YAMAHA CS-30 - Synth Review, Sounds and Demo | Vintage Analog Monosynth

Yamaha CS-30 - Analog synthesizer review, sounds and demo. In this review and demo of the vintage Yamaha CS-30 synth from 1977, I showcase this monosynth's features, sound design possibilities, and sounds and patches.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Overview
02:01 - Front Panel

03:04 - VCO 1
04:56 - Cross Mod
05:29 - VCO 1 Pitch Mod

06:36 - VCO 2
07:53 - VCO 2 Pitch Mod
08:30 - Osc Balance
08:58 - Osc Detune
09:39 - Pitch EG

11:15 - VCF 1
12:52 - VCF 1 - LFO
13:55 - VCF 1 - EG
14:29 - Noise
14:56 - Osc 2 / Ext-In

15:10 - VCF 2
16:01 - VCF 2 - LFO
16:22 - VCF 2 - EG

16:42 - VCA 1 - Filters
17:19 - VCA 1 - EG
18:02 - VCA 1 - VCF Mix
18:26 - VCA 1 - LFO
19:02 - VCA 1 - Sine

19:35 - VCA 2
19:53 - VCA 2 - LFO
20:08 - VCA 2 - Ring Mod

20:54 - Triggering
21:55 - Envelopes
23:26 - Sequencer
27:17 - LFO
28:39 - Portamento
29:02 - Pitch Bend
29:24 - Ext Audio-In
29:33 - Summary

30:28 - Sounds & Patches

45:45 - Pros
51:31 - Cons
56:12 - Final Thoughts

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The Yamaha CS-30 is the top-of-the-line synthesizer in the black monosynth series from Yamaha. Released in 1977, the Yamaha CS30 is a vintage analog synth that can create a variety of sounds, patches and experimental soundscapes.

The Yamaha CS30 is a complex synth with routable switches and signal paths which make it almost semi-modular in many aspects. It is a dual channel synthesizer with numerous enhancements beyond the CS-15 such as a sequencer, cross modulation, ring modulation and more envelopes, amongst other things.

The Yamaha CS30 has 2 VCOs (saw, square, pulse), 2 VCFs (LPF, BPF, HPF), and 2 VCAs, each of which can be controlled independently. Both channels can be mixed seperately or together. It also has single and multitrigger modes which can be generated via keyboard or LFO.

The Yamaha CS-30 has 1 LFO with envelope control, which goes into audio rate. Each LFO destination on the synth can have a different waveshape (sine, saw, inverted saw, square, S&H, External Audio-In), which allows for interesting modulation possibilities.

There are 3 envelopes on the Yamaha CS30, two of which are invertable. Envelopes can be triggered by the keyboard, sequencer, external audio, and be extended to 5x their length. The 8-step non-quantized sequencer allows for creative looping patterns or triggering of VCOs and envelopes, and has its own clock rate.

The Yamaha CS-30's cross-modulation and ring modulation functions enable metallic bell-like tones, and the parallel filters allow for formant sounds as well. The VCOs, filters and VCAs can all be modulated via LFO, and by any of the envelopes, within their respective sections.

The signal routing on the Yamaha CS30 is a bit confusing initially, as you select the oscillator waveshapes in the filter section, and the filter types in the VCA section, which is somewhat non-traditional. However with time and practice, creating sounds on the Yamaha CS-30 becomes easier.

The Yamaha CS-30 can create all types of sounds, including regular bread and butter patches. However, in my opinion it excels in wierd soundscapes and happy accidents that come from experimentation, and offers many possibilities for sound design.

The Yamaha CS-30 is somewhat rare and obscure, but can still be found on the second hand market. It is a unique analog monosynth with a lot of hidden potential once the signal flow is understood. If you enjoy vintage synthesizers and like the sound of the Yamaha CS30, definitely grab one if you have the opportunity. This is a crazy and wacky synth which leads to hours of fun and a variety of sonic possibilities.

I hope you enjoy this Yamaha CS-30 review and the sounds of this vintage monosynth. Thanks for watching -- please subcribe (tap the bell), like, and leave a comment if you enjoyed!

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