The CS1x is Yamaha's first Analog Emulation performance keyboard for electronic and dance musicians (the CS line is back!). It's a digital synthesizer that emulates analog style, sounds and controls. All controls and parameters are real-time and MIDI controllable. As well as a superb set of quality synth bass, pads, voices, leads and arpeggiated sequences there are plenty of amazing drum sounds also with analog sound and control.

Some of the coolest features of the CS1x aimed at dance musicians will provide you with instant sonic gratification and hands-on real-time tweakability. There are 6 knobs for envelope attack, release, filter cutoff, resonance and 2 are assignable knobs. Two scene memories will remember the current state of the envelope and filters as set by the control knobs so they can instantly be recalled and you can even use the Mod-wheel to morph from one scene into the other, very cool! Scene Memory data is also stored with your synth patches. Built-in digital effects are great but the Arpeggiator steals the show with 30 inspirational patterns suited for techno, house, basslines and basic arpeg. patterns.

Plenty of memory (128 preset, 128 user) and MIDI control make the CS1x perfect for both live and studio use. Control the synth, arpeggiator and editing through MIDI control. The CS1x only has limited multitimbrality in which, when hooked up to a sequencer, MIDI channels 5-16 offer plain old Yamaha XG synth sounds but MIDI channel 1 holds the CS1x's main sounds and effects. It's already being used by Underworld, Bushflange, Jamiraquai, Skylab2000, Somatic Responses, and David Bowie.

Fray

March 30, 2009 @ 4:43 pm

Just picked one up on Ebay for 180 USD. My kids immediately recognized many of the classic loops which apparently are still being used in Hip-hop type music today. A little confusing to figure out at first, but kept us all riveted due to the plethora of complex, high quality sounds.

Reggie

March 18, 2009 @ 4:34 pm

I bought this new way back when. This thing is surprisingly good! It has a great sound and you can create a lot of synth sounds; buzzes, bleeps - ear candy for days!

I only use it in Performance mode. You can sculpt and stack 4 voices to make some ethereal and cyclical pads. And I mean Really Good pads! It's also good with bass though I primarily use other synths for that.

I don't like synths that are workstations or so complicated you need a PhD just to turn it on. This thing will get you where you need to go in short time. The only gripe I have is the lack of order with the rom sound files and the wall wart. For that I give it 4 stars.

gaga

December 3, 2008 @ 11:43 am

this awesome synth was also used by cris clark and efecto tralalí

jk246

November 23, 2008 @ 1:35 pm

This is great synth that will become a classic. It sounds warmer than a lot of synths that are supposedly higher-end VA's.

Badger

October 17, 2008 @ 2:26 am

Yeah, cool sound. Vintage and warm!

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