Vintage Synth Explorer

Yamaha • CS-30

The CS-30 is a large, knob infested, black analog synthesizer with traditional features. It is a monophonic synth with extensive analog control and shaping. It has two oscillators with separate outputs, two VCF resonant filters, two VCA amplifiers and three envelopes. It also features a ring modulator, external audio triggering and a simple but useful 8-step sequencer for use as a sketch pad, pattern or arpeggio effect. The CS-30 does not have any on-board effects, memory nor MIDI. Although the CS-30 is just a monophonic synth with a short 44 note keyboard it offers a lot of programming flexibility, and plenty of knobs. It's used by 808 State.

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Jed

Posted 228 days ago

Our CS30 is the center piece of our synthesized sounds, our one and only synth and is used in conjunction with a Hammond Tonewheel organ and a Rhodes. It is everything we need in a synth and a truly great machine. It's lack of more modern features have never been an issue as it is always played live. It's eight step sequencer is great. A sweet machine indeed.

Macthemusician

Posted 370 days ago

I have the CS30L with the performance section on the left and built to be in its own case and included legs. This is a synthesizer of extraordinary flexibility and the additional unfiltered sine wave oscillator that adds deep rich body to the otherwise not so fat sounding yamaha synths such as the CS15 make it truly great. The CS40m also has the unfiltered sine wave oscillators although not as flexible as the CS30L- The CS40m has memory.

alessandro

Posted 376 days ago

i have a cs 30 (model whitout sequencer) since 1979 but It's turn off since 1991, now is in the garage, i don' t know if today it's ok or not. Great synth!!!

Frank Carvalho

Posted 414 days ago

The official VSE rating of 3 out of 5 is way to low. This synth could well be the sound innovators preferred tool. It runs rings around most other monophonics.

bobmoog

Posted 417 days ago

This thing is a monster. Only thing it lacks is a self-oscillating filter... other than that, it can produce sounds other synths which aren't fully modular can only dream of without circuit bending (and ruining any sense of being a collectors item)
Highly, highly recommended! Possibly the most under-rated synth I've laid hands on. The people who say it's hard to use should go and buy themselves a digital, this thing is the [beep] .

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