Photo of Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer and more gear in a studio

Photo of Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer and more gear in a synths

Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer

$359.00 Price Tier: Budget

5.0 (10)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Yamaha CS6x

6 community setups

3 wishlisted

18 saved

Page last updated Jun 20, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated March 20, 2026.

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Price

$359.00 3 available Used

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Average Price: $359

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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The Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer is a versatile performance keyboard that caters to both the studio enthusiast and the live performer. This synthesizer is renowned for its ability to merge classic analog synth sounds with cutting-edge digital technology, making it a staple for musicians looking to expand their sonic palette. With its 61-note keyboard, the CS6x offers extensive control and expressiveness, perfect for crafting intricate soundscapes or delivering powerful leads.

The CS6x is equipped with Yamaha's Advanced Virtual Analog (AN) synthesis engine, allowing users to explore a vast range of textures from lush pads to gritty basses. Additionally, the integrated AWM2 tone generator provides a rich array of samples and waveform options. This combination of synthesis methods offers a unique blend of warmth and precision, appealing to those who appreciate the nuance of sound design.

The intuitive interface, complete with a large LCD screen and real-time controllers, ensures that all functions are easily accessible, making it simple to tweak parameters on the fly. For those interested in expanding their sonic capabilities, the CS6x is also compatible with Yamaha's PLG series expansion boards, allowing for further customization and enhancement.

Key Features:

61-note keyboard with velocity sensitivity
Advanced Virtual Analog (AN) synthesis engine
AWM2 tone generator for sample-based synthesis
Real-time control knobs and large LCD screen
Compatible with Yamaha PLG series expansion boards
Extensive onboard effects including reverb, chorus, and EQ
MIDI connectivity for integration with various setups

Product specs

Brand	Yamaha
Model	CS6X Control Synthesizer
Finish	Silver
Year	1999
Made In	Japan
Categories	Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Digital
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Synth Action
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys	61 Keys
Polyphony	64 Voices

FAQs

Is the Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Yamaha CS6x is designed for live performance with its 61 full-size keys and synth action, allowing for expressive playability on stage.
What kind of synthesis does the Yamaha CS6x use?: The Yamaha CS6x is a digital synthesizer that utilizes AWM2 (Advanced Wave Memory 2) synthesis, providing a wide range of sounds suitable for various musical genres.
How many voices of polyphony does the Yamaha CS6x offer?: The Yamaha CS6x offers 64 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex layering and sustained notes without voice dropouts.
Can the Yamaha CS6x integrate with other MIDI devices?: Yes, the Yamaha CS6x features MIDI input, output, and through, making it easy to integrate with other MIDI devices in your setup.
What are some standout features of the Yamaha CS6x's sound engine?: The Yamaha CS6x's sound engine offers a wide array of sounds, including rich pads, leads, and basses, with the ability to create and modify sounds using its real-time control knobs.

Videos

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CLASSIC KEYBOARDS

YAMAHA CS6X DEMO NA CLASSIC KEYBOARDS

CLASSIC KEYBOARDS

Yamaha Cs6x Demo I No Talking

Alphacode Synth Demos & Custom Sound Banks

YAMAHA CS6X with PLG 150-AN | ANALOG PHYSICAL MODELLING | Jam

Synth Cloud

Yamaha CS6x Demo Songs - Specifications - My Home Music Studio

René Feuerlein

Yamaha CS6X/S30 - "Art Of Versatility" (Soundset RELEASED!)

LFOstore

Yamaha CS6x + CS6r Synthesizer Sound Demo Video

M. Schmied (Mike Vintagemusic)

Yamaha CS6X/S30 - "Versatility" Soundset 128 Presets

LFOstore

Yamaha CS6x synth Superteclados.com cool and nice with electronic techno ambient music

Superteclados

Yamaha CS6x + PLG150-AN by MeX (Subtitles)

MeXKeys

Reviews

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PROS

ROM sounds well-suited for electronic styles
Offers both "analog" and "digital" type filters
Arpeggiator supports typical house, trance, or acid phrases
Performance mode acts like a mixer console with EQ, Chorus, Reverb, and MFX sends
Effective for creating hits in a short period
Easy to use live due to well-placed controls

CONS

Drum sounds may disappoint
Limited to 2 MFX channels + 1 master FX for the whole setup

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer.

Features and functionality

0 0

The CS6x includes a sampler, although it's not particularly powerful, providing an extra layer of sound experimentation.
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The CS6x can be used as a MIDI controller, allowing control over software synthesizers and entry of notes via FL Studio's piano roll editor.
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Mods and upgrades

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Expansion boards like the PLG-150AN can transform the CS6x into a physical modeling analog synth.
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Setup and maintenance

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The CS6x may require replacing its built-in backup battery to retain edited patches after power cycling.
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If the CS6x has been idle for years, replacing the hidden built-in backup battery might be necessary to prevent loss of edited patches.
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Software and compatibility

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The lack of USB in the CS6x can be resolved with a USB MIDI cable, like the ESI Midimate EX.
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0 0

A USB external audio interface like the Scarlett 6i6 or AudioBox is essential for connecting the CS6x to a computer for recording and controlling VSTs.
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A cheaper alternative to a full audio interface is a MIDI Out to USB cable for those only using the CS6x as a MIDI controller.
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Comparisons

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The CS6x is considered less impressive in sound quality compared to the first Yamaha Motif, which might be similarly priced.
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Use cases and applications

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The CS6x is ideal for beginners due to its good presets, making it easier to explore synth sounds without extensive knowledge.
Source

Critic Reviews

Yamaha CS6X

soundonsound.com

The Yamaha CS6x Synthesizer impresses with its robust feature set, packing plenty of polyphony, real-time controllers, and versatile onboard effects. It shines with a programmable sound palette, especially for dance music, and offers useful sampling capabilities. However, its complexity can be daunting, with programming hindered by a small, less intuitive display. While boasting strong performance capabilities and appealing sound quality, it falls short in multitimbrality claims and lacks stereo sampling. Despite these drawbacks, the CS6x stands out as a powerful synth, well-suited for both studio and stage, offering great value with its expansion options.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 10 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

bgrassfield

185

about 11 years ago

Buy this if you want trance sounds - they said

First I had the rack version (CS6R), but with a strange business, I replaced it to the full workstation. So when I first began to make a new preset, I just gone empirical, menu-by-menu, feature-by-feature. And it all amazed me. The ROM sounds are incredible good selection for electronic styles. Really, tell me another synth which has at least so focused and even reach samplepack in it's heart! I can't, because CS6X is truly one of the best EDM synth ever built. That filters! You get many characteristics, in "analog" and "digital" type (the "A" in the filter's name means "analog", while "D" means the "digital" version), and it seems all can scream but "A"-types are more. From raw bass sounds to thin belly tones you can find everything, but don't try the drum sounds, you will be disappointed. Otherwise, arpeggiator is far enough to fire typical house, trance or acid phrases, and best of all, it has something similar to MOTIF pattern audition, so you can bind a style-pattern to a preset. Effects are good and all can make serious changes in the sound. I feel myself a bit stucked with 2 MFX channel + 1 master FX for the whole bunch - but another hand, performance mode has the ability to act like a perfomance mixer console, so you have a 2 band EQ, Chorus, Reverb and MFX send on all the 16 channel, and the summed signal could be processed by the Master FX. After all, this is a rompler, but the good wavetable, the tasty and crazy filters makes this instruments a real well-developed gear ready to make your hits in effectively short period.

enorthby

530

over 7 years ago

Beast in a box

This Synth hits way above it's weight class. The dance sounds are top notch. Also look at the AN1x if you enjoy analog modeling and dance sounds, but I chose this synth over the original Motif back in 2002 because of the sounds. Don't overlook this little beast. Also hey put all the right knobs in the right place, so this is an easy synth to use live.

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Electronica Dance music