This synth really has its own sound. The CS-15's got style. Built like a tank with a lot of nice knobs and best of all, not one but two of those funny sounding multimode filters. It's actually a duophonic / bitimbral synth but you have to connect it to CV (Hz/V like Korg not V/Oct) to get the extra voice. Each of the two VCOs has its own CV/Gate control.

The best things about it are the flexibility of the VCFs and the routings to the filters and envelopes. You can rout VCO 1 to both VCFs and the VCFs to any of the envelopes positive or negative voltage. The VCFs are 12 dB/Oct and are switchable between low, band or high-pass. They are the key to the nice sound of the Yamaha CS family. Other nice features are noise, external-in for processing other sounds, LFO with Sample & Hold for those bubbling sounds and an individual auto-bend for the VCOs.

The CS-15 is great for strange blips, bass and tiny highpass sounds. The ADSRs aren't as fast as the CS-10 but they are ok. A nice feature is the 'brilliance' slider that can control either or both VCFs. At their extremely low prices, the CS-15 is an analog that's definitely worth checking out for yourself. It has been used by Astral Projection, Somatic Responses, Moog Cookbook, The Human League, and Vince Clarke.

kreuchert

July 1, 2011 @ 6:38 pm

got one about 8 weeks ago. being used to the logics and interfaces of old roland gear, this took me a few days get a grip on the layout. once you get it you understand that this is a masterpiece in its simple but versatile possibilities. in essence you control two totally independent synthesizers that you can layer as you like. only thing I am really missing is x-mod functionality of the oscs. envelopes are beautiful for their minute-long slowness, creating slowly evolving, extremely experimental stuff if you wish so (I do). pretty dominant synth in the mix though.

eyeon

March 16, 2011 @ 6:21 pm

Wow. I scored one of these today. My friend saw his neighbor throwing it away. Yes, THROWING IT AWAY. Luckily he rescued it and delivered it to me, knowing I am into this kind of stuff. I'm having the same constant drone issues as some others have had, can't wait to get off work and mess with some more! I'm in love.

Novy

February 3, 2011 @ 7:00 pm

to James Pilcher,

Turn down the initial volume control in the VCA section ;)
no more continuous tone.

Aaron

January 27, 2011 @ 9:42 pm

The best thing in my collection! I find it almost impossible to get a poor or even mediocre tone out of it. With just a touch of reverb it become unstoppable.

james pilcher

December 26, 2010 @ 5:55 pm

solved my problem - not a fault - see the cs-5 page for the facepalm-worthy solution

<7654321>

 

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