The Best CS80 Plugin Yet // Softube Model 77

[@JoshRichmanDesign]

Already bought it with a loyalty discount! No demo needed, I trust Softube! bought with my eye closed!🤩

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

Any word on cpu ? is it as cpu hungry as the Sequential emu ?

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

Damn it! Stop it! I can get the discount too... but I already have Arturia and Cherry versions. My wallet is crying. 🥲

[@kristianborisov5928]

How did you get the loyalty discount? I have all their other synth emulations except the Model 72, and didn't receive loyalty discount.

[@klownaround5464]

@@kristianborisov5928it’s $99. Bucks what’s to complain about??? That’s dinner and a couple of drinks here in NYC where i live i just bought it 😊

[@kid.forever]

@@kristianborisov5928 I received mine via email.

[@loweroctaves]

Just when you thought your bank account was safe! As soon as I saw your video pop up i knew immediately I was going to buy this. I have Arturias and cherry but they don’t hold a torch to this after hearing your video. Thank you for this video you made my day. Can’t wait to play this.

[@odmusicman]

You can do most of what you have here on the Cherry Audio GX80 which operates in similar principles and has beautiful sounds and tools to make sounds. I use it to layer with orchestrations and wide pop pads. Cherry Audio absolutely holds a torch to this and at a better price.

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

@@odmusicman Disagree: the filters are where it's at and Cherry synth all have the same quality regardless of what they are modeling. Arturia's CS-80 is head and shoulders above Cherry's. However, this one by Softube is definitely giving a run for the money.

[@XanderEwald]

Softube really make some of the best instrument plugins in the game. Can’t go wrong with any of them.

[@ZTAudio]

Oh my … I owned an OG CS-60, and played the CS-80 and CS-50 almost daily for years. I have had the Arturia emulation since day one, and have been “pleased enough” with it. I SAW Eddie Jobson of UK twice, playing the Arturia, and didn’t find anything lacking in sound quality. The other emulations are also quite good ‘in their own ways. But WOW … this really captures the CS-80 “vibe”, even over KZbin, in a way which positively CALLS to me.

[@bobmason1361]

Agreed. I owned a CS80 years ago, and this Model 77 sounds like my CS80 did. I returned to music after years without. I chose the Roli Seaboard Rise for its super expressive keys, and soon will be complimented by the Roli Airwave. I struggled to decided which CS80 VST to use but couldn't be sure the sound was what I was looking for. This product makes the grade.

[@pablowentscobar]

Every time I see "Softube" it makes me chuckle. I swear I'm older then 13. Good stuff Starsky, I do appreciate that you cover all the musical things. And you do it well. Thanks!

[@MadelnMachines]

🤣 I didn't think of that

[@josephmorrell5336]

never gonna be able to unhear it now lol

[@thelemetric]

softube stuff is consistently mindblowing.

[@smartinussen]

Thanks for demoing this. Just went off to buy it even if I have both the Arturia and Cherry versions.

[@personalwatching9312]

Lovely mate. Also nice and simple interface

[@kadiummusic]

Please do a comparison with the Arturia CS-80 V and the Cherry GX-80. 😎

[@janvisser1963]

What about Memorymoon's ME-80...launched before Arturia and Cherry Audio's plugs still my favorite.

[@charliobrown3960]

@@kadiummusic i think no comparisok need…. Softube always nails their synths. But… if you talk about cpu surr it’s not the best

[@Claude_van]

@@charliobrown3960For me the Arturia’s CS80 V, which is more than 20 years old sounds more vivid. Though it doesn’t sound like a CS-80, more like GX-1 on steroids.

[@kierenmoore3236]

No G-Force one yet?

[@adampearse4720]

@@charliobrown3960 that’s what I need to know. I struggle with the Arturia

[@ConstantLittleGhost]

That pan / spread is instant magic! Yum!❤ I have a few softsynths including the Arturia collection with the CS80, but there's something so evocative in the Softube synths which sound so good to my ears. Not sure I wanted another CS80 plugin, but this is really very lovely. Their '84 has made my hardware Juno redundant, whereas the Arturia was a substitute for writing. And your vid is much better than Softube's own demo tracks, which actually put me off buying.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks. I think there's lots of folks who like to hear the classics from these things, ... and thats why they like them. I tend to veer toward the stuff I'd use on a track and how I'd create those tones rather than the more 'standard' 80s tones. Different strokes for different folks. I reckon there's less like us but we understand the synths and can get the best out of them ;) .. :) ...and have more fun...

[@ConstantLittleGhost]

@@StarskyCarr very true, and if I ever find myself at the front of the 15 year queue for those handmade VCS3s I like to think I won't spend all my time copying "On The Run"

[@boozledropmusicproduction2242]

Holy amazeballs….Sounds great. Very organic.👍🍺

[@fugamantew]

Another freaking plugin!? Yeah!!

[@blankspace0000]

Yooo i had no idea this was coming out what a nice surprise!

[@brentsmith9411]

To my ears that sizzle-y, nasally bandpass-ish tone is one of the most distinct things about these machines. I really wish Behringer would make a Pro-800-like module that may not have all of the functionality of a CS80, but at least be able to nail this tone. There's just nothing else like it out there in current production.

[@Ni5ei]

Your voice seems to adapt to the type of synth you're reviewing 😅 It's almost like listening to Bob Ross on synths.

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha .. I physically embody the essence of the synth .. not a bad superpower but I can think of better ones

[@h-voltage]

@@StarskyCarr The synth-whisperer

[@Goettel]

The release of the Model 77 prompted me to start a new track with the GX-80, to check out if I was missing out on anything, sound wise. Not convinced that I am. Great to be spoiled for choice.

[@Dogboy73]

Softtube do make some very nice synths and effects. Plenty of CS-80 clones around these days. This one looks and sounds the business though. Have not bought any of the previous CS-80 emulations so far. Might grab this whilst on intro price.

[@rewiremusic4540]

I downloaded the Demo and compared both to the Arturia CS80V4 and recordings when I had a CS-50 - of the HP filter sweeps. It has a slight edge over the Arturia in resonance fullness and clarity. I always check HP Res on clones as that's the hardest part of the CS line to emulate and most hardware like the Deckard, SE Code and modular designs even pale to this Softube emulation

[@StarskyCarr]

Is ‘moist hardware’ a Freudian slip 😂👍

[@rewiremusic4540]

@@StarskyCarr Haha spell check didn't mind that. Fixed now

[@synthorswim]

Wonder how it compares to Cherry Audio's GX-80? That one is a pretty amazing monster.... but this one... holy crap... this one really sounds great as well!

[@kadiummusic]

Agreed, would love a comparison video! 😎

[@chizzulwinduh1941]

IMO The Cherry Audio GX-80 is as good as this in every way and a lot cheaper.

[@bmaier490]

Yeah most of Cherry's stuff is meh, but the gx80 really stands out. I'm not hearing anything particularly special about this one. Hopefully G-force or uHE will give us something soon.

[@Angelstarscotland]

A nice Demo... I might pick this one up

[@dave-synth74]

Oh my. Bringing it the #%#@ back baby!!!!!!

[@bogusdogus]

Great demo thanks!😀

[@manuel_salazar_work]

Wow this sounds great. Thanks a lot. Your vids have helped me a lot understanding syths.

[@neuronist]

didn't even need to watch any KZbin to instaclick on the ad for buying it 🙈

[@danm3570]

softube softsynths are the only softsynths I'm still buying. Don't like their other stuff so much though, have ui scaling problems and can't read the writing on my big screen tv

[@compucorder64]

For vintage emulations, I like their Sequential and Roland softsynths more than most. So I am interested in this one. There's plenty of other softsynths from other companies that I like too though, G-Force Oberheims, Synapse. And Diva is still going strong. Then for modern, Pigments, Phase Plant and UVI Falcon are mega, in that order. I do use the Softube British and American Class A channel strips a lot for character on tracking channels. And they at least have big chunky UIs, since they're pretty simple. But I prefer UADs 1176, LA-2A, 3A, compressors. And Kiive KC1 is better than Softube's Tubetech CL1B emulation. Waves DBX comp is better than Softube's VCA comp too (and better than UADs DBX too).

[@danm3570]

@@compucorder64 use spire for composing with 4/4 edm, go over with supernova, jp8080, virus ti, micro q, korg microkorg and radius, plus another 5 or so. Can rely on serum for dubstep and fm stuff like that

[@danm3570]

@@compucorder64 phaseplant and falcon and uvi stuff is epic, big uad fanboy. Mainly going to use uad effects from now on

[@compucorder64]

​@@danm3570 Yip. There's only maybe a couple of UAD I don't think are maybe the absolute best. The DBX comp one has competition. And the LA-3A while being really good for bass, isn't as good for drums as the tighter sounding Overloud GEM LA Comp, which also has useful variable harmonic distortion. And of course, UAD aren't so hot for synths. My favourite UAD plugin is Sound City, for drum room, acoustic guitar etc... And second favourite is Capitol Chambers which sounds really nice on intimate vocals too. There's been really good deals on those two recently. Worth grabbing. I want to try the UAD API 2500 Comp. Really like the Ampex & Studer tape for bus and tracking too. The 1176, LA-2As are great. But I can't use the Neve & API Pre/EQ, because I don't have UAD DSP, and don't want Spark since I already own most of the plugins I'd want in it.

[@charliobrown3960]

Me too, best sounding vst synth, closest to the real. Not the fancy arturia full of fx presets synths… i just like the tla100a summit compresor from softube.

[@canhakguder3166]

I would like to hear some bass notes to feel the low side of this plugin synth sonicly .Like C1 to E3

[@personalwatching9312]

Curious to see a shoot out between this, the cherry audio and arturia ones

[@JohnnyADi]

iLock, ah yes, the same reason I use noire instead of the Vienna synchron piano CFX grand.

[@andrewjacobs3731]

I wonder how this compares to the cherry audio version?

[@Musical.Maze.1]

I have the Cherry Audio GX-80 and it is wonderful! This is doesn't sound bad at all.

[@kadiummusic]

Agreed. 🤔

[@newYorkStories]

I do have the CS-80V and the GX-80 - I am covered

[@charliobrown3960]

No, u are not…. Arturia vs softube? No way!

[@newYorkStories]

@@charliobrown3960 please elaborate

[@th3soundmachinz]

Have you heard of the Cherry Audio GX-80? You should check it out and compare it to the Softube Model 77. 👍🏻

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah, I demo’d it a while back. As I don’t have an original so any demo would be a ‘which do you prefer’ question, which I think folks can do with the demos themselves (I’m not sure me waffling over the top would add anything 😂)

[@th3soundmachinz]

@StarskyCarr yeah I found it after I posted this comment haha. But I'll do more research on them

[@DrDAAD]

@@StarskyCarr I own GX 80 and I prefer it over Model 77. It definitely sounds "bigger" and closer to the real thing to me, for some reason... There is a comparison on KZbin somewhere.

[@ADHDville]

When I watch KZbin videos this channel annoys my wife the most … it’s mostly weird raw squeals and buzzing! 😂😂😂

[@StarskyCarr]

Oh no.. just like my cat 🐈! And I tried my best to avoid them on this.

[@ADHDville]

@@StarskyCarr 🤣

[@rjbush7955]

Damnit! Do I buy this or the ARP2600 in the Korg Collection. Pay day not far away.

[@kaitsu9608]

Get both and enjoy potatoes and ramen...

[@JoshRichmanDesign]

Negative ADSR is so that you can get really accurate brass sounds.

[@StarskyCarr]

I did wonder that, but does it make much difference sonically to ADSR as the start and end points are essentially the same? Or does/did it make things more intuitive to those thinking about the sound creation? i.e. the sustain level is the 'natural' level of the tone whereas on a ADSR the sustain level is raised? So with these you set the cutoff to where the note would be held, then reduce the start, rather than having the starting point as the cutoff level. Same thing just different ways of approaching it.

[@JoshRichmanDesign]

I believe it’s about the attack starting negative that allows for the most accurate brass sound. I think other reviewers have mentioned this too. Try it out.

[@randydarklight]

Does the CS80 VCF Resonance really sound like this? I cannot hear any difference to the standard zero delay feedback filter resonance as used in other VSTs.

[@djshire1984]

I wonder if Softube has fixed the problem of their plugins being resource hogs.

[@JoshRichmanDesign]

Awesome! Did you run any FX on the chain or is this clean? Is it MPE?

[@msld_sound]

Looks like he’s using the onboard FX only. Re: MPE, it’s not clear, BUT Model 77 is advertised on the website as the first Softube synth with poly aftertouch.

[@StarskyCarr]

I tried it with a Roli, but couldn’t get the poly aftertouch to work - possibly a Roli setting I couldn’t figure out. (I also tried a sustain pedal and that wouldn’t work on any synth so I’m guessing something wasn’t working with the hardware properly)… so I didn’t mention poly aftertouch as I couldn’t confirm. .. and the only FX I used was the onboard reverb.

[@steril]

@@StarskyCarr PolyAT with the NI Kontrol mk3 works fine here. But only with the expansion features (filter etc.) and not the LFO on the main panel (because the LFO is global and not per voice)

[@DrJ3RK8]

Very nice! Sounds excellent! Side note: Out of curiosity, have you had a chance to play a Super Gemini yet? Obviously the voice architectures are COMPLETELY different, but the way the Gemini is played and programmed is VERY similar to the CS-80. I picked one up recently, and I've only actually made one tune with it, because every time I sit down in front of it I just can't stop playing it. :D Edit: DUH!!! Never mind. I just remembered that you did a video of it at one of the shows. :D

[@StarskyCarr]

😂

[@StarskyCarr]

Lucky you… I can’t justify the Gemini, so have literally just bought the upgraded keyboard for the super6 about 10 minutes ago.

[@DrJ3RK8]

@@StarskyCarr Nice! That will go a long way with the 6. I barely use the ribbon, but Poly AT is spectacular with these synths.

[@wolfgang5912]

But does it smell like a CS80?? On a side note, too bad they didn't model the chorus section of the CS80.

[@maxmeier532]

How does it compare to Arturia's? I thought that sounds pretty nice.

[@MrACangusyoungDC]

Yeah and they commited to the original controls which feels more esoteric, and call me a geek, but I love that I learnt that. The Arturia emulates in way that makes the cs80 shine but softube are the golden standard for me. You will need to demo both

[@4CloudySky]

No MPE pitch implementation. Really? That's dumb, same goes for folks from Cherry Audio.

[@MadelnMachines]

No poly aftertouch? It's kind of a must on this synth. Does it have the tremelo and chorus?

[@klownaround5464]

This is old school synth poly aftertouch maybe wasn’t a thing back then

[@Wagoo]

​@@klownaround5464 ummm.. it was on the CS-80. It's famous for it

[@cyborgmetropolis7652]

I see a sudden surge of content creator reviews for this plugin. Which usually means the devs send out a bunch to content creators for free.

[@pzanardi]

Its always easy to see which companies focus on influencers for marketing. It works well, seems “natural”. Same thing with the camera world.

[@tendingtropic7778]

agreed, sketchy

[@Fluxwithit]

@@tendingtropic7778what’s sketchy about sending promo copies to those who would promote your product?

[@Pyroja]

Yeah, typically when a review embargo lifts is when you see reviews for something

[@cyborgmetropolis7652]

@@Pyroja but when a creator doesn’t specify investment in the product (if they bought it with their own money or if there’s some financial arrangement with the company) then we don’t know if we can trust it as a review or as an advertisement.

[@starwalker.musician]

Звучит - как любой другой VST синтезатор )))

[@robnewton3368]

The MemoryMoon is currently my go to CS80, is this better than that?

[@StarskyCarr]

I have to say I’ve never tried it… never heard of it until now!

[@robnewton3368]

@@StarskyCarr it’s been around a while and generally thought of as better than Arturia’s CS80 and also cheaper. I have an older Mac version although having just checked they no longer port it to Mac, just PC.

[@janvisser1963]

​@@StarskyCarrMaybe you'll be surprised about Gunnar his gorgeous memorymoon plugin's The ME-80 is better than the Arturia and the Cherry

[@StarskyCarr]

@@janvisser1963I’ll have to check them out.

[@johnoneill2148]

Unfortunately, comparing the Blade preset on all, the MemoryMoon sounds harsh, tinny, where there should be a sheen on the HF sweeps.

[@RoyChartier]

The best CS80 emulation, is any 2Osc analog synth, making the same patch through a Lexicon 224/224 emulation of a hall with a 20+ second decay time, played in half-cadence.

[@StarskyCarr]

Ooh the half-cadence ftw

[@FLH3official]

We all love the CS80, it's real icon. A pricey big hot beast with a ton of features (for its time obvioulsy). But, when we have a kind of step back and think about its real usage by artists and bands, can we name those who actualy used it? Yes, Vangelis. It's one name. But all the others of this time period, did they actualy use a CS80? Name a few, please. 😉

[@bluetv6386]

@@FLH3official UK

[@StarskyCarr]

Apparently…. It has been used by Vangelis, Chicago, Jethro Tull, Kraftwerk, Ultravox, Bon Jovi, Simple Minds, Paul McCartney, Michael McDonald, Brian Eno, Toto, Eddie Jobson, Doug Johnson (Loverboy), The Crystal Method, Jean Michel Jarre, Geoffrey Downes (Yes, Asia), Rick Wakeman, Stevie Wonder, Phish, Daft Punk, BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and Tony Banks of Genesis.

[@FLH3official]

@@bluetv6386 OK. One. But I meant a band with a real international hit, a band which crossed the pond or the English Channel. 🙂 (I'm sure, If I'll dig well enough I'll find bands from Estonia, France or Costa Rica which used a CS80)

[@GNeuman]

​@@StarskyCarrGary Numan tried one in 1980 but said it was too hard to navigate, lol. (Ref. Interview Multi Coloured Swap Shop with Noel Edmunds)

[@RealityShiftUK]

@@StarskyCarr and toto

[@raskinlex]

So it kind of binaural ? like Super 6 ?

[@StarskyCarr]

never thought of that... but yeah.

[@FotoxBr_nl]

Every vst synth can be binaural if you use two instances of them.

[@raskinlex]

@@FotoxBr_nl when synth has two layers with dedicated knobs and fader to make changes in both layers like UDO Super 6 at same time its more comfortable control binaural patches

[@FotoxBr_nl]

@@raskinlex You are right of course. But soft synths do not have real knobs. You can define macros and assign them to a controller. Stil not a Super 6, I know.

[@raskinlex]

@@FotoxBr_nl i am just trying to justify for myself why not to buy Super 6 😂

[@Magnus_Loov]

BUT does it have the CS-80:s extremely important Chorus (and Tremolo)? I have quickly browsed this video and Softubes site for info and I can't see it. Without it, it simply isn't more of a CS-80 than a Juno-106 isn't a Juno 106 without its legendary chorus. INTERESTING THING : The CS-60 didn't have a chorus. so this is maybe "just" two CS-60, which kinda makes it a CS-80 without the chorus. Two CS-60 ISN'T a CS80. If that, then it is like a Juno 106 without the Chorus. It is just drenched in a big reverb to hide this! Not worth it! Some of the competitors that have the chorus and the tremolo must sound better for many patches that depends on it (Vangelis alike) ! Just put them through a big reverb too! On a sidenote: Maybe it is possible to feed the sound of the MOdel 77 into some of the other CS-80 plugins to use their Chorus?

[@charliobrown3960]

Best synth emulations = softube. Best marketing and bad sound with many FX to fix it… arturia

[@RealityShiftUK]

Hmm I’m wondering of this is still worth it if you have the cs80 from v colection 9

[@nebhetep2254]

yes

[@davebassP5]

@@RealityShiftUK Nah. The CS80 has been done to death. no one will hear a difference in a mix. They all sound very similar.

[@StarskyCarr]

For me a lot of the fun of these is learning the architecture and being restricted by the limitations of the originals. If I put them together some would prefer arturia, some Cherry Audio, and others this one. .. just talking from experience.

[@XPJV]

How is it different from the Arturia CS-80?

[@annother3350]

I think this sounds better

[@XPJV]

@@annother3350 , How?

[@annother3350]

@@XPJV It sounds richer to my ears but dont take my word for it -- use your own ears. I have the Arturia Suite and their CS-80 doesn't make me really look forward to playing it like good analogue should. Only the Arturia MS-20 does that for me

[@charliobrown3960]

Arturia sounds thin, cheap, and softube is like the real one. Just try both. Arturia always add many fx to presets because raw sound is not enough.

[@XPJV]

@@annother3350 👍 10Q

[@jeffblack5024]

It's good, but is there anybody who isn't virtual analogued to death?

[@StarskyCarr]

You can never drink too much tea 😂

[@stellertech]

There's still some space on my hard drive

[@StarskyCarr]

@@stellertech haha.. I'm the same on this laptop - there's less and less room for editing the videos!

[@stellertech]

@@StarskyCarr as long as you keep more room for plugins

[@drydessert4198]

2:46

[@thelemetric]

this synth is all sweetspot wtf.

[@MJ-tg6wb]

8:30

[@WAKMM]

I feel like the tone isn't done right here.. it sounds like a Jupiter or something as far as the raw tone

[@StarskyCarr]

I trust Softube, they're OTT about all this. My mate says It sounds like his (when its working), which is about as high a recommendation you can get - if you knew him.

[@bobmason1361]

As a previous owner of a CS80, this sounds closer than anything else I've heard in the VST world.

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

It does not sound great to my ears, is there a demo?

[@Themosaicsound]

sounds sterile

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

@@Themosaicsound yes this is not the sound, the omnisphere sound library by luftrum "vangellis" is so much better. Cherry Audio is also way better

[@JayTheLane]

Starsky isn’t preset hopping. There are other videos that exemplify the synths sonic nature.

[@Abruzzo333]

Maybe you need a better set of speakers...or ears.

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

@@Abruzzo333 wow... that was offensive and rude. What makes it ok for you to be hurtful

[@frankgibson8960]

Wish they’d get off the ilok system.

[@StarskyCarr]

It’s not so bad when you don’t need the physical ilok.

[@robarth-meltedcheesehomest4012]

Eh no not for me this one, I love my arturia one and i hate ilok!!!!

[@clivemathieu9386]

Still not close at all

[@fizgak]

iLock is a hard pass for me.

[@pablowozniak8132]

From today's point of view, the sound of the CS 80 is simply poor and I don't miss it at all. Modern synthesizers are incomparably better. People who treat this ancient instrument as a cult item, an unattainable model, are guided only by irrational reasons and not by a real view of reality. Hey! come back to earth!

[@StarskyCarr]

..but this isn’t a £90k vintage bit of decaying electronics - it’s a softsynth. Which makes liking it or purchasing it anything but irrational.

[@davebassP5]

30 mins of slight variations of a dying wasp. How ‘retro’. 😂

[@StarskyCarr]

because dying wasps sounded different in the 80s.. warmer ... more organic but weren't as reliable as wasps that die these days

[@davebassP5]

@@StarskyCarr haha. I had the EDP Wasp and it lasted a very long time.

[@skullhqx]

Would likely have bought this one, but regrettably it’s behind iLok, so that’s a no for me. Cheers

[@StarskyCarr]

FYI You don’t need the hardware dongle - just in case that’s the bit that’s off-putting.

[@skullhqx]

@@StarskyCarr Thanks, I know, but imho the cloud iLok is to be avoided just the same. I understand they want to protect themselves from piracy, but personally I like the type of protection Cherry Audio, Arturia and GForce, to name a few, use, a lot more.

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah I’m not a huge fan of ilok myself, especially if your computer breaks you have to contact the vendor to reset the activation. I’ve had to do it with something and it was painless, but took a day or so.

[@voicesofdust4749]

Why do we need recreations of such basic, boring and outdated sounding synths? Even if it does exactly sound like the CS's; does anyone really need another "vintage" synth? I would rather these companies advance newer synthesis techniques than rehashing old ideas. Also; the best sounding synths are the ones already in your DAW.

[@StarskyCarr]

We don’t ‘need’ them, we don’t ’need’ a lot of things. But they’re fun. It’s interesting to play with synths you could never afford, ones that were used by huge artists back in the day, legendary stuff that gives a different perspective on sound design. Working within limitations… loads of reasons but nothing anyone ‘needs’.

[@johnoneill2148]

No one owns a CS80 (a few), so in effect it’s a new synth to a couple of generations….oh, and there’s the sound …….

[@bobmason1361]

Yeah, we need it. It's a good sound and product. So why not.