02-The Yamaha CS-15: Part 2- Oscillators Part 1

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

The panel even *shows* the signal routing. I love this thing. If I could trade my 101 for one of these, I would. This is sonically far more interesting and capable. I look forward to the next video.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Michael Smith Well said.

[@eyeprod3101]

Hey Marc, thanks a ton for doing this. I'm a proud owner myself. My favorite thing about is the two filters and the brilliance pot. Setting it up with LP on one osc and HP on another while using the brilliance slider is a thing of beauty. So many fantastic colors. I love the high range of the oscs too. Really nice. I would sacrifice the pitch benders for another LFO tho ;)

[@eyeprod3101]

oh man, and the possibilities with the EXT IN (like my drum machine) running on the top row while the bottom row plays as a normal 2 osc synth are really special.

[@darrenmackay2536]

The CS-15 is my favourite synth. I hope to own a CS-15 one day :)

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

You bloody hit the nail on the head . Its need to be pointed out to trendy bandwagon synth collectors players and peepers. Very very very underated machine. I think you should have spoke longer about this at the begging haha ! . Mega video Marc !! im keeping my eyes peeled for part 2. The filtering possibilities look very juicy

[@automaticgainsay]

Thank you, sir! Yes, there are a couple more oscillator videos... and a couple of filter videos on the way! The thing is too powerful to completely and effectively portray!

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

***** Indeed , keep the videos coming as when 👍👍👍

[@automaticgainsay]

Tradition, mostly. Years ago, KZbin videos were limited to ten minutes. I was under that limitation for long enough that it sort of stuck with me. Also, there was always the assumption on my part that demonstrative videos like the ones I do are far too boring to go on for longer than that. :D

[@nihilvoid4112]

Bloody hell the first time you hit the key for Osc 1 felt like my ear was gonna blow off! Such a brutal but beautiful sound

[@mootbooxle]

I could hear all those highs :) Such a beatiful synth and a beautifully shot video!

[@avdr8151]

Great job once again. MiniMoog is cool, all right, but this one is really amazing, it's a great discovery, thanks to you Marc!

[@dddmitryyy]

Thanks to this videos I decided to choose Yam cx-5 and don't feel sorry about it . Thanks from Russia!

[@braincoral9866]

There used to be loads of CS-15s around 2nd hand. Not so much now...I had one years ago..It never grabbed me the way say my Obie 6r did (which I've still got) I'm glad you're doing a number on it, Marc, because you'll change my mind! And I think the PR problem is the CS it has at the front of its name. It's damned by people for not being its big bro..It does sound good EDIT: and it looks a bit naff - people are shallow ;)

[@automaticgainsay]

Yes, the CS monos are NOTHING like the CS polys. And I always see people equivocating the polys and monos as if they are related at all, and they're not. I've known a number of people who were good musicians and synthesists who just didn't get into the CS-15. I've never been able to understand it! Perhaps my video series will at least show people why I'm into it! :D Thanks, Braincoral!

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Finally you are reviewing a synth I actually own yayyyy!

[@KoshDukai]

"you teenagers!!!" xD ...48yo here and still heard it (which surprised me YT audio didn't cut there out)

[@automaticgainsay]

I'm jealous! I'm losing a fair amount of my high frequencies in my old age. I mean... in my age that is the same as yours. :D

[@mootbooxle]

I remember seeing your CS-15D demo years ago! This certainly blows that away. Does the 15D do anything that this doesn't?

[@automaticgainsay]

The 15D, according to my understanding, has the internal components of the 15, but a simpler interface so that it can basically be a preset machine. The part of the 15D you can manipulate is limited and makes some choices for you, which is weird. So, the outcome of fiddling with it can be interesting and unique. But I daresay that any sound you can make with the 15D, you can make with the 15. Not really vice-verse, though. That being said, the 15D is AWESOME and fun and capable of a MUCH wider palette than anyone gives it credit for. I always used to say it is the PERFECT performance analog because you can get hugely diverse sounds by mixing presets, and patching for live performance is almost immediate... unlike using the 15. Plus, they go for SO LITTLE.

[@mootbooxle]

AutomaticGainsay thanks for the info! These are certainly on my radar!

[@ProckGnosis]

Ha...I must have inspired you with my outstanding coverage of the CS-5. : ) And yeah, the square wave is nice and square. I admit after playing with a lot of newer analog mono synths, it was nice to re-discover that the CS-5, despite some of the limitations, really does still compete in a lot of ways, even with only one oscillator. I would definitely pick up a CS-15 now if I could find one reasonably priced.

[@edsknife]

You gonna do an oscillator video for the Reface?

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

By the way i love your video format and how you have the controls in good view top left of the screen. Im actually in the process of putting my own diy synth together and this particular layout is very much what i had in mind . Lovely jubbly 👍👍👍👍

[@automaticgainsay]

Thank you! Yes, I usually shoot with two cameras, but in this instance, I thought shooting with one with the handy reference image would be just as good!

[@janne-mikaeljarvinen8593]

Amazing little, yet BiG synth ! this was my 2nd Real synthesizer - and Still have it (bought it in mid-90s).

[@MisAnnThorpe]

Hello Marc. After hearing your eulogise over the CS15 on this upload, this question is probably completely redundant, but....assuming you are acquainted with the Roland SH-1, would you trade one for a CS15? Any chance - if you haven't already done so - that you might do something on the CS30 or are they too intimidating even for you?! Oh, and thank you for getting back to me on one of your other CS15 uploads. I think it was the one where you features the brilliance slider.

[@memonk11]

If I remember correctly, doesn't it have a sample and hold waveform?

[@BobIGomez]

I always hope to find a good vintage synth, maybe Yamaha will reissue the CS-15

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

I'm seriously considering buying one of these. The cs-5 and 10 are also very good instruments but I'm leaning toward this one because it has that extra oscillator. What do you think? Is it worth the extra few bucks?

[@MisAnnThorpe]

I've heard a lot of people say that they prefer the CS5 and 10 despite being only single oscillator synths, because their single oscillators are fuller sounding than the CS15's. Also they are considered to have snappier envelopes than the 15. That said, I think I'm about to go for a 15. Just out of interest, did you get around to buying any of the CS range?

[@sixxdb]

Really enjoyed watching this video except for the part where I spent 8 minutes trawling ebay

[@automaticgainsay]

Thank you, and I'm sorry! :D

[@bengregor2276]

are you playing at primavera? What synths will you bring?

[@automaticgainsay]

That would be awesome!

[@bengregor2276]

it says recondite on the poster lol

[@automaticgainsay]

Ha ha, yeah... I understand, now. I chose the "Recondite" name for my production company years ago, and used it in my Soundcloud account as a result. Since then, the German fellow adopted it as his DJ name. We are not associated in any way. But he has good taste in words! :D

[@bengregor2276]

oh, ha , I never heard of him . . .

[@zac8331]

What do you think about the crumar bit 99??

[@automaticgainsay]

I haven't heard one, but I love how they look. I tried to win a few on eBay back in 2003 or so, but never did.

[@zac8331]

AutomaticGainsay thanks for answering so quickly and for your wonderful videos, your reviews are so complete, this is what kids like me need to know and listen, I might get the bit 99 but I'm no so sure, what would you say it's worth to pay for it? Some keys don't work and sounds with noise, do you think a synth like it could work well again? I mean if it could be possible t fix the problems

[@CaalamusTube]

Heh :P I dig the subtle Disco Ball thing going on!

[@automaticgainsay]

I just can't leave well enough alone with the effects. :D

[@CaalamusTube]

***** Nah, I disagree! ...it's so subtle that it really doesn't take anything away from the presentation. Yet if you happen to notice it... it's like a surprising little Easter Egg :P Keep on rockin' in the free world Mr. Doty!

[@automaticgainsay]

Ha ha, thank you!

[@OldCrowCS80]

The 50-90% PW comes from the GX1, where the waveshaping block is hardwired to those endpoints. From talking with the Yamaha Electone engineers, they designed the original WSC such that in no case can you set it to produce "no sound," otherwise the organist (Electone, remember) might think they broke something. For the same reason the filters have a hardwired limit on resonance and cannot self-oscillate. About a dozen years ago I spent some considerable time recreating the VCO and WSC using non-custom parts, www.cs80.com/vco.html

[@automaticgainsay]

Hey, Scott! Thank you VERY much for that information and for stopping by!

[@automaticgainsay]

I always assumed that the oscillators in the CS monos were different than the oscillators in the CS polys. Are they the same?

[@OldCrowCS80]

They are the same chip (IG00153). The wave shaping circuits are custom devices (IG00158) in the CS50/60/80 but tend to be standard circuits in units like the CS-15.

[@wirdoasymmetry]

sweet

[@maximiliandigregorio]

nice video , thanks :-) greetings m.

[@jasonakagecko]

It seems like every time I am thinking about buying a certain vintage synth. Someone makes a video about it and jacks up the price. Thanks Mark.😡

[@automaticgainsay]

I’m sorry! But I still think that this wonderful thing isn’t really commanding the prices it is worthy of!

[@jasonakagecko]

@@automaticgainsay I know this I already own a Yamaha CS10.😃

[@Minnaarsarelovers]

And so begins the quest to purchase. Sigh.