| Manufactured by | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1977 - 1980 |
| Price | ~$7500 (at release) |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Timbrality | Multitimbral |
| Oscillator | 1 per voice |
| LFO | 1 multi-waveform |
| Synthesis type | Analog Subtractive |
| Filter | 1 High-pass 1 Low-pass |
| Attenuator | ADSR |
| Aftertouch | Yes, polyphonic |
| Velocity sensitive | Yes |
| Memory | 22 preset 6 user |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61-note with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch (on a per note rather than per patch basis) |
| Left-hand control | Ribbon Controller |
| External control | N/A |
The Yamaha CS-80 was a polyphonic analog synthesizer released in 1977. It supports true 8-voice polyphony (with two independent synthesizer layers per voice) as well as a primitive (sound) settings memory based on a bank of micropotentiometers (rather than the digital programmable presets the Prophet-5 would sport soon after), and exceptionally complete performer expression features, such as a splittable keyboard that was both velocity-sensitive (like a piano's) and pressure-sensitive ("after-touch") but unlike most modern keyboards the aftertouch could be applied to individual voices rather than in common, and a ribbon controller allowing for polyphonic pitch-bends and glissandos. This can be heard on the Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis, in which virtually all the sounds are created from the CS-80.
The CS-80 is known as being one of the heaviest self-contained analog synthesizers, weighing over 200 lb (91 kg). This vast instrument is notoriously tricky to service, as there are fewer and fewer engineers capable of CS-80 upkeep. One of the most notable issues is the tuning; if moved with anything but care or if stored in a room where the temperature isn't carefully set and monitored, the keyboard will detune. For this reason they should be serviced at their usual location or at a reputable shop. These days the CS-80 is mostly owned by studios and collectors who wish to preserve this unique machine. The current price on the market for a mint Yamaha CS-80 is around 4,000 to 15000 GBP (6,700 to 25,000 USD) with retrofitted[1] MIDI versions costing even more.
The CS-80 was discontinued in 1980.
French company Arturia created a VSTi software emulation of this synthesizer in 2003 called "CS-80 V".