Friday Fun Synth Jam - Yamaha CS15 With Ventris Dual Reverb

Another in our occasional series, where we pair a couple (or more) peices of gear and see what happens.
This time I fired up the Yamaha CS15 - an analogue mono - capable of paraphonic playing via external CV , though I didn't do that here.
The CS15 has dual multimode filters, two VCOs an single LFO and two ADSR envelopes.
Apologies for the crackles and pops - its a bit poorly and needs a service, but still sounds rather lovely I think.
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[@Heathcliff_hensel]

This synth blows away many more popular synths yet still flys under the radar.

[@Techwonderland]

If this isn't what Friday Fun is all about, then I don't know what is. Taking a 30+ old synth and reverb and making a jam is a awesome display of how you don't need tons of gear and a computer to make great stuff. Bravo Nick!!!!!

[@rodrigolaporte274]

I didn't know the CS15 sounded so gorgeous. Amazing jam!

[@TotallyNuss]

You are correct. I'd never sell mine. So versatile. Still fairly reasonable to buy for some reason.

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@TotallyNuss Would you say that a Roland SH-1 (very rare) mono synth for a CS15 is a good swap? Many describe the CS15 as having a nasal, thin sound to its oscillators.

[@willdorak985]

It's the Ventris Dual Reverb that makes the difference. This pedal makes any guitar or synthesizer sound better like heaven.

[@KNHSynths]

One of the most underrated synth that is certainly one of the best mono synth of all times. Thanks for the demo !

[@Doctor_Robert]

That CS15 is so dreamy and mesmerizing (of course the reverb helps out a lot) but also raw and post-punky... it tickles my brain just right! ^_^

[@porfiry]

Even the crackles sound good on that thing

[@tjc601]

Add a quality reverb and the CS15 has an incredible amount of depth to its sound. As Nick demonstrates here it's also a super responsive synth. Even thought they have gone up in price a little over the last few years they are still a hidden gem imho.

[@phillytee9106]

The CS15 sounds lovely through the reverb, the crackles almost sound like an old vinyl record being played, they almost add something to the music in a rather retro way, nice work!

[@SynthAddict]

Wonderful as usual Nick I think you just sold another Ventris Love the riffs, very Carpenter Escape from NY at the end 😀

[@MartinBaldock]

I had a badly beaten up CS5 for years, and although it sounded great when emitting sounds, it only worked randomly. It had crackles too, broken keys etc., so I sold it to fund newer gear. This video underlines what good reverbs can do for any synth..

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

Martin Baldock totally agree that the Centris reverb which is amazing will make any synth sound better but the Yamaha cs series is incredible. It’s like a singer, you can use all the mix engineering skills in the world but if you don’t have a great voice it’s a lot tougher if not impossible.like my voice would not be saved by Centris reverb lol

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

One can hear the power of the CS even when deep into the effects. Love these Friday Fun days Nick!

[@vladimirussachevsky1315]

Thank you Nick! I have always loved the vintage Yamaha sound, this has helped me to realize I have to have one!

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Nick, ask Markus Fuller if he wants a look at it! Great little synth.

[@s90210h]

ah, another Fuller fan.

[@robertsyrett1992]

Omg! cross-over episode!!

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Not necessarily, some synths combine both already. Ring Mod on the Korg Arp is digital. As DCOs aren't new to VCFs...but that isn't always a good thing...

[@illustriouschin]

It probably just needs new capacitors.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Yeah some leaking caps and some contact spray might help with the pots. If you got it serviced by Markus it will be better than new.

[@chrisnightingale5529]

that frozen reverb sounds amazing!!

[@sonicstate]

Yeah its nice isnt it. Cant help myself but to use it. The iOS editor for the pedal is out now, which gives you more tweaking than the front panel. Though it is a bit clunky.

[@socratesbandeira]

Hey, @@sonicstate! Do you think it is possible that this Yamaha model could deliver the synth sounds we hear in "The Most Mysterious Song of Internet", specially in its very final seconds? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIGql2einrRggbM

[@meneerjansen00]

I love these Friday Fun sessions. Underrated machine, that CS15.

[@sunnyschramm9650]

instant escape from new york vibes

[@Sea-Of-Sin]

Oh my god! I want it, I need it, I must have it! Sounds gorgeous!

[@CuriousDroid]

That Ventris makes the CS15 sound great, I should put my Timeline and Space in parallel and run my CS30 through it to stave off the GAS i've got for another effect pedal :-)

[@scheiepfostierer4652]

Woah I didn't know you we're a synth nerd! That's dope

[@indyslide8641]

damn that sounds magical...nice improvisation, wonderful synth, lush reverb. just magical. don't even mind the cracks :)

[@collophonium]

my favourite machine. of all times . i learned sound synthesis on this . absolutely lovin the clear design .

[@StefanoPapaleo-TS]

The CS-15 is a dream machine with or without FX

[@lashtal]

This thing can sound Abrasive, Soft and/or Gorgeous. I think it really excels for ambient pieces. If I didn't already have a monosynth, this would unquestionably be the "have to get it" mono for me.

[@Lasse_Viklund]

That Ventris gadget is AWESOME! I bought one right away after watching this video!

[@zerix01]

The pops make a great vinyl sound and just adds to the performance.

[@maisonmallninja]

Thanks for helping doubling the used price for these :( ....because now everybody wants one. Great demo.

[@Silent_Stillness]

I sincerely thought your play was inspiring and brilliant Nick. You showcased how a simple tool could be used to suggest so much...

[@PaulBoos]

I'm back to say this vid and one from Alex Ball convinced me to seek out and buy this lovely synth. Sadly I noticed some keyboard contact problems shortly after purchase so I sent it off for service, I should get back it soon...

[@PeteMOBie1]

Awesome demo Nick! Very Vangelis and film tracky! I note a commenter metioned John Carpenter, well your doodling could easily have been the soundtrack to the budget Sci Fi movie Dark Star (think John Caprenter did the sound for that). The crackles and long cascading reverb just add to the atmosphere. I play my CS-15 through a Blue Sky for a similar immersive reverb effect and can completely lose myself and all track of time. The crackles might be due to a switch that needs squirting with Servisol, as one of my filter switches was crackly. Your comment that the CS-15 is capable of paraphonic playing via external CV is only partially correct. The CS-15 is a Dual Channel synthesiser, as is the CS-15D, which means it is capable of TRUE Duophonic playing when using both the individual CV and Gate inputs per channel. Just as the CS-80 is like 2 CS-60's layered, so the CS-15 is like 2 CS-5s layered, and then some due to flexible patching options on each channel. For true duophonic playing you have to set the CS-15 up as if it is a pair of CS-5s layered. Osc 1 into Mixer 1 into Filter 1 into VCA 1 using Env 1, whilst Osc 2 goes through Mixer 2, Filter 2, VCA 2 using Env 2. I use a Korg SQ1 (Hz/Volt and -ve/Switch Trigger) for true duophonic playing. Kenton have advised me that their Pro 2000 can do the same from a MIDI keyboard. The possibilities of this underrated and overlooked GEM are staggering, as your playing proves. You've inspired me to make a video demonstrating the true duophonic playing. Thanks from one CS-15 owner to another.

[@reedsutter8485]

We need to get you an intern to exercise those knobs. Give ‘em each 100 turns back and forth and those crackles will disappear. Fun jam!

[@zebulinshelton760]

I love how Nick just messes around and to me it is some of the most pleasant sounding shit I have ever heard. Why can't we have fun day 7 days a week Nick?

[@SynthgodXXX]

Sweet sounding CS15 & Ventris reverb! Very cool demo today! A+++++++++++++++++++

[@samuelc.reyesjr9684]

As I mentioned during your last podcast, although the Waldorf Quantum and the Prophet X sound interesting, if you strip away all the effects, they really don't sound much different than many of the older synths out there. Perhaps investing in a good effects pedal or two is all one needs to explore new sonic possibilities and save tons of money.

[@HazeAnderson]

I get A LOT of mileage from my G1on and B1on pedals. The EHX Mel9 is (used) an under $200 price point to get Mellotron sounds. The Behringer Vintage Phaser is $25. Brand new. It's sin to NOT have one. xD

[@mattsynth]

I agree, effects can completely give any analog synth a new life. Effects is what makes the Deepmind 12 sound so good other than that it is just another analog synth. A Strymon big sky is a good hardware choice and Valhalla simmer for vst effect.

[@andyq9669]

Samuel Spacey It's certainly better to spend your synth budget on more synth features rather than on-board FX, even if it's more I/O options or an on-board PSU, then choose your own post processing. The only advantage I can see for on board FX are for gigging applications.

[@pointsurrender]

I'm right with you. A pair of versatile oscillators and a shelf of pedals are all you'll ever need. After that it's just a matter of taste.

[@mattsynth]

Samuel Spacey Good to know I was thinking of getting one.

[@davidsmith6684]

Great video and music Nick. I had a CS15 around 1980 and traded it in on something I can’t even remember now. I was young and stupid and I wish I still had it.

[@SharpblueCreative]

And now I really miss my CS40M - forgotten how good old Yamaha’s sound

[@mCKENIC]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@robertsyrett1992]

Is it weird that I think the crackle makes the jam seem more like a composition?

[@setphaser]

Robert Syrett it does seem like its playing on old vinyl

[@anonymoushuman8344]

Not weird - or, if weird, then good weird not bad. With the crackle going through the reverb with the rest of the audio it does become part of the music, as if it's there on purpose. Maybe there will be a wave of new plugins and effects for getting that classic crackly dirty pots sound. (Ha. Just kidding about that last part. Mostly . . .)

[@robertsyrett1992]

@@anonymoushuman8344 I must confess to having a small collection of vinyl record samples from my favorite records. Not the songs, just the noise in between songs. I could see myself sampling the crackling pots of some vintage gear for much the same purpose.

[@anonymoushuman8344]

I've seen plugins that introduce record-style pops and hisses into a track. I imagine these could be used to good effect on the fly and live, too. Been meaning to try it sometime.

[@anonymoushuman8344]

The scratchy pots and the crackles add an element of musique concrète. Now add some kitchen sounds from preparing dinner or doing the dishes, and maybe some highway noise or random cafe chatter.

[@Mark_Ocain]

Trippy stuff! I think I remember Ujiie Katsunori some while back going crump on a few classic Yamaha's from the 70's.(CS30/CS15/CS15D/CS5) ...crazy good sounds I love 'em!

[@vr4ever645]

One of the best Friday funs. Lovely synthesizer really.

[@scottrogers2599]

Whenever you have dirty, crackly pots you should turn them back and forth very quickly a few times (or a few dozen times) and it will clean them up a lot.

[@benbainbridge]

Another great start to the weekend

[@KNHSynths]

I was not remembering the CS15 was sounding so great. Thanks for the demo !

[@noisecode5867]

Stunningly beautiful! crackles and all.

[@nielsblume]

When will we get the Friday Fun album?

[@ZenMountain]

One of the best synths ever. CS10 is great too.

[@apislapis]

I knew your CS15 was poorly not necessarily by the crackles but by the coughing at 4:18. Nice video as always, Nick.

[@nickynocknoo]

Holy heck, sounds good. Time to give the cs some love at the repair shop.

[@xtra8dj]

There was a time when Yamaha really made syntesizers

[@DanielDavissynthman]

The Montage 8 might be one of the greatest synthesizers ever made. The FM engine alone blows most modern synths out of the water. Don't get hung up on this modern "analog is BEST!" trend.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

I agree Daniel. Got a Jupiter 50 for €850 digital can sound awesome. Although I got two Moogs and an Korg Arp :)

[@vegettoblue8705]

Daniel Davis Analog Is the best trend ? Dude Is not a trend , Analog was and is the best , like forever Btw you can have additive synthesis on analog too

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

That is what I was hoping, hope to have the money for the Reface CS this year. Thanks.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Really looking forward to trade in my Jupiter 50 and Subsequent for a Reface.

[@stevenorr9080]

Very much Boards of Canada style. Lovely sounds

[@qafmbr]

My dad bought me one in 1981, I used to play the Cars, Gary Numan, Rush. Cool synth.

[@TheDavidPoole]

Lovely crackly old synth really works nicely through the ventris.

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

Oh man, I always wanted a CS15

[@anonymoushuman8344]

Beautiful. The scratchy pots and the crackles add an element of musique concrète, as if they are there on purpose. Add some kitchen sounds from preparing dinner or doing the dishes, and maybe some highway noise or random cafe chatter? (Not joking.)

[@Sectr867]

wow that reverb is amazing

[@Helixnl]

I actually sold my CS-15 recently. Crackly potts is a habit mine had as well. One thing I loved to do was making a Feedback loop from the Low output to the Ext. input. This made it even more massive! It's great for plucky types of sounds, especially when you add a sequencer to it. But it wasn't that great for leads to my taste.

[@MarshalArnold]

At 11:22 that sounded awesome AF!!

[@lab-by-the-sea]

with that machine you do not need dustfx, they are built right in and give it a unique character!

[@dep1001]

Awesome, Nick! I hear some Aphex Twin sounding stuff in there... I guess it was the CS5 RDJ used mostly.

[@this_connor_guy]

Used to have a CS-15. This makes me miss it a bit, haha. Great jam!

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

great combo together they sound glorious..

[@joacimwennerberg8310]

Thanks Nick! Love your adventures. 🙂🎶

[@MrLarsDF]

Absolutly epic soundscape this😀😀. Perfekt Nick!!😉👍

[@fakshen1973]

You know... if there's a synth service that wants to fix this classic and then you do a video on the before and after... maybe even splice in some video from the repair shop making the repairs... that would be great content and free advertising to roughly 40,000 potential analog synth owners. Everyone's buying analog synths and at some point, they too will need servicing.

[@adolfnoise4673]

Some say thin, nasal blabla they never actually played one or did not know how to use it, though it is pretty easy to use once understood. You can of course get thin, nasal sounds if you want to and use the HP or BP filters, which is great, but if you want deep rumbling basses that kick the books out of your shelf, use 2 LP filters with Resonance cranked up, there you go. And if you need Selfresonating Filters, connect one output to ext in, swirched to 0V. I must sell mine due to need for food and drink, so there is one on ebay germany from tomorrow, if you now think you may like to add one to your collection...🎼🎹🚀

[@graphene1487]

Awesome demo! Question:. There's noise on the note attack. Is it the CS15 or part of the effects? Edit: perhaps a few sprays of Deoxits in the audio output and pots will help.

[@pointsurrender]

Looking forward to Behringer cloning this. God knows Yamaha won't be making a proper synth anytime soon.

[@josephwright5921]

point surrender They might put out Dinky Digital version with mini keys, lots of aliasing and a crappy, clunky, interface to go with the rest!

[@marktrousdale4763]

did you see their new offerings they just released? you aren't wrong.

[@BruceHickeyisWindspace]

Sounds wonderful! CS15 was my first synth and still the one I most regret selling off...I also wish I had invested in some Fx back then!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

Hello Bruce. Do you have any experience of the Roland SH-1? Only asking because I have the opportunity of swapping mine for a CS15 and would like to have the opinion of someone who is familiar with both. The SH-1 is a very nice, if limited synth, in my opinion and it seems that they are increasing in value all the time, but of course money isn't everything and especially so when it comes to synths!

[@andyjey3126]

Blade Runner would fall to his knees for this :-)

[@josephwright5921]

It sounds great with that reverb. It reminded me of Vangelis. Too bad he has retired! I would love to see him do a new epic electronic album with modern synths.

[@mwarsell]

He is not retired

[@monomakes]

Nice one as always Nick! Thanks for the sounds :)

[@valdiskrebs566]

Amazing sound! Would be great if Yamaha could come out with a poly or paraphonic version of this... about the size of the Deep Mind 6.

[@Wagoo]

Yamaha are asleep

[@2010MrWhitewolf]

Amazing Nick....... but, now you've given me GAS for a C15 lol :)

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Just found one this afternoon by pure chance - MINE! Some crackles but... it'll get fixed, and it's almost as old as I am so... I'm forgiving ;)

[@CommunityGuidelines]

The pre-introduction jam was reminiscent of Alan Wilder. Sounds great, in spite of the crackling!

[@TooSlowTube]

I would love to hear this again, without the reverb. It seems to be a great reverb, but something like that really masks the sound of the synth - and I'm a lot more interested in the actual sound of the synth, crackles and all. Apart from that, it's probably the most interesting thing sonicstate has covered in a long time. Yamaha really should reissue some of their older designs. I'm not at all tempted to buy a simulation of one, but the same actual synth engine, even in a cheap plastic box, would definitely get my attention.

[@deanlopez1978]

Brilliant as always nick

[@illDiology]

You really like that reverb pedal!

[@aphexon.]

Sounds lovely :) have a great weekend!

[@Pulse2AM]

Yamaha synths seem to be underrated except the CS80. I have a bunch of samples I made from my AN1X and still use them all the time. They're quite unique. That one sounds great.

[@crazygamingswede]

Man, I miss owning that synth.. Wonderful sound!

[@TotallyNuss]

Such a classic. Love mine.

[@stereofloat]

The CS15 sounds amazing. Nice Demo!

[@FairchlldMusic1]

Nice work Nick! I hope this prompts you to clean that beaut up like new.

[@AndyPawlakOfficial]

Lovely. Great synth player.

[@volt7cooltangs701]

The Ventris sounds pretty damn good actually. Might have to invest. Going to have to service my crackly CS-15 too. The CS sound really cuts and stands out live or in a mix.

[@andyjey3126]

Absolutely epic...;-)

[@Johnsys359]

"Absolutely Massive" is one of Nick's new saying.

[@diderichlangmannen]

Why we cannot get affordable synth's anymore with that fantastic sound? If you want to get this sound you have to pay 5k now!

[@PantaFlux]

I'm totally fine with "Fried Funday".

[@HazeAnderson]

Electric songs over the crackle of staticky campfires.

[@KWHCoaster]

Gotta stop watching these at the office, I'm like a kid waiting for the school day to end now to get home to my toys. :-) Now have some incentive to get my SFX units integrated in to the setup.

[@seth4766]

still love this so much

[@1minuteabletonandlogicxtip922]

great performance

[@PaulBoos]

Nick endorsed: prices just shot up....

[@BrunoWiebelt]

nice to see you lose your self in the sound ... lovely synth, great synth player Thx

[@dannypqliar8763]

Have it. Love it. The CS-15 is not just amazing because of the dual filters and amps, but because it really does prove that, sometimes, you need to buy vintage. It really does sound different. Amazing synth. I'm never selling mine.

[@MisAnnThorpe]

CS15 or Roland SH-1?

[@dennismossinkoff7993]

what a sound very nice thanx

[@thebobbycovert]

Hi. I know this is an old post but I stumbled on it researching the cs15. Very cool. Subsequently I’ve purchased the ventris duel reverb because of this video. However I am struggling with the freeze function with the pedal. Can you explain how you did that? Thanks!!!

[@sonicstate]

You need to load up the editor, connect via USB to a computer and program one of the pedals do do that function

[@thebobbycovert]

@@sonicstate thank you. I was in the editor. Again, sorry this is such an old post, not sure if you even use this pedal anymore. Was that function called “reverb hold latch”?

[@_Thorsten]

There is a noise kriggling sound like a messy fader or bad contact like something needs a cleaning.

[@EugenioMenotti]

I thought it was my headphones. But then later I watched this video on my desktop computer with speakers, and that noise reappeared

[@Strages_Powers]

He apologizes for the crackles on a number of occasions.

[@jasonakagecko]

I have a Yamaha CS10 and the sound crackle on mine comes from the volume pot.

[@KevinStCroix]

Love the lfo pitch thing happening on the lead, os is that the reverb? Wicked.