It is a great first analog synth... ABSOLUTELY. In addition to that, it's a great analog synth all around. Don't tell anyone I said this, but it is a two-oscillator synth for VERY low prices that is capable of nearly all of the traditional standard analog synth sounds. I have been thinking of getting another one.
I have an el-cheapo, mostly 2nd hand synth collection and this video sold me on the cs15d. That sweet sweet cs sound at a ridiculous price. Thanks Marc
My friend has modded his CS-15D too :each preset is composed of a resistor network: ( a bit like the prestopatch system ) so you just need to replace those resistors by pots to get controls over each parameter of each preset ! : he ended up adding 36 pots just under the keyboard ! Each preset uses its own enveloppe polarity, filter type and oscillator settings so you can add switches too ! i thnk that most monophonic preset synths can be modded the same way (for ex. Teisco S-100P ) and especially the Korg Sigma which contains dozens of korg35 ICs : each preset has its own enveloppe VCA and filter : each preset has only 3 controls but you can add dozens for each preset and you can layer those presets .
Mr. Doty. Thank you for your source of inspiration. I've dealt with some old analogue synths, some people thaught were no good, but I've made some bizarre great sounds with those, since you're explaining the filters, EG's, amp, waveforms & LFO modulation so easy & good to understand for even those who're speking English just as a second language, and not knowing SHIT about synthesizers at all...
When I first started getting into synths back in the late'90s/early '00s, nobody liked the Yamaha monosynths, because they didn't have the fat 24db self-oscillating filters. This was my second synth (first was a Juno 6) and I loved it! Just as your video demonstrates, it's deceptively versatile. Personally, I've always loved the Yamaha filter sound and I really think they are the best for filtering other instruments, because they add just enough colour to add warmth and polish, but not so much that you accidentally over-do it. I ended up buying a CS30L a year or so later, which is one of the most unique, characterful synths I've ever heard.
In 1999, the Juno cost me $450, which was well above the odds at the time, but it was in near perfect condition - plus I bought it from a vintage synth dealer. You could pick up Junoes and Polysixes for $350 back then if you looked in the classifieds. In the same shop at the same time, there was a Jupiter 4 for $650 and a Jupiter 6 for $1,600 - if only I'd had the cash back then! The CS15d was $350
Ok, here's the deal. I just got my Yamaha CS15-D today. I hooked it up, ran to stereo headphones and was so pleased to hear it in action; the quality (timbre) of the sounds is so different from my old Rolands and Korgs, and also the Moog LP and DSI Prophet 08 that I knew right away it was a keeper. Here's where it gets interesting: hooked up a Kenton Pro-2000 to channel A and B respectively and I've got two independent arpeggiators going for the two voices on this synth. Absolute awesome sauce.
@F0nkyNinja You're too kind man :) I think the fact that we both commented here shows that we have good taste. Automatic Gainsay is a pretty incredible dude. And his synth videos are just about the only ones I can sit through all the way without getting bored.
Thanks Mark. I always dismissed this model because I thought it a crippled CS-15. This video opened my eyes, and I took delivery of a absolutely mint unit including case 2 weeks ago. Largely thanks to this vid. Looks funky, sounds funkier, and thanks to customs fumagatation, it even smells funky. Its more than the sum of its parts. The tone range and quality of sound is superb. Morph the brilliance knob between 2 fat CS Oscs with thier own filter and env settings + some AM/FM mod is nice.
Hi, how are you? I have one at home that has been stored for a long time, so now I turn it on and when I touch the keys they all sound the same, can you help me?
As I was watching the first half of this video, I was thinking, "ummm, you're a little too enthusiastic about this" - but then as you got into the stuff in the second half, my reaction was more along the lines of "ah, I get it now". :) This certainly could be used as a general analog workhorse.
So here's the thing. I've been collecting loads of new and vintage analog synths over the past year or so. Let's call it an obsession; that'd be fair. My decision to purchase a Yamaha CS-15D was influenced largely by your demo videos and your promise to make an apology video for anyone who buys and doesn't like this synth. Right? Well... Let's just say you don't need to make an apology video ;-) For the folks out there looking to inject analog sound into their digital setups for some warm, buzzy flavor, I feel this is a really great and scalable option. Why scalable? Because you (viewer) - like I - can buy a two-channel MIDI/CV (make sure it's good for Yamaha scaling) and have discrete MIDI control over both oscillators from a DAW. This is a -very- analog sounding analog synth. I love my Prophet 08, Little Phatty, etc., but this little guy has a really great, really VINTAGE sound. Sure, the sound programming isn't ridiculously deep, but guess what - most of those vintage sounds are ready and waiting to be exploited right in the presets. When folks go looking for an analog synth, they often use words like warm, fat, organic. That's what you've got here. Highly recommended.
thanks! Actually, mine was a bit messed up and i got a cheap deal on some repairs and it's good as new! Really fun sounds and no problems anymore! Great piece of hardware.
Wow, I clicked on this link not knowing it was your video and as soon as I heard the music start I thought, Oh Mark Doty is reviewing a Yamaha CS15D. I would have never expected you to review a preset synth. THATS how recognizable your music is. I never realized that.
The LFO wave that is drawn as a sine is most definitely a sine wave, not a triangle. BTW this video totally makes me regret giving away my CS15D. I used to never use any off the presets back then, just the "manual" section, so I never quite realized just how good it could really sound!
I've teamed this up with a SK-20 (Yamaha's Hammond/String/Polysynth unit from the same year). Together they sound fantastic and look cool together. Ill never have that CS-80 of my dreams, but a CS-15d and the 7 voice SK-20 will get you into the same postcode. Well maybe not exactly CS-80, more CS-8-ty. Since they get no love from analogue snobs you can pick them up very cheap. They seem to be very well made and solid for 35 year old synths. They sound so good its hard be productive though....
@SaintBertholdt Yep it's a neat little device. The guy who designed it has a little bigger experimenter diy syth that's going to be my next project. The ultimate goal is to build myself a modular syth but that's going be quite some time in the future.
It might make the sounds needed, but think of the lessened pedagogic potential, considering it as a first analog. Would be better to find a synth with a traditional VCO VCF VCA chain and start from there. Really get to know the building-blocks of subtractive synthesis.
I agree. But on stage setting this is a beast for the keyboardplayer. Not the most powerful synth in the world,but damn well thought out for live setting and for what you are most likely to need.
@AutomaticGainsay Your comparison to the sound of the Moog Modular isn't that far off the mark. The ARP ProSoloist (another preset synth) uses combinations of highpass, lowpass, and multiple bandpass filters -- the precise combinations were originally developed on an ARP 2500 and 'hard routed' (for lack of a better term) on the ProSoloist. A lot of synth snobs turn their noses up at preset synths, but I'm not one of them! Great vid too.
i am a guitarist but you always make me wanna get an analogue synth, especially if i imagine its signal going through my pedalboard or even through my pedalboad and my amp.
Did anyone who owns one of these get a power regulator for use in the US. I have one but haven't used it much for fear of frying it without using a power regulator.
Very helpful and good videos. I just got mine today. I’ve been wanting one for a while. I’m having a bit difficulty with it. I connect the mix 1 and 2 to my mixer. When the leveler is on mix 1 there is no sound. I take it down to the center, the lower bank starts working. I take the leveler all the way down, the mix 2 gets louder but there is no sound from any of the channel 1 bank sounds. I am so lost... any ideas? Thanks so much
Does the "Line Out Mix" 1+2" on the back sends Channel 1 and 2 out? Good, that means both Channels are working and the problem could be the "mixer" lever or the output on the back. Does the "Mix 1+2" Output on the back only sends Channel 2 out? There might be a bigger problem with the Level 1 board itself. Find yourself a decent vintage synth workshop and spend the money on a full cleaning and a checkup. It`s likely, the cs can be repaired. A complete and careful cleaning of the inside is mandatory when buying a vintage synth. So is a full recapping procedure.
hey, so i just got one of these. and my biggest gripe is with the modulation dial (top left). why won't it stop?! it just makes little blips and clicks along everything i play...so infuriating. how can i get it to stop?
Very good demo :D :D Can I creat a sequence in my ableton and send to this great synth...?? I just looking for one.. And i'm not sure.. Thanks in advance !
Well, I have a confession to make that I may have made earlier in this comment thread: The synth you're hearing in the intro music is NOT the CS-15D. It is, however, a CS-15. It is my understanding that the architecture of the two synths is nearly identical, though (it's only the interface and the operation that is different)... if that's any consolation!
I've found one of these cheap and I'm checking this vid to see if it might be worth it. It was thinking no, until 12:40 onwards. It has some cool capabilities and using those to mangle the presets will clearly yield unique sounds! I'm very tempted now
Well, it's a secret... but actually, the intro song was recorded with a CS-15, not a CS-15D. But since they share mostly the same components with a different interface, I thought it would be okay. :D Yes, that's my work, and I think it can be found somewhere on soundcloud.com/recondite
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It is a great first analog synth... ABSOLUTELY. In addition to that, it's a great analog synth all around. Don't tell anyone I said this, but it is a two-oscillator synth for VERY low prices that is capable of nearly all of the traditional standard analog synth sounds. I have been thinking of getting another one.
I own two for this exact reason. Pure Magic !
I have an el-cheapo, mostly 2nd hand synth collection and this video sold me on the cs15d. That sweet sweet cs sound at a ridiculous price. Thanks Marc
Layering the sounds you can get 15 times 15 (less 15 because that's the repetition times) so around 200 presets, amazing!
and then you control the mix between the two selected sound. = some more tweaking variations.
My friend has modded his CS-15D too :each preset is composed of a resistor network: ( a bit like the prestopatch system ) so you just need to replace those resistors by pots to get controls over each parameter of each preset ! : he ended up adding 36 pots just under the keyboard ! Each preset uses its own enveloppe polarity, filter type and oscillator settings so you can add switches too !
i thnk that most monophonic preset synths can be modded the same way (for ex. Teisco S-100P ) and especially the Korg Sigma which contains dozens of korg35 ICs : each preset has its own enveloppe VCA and filter : each preset has only 3 controls but you can add dozens for each preset and you can layer those presets .
Mr. Doty. Thank you for your source of inspiration.
I've dealt with some old analogue synths, some people thaught were no good, but I've made some bizarre great sounds with those, since you're explaining the filters, EG's, amp, waveforms & LFO modulation so easy & good to understand for even those who're speking English just as a second language, and not knowing SHIT about synthesizers at all...
Call me simple, but I just like the massive wooden endblocks....
I'd call you smart
i'd call you sophisticated - never underestimate wood on a synth.
blipblip88 and they are not wooden here.
When I first started getting into synths back in the late'90s/early '00s, nobody liked the Yamaha monosynths, because they didn't have the fat 24db self-oscillating filters. This was my second synth (first was a Juno 6) and I loved it! Just as your video demonstrates, it's deceptively versatile. Personally, I've always loved the Yamaha filter sound and I really think they are the best for filtering other instruments, because they add just enough colour to add warmth and polish, but not so much that you accidentally over-do it. I ended up buying a CS30L a year or so later, which is one of the most unique, characterful synths I've ever heard.
Juno 6 and Yamaha cs 15d... great combination. How much did you pay for them back in the day if you dont mind my asking?
In 1999, the Juno cost me $450, which was well above the odds at the time, but it was in near perfect condition - plus I bought it from a vintage synth dealer. You could pick up Junoes and Polysixes for $350 back then if you looked in the classifieds. In the same shop at the same time, there was a Jupiter 4 for $650 and a Jupiter 6 for $1,600 - if only I'd had the cash back then! The CS15d was $350
Ok, here's the deal. I just got my Yamaha CS15-D today. I hooked it up, ran to stereo headphones and was so pleased to hear it in action; the quality (timbre) of the sounds is so different from my old Rolands and Korgs, and also the Moog LP and DSI Prophet 08 that I knew right away it was a keeper. Here's where it gets interesting: hooked up a Kenton Pro-2000 to channel A and B respectively and I've got two independent arpeggiators going for the two voices on this synth. Absolute awesome sauce.
Truly the Statues In Motion / Forward Music Quintet machine!
Voice & Enthusiasm could slay a dragon. Keep on making great vids.
@F0nkyNinja You're too kind man :) I think the fact that we both commented here shows that we have good taste. Automatic Gainsay is a pretty incredible dude. And his synth videos are just about the only ones I can sit through all the way without getting bored.
Thanks Mark. I always dismissed this model because I thought it a crippled CS-15. This video opened my eyes, and I took delivery of a absolutely mint unit including case 2 weeks ago. Largely thanks to this vid. Looks funky, sounds funkier, and thanks to customs fumagatation, it even smells funky. Its more than the sum of its parts. The tone range and quality of sound is superb. Morph the brilliance knob between 2 fat CS Oscs with thier own filter and env settings + some AM/FM mod is nice.
Hi, how are you? I have one at home that has been stored for a long time, so now I turn it on and when I touch the keys they all sound the same, can you help me?
As I was watching the first half of this video, I was thinking, "ummm, you're a little too enthusiastic about this" - but then as you got into the stuff in the second half, my reaction was more along the lines of "ah, I get it now". :) This certainly could be used as a general analog workhorse.
I just love the "cute" tune from the beginning of this video!
Good argumentation and nice examples. Really enjoyed this.
So here's the thing. I've been collecting loads of new and vintage analog synths over the past year or so. Let's call it an obsession; that'd be fair. My decision to purchase a Yamaha CS-15D was influenced largely by your demo videos and your promise to make an apology video for anyone who buys and doesn't like this synth. Right? Well... Let's just say you don't need to make an apology video ;-)
For the folks out there looking to inject analog sound into their digital setups for some warm, buzzy flavor, I feel this is a really great and scalable option. Why scalable? Because you (viewer) - like I - can buy a two-channel MIDI/CV (make sure it's good for Yamaha scaling) and have discrete MIDI control over both oscillators from a DAW.
This is a -very- analog sounding analog synth. I love my Prophet 08, Little Phatty, etc., but this little guy has a really great, really VINTAGE sound. Sure, the sound programming isn't ridiculously deep, but guess what - most of those vintage sounds are ready and waiting to be exploited right in the presets.
When folks go looking for an analog synth, they often use words like warm, fat, organic. That's what you've got here. Highly recommended.
Hey, thanks for this post, Tiny!
i realize it's kind of off topic but does anybody know a good place to watch new tv shows online ?
@Emmitt Sutton i dunno I use flixportal. Just search on google after it =) -pablo
@Pablo Aydin thank you, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D I appreciate it !!
@Emmitt Sutton you are welcome =)
Nice vid. You have the best synth demos on youtube.
thanks! Actually, mine was a bit messed up and i got a cheap deal on some repairs and it's good as new! Really fun sounds and no problems anymore! Great piece of hardware.
Wow, I clicked on this link not knowing it was your video and as soon as I heard the music start I thought, Oh Mark Doty is reviewing a Yamaha CS15D. I would have never expected you to review a preset synth. THATS how recognizable your music is. I never realized that.
Thanks to you and your very good demo of this synth, I have just bought one! ;)
great mechine i got mine from da rubbish dump .came with like new case and more .cost me 50 dollars ,realy love it
The LFO wave that is drawn as a sine is most definitely a sine wave, not a triangle. BTW this video totally makes me regret giving away my CS15D. I used to never use any off the presets back then, just the "manual" section, so I never quite realized just how good it could really sound!
I've teamed this up with a SK-20 (Yamaha's Hammond/String/Polysynth unit from the same year). Together they sound fantastic and look cool together. Ill never have that CS-80 of my dreams, but a CS-15d and the 7 voice SK-20 will get you into the same postcode. Well maybe not exactly CS-80, more CS-8-ty.
Since they get no love from analogue snobs you can pick them up very cheap. They seem to be very well made and solid for 35 year old synths.
They sound so good its hard be productive though....
Hey I really like the lead sound in the intro song. Do you remember which setting gets you that drunken kind of effect? Is it just the portamento?
I think so!
The red light on the right part of the synth does'nt work, but the synth sounds perfectly working maybe i've miss something ? Or it's no big deal ?
I love your little intro songs.
@SaintBertholdt Yep it's a neat little device. The guy who designed it has a little bigger experimenter diy syth that's going to be my next project.
The ultimate goal is to build myself a modular syth but that's going be quite some time in the future.
Damn it's like 2 in the morning but this video makes me wanna bust out my synth and get programming.
It might make the sounds needed, but think of the lessened pedagogic potential, considering it as a first analog. Would be better to find a synth with a traditional VCO VCF VCA chain and start from there. Really get to know the building-blocks of subtractive synthesis.
I agree. But on stage setting this is a beast for the keyboardplayer. Not the most powerful synth in the world,but damn well thought out for live setting and for what you are most likely to need.
they sell for $300-400 on ebay. wondering if this is THE choice for a first analog synth ?
@SaintBertholdt It's the handshake problem, n(n-1)/2. 16*15/2=120 possible combination.
@AutomaticGainsay Your comparison to the sound of the Moog Modular isn't that far off the mark. The ARP ProSoloist (another preset synth) uses combinations of highpass, lowpass, and multiple bandpass filters -- the precise combinations were originally developed on an ARP 2500 and 'hard routed' (for lack of a better term) on the ProSoloist. A lot of synth snobs turn their noses up at preset synths, but I'm not one of them! Great vid too.
i am a guitarist but you always make me wanna get an analogue synth, especially if i imagine its signal going through my pedalboard or even through my pedalboad and my amp.
cool vid ,found mine at the local rubbish dump ,now in my will for my grandchildren ,
Your videos keeping getting better and better Marc. I really do miss talking to you. Sorry it's been so long. How are you man?
Did anyone who owns one of these get a power regulator for use in the US. I have one but haven't used it much for fear of frying it without using a power regulator.
Very helpful and good videos. I just got mine today. I’ve been wanting one for a while. I’m having a bit difficulty with it. I connect the mix 1 and 2 to my mixer. When the leveler is on mix 1 there is no sound. I take it down to the center, the lower bank starts working. I take the leveler all the way down, the mix 2 gets louder but there is no sound from any of the channel 1 bank sounds. I am so lost... any ideas? Thanks so much
Does the "Line Out Mix" 1+2" on the back sends Channel 1 and 2 out? Good, that means both Channels are working and the problem could be the "mixer" lever or the output on the back. Does the "Mix 1+2" Output on the back only sends Channel 2 out? There might be a bigger problem with the Level 1 board itself. Find yourself a decent vintage synth workshop and spend the money on a full cleaning and a checkup. It`s likely, the cs can be repaired. A complete and careful cleaning of the inside is mandatory when buying a vintage synth. So is a full recapping procedure.
Nice to see you in action one more time, Captain Kirk..........
hey, so i just got one of these. and my biggest gripe is with the modulation dial (top left). why won't it stop?! it just makes little blips and clicks along everything i play...so infuriating. how can i get it to stop?
i want 1.. sound so phatt were u find it?
Know of a way to sequence this thing? Trying to find something that would work with both this and an MS-20 mini (in the mail!).
Great vid, good work! I owns one and it's great.
sounds (for me) like PCM soundbank from a soundblaster 32 card?
@SaintBertholdt Yep your right. Tired brain was tired.
nice video
Very good demo :D :D Can I creat a sequence in my ableton and send to this great synth...?? I just looking for one.. And i'm not sure.. Thanks in advance !
Thank you very much ;) Cheers
whats synth was on beginning? thnx
Well, I have a confession to make that I may have made earlier in this comment thread:
The synth you're hearing in the intro music is NOT the CS-15D. It is, however, a CS-15. It is my understanding that the architecture of the two synths is nearly identical, though (it's only the interface and the operation that is different)... if that's any consolation!
Great demo - like always. Thanks.
Ah - before I forget - I´m waiting for some Oberheim and Jupiter 8 demos. How´s about that?
12:40 is a really useful sound for rave music
I've found one of these cheap and I'm checking this vid to see if it might be worth it. It was thinking no, until 12:40 onwards. It has some cool capabilities and using those to mangle the presets will clearly yield unique sounds! I'm very tempted now
That toy seems to be capable of awesome things. :)
Lots of presets...maybe you could do a demo of creating some sounds from scratch...perhaps on a polyphonic analog synth?(yep i have a Prophet08)
@AutomaticGainsay Still waiting for that......
10:20 Marc Doty ROLAND JX 3P RAGE
U should Demo the CS 15
I got it , U know why not start? There's no red light ok
too much words, too few notes
intro song? *u*
Well, it's a secret... but actually, the intro song was recorded with a CS-15, not a CS-15D. But since they share mostly the same components with a different interface, I thought it would be okay. :D
Yes, that's my work, and I think it can be found somewhere on soundcloud.com/recondite
Into music sounds like La Roux wailing away! Makes me want to get my baseball bat out! No offence to this vid though ;-)
I am not familiar with La Roux!