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Average Price: $2,500
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Dive into the realm of analog synthesis with the Yamaha CS-40m, a piece of history that brings the warmth of vintage sound into the modern era. This synthesizer is not just an instrument; it's a time machine, capable of duophonic explorations that rival the classics. With its 2 VCOs per voice, offering triangle, square, and sawtooth waveforms, the CS-40m provides a palate of sounds that can cater to the nostalgic, the experimental, and everyone in between. Whether you're crafting ambient soundscapes or pulsating dance tracks, the CS-40m's multi-mode VCF filter and comprehensive ADSR envelope controls offer unparalleled versatility. Don't just play music; create legacies with the Yamaha CS-40m.
Key Features:
- Duophonic capability for complex sound layering
- 2 VCOs per voice with triangle, square, and sawtooth waveforms for diverse sonic possibilities
- Multi-mode VCF filter for shaping your sound with precision
- 20 patches / presets for quick access to your favorite sounds
- ADSR envelope controls for detailed sound sculpting
- CV/Trigger outputs for easy integration with other gear
Product specs
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | CS-40M Duophonic Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1979 - 1986 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 44 Keys |
| Polyphony | 2 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the Yamaha CS-40m synthesizer polyphonic?
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The Yamaha CS-40m is a duophonic synthesizer, meaning it can play two notes simultaneously, allowing for limited polyphony.
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What type of synthesis does the Yamaha CS-40m use?
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The Yamaha CS-40m uses analog synthesis, providing warm, rich tones characteristic of vintage synthesizers from its era.
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How many keys does the Yamaha CS-40m have?
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The Yamaha CS-40m features a 44-key full-size keyboard with synth action, offering a compact yet expressive playing experience.
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What are the standout features of the Yamaha CS-40m's sound engine?
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The Yamaha CS-40m's sound engine includes two VCOs per voice, a versatile filter section, and extensive modulation options, allowing for a range of classic analog sounds.
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Is the Yamaha CS-40m suitable for live performance?
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Yes, the Yamaha CS-40m is suitable for live performance, offering robust build quality and real-time control features that are ideal for expressive playing on stage.
Videos
musictrackjp
YAMAHA CS40M Demo&Review [English Captions]
Reviews
PROS
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Big, organic sound with unique architecture
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Multimode filter with exceptional resonant high pass
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Versatile with 2 osc and 2 sub per voice
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Duophonic, offering rich polyphonic textures
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Rare and durable build quality
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High flexibility with modulation options and CV connectivity
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Easy to save and recall patches
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Excellent for ambient and evolving sounds
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More affordable entry into vintage Yamaha CS line
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Classy appearance
CONS
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Very heavy and physically large
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Limited patch memory, described as "usable" but not extensive
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Hz/Volt sequencing can be challenging
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Sound may be too "fizzy" for some tastes
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Saved patches can't be altered by most knobs
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha CS-40m.
Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
User experience
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
1264
It's HUGE and sounds pretty HUGE
It's a duophonic monster. It sleeps in your closet and waits. Once you pull it out you're like "wow, I forgot I had this thing!' and then you sell it on ebay because they go for way too much money. But it sounds great. Especially the multimode filter. bandpass on this thing was so good sounding.
It's not Moog bass Huge - it's Yamaha CS Huge. Kinda fizzy sometimes and did I mention huge? Hard to describe. Has je nes sais quoi. It's also physically heavy and large.
Alsy has pretty crappy but usable patch memory.
I sold it in my studio purge. Got it for cheap and now they cost too much for me to ever think of picking up another one. Also it's hz/volt of you want to sequence it.
Artist usage
Add artist
Many clues about the equipment for the production of "Collapse EP" are present in the video frames of the 2018 track titled "T69 Collapse". These frames are images that represent the transcription of the Cirklon sequencer files system about the synthesizers used on each Cirklon midi/cv channel tracks.
"We were bringing out some of these old synths that we hadn’t used — the Minimoog and the Yamaha CS-40. We’ve always used the Roland Jupiter-6; it’s pretty much a workhorse. It was getting back into that world."
Per "Rock This Town" publication, special issue 1991:
In 1991, the setup was as follows: [Rock This Town special issue 1991]
Sound studio: Analog Synths: Roland System 100/100M/101 (+Roland Midi interface MPU-101);YAMAHA CS-40M (in the Take One video); Oberheim Matrix 1000; Digital Synths: Yamaha DX-7 (2); Ensonic VFX; Roland DDR30; Yamaha tg77; Korg Wavestation; Sequencer: Atari 1040 (Sequ. Cubase 2.0); Samplers: AkaiS9000 (2); AkaiS1000 (8Mg + Hard Drive Mfile 44); AkaiS1000PB (4Mg); Emulator II; akai 1100, e-mu Procussion, roland s-10 for live use @ the mixing desk; Effects: Lexicon 480L; Yamaha SPX90 II (2); Roland SRV-2000; Roland SDE-3000; Alesis Midiverb II; Alesis Quadraverb; ART DRX; spx 1000 (x2); Eventide h3000 se; Mixing: Table TAC Scorpion 32/16; Recorder TASCAM MS16 tracks; Recorder DAT Luxman; Speakers Yamaha NS 10M pro ATC SCM50; QUAD ampli (for NS-10M); Diverse: compressor/limiter, noise gate, parametric eq. Live: Backline: Akai S9000; Roland DDR30; Simons & Roland Pads; Emulator II; TASCAM238 8
Graphic Studio: Commodore Amiga 2500 (6Mg + Hard Drive 40Mg); Commodore Amiga 500; Digitizer SNAPSHOT; Camera Sony CCD V-200E; Laserprint NEC Silentwriter LC890; Monitor NEC Multisync 2A.
can be seen centerstage on TOTP infront of Midge Ure, it was supposedly also used by Ultravox for the refrain of "Vienna" and at the beginning of "Western Promise" and during the later parts of "Sleepwalk"
The Yamaha CS-40m is visible in the background of a photo featuring Dr. Luke, as shown in the user-uploaded image on Icymag.
Luke Million uses a Yamaha CS-40m to play the synth brass part in his rendition of the Blade Runner End Titles, as seen in this video from his studio.
The credits for the album, Between Orient And Accidents, list the Yamaha CS-40m.
"I've been working on a programme called 'An Alien's View Of Earth' which involves a lot of slow motion footage. The Yamaha DX7's been ideal for that, because it can produce some slowly developing organic sounds. In this studio I've also got a Roland Jupiter 4, a Yamaha CS40M and some Wavemaker modules with an EMS DK2 keyboard. The Yamaha was quite useful when we got it, because although it was only duophonic it had programmable pre-sets and a cassette dump for sounds. Elizabeth Parker did some of the sounds for Blake's Seven on it, which was one of the first things she did at the Workshop."
Used on Kimiko Kasai and Herbie Hancock's Butterfly, as specified in Herbie Hancock’s Electronic Instrument Glossary from September 14, 2016.
Yamaha CS-40 – Released in the late 1970s, this analog synthesizer could be played as a two-note duo-phonic instrument or be used in ‘unison’ mode which allowed for monophonic use. Webster Lewis used this instrument on the 1979 album Kimiko Kasai With Herbie Hancock: Butterfly.
Album Usage
The Yamaha CS-40m has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha CS-40m, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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