Mathew Jonson Presents His Synthesizer Favourites: Yamaha CS-60 (EB.TV)

Savvy synth expert Mathew Jonson returns for the next instalment of his deep dive into electronic music’s classic synthesizers for Telekom Electronic Beats TV, with a vintage Yamaha model next up for examination. First released in 1977, discover why the CS-60 grew to become a cult favourite for synthesizer fanatics.
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[@TVCanda]

20 min of this guy going trough this synth beats down all the top 40 EDM music of the last 10 years.

[@darwinsaye]

Yes. But as far as I’m concerned, almost any examples of anyone actually “playing” a synth like this with no robotic four on the floor dance beat, beats any electronic dance music.

[@drumpounder778]

This guy is the Bob Ross of demonstrating synths, can't stop watching

[@MacXpert74]

He makes happy little synth sounds. :D

[@bufordpusser424]

No, that would be "Automatic Gainsay" though I won't criticize this guy at all.

[@MathewJonsonWR]

haha

[@ChrisDN]

That sine wave sound at 7:15... I could use that sound forever!

[@amalhandley3914]

Alright guys we need a Netflix series of him and legowelt just demonstrating synths. Going all over the world to find the rarest synth sounds.

[@ElectronicBeatsTV]

Nice one. The question is when it will be possible to travel the world?

[@amalhandley3914]

​@@ElectronicBeatsTV Ha, that is the real question. For the sake of synth exploration, I hope soon.

[@costav4925]

Haha for reals! I'm 100% on board with this idea! Mathew Jonson does a great job of articulating everything he's doing and plays the CS-60 like a beasssst!

[@MathewJonsonWR]

sounds fun : )

[@willfomes406]

@@ElectronicBeatsTV it will be possible we just have hold on and wait until it is.

[@theshyguy1580]

This really shows that the CS-60 isn't just a synth. It's a canvas, ready to be explored with.

[@Bernd_Bruening]

Excellent tutorial! This synth doesn’t sound vintage at all. A few weeks ago I was lucky to get a broken CS60 for almost nothing and managed to repair it! It’s working perfectly now! I’m really proud of it!

[@gilwe]

This instrument sounds insane

[@sinikoncar7838]

There are so few synths that are instantly recognizable. The CS series are one of them. Just beautiful and unique.

[@MarcS4R]

my gosh it sounds fucking amazing

[@escobar8133]

Anybody else hearing old-school autechre with some off these sounds. Excellent video😁

[@synth4ever]

One of the most beautiful sounding synths ever made -- rich, alive, organic, incredibly expressive... the CS-50/60/80 are true treasures, which have never been replicated since IMO. Thank you for sharing this lovely overview.

[@caddisjj3764]

There is a Japanese company that is making cs 80 clones I believe it’s called Deckard’s Dream it’s pretty expensive though maybe they will take organs as payment.

[@synth4ever]

Indeed. And CS-70M!

[@synth4ever]

Yes, I'm aware of DD. It's a great homage and probably as close as one will get to owning a CS-80 without actually owning one, but the original is still tops in my books.

[@AdamBorseti]

The Yamaha CS-80, CS-60, and even the CS-50, are some of the most expressive synthesizers of all time, in my opinion. You can't fake it on one of these; they're real "players synthesizers"!

[@mrlionel1965]

What an amazing sounding synth. You certainly do not expect these sounds to come out of this machine.

[@leozebiosthor6242]

His demos are the best! Made my day, thanks!

[@Kolinu2]

Best demo of the CS60 on KZbin.

[@DavidLee07]

What a pleasure to see someone who really knows how to get musical results from a CS-60! It's the difference between a car salesman type overview of the features and a musician expressing how to make synthesizer into an artistic instrument for performance. Really enjoyed this, so thanks for posting!

[@saladdays180s9]

I'm a former car salesman. Having worked my butt off I actually own two CS-80's. When I occasionally give a demonstration to somebody, I give em" the "car salesman" overview.

[@MathewJonsonWR]

thanks!

[@autoy]

Once again, excellent. A rare combination of a technical tutorial made with musical sense. The focus of these series is spot on.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

A thing of beauty. The whole CS series is so expressive and sets itself apart. Great demo!

[@HOUSEWARMING]

Great demo, in fact - i really love the narration which is uncommon for synthesizer demonstrations. Thank you Mathew!

[@sonofthedroids]

These vids are basically awesome tutorials / enthousiastic talks about synths. Thanks for sharing Mathew!

[@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

What's the reverb?

[@djmrausch]

Mathew Jonson one of the most genuine people in the scene.

[@optimal4900]

This Video is great. I love the way Mathew shows us his Synth nd transports a lot of what he finds special about it. He takes me realy with him in the video into this great Synthesizer Soundscape. Impressiv! Great!!

[@robderon]

I'm watching, watching and watching it all over and over again. And learning, learning, learning, learning .....

[@snoolee7950]

you're consuming, not learning

[@Joedoriamusic]

Congratulations on creating one of the better videos on the CS-60 compared to others I've seen.

[@MathewJonsonWR]

thank you!

[@shaft9000]

I have a similar-condition CS 60 five feet from where I'm typing now :) I've had mine for almost a dozen years. It was apparently in storage for about 30; not a scratch or spot was on it. Double-tracked it can do every sound the 80 can but for the poly-AT. To this day nothing else I've used [polyphonic] beats it's ergonomics, ringmod, PWM and high-pass filter. From the deepest analog ambient washes to the wormiest funk It begs to be played. The limited range of some of the modules can become an advantage when improvising, in that it helps to keep things tidier-sounding when you're really wringing the sucker out in multiple directions over the course of a jam. 45 yrs young, and it's still an incredible idea-realizer.

[@simonbenefer940]

You just got yourself another subscriber Your demos are concise and inspiring

[@dessiplaer]

I got to play CS-80. what a beautiful sounding synth! The CS-60 is just as lovely. To my knowledge, nothing else sounds the same.

[@st0rmchild]

I wish there was something else that could do a convincing impression, because the real ones are hard to find, super expensive, huge and heavy, but unfortunately you're right - nothing else (neither hardware nor software) sounds the same.

[@voice_from_pizza]

The glissando, especially with the patch you’ve created, sounds out of this world awesome.

[@AsteroidKiller]

Great demo! Now the cs60 just doubled in value ✨😍❤️

[@vedabou]

"It is anything but an organ. [...] It is incredibly organic." n1 bruv

[@videomove]

awesome mathew, perfect demo and tutorial - including what you are playing. chapeau!

[@MathewJonsonWR]

thank you

[@Rhuggins]

Very articulate, thanks so much for your clarity.

[@mihaimalaescuofficial]

That s that pure Vangelis sound, man. ;)

[@st0rmchild]

This thing sounds fabulous, especially in the right hands.

[@Greatquotesmatter]

Amazing. Every key sounds epic

[@m.g.kroger]

So beautiful... Thanks!

[@chilloutdeluxemusic5530]

Also one of my All-Time-Favorites! Still use it often in my productions - even if it’s just a swell sound with the ribbon controller...

[@Jim_KYB]

Just discovered these videos and really enjoyed them so far Matthew, highly artistic. I somehow hadn't heard of your music before but I imagine I'll become a new fan! Please do one for your Waldorf Microwave, another highly complex and beautiful instrument.

[@moriahgamesdev]

Oh man, now I wanna watch some old 70-80's sci-fi.

[@mvmnt.]

I wish Mathew had been my music teacher at school. Great video.

[@DJPrimeCuts1]

Excellent demo. Well done!

[@ErykMaler]

Perfect, warm regards, Mathew

[@mark12011972]

The thing is fricking amazing! Deep! It generates the source of sound all others attain to, so easily. And sounds so good, so organic, amazing.

[@mark12011972]

are attaining to ;)

[@mark12011972]

11:24 Gawlk. Forget it, I give up.

[@klausthorn1209]

wonderful, thanks! My heart says I need to get closer to synths, now

[@nitefors]

Thanks for the introduction Mr. Johnson. Sounds to me, like CS-60 is one of Disasterpeace's favorite instruments as well. I can hear it now in almost every track on "FEZ" soundtrack.

[@leighaevers930]

thats funny because he pretty much only uses fm8 for that whole ost, dp is amazing at making sterile soft synths come alive

[@danielsmeyer]

Wow. Thanks, Matt.

[@philwilkes222]

It sounds so good for only the one oscilator per voice! Great demo.

[@bboydreem]

Beautiful

[@joeponce1394]

Beautiful tone!

[@fumocamel]

impressive sounds!

[@silversulu]

The best CS-60 YT video, bar none. Super curious what the realities of maintenance are (cost, finding a tech who can actually repair it, parts) on this venerable beast. The CS-80 is legendary for the difficulties of maintenance....thinking maybe CS-60 is simpler?

[@20thcenturygames]

Anyone have the answer I am curious as well

[@MathewJonsonWR]

much simpler. but still hard to find parts if it breaks. i actually have a broken cs50 that i am mining from.

[@gourkernow5694]

Stunning!!

[@mark12011972]

Sounds organic and real, I like it. 20:54 sounds like it can drop down to the bottom of the bass floor. After 21:40 rich and detailed. Very very nice.

[@klijmodjjoskr17]

Great video thanks for posting. Really inspiring. His love for the synth is a pleasure to see and really comes over. Unfortunately the cs60 is too heavy expensive and rare for me to be considered as an option. Otherwise best content on KZbin 👍

[@llanito3]

Thank you T.E.B !

[@MrElectribes]

1977 the first !!!!!!! Wow .... incredible Synth from Another Dimension !

[@thepresentchannel]

Great video!

[@taotechnique]

Incredible Edit: My hunt for this beautiful piece of gear starts today. Truely amazing sound

[@Emiel1983Schoonoord]

I sold one and bought it back since today :O

[@Emiel1983Schoonoord]

There is one for sale in Japan for 5600 euro including Kenton midi

[@5hinobiGaijin]

Analog synths have a special charm.

[@Alex-nt2xx]

Excellent

[@Kahann0]

Please also disclaim the effect chain if you do a synthesizer review. Great sounds though

[@carloslaend1635]

Great, thanks a lot :)

[@squirrelvalhalla9386]

Absolutely gorgeous versatile instrument. Thx Mr Jonson.

[@ACCOUNTANTB]

there are tiny increments by using big sliders.....you can find and kraft some sounds impossible to reach on other synths....amazing and organical....its a huge machine !!

[@Roboami]

Well, congrats! You've made the best CS demo on KZbin so far (and I'm picky).

[@simonbenefer940]

Damn straight! Reminded me why I love synths.

[@MathewJonsonWR]

thank you!

[@xelaasd]

Good times - clear minds...

[@Deepwatermusic]

Nice!

[@ish233]

I wanted this years ago, fell short of getting it, I should have gotten it.

[@jonathanreynolds1758]

Mind blown

[@danaminyip]

what a machine!

[@st0rmchild]

Dear Yamaha…please bring the CS-60/80 back! It doesn't have to be physically the same - I'd really appreciate a much smaller, lighter one with preset storage - but above all, every nuance of the sound has to be perfect.

[@snoolee7950]

it'll never happen. through hole circuit boards are an obsolete art for poly synth manufacturing, cost $20k to build

[@dhampex3631]

The Deckards Dream is just the thing, A full recreation of the CS-80

[@matthewy393]

@Bootsandcats you genuinely think a Behringer clone will do it any justice?

[@shaft9000]

Yamaha isn't interested in making analog synths in the least, apparently.

[@st0rmchild]

@@dhampex3631 Sadly it's only "inspired by" the CS-80 and (at least to me) doesn't really sound like one.

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

Yamaha synths all have a very distinctive sound. To me, they do tend to sound a bit on the "tinny" side if I could describe it that way. This is in no way a bad thing. It's just the distinctive way they sound and they do these kinds of sounds well. They're fantasic for playing leads.

[@reecedeyoung6595]

BlackburnBigdragon There are definitely advantages to a thinner sound. makes it easier to fit in a mix and allows you to play chords without things getting to muddy.

[@st0rmchild]

Indeed they do, and I really like that sound. I bought a CS-10 last year, which was made in the same year as the CS-50/60/80 (1977). It's monophonic and pretty basic, but the filter definitely has that Yamaha CS character. It's so quick and easy to dial in a bass or lead sound that effortlessly falls into place in the mix. Also has a great, springy keyboard that feels really good and puts a lot of my newer keyboards to shame.

[@samsule8339]

thanks teb

[@darwinsaye]

Kind of unbelievable that these CS models lost out to the Prophet 5 in the poly competition. This is 10x the synth that the Prophet was. I’m guessing the portability was the key factor, but it’s such a shame.

[@rafestube]

Yamaha, Roland, Korg, even Behringer.. please watch and give us something new that sounds like this!

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

damn , classic synths , original , best

[@Dkcode]

Sounds wicked

[@NathanielValdivia]

Sounds so alive

[@LFOVCF]

Best demo!! Who knew?

[@amonster8mymother]

Gorgeous!👍😁🇨🇦

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

I want the CS-80.

[@danaminyip]

dope!

[@s90210h]

I knew that sound but didn't know which synth made it. TIL!

[@skyreadersociety6183]

it's weird how different just the oscillators sound compared to other synths. It's a shame that no one picks up the concept & design (except the fairly expensive deckards dream)

[@-l5905]

Great vid Mathew! Please do a video on the Arp 2600.

[@LouisSerieusement]

OMG those OSC's and noise :O

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

God that thing is beautiful

[@randiyoung2216]

I just acquired one! Missing both foot pedals though. It turns on but no sound. Are the foot pedals required to achieve any kind of sound from this or do I have a dud? I don’t want to go out and find pedals if it won’t make a difference.

[@agencies5061]

Very nice indeed! May I ask which reverb was used for the review? Sounds sweet. Thanks

[@romancoskun7234]

Piero Frenguelli, could be any of the Eventide range. He uses them a lot. :-)

[@MathewJonsonWR]

bricasti m7

[@atozee1500]

Sounds great! I like the sounds of old synths. I really wish there was an easy fix for all the faders. They tend to get crisp/rursty on old synths.

[@DoctorJezz]

Not on these ones - the faders are famously good and long lived. Mine are perfect after 40 yesars, so that’s a no.

[@klaasj7808]

sold a cs-60 for fucking 200 DM in 1989. stupid fuck i was.

[@Zeal808]

Beeautiful🤓

[@knobexploitmusicelectronic9218]

I think this is the better CS from the 50/60/80 series, not as complicated/unstable as the CS-80 and not to cut down like the CS-50.

[@mxpph]

What reverb is that? Beautiful sounds from this CS 60

[@Lowerhaightstreet]

is this the one with built in reverb

[@BreaX_]

Padre nuestro que estas en el cielo

[@MusicFed]

As always amazing. What does the 80 do that the 60 doesn’t? Is the 60 easier to maintain?

[@panutalus]

CS-80 is two times CS-60. Both has 8 voices but in CS-80 you can have dual timbrality, two individual sounds in one at the same time (I recall both had maybe separated outputs). The main difference is the keyboard that it's weighted and has proper velocity and the legendary polyphonic aftertouch (the touch response in both CS-50 and CS-60 is kind of like compromise between aftertouch and velocity, ie. while it's aftertouch but you can also apply fast attack effects by pressing keys faster and harder which is not possible in normal aftertouch keyboard). There's also build-in tremolo and chorus effect. The keyboard of CS-50 with the touch response is actually identical to SY-1. CS-60 differs that it reportedly has longer range when pressing them down.

[@MathewJonsonWR]

much easier to maintain! : ) 60 has no polyphonic aftertouch or velocity and only one voice rather than 2.

[@lardosian]

Do a video on the making of typerope..

[@DyingTiger]

My dad has one of these somewhere. Guess im going on a hunt this weekend :)

[@DyingTiger]

Found it, but its in a bad place and heavy as fuck. Need to call in reinforcements to get it out