Vintage Synth Explorer

Yamaha • CS-15D

This is a partially preset, partially variable monophonic analogue synth which was released in 1979. It was part of a synthesizer range that included the CS-20m, the CS-40m, and the CS-70m. It has a very solid warm sound for a single VCO synth. The preset section is divided into two channels. Channel 1 has 15 sounds with the usual array of unrealistic instrument imitations and Channel 2 has 14 synth sounds plus a button to activate the 'manual' section of the synth. There is a slider to mix between the two channels and channel 2 can be detuned.

The 'manual' section comprises 1 VCO with a variable control between pulse and saw waves. There are also controls for pulse width modulation, noise and footings (32' - 2'). The 12dB filter has cut-off and resonance plus a dedicated ADSR envelope with a control for envelope amount. It has a nice wet and warm sound. There is a separate ADSR for the amplifier.

Most controls to the left of the preset section affect the presets as well as the manual section. These include a modulation section with 1 LFO (sine and square), S/H (random) and repeat. Modulation can be routed to either the VCO, VCF or VCA. There is also a global tuning pot and a performance panel that includes portamento (which isn't very precise) modulation and pitch wheels as well as a 'brilliance' slider. Why a slider for VCF modulation instead of a wheel? God only knows. One feature of the pitch wheel that has synthesists divided is that it doesn't have a spring although a soft 'click' is felt when moved back to the center-point. It can be handy to reach the lowest possible notes without having to hold the wheel in place.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

imi

Posted 15 days ago

i got mine at flea market for 50 CAD about 4 years ago. I like it very much. It is capable to make really crazy sounds. I am gonna keep this toy.

JOE

Posted 59 days ago

Great sounding synth. I really like the sound that you get from cs 15d. The thing thats so good about the cs 15d is that it is a very versitile synth. The sound that you get from it suItes most styles. Not as dark or deep as the cs 10 for bass or lead.

Synth.man

Posted 125 days ago

Yamaha cs 15D- VSE Rates this Synth: 3/5
Korg Delta - VSE Rates this Synth: 1/5
yeaa right

Gustaf

Posted 152 days ago

This nice synthesizer is used by The Movements live and not at least on their space rock epos "For Sardines space is no problem", a tribute to Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang. Take a listen here:

http://www.myspace.com/spacemovemen ts

Nathan

Posted 320 days ago

The Yamaha CS-15D is a beautiful duo phonic analog synthesizer that packs a powerful punch. Some features include the ability to de-tune the VCO`s to make a thicker analog sound much like the Roland SH-2. The manual section has a full range of knobs and sliders to control the various parameters on this amazing vintage synth. The preset section includes another VCO that can be adjusted and then mixed together with manual section. I believe that the Yamaha CS-15D is a very underrated, yet very useful synth that can be incorporated into many different styles of music.

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