from that era.

If you want to play a CS-80 you are welcome to come over :-)

jonnypowell · 17th May 2008, 12:46 PM

Yipp, CS-30L...
I like the idea of having something a bit different sounding.

Hey Steve, how bout I just take that CS-80 off your hands?
Free up some space and all... (o;

rachel · 17th May 2008, 01:53 PM

I've actually seen the CS-30L that Steve worked on (the one on ebay) and I can
tell you it is almost like new on the console. The tolex is a little old, but it's not torn
or anything. It is like the synth was put away almost new and then never played.

If that is a sound you are looking for, then that particular synth is a good one to bid on.

rachel

The_Crooked_Man · 20th May 2008, 06:59 PM

I was under the impression that the CS-30 was basically a CS-15 with a simple sequencer, ring mod, and an extra envelope. Definetly not the case, though, aye? That really sucks, as I had a chance to get one in decent shape for quite cheap, but I passed since I have a CS-15 (which I'm completely in love with) and I thought it'd be redundant.

James Meeker · 20th May 2008, 07:32 PM

The classic Yamaha CS series are based on three different design architectures. The marketing division did a bang up job, because it can be confusing to remember which synth is in which particular line.

You have the CS80, CS70, CS60 series that are related. Polyphonic.

You have the CS5, CS10, CS15 and CS30 that are basically all related. Monophonic.

Then you have the CS20 and CS40 which are sort of related to the CS5-30 series, but are kind of their own thing as well. Duophonic.

analogbass · 20th May 2008, 10:39 PM

Good breakdowns. The CS series overall is extremely underrated by many, some of the best monos of the era IMO factoring in the sound and the complexity of the programming options that's above most other peers. Also, they were not easily midied for a long while, now it's more viable.

Was wondering if the cs20 has a similar voice to the 15 and the 2 versions of 30? Some of them have the same sound in different packages, different options.

The Cs-01's also nice, also now midiable and can be used with a breath controller.

DivineChemical · 21st May 2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Meeker

The classic Yamaha CS series are based on three different design architectures. The marketing division did a bang up job, because it can be confusing to remember which synth is in which particular line.

You have the CS80, CS70, CS60 series that are related. Polyphonic.

You have the CS5, CS10, CS15 and CS30 that are basically all related. Monophonic.

Then you have the CS20 and CS40 which are sort of related to the CS5-30 series, but are kind of their own thing as well. Duophonic.

JAMES!!! I was just thinking about you last night. I've still got that one post of yours about OTB mixing tacked up on my wall!

nofi · 21st May 2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analogbass

Good breakdowns. The CS series overall is extremely underrated by many, some of the best monos of the era IMO factoring in the sound and the complexity of the programming options that's above most other peers.

To be honest, I didn't think that much of the sound quality of the CS monos whenever I've used them.

awesome programmability - especially the CS-15 - I love the dual signal path thing it has going on, but at the end of the day, when you get past the complexity of the patches you can do, it's not really that amazing sounding.

Johnnypowell: It really depends on what you want to do, but to me it's strengths are spazzy random noises and nice solid bass sounds with interesting rez filter action (if you take advantage of the dual signal path)

But if you want to just use it in the studio, then for the $1500-odd it'll cost you on ebay you could get a basic entry level modular and maybe combine that with a breakout box for your voyager, and go the weird noises route that way.

Secret Friend · 21st May 2008, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Meeker

The classic Yamaha CS series are based on three different design architectures. The marketing division did a bang up job, because it can be confusing to remember which synth is in which particular line.

You have the CS80, CS70, CS60 series that are related. Polyphonic.

You have the CS5, CS10, CS15 and CS30 that are basically all related. Monophonic.

Then you have the CS20 and CS40 which are sort of related to the CS5-30 series, but are kind of their own thing as well. Duophonic.

you forgot the CS50 - related to the polyphonic CS60 & CS80... fantastic synth, by the way, 4 voices only, but extremely expressive, same counts for the CS60, 8 voices, basically half a CS80... CS50 & CS60 is as close as you'll get to the sound of the CS80 without spending 4-5K... CS60 is one of my all time fave polys... I have 2 of them sitting right next to me at the moment...

James Meeker · 21st May 2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivineChemical

JAMES!!! I was just thinking about you last night. I've still got that one post of yours about OTB mixing tacked up on my wall!

Nice! :)

17th May 2008, 07:55 AM	#1
jonnypowell Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 453	Anyone here used a Yamaha CS-30? Similar sound to the CS-80?? Love the CS-80 sound, but realise that unless I become a millionaire in the next year or two it ain't happening.. So.. There is a CS-30 mono synth for sale in my city and I'm considering getting it.. Just want to know if anyone has any comments on the synth and does anyone know whether or not it shares the same components as the CS-80? I'll settle for one voice of it as I have a JP-8 for my poly synth. Cheers, Jonny

17th May 2008, 08:36 AM	#2
chrisso Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oz Posts: 2,386	Sorry, can't really help except to say I once had a CS40 and it didn't sound like a CS80. Interesting synth though. __________________ Chris Whitten

20th May 2008, 07:32 PM	#10
James Meeker Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 827	The classic Yamaha CS series are based on three different design architectures. The marketing division did a bang up job, because it can be confusing to remember which synth is in which particular line. You have the CS80, CS70, CS60 series that are related. Polyphonic. You have the CS5, CS10, CS15 and CS30 that are basically all related. Monophonic. Then you have the CS20 and CS40 which are sort of related to the CS5-30 series, but are kind of their own thing as well. Duophonic. __________________ James Meeker Producer/Engineer Lava Room Recording Studio

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pacifica / P1 Pad in - Do other Pres sound similar?	Aurora T.	So much gear, so little time!	60	22nd April 2008 07:09 AM
a VSTi that has a soundbank similar to cheesy modern casio/yamaha learner keyboards?	idrinkalot	Music computers	0	3rd March 2008 11:33 PM
Analog/digital delay units that sound similar to tape echoes?	drummy	Low End Theory	14	22nd February 2008 09:58 PM
KRK's used to use Focal driver (if I'm correct), so do the speakers sound similar?	audiomichael	High end	4	16th January 2007 07:45 PM

17th May 2008, 09:02 AM	#3
Dave Peck Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: S.F bay area Posts: 1,268	It's not at all the same as a CS-80, but don't let that deter you. The CS-30 is a very very good monosynth. One of the biggest and most elaborate fixed-architecture analog monosynths ever made. Highly recommended.

17th May 2008, 12:28 PM	#4
triez Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 412	I have had a couple of CS-80's, I still have one, and I just repaired a CS-30 this week. The usual dead VCA problem, (which is a bit of a worry as the CS-80 has around 220 of them in it). It definitely has the same architecture as the CS-80, with a pair of IG00153 VCO's, a pair of IG00158 Wave shape controllers, a pair of IG00156 VCF's, an IG00152 filter ADSR, an IG00159 amp ADSR and 7 IG00151 VCA's, and it also used the Yamaha trick of blending a sine wave after the VCF to fatten the sound up. So effectively it is equal to, say, a single lower and upper voice of a CS-80. It definitely has the sound. As Dave mentioned, it is by no means a CS-80, but you can make it sound pretty much exactly like a monophonic CS-80 in as much as it uses exactly the same VCO's, waveshapers, VCF's, envelope generators and VCA's as a CS-80. Somehow it manages to stay in tune a lot better though, The CS-30 doesn't get hot inside so the VCO's don't drift much.

17th May 2008, 12:40 PM	#6
triez Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 412	That would be the one I just repaired if it is a CS-30L, which doesn't have the sequencer but is built into it's own road case, actually it is the first one that I have ever seen, it is somewhat different to a normal CS-30, it was a bit tricky to fix because the boards are different to a straight CS-30, and one of the problems that it had was on the key assigner board, which is a bit different, and Yamaha didn't release separate schematics for this variant. Great synth though, a very different sound to the Roland and Korg machines from that era. If you want to play a CS-80 you are welcome to come over :-)

17th May 2008, 12:46 PM	#7
jonnypowell Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 453	Yipp, CS-30L... I like the idea of having something a bit different sounding. Hey Steve, how bout I just take that CS-80 off your hands? Free up some space and all... (o;

17th May 2008, 01:53 PM	#8
rachel Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 130	I've actually seen the CS-30L that Steve worked on (the one on ebay) and I can tell you it is almost like new on the console. The tolex is a little old, but it's not torn or anything. It is like the synth was put away almost new and then never played. If that is a sound you are looking for, then that particular synth is a good one to bid on. rachel

20th May 2008, 06:59 PM	#9
The_Crooked_Man Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Philadelphia Posts: 110	I was under the impression that the CS-30 was basically a CS-15 with a simple sequencer, ring mod, and an extra envelope. Definetly not the case, though, aye? That really sucks, as I had a chance to get one in decent shape for quite cheap, but I passed since I have a CS-15 (which I'm completely in love with) and I thought it'd be redundant.

20th May 2008, 10:39 PM	#11
analogbass Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 492	Good breakdowns. The CS series overall is extremely underrated by many, some of the best monos of the era IMO factoring in the sound and the complexity of the programming options that's above most other peers. Also, they were not easily midied for a long while, now it's more viable. Was wondering if the cs20 has a similar voice to the 15 and the 2 versions of 30? Some of them have the same sound in different packages, different options. The Cs-01's also nice, also now midiable and can be used with a breath controller.