An 8-voice
polyphonic analog synthesizer with a 61-note
keyboard. Manufactured between
1977 and
1980.
Not a huge commercial success due to its $6900
price tag and heavy competition by synths like the
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5.
The CS-80 features 2 separate
layers with 1
VCO per voice, adding up to 16
oscillators. Available
waveforms are
sawtooth, square, sine, noise, pulse and
PWM.
On the
filter section there are
resonant (but not self-oscillating) 12
dB/
octave high- and low-pass
VCFs. They feature controls for cut-off and resonance, plus an ADR envelope generator.
The
VCA offers its own
ADSR EG, plus sliders for controlling VCF and sine wave
output levels.
5 waveforms plus external audio
input are available on the
LFO, which is strangely called a sub-oscillator. Separate level controls for VCO, VCF and VCA are included, as well as a
speed knob.
A versatile
ring modulator is available, and features controls for
modulation,
depth (maximum
frequency), speed, attack
time and decay time. Another special feature is the
patch memory, with 22
preset sounds and 6
user programmable patches divided among the two layers.
The
layers are independently
detuneable and have separate volume and octave controls. Sadly, the LFO can only
modulate both parts at once.
The
keyboard offers 61 semi-weighted keys with adjustable
velocity /
aftertouch sensitivity. It is possible to
scale the VCA and VCF across the keyboard in an increasing or decreasing
slope.
Other features include global
brilliance / resonance knobs and a
pitch ribbon controller instead of the usual
wheel.
CV/Gate outputs are available for external control, and
MIDI-upgrade is said to be relatively easy to do.
Famous users of the CS-80 include
Vangelis,
Kraftwerk and
Electric Light Orchestra.
Dimensions/Weight:
121 x 30.5 x 69cm
~100kg
Presets:
String 1-4
Brass 1-3
Flute
Electric Piano
Bass
Clavichord 1-2
Harpsichord 1-2
Organ 1-2
Guitar 1-2
Funky 1-4
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