Yamaha CS1x

The Yamaha CS1x is a sample-based synthesizer released by the Yamaha Corporation in 1996. The CS1x was one of the first digital synthesizers to have knobs again. Most earlier digital synthesizers often featured menu-based systems to manipulate sound parameters, with an interface consisting of a handful of keys and a screen, the CS1x's design takes inspiration from many Sequential Circuits synthesizers, using a grid of paramaters printed on the panel which are utilized by rotary switch as a row select, and a pair of buttons at the base of each column to edit that particular value. This interface allows an experienced user to edit the synthesizer efficiently and quickly.

Its synthesis is based on the Yamaha XG engine, with some extra 'Material Waveforms' to suit analogue synthesizer emulation. The CS1x's presets mainly feature nineties eurodance sounds. Whilst many of the preset sounds dated quickly, many were based upon classic polysynth textures and have remained generically useful and timeless.

The Yamaha CS1x was superseded by the Yamaha CS2x in 1999.

Notable Users

* David Bowie
* Jamiroquai
*Technological Sun
* Underworld
* Systematix

Specifications

* 61 velocity sensitive keys (no aftertouch)
* Versatile arpeggiator (which does not transmit its sequences via MIDI, this was corrected in the CS2x)
* Pitch and Modulation wheels (Modulation also pans between two 'Scenes')
* 6 Realtime Control knobs Attack, Release, Cutoff, Resonance and Assignable 1 and 2.
* 4.5MB sample ROM providing 930 XG 'elements'
* 32-voice polyphony
* 16-part multitimbrality
* 128 presets, 128 user patches (a voice consists of 4 XG 'elements' maximum)
* 12 Db/oct LPF filter
* 3 effect units (reverb module, chorus/celeste/flange module, variation (flange, phase, echo, rotary, distortion, etc))
* MIDI In/Out/Thru
* To Host Serial MIDI interface
* Foot Volume socket
* Foot Switch socket (assignable)
* Foot Controller socket (assignable)
* Mix Input - 3.5mm socket which mixes sound straight to output, for using SU10 or other similar unit in conjunction with CS1x. The audio does not pass though the effects units.

External links

* [http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1996_articles/aug96/yamahacsx1.html Yamaha CS1x review (Sound on Sound Magazine)]
* [http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/cs1x.shtml Yamaha CS1x on VintageSynth]
* [http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/emi/english/synth/CS1xE1.pdf User Manual from the Yamaha Manual Library]