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Average Price: $55,399
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1501+
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Description
Immerse yourself in the world of rich, analog sound with the Yamaha CS-80, a game-changer in the realm of synthesizers. It's not just an instrument, it's a piece of music history that powered some of the most iconic tracks of all time. From the unmistakable tones of Toto's 'Africa' to the atmospheric soundscapes of Vangelis' 'Blade Runner', the CS-80's influence unraveled a whole new dimension of music creation. Experience the power of 8-voice polyphony and 2 analog oscillators per voice, empowering your creativity with unparalleled musical expression.
Key Features:
- 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer
- 2 analog oscillators per voice
- VCF with independent highpass and lowpass filters
- Weighted keyboard with aftertouch
- 4 memory patches
- 22 presets
- External modulation input
Product specs
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | CS-80 Polyphonic Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1977 - 1979 |
| 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
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Is the Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?
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The Yamaha CS-80 is a polyphonic synthesizer, capable of producing up to 8 voices simultaneously, allowing for rich and complex chordal textures.
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What makes the Yamaha CS-80's sound engine unique?
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The Yamaha CS-80 features a dual-layer sound engine with two independent synthesizer layers per voice, enabling complex sound design and expressive performance capabilities.
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How does the Yamaha CS-80 handle pitch and modulation control?
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The CS-80 includes a ribbon controller for pitch bending and modulation, offering expressive control over the sound, which is ideal for dynamic live performances.
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What type of keyboard action does the Yamaha CS-80 have?
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The Yamaha CS-80 has a full-size, synth-action keyboard designed for smooth and responsive playability, suitable for both expressive and technical performances.
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Does the Yamaha CS-80 offer any unique performance features?
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Yes, the CS-80 includes a polyphonic aftertouch feature, allowing for nuanced control over each note's dynamics and modulation, enhancing expressive capabilities.
Videos
LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER
Yamaha CS80 - Why Is It Worth So Much?
Yamaha CS80 - Why Is It Worth So Much?
LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER
Synth Wizards Episode 9: Holy Grail: The Yamaha CS-80
Syntaur
Yamaha CS-80 Demo
Perfect Circuit
The Mighty CS-80
GForce Software
Yamaha CS80: The Most Iconic Sound Machine of All Time
Andy Whitmore
Yamaha Synth Space History | CS-80 | Krzysztof Pająk
Yamaha Synths Official
Top 3 Most Iconic Vangelis sounds on Yamaha CS80
Jose's Vintage Keys
Yamaha CS-80: The Ultimate Synthesizer (Blade Runner Tribute)
Syntaur
CS80 Improvisation
musicJCR
Yamaha CS-80 inc FX | 36 Iconic Riffs by Vangelis, ELO & More!
Andy Whitmore
Reviews
PROS
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Unmatched expressiveness with super-controllable polyphonic after-touch
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Unique warmth and power that plugins cannot replicate
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Excellent performance instrument, often requiring only one take
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Prestigious and sought-after, adding to its value
CONS
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Extremely heavy and difficult to transport
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Requires expensive external effects like reverb for full potential
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Maintenance is costly due to rare, custom Yamaha LSI ICs
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Can sound dull without skilled programming and additional effects
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High second-hand price limits accessibility
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Some tones may seem dated or overly specific without modification
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha CS-80.
Setup and maintenance
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Restoring a CS-80 often involves replacing all CMOS and electrolytic caps, wiring, and designing a new SMPS to handle power more efficiently.
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Adjusting the 107 trimpots related to the aftertouch can be time-consuming, with owners designing custom PCB adapters for better access during alignment.
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CS-80s require specialized care; only a few techs globally can service them, with costs potentially reaching $20k due to complex internals and rare parts.
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CS-50 is considered more stable with lower maintenance needs than the CS-80 due to fewer components and lower internal temperatures.
Source
Features and functionality
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The CS-80 is noted for its big, unstable analog sound that can become muddy, necessitating frequent use of high pass or bandpass filters for clearer output.
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CS-80s have dual-layer architecture with 16 voicecards for richer polyphony, unlike the CS-50 and CS-60 which have fewer cards and features.
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The CS-80 uses custom-made ICs by Yamaha, contributing to its unique sound but also to maintenance complexities due to part scarcity.
Source
User experience
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Playing a CS-80 can be overwhelming; users often have to spend considerable time dialing in sounds compared to modern synthesizers due to its complex controls.
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Transporting a CS-80 is impractical due to its 220-pound weight, often requiring custom crates for shipping, which can be very costly.
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Owners often recommend driving the CS-80 to a tech within a few hundred miles due to the high risk of damage during shipping.
Source
Use cases and applications
Comparisons
Build quality
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The CS-80's large through-hole components are easier to repair than modern surface-mounted ones, but parts scarcity remains a significant challenge.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 23 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
"Thomas and Guy-Man had a bunch of keyboards during these early [recording] sessions, like the [Sequential Circuits] Prophet 5, [Roland] Jupiter 6, Juno 106, Yamaha CS80."
In this image, taken in 1979 from the recording of his album "McCartney II", Paul can be seen playing a Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer.
Throughout the interview, you can see the CS-80 behind Mac where his CS-60 has usually been, on top of his Yamaha CP80 Electric Grand Piano. The simplest ways to tell that it's a CS-80 rather than a CS-60 from the angle in the video are the two rows of sliders for the two synth channels (as opposed to the CS-60's single channel) and the tone selector buttons (as opposed to the CS-60's toggles).
Appears on the equipment list used to make Syro.
In an interview with Premier Guitar magazine discussing the recording of the Smashing Pumpkins' Cyr, Corgan states, "I think it’s fun to play around with guitars that sound like synths and synths that sound like guitars. It’s a combination of a lot of things. I have a famous keyboard, the Yamaha CS-80. It’s the one ELO [Electric Light Orchestra] used a lot. They’re super expensive and they’re hard to get. Whenever you get one they’re almost always broken. So I was using that."
Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch used a CS-80 in the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack.
In this recent Twitter post, the first song tentatively called 'cs80beatv2 ' it states that he used the Yamaha CS80 to create it
In this photo from the X&Y recording sessions, Chris can be seen with a Yamaha CS80 Synthesiser. It's been used by Chris widely in the studio as well as on tour.
During the recording of reputation She used a cs80 on the tracks especially “Don’t Blame me” you can hear the funky 2 preset and the ribbon control bending. And “Delicate”with a vocoder.
KB Magazine December 2016
Brian Eno is known to use the Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, as evidenced by the image associated with his work on Discogs.
BoC themselves have, in multiple interviews, mentioned the use of a "secret weapon" they use to generate their unique sound. Many believe that it's a CS80
Album Usage
The Yamaha CS-80 has been featured on the following albums:
Lavender Haze (Acoustic Version)
Taylor Swift (2023)
Doctor Who - Revenge of the Cybermen
Peter Howell & The BBC Radiophonic Workshop (2023)
The Cruelest Summer
Taylor Swift (2023)
Barbie (Score from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt (2023)
Mass Effect: Trilogy Collection Bonus Tracks (Original Soundtrack)
Sascha Dikiciyan (2022)
CYR
The Smashing Pumpkins (2020)
The End (Live)
Black Sabbath (2017)
reputation
Taylor Swift (2017)
IV
BADBADNOTGOOD (2016)
Captain Future Youtube
Christian Bruhn (2016)
Danger Money
U.K. (2016)
WALLS
Kings of Leon (2016)
Dame Fortune
RJD2 (2016)
Pagans in Vegas
Metric (2015)
Syro
Aphex Twin (2014)
Unflesh
Gazelle Twin (2014)
Bad 25th Anniversary
Michael Jackson (2012)
The English Riviera
Metronomy (2011)
X&Y
Coldplay (2005)
Live At Budokan
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (2002)
Down To Earth
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (2001)
Oxygene 7-13
Jean Michel Jarre (1997)
Air Liquide
Air Liquide (1994)
Hybrid
Michael Brook (1985)
Give My Regards To Broad Street
Paul McCartney (1984)
The Green Album (Expanded Edition)
Eddie Jobson (1983)
Pipes Of Peace (Remastered 2015)
Paul McCartney (1983)
Tug Of War
Paul McCartney (1982)
"...Famous Last Words..."
Supertramp (1982)
Thriller
Michael Jackson (1982)
Freeze Frame
The J. Geils Band (1981)
McCartney II
Paul McCartney (1980)
Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood (1980)
True Colours
Split Enz (1980)
Visage
Visage (1980)
Paris
Supertramp (1980)
Never for Ever (2018 Remaster)
Kate Bush (1980)
Silent Knight
Saga & Saga (1980)
Love Stinks
The J. Geils Band (1980)
Directstep
Herbie Hancock (1979)
Breakfast In America (Remastered)
Supertramp (1979)
Breathless
Camel & Peter Bardens (1978)
U.K.
U.K. (1978)
Hot Streets (Expanded & Remastered)
Chicago (1978)
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-80, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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