The CS-20m is another of Yamaha's classic CS-series analog synthesizers of the '70's and '80's. It is a monophonic analog synthesizer with dual-VCOs that use subtractive synthesis to create superb bass, synth, lead, bubbly-squirty and percussive sounds. It has all the essential components of a classic synth: There is a resonant filter with switchable high, band or lowpass filtering with its own ADSR envelope controls. There is an ADSR VCA envelope generator which contains a third oscillator which generates a sine wave to modulate and enhance your sounds. And there is an LFO which can modulate the PWM sweep. Fortunately, the CS-20m features 8 memory locations for patch storage of your favorite or most used sounds.

Stacked up against the other CS-synths, the CS-20m appears to be a very little brother to the CS-70m (a 12-VCO and very flexible beast). The CS-20m offers more memory patches than any other CS-synth (excluding newer CS1x and CS6x models). As for other synths, the CS-20m could be considered Minimoog-like, though it sounds much brighter and thinner than the Mini. If the Minimoog's price is out of your league, the CS-20m is not just a nice alternative but it is quite a classic and solid analog synth! It is used by The Crystal Method.

Devin Jonas

February 1, 2013 @ 11:34 am

Hi guys, got the manual in PDF, however I am struggling to solve the puzzle that is te plug.

I need to put a new one on - Bought the plug - Forgot the fuse to go in the plug... Not that I know which is recquired.

Could anyone assist? Very much look forward to getting it up and running.

Best regards.

Bob Weigel

September 29, 2012 @ 5:05 am

actually there is no 'third oscillator'. The sine wave amount in the VCA section is simply a filter bypass of vco 1 you'll notice if you play with the controls. That's confusing at initial glance. It does allow you to thicken up the sound, particularly using bp or hp filter selections. That's why these are one of the great synth bass machines really.

Joanna

July 30, 2012 @ 7:39 am

Hi - My friend has one of these and whilst fixing it has somehow lost the silver buttons/dials... do any of you know where/if you can get spare parts for this?
Thanks for any help
!

josh

February 8, 2012 @ 11:27 pm

I have had this synth for about 4 months now. I got one in very good shape. While it was built in 1979 it has no problems storing patches that you create. It also has a balanced XLR output with a transformer, which probably has some interesting coloration. I like it better than the MicroMoog or ARP Odyssey. Just because no one famous played it...does not mean it dosen't sound good. It is very sturdy and Heavy and the action on the keyboard feels good. Made in Japan.

Thomas Faurby

January 8, 2012 @ 3:22 pm

I made this demo using the CS20m. It's an actual song, so you can hear what it sounds like in a real context

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ89SOf7r8Q

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