The instrument
The Yamaha CS-60, introduced in the late 1970s, is a polyphonic analog synthesizer renowned for its rich, warm sound and expressive capabilities. It is often seen as the younger sibling of the more famous CS-80, sharing many of its features but in a more accessible and affordable format. The CS-60 was designed to offer professional-quality sounds to musicians without the high cost associated with the flagship CS-80. Its combination of advanced synthesis features and relatively compact design made it a popular choice among both studio musicians and live performers.
The CS-60's reputation is bolstered by its use by notable artists and in various music genres, ranging from progressive rock to electronic music. Its distinctive sound has made it a classic instrument, treasured by collectors and musicians alike. The CS-60's ability to deliver complex, lush tones helped it maintain a significant place in the history of analog synthesizers.
Details
The Yamaha CS-60 features eight voice polyphony, allowing for rich, layered sounds. Each voice includes a single oscillator with selectable waveforms (sawtooth, square, and pulse), along with a noise generator. The instrument's standout feature is its ring modulation capabilities, which can produce complex, metallic sounds that are both unique and versatile. The CS-60 also includes a resonant low-pass filter with adjustable cutoff and resonance, enabling detailed sound shaping.
One of the key aspects of the CS-60 is its expressive control interface. It includes a 61-note keyboard with a monophonic aftertouch, allowing for dynamic performance techniques. The aftertouch can be used to control various parameters such as pitch, filter cutoff, and vibrato, adding an extra layer of expressiveness to the playing experience. Additionally, the CS-60 is equipped with a ribbon controller, which provides smooth pitch bending and modulation effects The synthesizer also features an ensemble effect, which enriches the sound by adding subtle detuning and chorusing, making the tones fuller and more vibrant.