Conference napalm::commusic_v1

1036.0. "Yamaha CS80 (BIG) Analog Synthesizer" by CTHULU::YERAZUNIS (Snowstorm Canoeist) Wed Dec 02 1987 10:38

    Mr. Moderator- please squash this note if it's inappropriate.
    
    				For Sale
                        
    		Yamaha CS-80 Analog Polyphonic Performance Synth
    
    Features:
    	8-note polyphony in a pure-analog synthesizer
    
    	Velocity and polyphonic-PRESSURE-sensitive 6-octave keyboard
    	
    	Fully visible programming- each variable has a slider.  24 presets,
    		(12 upper, 12 lower), 4 "RAM" locations (2 upper, 2 lower)
    		(almost 120 potentiometers!) plus performance 
    		controls (another upper/lower bank of potentiometers,
    	     	but with big handles for fast modification while 
    		playing.)  Approved by the SPLS (Society for the 
    		Preservation of Lights and Switches)- each preset/slider
    		bank can be selected by pushing ONE button (buttons
    		are illuminated so you can see where you are).
    	One voice is composed of 2 of these settings, one for the 
    		upper half of the voice, one for the lower half
    		of the voice.  Just using the presets there are 
    		225 voices, plus either or both of the chains can be
    		switched onto the slider board for realtime play
    		modification.  Presets are just resistors, in case
    		you get the urge to change a preset...   
                  
    	Voice architecture:
    		multi-waveform VCO --> VCA --> VCF --\
    						      >---> Output
    		multi-waveform VCO --> VCA --> VCF --/
                                                                   
    	LFO's for VCO and VCA, plus polyphonic velocity and polyphonic
    		pressure sensitivity to each of the above. 
    
    	NOT 1v/octave control voltage- uses Y-word linear voltage 
    		oscillators, so needs tuning only about once a year.
    
    	Pitch-bend ribbon controller, can bend UP 1 octave, DOWN to
    		zero Hz. (controller is about 18 inches long).       
                                              
    	Size: approx 5.5' long, 2.5' deep, 1.5' high.  Performance stand
    		(included) holds keyboard securely at performance
    		height.  Space on top for a PolyMoog, if you are willing
    		to leave half of case on and only easily access lower bank
    		sliders, patch select buttons, and KB.

        Weight: approximately 100 lbs.  Instrument is "self-cased",
    		like a portable typewriter (case is local transport
    		case, not a flight case).
    
    	Condition:  good/very good.  Minor scratches on outer case,
    		electronics/keyboard/controllers are 100% fine.  No
    		noise/hiss/gratchy potentiometers or keys.    
              
    	Includes: instrument, hardshell cover (2-piece), chrome steel stand,
    		footpedal, service manual (?).
    
    Instrument History:  Original price approx 12K$.  Unit was a rental
    unit in Boston.  Was often played in concert by Stevie Wonder (who
    can't read an LCD but sure can push sliders fast! ) Unit is now in 
    Troy, NY. (and Mr. Wonder now has a DECtalk on his synths).  I don't
    own the unit now, but the owner has caught "Synclavier Lust" and wants
    to move up.                               
    
    Other: This instrument (and the smaller CS-60) were the reason that
    Yamaha split patch information into "patch" and "performance" parts.
    But on the CS-80, it makes sense to do so!  THIS SYNTH IS NOT
    MIDI- IT IS PURE ANALOG!!! 
                                                                
    Price: $1200, negotiable.                                      
                                                                
    
    Contact: Bill Yerazunis 
    	CTHULU::YERAZUNIS
    	DTN 291-8243
    	Home: (617) 562-6769
    	

This synth is all the analog synth you could ever want.  If you wanna hear
what this baby can do, and you are into progressive rock, check out the
first UK album simply entitled "UK".  Eddie Jobson will blow you away not
only with his technique (right Won?), but also with the sounds he gets 
out of this baby.  I believe he uses exclusively CS-80 and Yamaha Grand
Piano.  This album features Bill Bruford (King Crimson/Yes/Genesis), John 
Wetton (King Crimson/Asia), Alan Holdsworth (JLPonty/etc/etc), and as
mentioned earlier, Eddie Jobson (Zappa).

One of my all time favorite albums.  Extremely creative.

Now where's that 20 bucks we talked about, Bill?

Todd.

    I played the instrument again over the weekend; there are a few
    updates (things I had forgotten that it could do):
    	
    	First- price.  Cut 200$, now a slightly negotiable $1000.
    	
    	Instrument has chorus and leslie simulator (phasor?) built right in.
    	
    	Upper and lower voices- Both are active across the entire KB.
    	A pot controls the ratio of "upper" to "lower".  It's inaccurate
    	to call them "upper" and "lower", the front panel graphics calls
    	them "I" and "II".
    
    	Each voice (I and II) also has a register switch (16' through
    	2' by some bizarre_but_musically_common_scale).  This alters
    	only the oscillators, not the filters.  Pitch-bend DOES alter
    	the filters, though, so when you bend a note, the timbre does
    	not go ape.
    
    	Filters are multimode, too.  It's like a 2-stage parametric
    	EQ (2 center freq's, 2 Q's, etc) that you can modulate with
    	LFO, velocity, pressure, etc.
    	
    	External inputs - can be used as input to filter, or as a
    	modulator.  Can do FMing of both VCO's from the external input.
    
    	Mod wheels: Well, not wheels.  Pots.  Nine of them.  Five for
    	the ring modulator and four for VCO and VCA depth, LFO freq.
    	and LFO amplitude modulation from polyphonic pressure.  
                                                     
    See .0 for phone number, etc.
    

    Mr Moderator- the instument has been sold- if the historical info
    in .1-.3 is not useful, feel free to flush the entire note.
    
    	-Bill Yerazunis