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Average Price: $16,500

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$500

$1501+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

The CS-60 is a very scaled down light version of the CS-80. It's a classic and old polyphonic programmable analog synthesizer that has some potential. It does not sound as great as the CS-80 nor is it as programmable. You get a few preset sounds which are pretty useless and a mere 1 user patch. But there are just enough sliders, edit parameters and even an excellent Ring Modulator to get some interesting pads, drones, basses and other analog synth sounds. Oddly, sitting between the keyboard and those large Preset Switches is a long velvet ribbon controller which is pretty cool for doing wild pitch bends.

Due to its old age most CS-60s are in battered shape these days, difficult to service but in need of some. And they suffer common ailments of the analog domain - overheating, unstable tuning, it weighs a lot, etc... However the CS-60 is the cheapest way to get into some genuine CS-80 sounds of analog heaven with basic entry-level programming! It has been used by Air, Jean-Michel Jarre, Oshe and Bob Marley and the Wailers.

https://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/cs60.php

Product specs

Brand Yamaha
Model CS-60 Polyphonic Synthesizer
Finish Black
Year 1977
Made In Japan
Categories Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 8 Voices

FAQs

Is the Yamaha CS-60 synthesizer polyphonic?

Yes, the Yamaha CS-60 is an analog synthesizer with 8-voice polyphony, allowing you to play up to eight notes simultaneously.

What type of keys does the Yamaha CS-60 have?

The Yamaha CS-60 features a full-size keyboard with synth action, providing a responsive and expressive playing experience.

How does the Yamaha CS-60 compare to the Yamaha CS-80?

The Yamaha CS-60 is a lighter variant of the CS-80, featuring a single synth channel and 8-voice polyphony, whereas the CS-80 offers two independent voices.

What is the sound character of the Yamaha CS-60?

The Yamaha CS-60 is known for its rich, warm analog sound, characteristic of 1970s synthesizers, making it ideal for creating lush, vintage tones.

Is the Yamaha CS-60 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Yamaha CS-60's full-size keyboard and expressive sound engine make it well-suited for live performances, especially for those seeking classic analog tones.

Telekom Electronic Beats TV

Telekom Electronic Beats TV

Mathew Jonson Presents His Synthesizer Favourites: Yamaha CS-60 (EB.TV)

Video thumbnail for Mathew Jonson Presents His Synthesizer Favourites: Yamaha CS-60 (EB.TV) by Telekom Electronic Beats TV

Mathew Jonson Presents His Synthesizer Favourites: Yamaha CS-60 (EB.TV)

Telekom Electronic Beats TV

Telekom Electronic Beats TV

Video thumbnail for Yamaha CS 60 - She is Alive by Metralon

Yamaha CS 60 - She is Alive

Metralon

Metralon

Video thumbnail for Exploring the Yamaha CS-60 by Raymond Castile

Exploring the Yamaha CS-60

Raymond Castile

Raymond Castile

Video thumbnail for Machine Love: Mathew Jonson - Yamaha CS-60 by Resident Advisor

Machine Love: Mathew Jonson - Yamaha CS-60

Resident Advisor

Resident Advisor

Video thumbnail for Playing the rare Yamaha CS-60 at Willem Twee Studios by True Cuckoo

Playing the rare Yamaha CS-60 at Willem Twee Studios

True Cuckoo

True Cuckoo

Video thumbnail for YAMAHA CS-70M + CS-60 SYNTH DEMO ~ Vintage Synthesizer Museum by once upon a synth

YAMAHA CS-70M + CS-60 SYNTH DEMO ~ Vintage Synthesizer Museum

once upon a synth

once upon a synth

Video thumbnail for YAMAHA CS60 (1977) - a vintage hero by Franz Kreimer Keys

YAMAHA CS60 (1977) - a vintage hero

Franz Kreimer Keys

Franz Kreimer Keys

Video thumbnail for Yamaha CS-60 DEMO cs 60 Synthesizer by bt Media Group

Yamaha CS-60 DEMO cs 60 Synthesizer

bt Media Group

bt Media Group

Video thumbnail for YAMAHA CS60 - COMPILATION VIDEO by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

YAMAHA CS60 - COMPILATION VIDEO

Vintage Audio Institute Italia

Vintage Audio Institute Italia

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique poly-synth sound unmatched by later models

  • Exceptional build quality and luxurious feel

  • Custom ICs now cloned, reducing maintenance worries

  • More reliable, doesn’t require constant tuning

  • Can be lifted by one person

  • Expressive capabilities rivaling the CS80

  • Rewards skilled programming and performance

CONS

  • Rare custom chips are prone to failure

  • Requires significant maintenance

  • Not for instant gratification; demands practice and skill to fully utilize

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha CS-60.

Features and functionality

  • The Yamaha CS-60 includes MIDI capabilities, enhancing its integration with modern setups despite its vintage origin.

    Source
  • The CS-60's presets are limited to colored buttons on the front, with only one user-editable preset, encouraging experimentation for sound creation.

    Source
  • The synth features 8 voices, and playing melodies over sustained notes can create interesting effects by cutting off releases.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report occasional random bad notes and suggest a tune-up for calibration to maintain optimal performance.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The CS-60 is viewed as a smaller version of the CS-80, with differences like polyphonic aftertouch and additional on-board effects in the CS-80.

    Source

User experience

  • Described as having an "organic sound and tone," the CS-60 is praised for its expressive capabilities, making it feel "alive" to players.

    Source
  • The CS-60 emits a subtle electrical and old wood/plastic smell when it heats up, adding a unique sensory element to playing.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Its weight makes it challenging for live performances, often relegating it to studio use unless the gig is local.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Yamaha CS-50 / CS-60 / CS-80 - the GREAT Japanese IMPACT - GreatSynthesizers

greatsynthesizers.com

The Yamaha CS-60 is a vintage synth legend, known for its expressive sound, dual filters, and unique hardware that modern imitations can't match. The CS series' iconic pulse width modulation and dynamic filters offer an unmatched sonic experience. However, its hefty size and the scarcity of replacement parts for its custom chips can be a drawback, making repairs challenging. Despite these issues, the CS-60's rarity and rich sound make it highly desirable, albeit at a premium price. For those who can afford it, this synth captures a piece of musical history with a timeless sound.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jimmy Edgar uses Yamaha CS-60

Jimmy Edgar

Music Producer

...
Verified via Facebook

In a 2016 Facebook post, Jimmy Edgar included the Yamaha CS-60 in his equipment list.

See how Page McConnell uses Yamaha CS-60

Page McConnell

Keyboardist

Phish

...
Verified via Pagemcconnell

McConnell's official site states that he uses a Yamaha CS-60.

See how Matt Berry uses Yamaha CS-60

Matt Berry

Singer, Guitarist

The Desert Sessions

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this photo used for the back cover of Music for Insomniacs and the back cover of Music for Insomniacs Part IV. It is also mentioned in this December 2020 Sound on Sound interview.

Around the same time, Berry began collecting then‑unfashionable analogue synths, picking them up incredibly cheaply through classified ads. “I got a [Yamaha] CS‑60 for 200 quid,” he marvels. “I got a CS‑10 and a load of analogue synths. What was always quite funny was that there’d be things like ‘Jupiter‑8. Will swap for a DX7’. You think, ‘Well, you fucking wouldn’t do that now.’

“But for me it was amazing. I wanted analogue synths because I’d seen Jean‑Michel Jarre surrounded by these keyboards that had loads of knobs, dials and sliders. That was the coolest sound. I didn’t think there was anything cool about a DX7.”

See how Julia Holter uses Yamaha CS-60

Julia Holter

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via BandCamp

A CS-60 has been mentioned as one of the instruments used on Julia's 2024 album 'Something in the Room She Moves'

See how Stephin Merritt uses Yamaha CS-60

Stephin Merritt

Singer, Guitarist

The Magnetic Fields

...
Verified via Discogs

Stephin is credited using this equipment in the liner notes for 69 Love Songs.

See how forgotten future uses Yamaha CS-60

forgotten future

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Julius Dobos

Listen on the equipment page of artist's website, also seen in studio photos and interview videos

D

Dave Fridmann

Music Producer

Mercury Rev

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Among the synths used on the album are an ARP 2600, a Yamaha CS60 and — delivered to Tarbox Road only weeks before the record's completion — the new Korg Microsampler. Needless to say, perhaps, all were treated and manipulated in various ways. "Of course,” Fridmann laughs. "You hear a sound and you're like, 'That's a great sound — can we get it a little better? Yeah, guess we're gonna have to do something weird to it…'

See how Gerald Woodruffe uses Yamaha CS-60

Gerald Woodruffe

Keyboardist

Black Sabbath

...
Verified via Monorail Music

THE STUDIO EQUIPMENT USED ON THE LP

Yamaha Polyphonic Synthesisers CS80 & CS60 ~ Yamaha Symphonic Ensemble SK20 ~ Yamaha Monophonic Synthesisers CS30, CS150 & CS20M ~ Yamaha Electric Grand CP708 ~ Roland Monophonic Synthesisers SH1, PRO-MARS ~ Roland Digital Sequencer CSQ600 ~ Roland Vocoder VP330 ~ Roland Organ / String Synth. RS09 ~ Mini Moog & Moog Prodigy Monophonic Synthesisers ~ Godwin String Concert 649 ~ H/H Electric Piano P73

TRACKLISTING: Side One: 1 Wonderland In The Wilderness 2 Nature On A Knife Edge Side Two: 3 Sunken Tombs Of The Truk Lagoon 4 Magic Of The Dolphin

See how Didge Digital uses Yamaha CS-60

Didge Digital

Keyboardist

FM

...
Verified via Facebook

"Hi there everybody - just a little something for the keyboard people out there ! Here's a list of gear that I have owned from 1970 to now - all lot of it I don't have anymore but there's still quite a lot that I do have ! Click on the image to see all - Enjoy.......🙂" straight from Didge's Facebook page.

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-60, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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