The Yamaha CS-80 is widely considered a legendary synthesizer due to its advanced features and unique sound, famously showcased in the Blade Runner soundtrack. However, with only around 8,000 units produced, the CS-80 is a rarity and has a hefty price tag.
One of the most recognizable features of the CS-80 is its ribbon controller, used for gliding between pitches, and the slow envelope on the amplifier and filter that gradually swells the sound into existence. This article will explore some of the best Yamaha CS-80 alternatives available today, offering similar sonic capabilities and sound design potential without breaking the bank.
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Examples Of The CS-80’s Iconic Sound
The Yamaha CS-80 has been used in numerous recordings, and its unique sound has made it a popular choice for many artists. Here are three of the most recognizable artists/songs that used the Yamaha CS-80:
Vangelis – The CS-80 was prominently featured in Vangelis’ score for the 1982 film Blade Runner. The opening title track, “Main Titles,” is a particularly iconic example of the CS-80’s sound, with its rich, soaring brass-like tones.
Toto – The Yamaha CS-80 was used on Toto’s hit song “Africa,” released in 1982. The CS-80’s lush, warm sound is heard in the song’s opening chords, adding a distinctive texture to the track.
Stevie Wonder – Stevie Wonder used the CS-80 on several of his recordings, including his 1979 album Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants. The album’s opening track, “Earth’s Creation,” features the CS-80’s sweeping, cinematic sound, which adds to the album’s lush and otherworldly feel.
Behringer DeepMind 12
Behringer has created the DeepMind 12, a synthesizer that boasts serious synthesis firepower and is the ultimate analog polysynth with a 12-voice beast. It can effortlessly deliver any classic synth sound you’ve ever heard – or even imagined.
The DeepMind 12 is a value-packed synthesizer incorporating two digitally controlled analog oscillators and two LFOs per voice, three envelopes, a noise generator, unison mode with a handy detune fader, an extensive 8-bus modulation matrix, a 32-step sequencer, four digital FX engines. With built-in Wi-Fi, a silky aftertouch-enabled keybed, and more, this synthesizer is the perfect tool for electronic music producers looking to create dynamic, innovative sounds.
The DeepMind 12 features a velocity- and aftertouch-enabled 49-note keyboard, 1024 patch memory locations arranged in 8 banks of 128, and each voice features an independent LFO. Additionally, it boasts a 2/4-pole lowpass filter with an additional highpass filter and three envelopes for VCA, VCF, and assignable mod. With unison mode and a detune fader, the DeepMind 12 allows for unique sound design capabilities.
The DeepMind 12 is a powerful, affordable alternative to the Yamaha CS-80 that will take electronic music production to the next level.
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Korg Minilogue XD
If you’re captivated by the timeless Yamaha CS-80, the Korg Minilogue XD hybrid synthesizer is bound to impress. This synthesizer, boasting a 37-key, 4-voice polyphonic setup, masterfully melds analog and digital, featuring a sophisticated analog synth circuit alongside Korg’s robust digital multi-engine. It comes equipped with three oscillators per voice (two analog, one digital), a monologue filter with a drive circuit, and a 32-bit floating-point digital effects engine. It offers a broad spectrum of classic and contemporary tones enriched with that unmistakable analog warmth.
But there’s more. As Precursor, the artist behind the track “Biomarker,” remarks, “The Minilogue XD was a game-changer for me, especially for creating those lush pad sounds.” This sentiment highlights the synth’s capabilities. With its micro-tuning feature and an adept sequencer, the Minilogue XD makes crafting complex, evolving sequences a breeze. The digital multi-engine expands your creative horizon with four noise types, a VPM/FM oscillator, and the option to design custom user oscillators. This unleashes a universe of inventive possibilities, ensuring your sound exploration remains fresh and inspiring for a long time.
Delve deeper into the Korg Minilogue XD’s role in crafting “Biomarker” and gain more insights from Precursor by checking out the full interview here.
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Arturia PolyBrute
The PolyBrute guarantees an authentic sonic experience with its 100% analog signal path. This path is coveted in the synth world for its depth and interactive quality. It also boasts a 61-note keyboard with aftertouch, modulation, and pitch wheels, offering a tangible connection to the instrument’s CS-80 roots. With its vintage charm and modern prowess, the Arturia PolyBrute is a premier choice for electronic music creators.
In an exclusive interview with techno maestros Mathame, they praised the PolyBrute: “That’s why we chose Polybrute, because it allows us to get to the sounds we have in our heads in a short time.”
Explore the full conversation with Mathame and discover their insights on the Arturia PolyBrute. Plus, don’t miss their latest track, embedded in the interview, capturing the essence of their unique sound. Click here to dive into the interview and experience their latest sonic journey.
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Modal Argon8
Modal Electronics has outdone itself with the Argon8X, a powerhouse digital synthesizer with massive sound and impressive design innovation. This 8-voice polyphonic synth features a 32-oscillator architecture that can be played polyphonically, monophonically, in unison, or stacked, offering endless possibilities for sonic exploration.
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Compared to the legendary Yamaha CS-80, the Argon8X’s ample processing options and morphable filters stand out. It includes de-rez, waveshaping distortion, and a robust effects engine for distortion and sublime ambient soundscapes. The synth also features a built-in arpeggiator and a 512-step sequencer, perfect for generating intricate patterns and programming ’80s-inspired arp lines or futuristic sounds. The Argon8X’s sturdy steel, aluminum chassis, and bamboo end cheeks provide a durable and visually appealing synth that can withstand even the heaviest gigging. Its 500 memory slots, including 300 factory presets and 200 preset user spaces, offer endless creative potential.
With its 8-slot Mod Matrix, 4-axis joystick, and ample connectivity, the Argon8X is a perfect tool for the intrepid sound designer looking to make their mark in electronic music.
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Novation Summit
Novation’s Summit is a synthesizer that will satisfy any electronic musician’s cravings, providing a 61-note keyboard with a powerful 2-part, 16-voice architecture. With three oscillators per voice and dual analog filters, Summit delivers a lush, complex sound that can be shaped through subtractive, wavetable, or FM synthesis. With a hybrid digital and analog architecture, Summit strikes a perfect balance between the precision of digital and the warmth of analog, making it the perfect choice for professional or semi-professional musicians looking to perform or record in any environment.
The Summit’s multitimbral engine lets you effortlessly switch between two simultaneous patches, with the option to split or layer them across the keyboard, providing complete control over your sound.
Overall, the Novation Summit is a truly versatile synthesizer, with the power and flexibility to rival the legendary Yamaha CS-80. With its premium keyboard, hybrid architecture, and innovative features, Summit is the perfect choice for any musician looking to push their sound to new heights.
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Yamaha MODX6+
Like the CS-80, the Summit features a 61-note keyboard with a multitimbral engine that allows you to split, layer, and switch between two patches simultaneously. However, the Summit goes beyond the CS-80’s capabilities with its hybrid architecture, which combines digital and analog technologies for a more versatile sound. Specifically, the Summit has three NCO New Oxford Oscillators per voice, which can be used for subtractive, wavetable, or FM synthesis. Additionally, the Summit boasts dual analog filters, analog VCAs, and three stages of analog distortion per voice. This gives it a rich, warm sound that can be customized with per-voice analog multimode 12/24dB filters.
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It also has an audio input for processing external sources through its reverb, chorus, and delay FX. It also has a range of additional controls and functions accessible on the front panel, including FM routing, LFOs 3 and 4, complete arpeggiator parameters, and more. And with its expanded onboard memory, you can easily store and recall your sounds and samples for a personalized touch.
In short, while the Yamaha CS-80 was an iconic analog synth in its time, the Novation Summit is a modern, hybrid synth that takes inspiration from the CS-80’s polyphonic capabilities and adds its unique features and technology for even greater creative possibilities.
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Waldorf Iridium
Waldorf’s Iridium desktop module is a powerhouse of advanced synthesis technology, rivaling the legendary Yamaha CS-80. With Waldorf’s innovative wavetable oscillator and cutting-edge sound sources and modulators, Iridium creates complex, evolving soundscapes that range from ethereal pads to bone-rattling bass and searing leads. The 16-voice polyphony and dual-timbral split or layered modes provide many sonic possibilities. The three stereo digital oscillators per voice, each capable of five synthesis algorithms, ensure that no sound is out of reach.
Additionally, Iridium features a digital dual resonant filter with selectable 2-pole and 4-pole slopes, six LFOs, six envelope generators, and multi-curve LFOs, giving users ultimate control over their sound design.
Whether you’re a severe sound designer or an electronic music producer seeking inspiration, Iridium is an elegantly crafted module that offers limitless creative potential. It’s an exciting addition to any studio setup and will undoubtedly inspire countless hours of sonic exploration, just like the legendary Yamaha CS-80.
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