I was just about to say I didn't think much of the CS-80 after watching some other videos (given it's cost), and despite having the Blade Runner soundtrack on my MP3 player, but those are some nice sounds! The beginning sounds like the THX signature 'Deep Note', wonder if James made it on one of these. I bet videos do zero justice to how this beast sounds in person.
The videos really do not do it justice --- I have nice video-cam but in person, this keyboard really does hold a sovereign position for its uniqueness, its sound and its organic textures. It is well worth the money to own one of these but I am really glad that I don't have to buy one or lust after one these days, They rarely come up for sale at affordable prices, but if ever you do get one, you will never regret owning one.
@lexichronicle DEEP NOTE was made using the digital machine at the CCRMA at Stanford Univ. Had a CD called the "The Digital Domain" and it was explained in the text in the box. If you can find it get it. There's some really wild stuff on that CD.
It is the discrete, individual, analog circuitry and the particular way these components have settled in with each other, their variances, and not their sameness is the key to the sound of this really royal instrument. I would say that a Rhodes Chroma with the Poly-Pressure options would approach this sound quite well (and I own two Chromas so I have done some A/B --- they are very different, but, there is that quality discrete sound).
I appreciate all these great comments and discussions! Things are taking longer on my end but I will get back to posting videos again very soon. I do intend to post some A and B comparisons of my Yamaha E-70 / CS-80.
@gavincurtis Hey Gavin - been working at things really slowly :( I ended up with a heavy workload since one of the folks at work left so I am got behind: I have to recommend you videos and your kits on eBay to everyone and anyone that owns a CS80 or even the 50 or 60 --- this is great stuff! On my workbench is my CS80 and I also have *two* DK Synergy keyboards ... as well as a T8 and Chroma (I have 2) that needs some rework ... but I will get to it ---- best is your videos and the kits!
@JohnLRice I finally got the monster Modcan and you can see pictures of it on my site at myspace.com/galaxiesmerge. Also, I think Bruce will have a picture on his site and I am working on a demo for YouTube --- it is an amazing system!!!
Yea this synth would take me exactly where i would want to go. Even though the novelty of retro themes is wearing off on the scenes, with the 70's sound coming back in, i could still put it to use.
@gavincurtis Hey Gavin --- I got a bit behind on stuff :( But I will catch up ... and I am really appreciative of the offer...I might take you up on it someday :) I *love* playing the instrument and working its nuances --- it is really a brilliant machine.
I don't know if anybody's said it yet, but the Strings on Blade Runner are pretty much exclusively Roland VP330, along with choir. Alot of people seem to be banging their heads against their walls trying to get the same sound from the CS80, and it's not possible. On the other hand, Vangelis (for all his lack of compositional skill) showed some considerable genius using the CS80's modulation facilities for all the effects sounds in that soundtrack! Gotta love independent filters!
Excellent demo thanks for sharing! CS80 has to be the most beautiful sounding electronic instrument ever. Do you mind if I ask how you came across it, and what you eventually payed for it?
I will post more - my studio is currently being put back together with some new gear and so I have not had my setup to do the postings. However, that will be fixed in the next week or so.
Sounds like your oscillators may need to warm up a lot more, or one of the banks need to be tuned.
There is only one synthesizer that can make all those sounds, and only one synthesizer that is so "playable" and depends on the player to get the most out of the sounds.
I will be releasing another video to explore another pair of sounds and these will have the banks tuned in (at least, to each other). My plan afterward is to do another video exploring sound effects and various other things with it.
Yes - but, they are fairly stable for quite a while once you do! In fact, it is quite surprising how well they stay in tune once you have them tuned and in a stable environment.
I intend to do another video with some more explanations and perhaps some different playing styles to illustrate the performance features in more depth. It is a historic and phenomenal machine.
A modified version of the last sound was used by ELO on Last Train to London from 1979.
LouisvilleTorn8o 7 months ago
Nice, also very nice playing!! thanks
thephaseshifter 8 months ago
I feel like I have just died and gone to heaven watching this video. Long live the CS80 forever and ever and ever and ever.
zark212 10 months ago
great... cs80v the best sint
totto210 1 year ago
I was just about to say I didn't think much of the CS-80 after watching some other videos (given it's cost), and despite having the Blade Runner soundtrack on my MP3 player, but those are some nice sounds! The beginning sounds like the THX signature 'Deep Note', wonder if James made it on one of these. I bet videos do zero justice to how this beast sounds in person.
lexichronicle 1 year ago
@lexichronicle
The videos really do not do it justice --- I have nice video-cam but in person, this keyboard really does hold a sovereign position for its uniqueness, its sound and its organic textures. It is well worth the money to own one of these but I am really glad that I don't have to buy one or lust after one these days, They rarely come up for sale at affordable prices, but if ever you do get one, you will never regret owning one.
galaxiesmerge 1 year ago
@lexichronicle DEEP NOTE was made using the digital machine at the CCRMA at Stanford Univ. Had a CD called the "The Digital Domain" and it was explained in the text in the box. If you can find it get it. There's some really wild stuff on that CD.
Booger6995 11 months ago
This thing sounds very unique, like no other synth before and after. I wish I could put my hands on one, just for some hours or days.
Tischhupe 1 year ago
It is the discrete, individual, analog circuitry and the particular way these components have settled in with each other, their variances, and not their sameness is the key to the sound of this really royal instrument. I would say that a Rhodes Chroma with the Poly-Pressure options would approach this sound quite well (and I own two Chromas so I have done some A/B --- they are very different, but, there is that quality discrete sound).
galaxiesmerge 1 year ago
I appreciate all these great comments and discussions! Things are taking longer on my end but I will get back to posting videos again very soon. I do intend to post some A and B comparisons of my Yamaha E-70 / CS-80.
galaxiesmerge 2 years ago
did you fix it yet? Most complex of electronic instruments... still broken here. :(
gavincurtis 1 year ago
@gavincurtis Hey Gavin - been working at things really slowly :( I ended up with a heavy workload since one of the folks at work left so I am got behind: I have to recommend you videos and your kits on eBay to everyone and anyone that owns a CS80 or even the 50 or 60 --- this is great stuff! On my workbench is my CS80 and I also have *two* DK Synergy keyboards ... as well as a T8 and Chroma (I have 2) that needs some rework ... but I will get to it ---- best is your videos and the kits!
galaxiesmerge 1 year ago
Great demo!
Although, I'm more interested in seeing a demo of your monster Modcan! ;-)
JohnLRice 2 years ago
Hi,
I took delivery of part of the Modcan and Bruce is working hard to complete the rest of the 112 modules ... we'll just have to wait till he does :)
galaxiesmerge 2 years ago
@JohnLRice I finally got the monster Modcan and you can see pictures of it on my site at myspace.com/galaxiesmerge. Also, I think Bruce will have a picture on his site and I am working on a demo for YouTube --- it is an amazing system!!!
galaxiesmerge 1 year ago
@galaxiesmerge Cool and congrats! Thanks for the heads up! :-)
JohnLRice 1 year ago
galaxies,
I have 2 kits on ebay now for power supply and touch decoder.
Musical rocket engine
gavincurtis 2 years ago
do you bring that to gigs?
benlorenc 2 years ago
@benlorenc
He better.
gavincurtis 2 years ago
When i hear this machine i find it hard to hold back the tears because i know what i could do with it but will never come close to having one !
Best opportunity i've had is a guy has offered me to make recordings of it, buts thats about it :(
Guess i'll keep dreaming. What a monster. How could you possibly want anything else after hearing this !
DonJuanDeMarco2 2 years ago
DonJuan,
Some EGO there.
What could you (would you) really do with it?
gavincurtis 2 years ago
Seriously,
What music would you play?
gavincurtis 2 years ago
Depends if im producing for an artist or producing for myself.
My thing at the moment is a kind of retro, electro, dance feel. Sounds something like what you would hear on the 'Escape from New York' scoring.
Now tell me you think thats rubbish, because thats completely irrelevant to me.
But i know what i could do with this synth. It already sounds massive as it is, i could make it sound even bigger with some special sauce.
DonJuanDeMarco2 2 years ago
It's not a rubbish idea at all. Electro dance would be incredible with this machine.
gavincurtis 2 years ago
Ah..
forgive me if i got the wrong impression.
Yea this synth would take me exactly where i would want to go. Even though the novelty of retro themes is wearing off on the scenes, with the 70's sound coming back in, i could still put it to use.
DonJuanDeMarco2 2 years ago
@DonJuanDeMarco2
If you are in Northwest America, email me and you play (you have to play). I would like to hear.
But still repairing.
gavincurtis 2 years ago
Stuck in London im afraid.
Im humbled by your incredibly considerate and generous offer !
A guy who lives here in the UK did offer me to make some recordings from his machine, but i really haven't had a chance.
All i can offer in return for your gesture is some tracks with the CS80 as the focus, once i make them !
DonJuanDeMarco2 2 years ago
Well if you need a CS-80, I have one open for artistic talent. I fail when it comes to playing, but I know how to repair her electronics.
Kind of a happy and sad state of existence....
Would love to hear your music on one.
gavincurtis 2 years ago
@gavincurtis
"Kind of a happy and sad state of existence."
lol indeed.
Ass for the music, i'll get on it.
DonJuanDeMarco2 2 years ago
@gavincurtis Hey Gavin --- I got a bit behind on stuff :( But I will catch up ... and I am really appreciative of the offer...I might take you up on it someday :) I *love* playing the instrument and working its nuances --- it is really a brilliant machine.
galaxiesmerge 1 year ago
MR CROWLEY.....
slammah2012 2 years ago
Surely this is the best analog synthesizer of the history.
Solaris1992 2 years ago 10
I don't know if anybody's said it yet, but the Strings on Blade Runner are pretty much exclusively Roland VP330, along with choir. Alot of people seem to be banging their heads against their walls trying to get the same sound from the CS80, and it's not possible. On the other hand, Vangelis (for all his lack of compositional skill) showed some considerable genius using the CS80's modulation facilities for all the effects sounds in that soundtrack! Gotta love independent filters!
oS2006DE 2 years ago 5
It is wonderful!
Very wonderful sound.
Wonderful looks.
CS-80 is my yearning.
It looks forward to new movie!
TakeshiMoriwaki 3 years ago
Excellent demo thanks for sharing! CS80 has to be the most beautiful sounding electronic instrument ever. Do you mind if I ask how you came across it, and what you eventually payed for it?
mik300z 3 years ago
I bought it in 1982 so I've had it a long time. No, not an auction purchase! Got it from a music store that sold them.
galaxiesmerge 3 years ago
Wow lucky lucky lucky!!
oc5nsli341nforce4 3 years ago
Oh , wonderful ! pleaase post more .I have an Arturia soft
ware version of this synth but nothing beats the real thing. Thankyou for posting.
ozzymandi 3 years ago
I will post more - my studio is currently being put back together with some new gear and so I have not had my setup to do the postings. However, that will be fixed in the next week or so.
galaxiesmerge 3 years ago
Hello, I've posted your CS-80 videos on switchedonsynthesizer.blogspot . com
Thalassa77 3 years ago
Polyphonic aftertouch! Yeah!
Farksisten 3 years ago
Nice. I love everything about the CS-80.
Best damn synthesizer ever made. Period.
Sounds like your oscillators may need to warm up a lot more, or one of the banks need to be tuned.
There is only one synthesizer that can make all those sounds, and only one synthesizer that is so "playable" and depends on the player to get the most out of the sounds.
Wonderful.
Bravo!
FlametopFred 3 years ago
Thank you! Yes, the banks are detuned :)
I will be releasing another video to explore another pair of sounds and these will have the banks tuned in (at least, to each other). My plan afterward is to do another video exploring sound effects and various other things with it.
galaxiesmerge 3 years ago
I can't wait for the next video!!! thank you so much for the cs-80 vids!!
rokuez 3 years ago
best cs-80 video on youtube.
thank you sir!!
rokuez 3 years ago
how much does it cost?
julij1992 3 years ago
The market varies between about $3000K up to $15,0000 (and some customized up to $24,000 I've heard rumored offers).
galaxiesmerge 3 years ago
Wow, the oscillators on those ARE hell to keep in tune, aren't they?
jinxtigr 3 years ago
Yes - but, they are fairly stable for quite a while once you do! In fact, it is quite surprising how well they stay in tune once you have them tuned and in a stable environment.
galaxiesmerge 3 years ago
Great! please make some more videos, there is to few with this monster on youtube.
meastempo 3 years ago
wow!
great demo
thanks for posting
retrosound72 3 years ago
Great video, would be wonderful if you could connect the synth directly to an audio input!
omissis75 3 years ago
I like how sustain I allows the pitch to remain at release, but still modulates held notes...
slammah2012 3 years ago
I intend to do another video with some more explanations and perhaps some different playing styles to illustrate the performance features in more depth. It is a historic and phenomenal machine.
galaxiesmerge 3 years ago
do you have any vids exploring with sust I instead of II
slammah2012 3 years ago
I have to set up with a new foot pedal so that's on my shopping list!
galaxiesmerge 3 years ago
yep....thats a CS80....
slammah2012 3 years ago