Yamaha CS1x

This should be damned easy to use with 6 big knobs on it.It isn't unless you stick to the presets. Presets are very good and very varied, there 250 of them and they can be tweaked for rez etc with the aforementioned knobs. Editing, tho, is crap. Parameters are varied using hideous little +/- buttons...1 more knob would have meant the world, jumping between menus is a big drag. There are, however some very good shareware editors if you have a PC.

Well on the one hand, the sounds available to you are very good with a huge XG arsenal plus loads more "basic" waveforms,on the other hand the MIDI implementation is awful. Using 4 midi channels to produce 1 performance sound is just out of order. You can cheat and get 4 performances from the beast, but that will take up all 16 channels.....hope this doesn't catch on. Good arpeggiator with built in rez sweeps etc. Also those knobs send midi so not a bad controller if you don't need aftertouch.....

Surprisingly, this is where this keyboard scores big. For a budget/starter/whatever synth this actually sounds excellent.Great pads,leads, basses, organs. Crap pianos tho (wonder why?). Loads of user patches on the web, too.

Bullet-proof, sturdy, never fails. Remembers everything you set on the last session.

Haven't needed any.

If it were lost, I'd buy something else, but maybe that's because I've grown a bit as a synth user. I like the CS1x and use it a lot in my music, but there are a few minuses (polyphony, editing) and I've outgrown it. Still, for the money there are few things to beat it as a utility synth and/or control keyboard, and it does make some wicked sounds.

This synth is a very nice equipment to start. The preset sounds are very well modelled. The patch editing is a little complex process, but once you have mastered it, is very easy. The manual is nice, but if you want a full featured book, download the Blue Book from Yamaha, and this is a very helpful add-on.

The polyphony is well, 16 keys I think, could be more. The effects are nice, the most useful feature is the arpeggiator, that can lead you out of a bored afternoon. The synth has the standard MIDI connectors and the To Host feature, that allows you to connect the synth to a computer using a special cable from Yamaha without using the Joystick port in your computer. This keyboard doesn't have a built-in sequencer. You have to sequence using an external source.

The instruments are awesome realistic, this because the AWM synthesis. The manual says that this baby is designed for making dance, trance, etc. but it works well with all types of music. The onboard effects are good. It has initial aftertouch and PB and Modulation capabilities.

It's a very reliable machine. It has never let me down!

Never need it. (until now). I have owned this keyb. for 4 months.

I think I'd buy it again. The only thing that disappoints me is the lack of an onboard sequencer. I use this synth with a Yamaha SU-10 Sampler, and I'm planning to buy a Yamaha QY-300 or QY-70 hardware external sequencer. I currently sequencing using my PC and Digital Orchestrator Pro. It is a good deal for the price, it is easy to use and fun to play. I wish It had an extra octave of keys. But is a very good piece of equipment!!!

The CS1x is a pretty straightforward synth at first, until you try to use its use material voices in a song... So if you just want one fat sound it's really easy to use, but if you want to go one step further, you should get the "blue book", a complement to the manual. It describes more complex features of the synth.

Its a 32-voice 16 part synth, so that wont limit you, even if 64 voices seem to have become the standard nowadays. It's three different effect-units: one for chorus, one for reverb and one for variation. The latter comprises a few "standard" effects, nothing spectacular though. The synth isnt expandable, so you're stuck with what you have.

This synth does best what its built for: dance/techno music. The material voices (which make up the elements of the performance sounds) are fair. I tend to use it not so often in my music, maybe because I've got bored with the limitations of this sample/synthesis keyboard. You'll also find an XG compatible synthengine, whose sounds are really cheesy and will hardly fit into a pro arrangement.

The case looks to be able to withstand a hit or two, but not more I guess. Mine is still ok after approximately one year.

I've ordered the bluebook from Yamaha in Sweden, and I got it after a week. So I've nothing to complain about.

Ive played dozens of contemporary and vintage synths, and judging from that I would place the CS1x somewhere in the lower regions. Sure, you could make a "techno"-tune with it, but its "cheesy"-ness and basic features (e.g. only 2 outs) only make it a good beginners synth, nothing more. (even if David Bowie used one on Earthling!)

This is a wicked sytnh and very easy to use. The presets are fine, there are 256 of them. There is a patch editor called CS1X Edit which is excellent! The manual is pretty good.

It has 32-note polyphony and 16-part multitimbral. It has three effects processors: Reverb, Chorus, and Various. There are many different types of effects in each category. For example in Various there are several types of Flnager, Distortion, Phasers, 3-Band EQ, 2-Band EQ... You may use one effect from one of the three categories simoltaneously. Midi capabalities are excellent with SySex support for saving patches on disk. There is no onboard sequencer. There is also a large pannel of switches to tweak the sound. Drawback is that only 1 performance sound per song. But it doesn't matter if you plan on sampling your melody off the CS1x. It also has an awsome arpeggiator with many different styles. Finally you can store 128 of your own patches.

Great for any kind of dance music. I use it for Progressive House, Goa, and Jungle. There are 512 dancy type sounds and 480 XG sounds. You can layer up to four of these sounds to make a performance. With the resonant filter, the effects processors, and the matrix of features you can create more sounds than you'll ever probably use. Sounds can be tweaked a lot!

Very reliably and great for live performances due to its filter knobs.

Havn't needed to deal with Yamaha before.

This is such an awsome synth. The resonant filter is fabulous. There are just too many things that you can do to your sounds with the CS1X. It's very overwhelming at first, but you get used to it. I've been able to get some really nice bass sounds. You can make excellent strings and a whole bunch of other strange sounds. Drumsets are not great. If you have the money, get it! You won't be dissapointed!

This is a very easy synth to get started with. The first time I found this from a local music store I kept fiddling around with it for a couple of hours; needless to say it's almost as good toy as a MC-303 (but the MC is _just_ a toy). Editing patches is very intuitive, only thing I had to look up at first was how to apply changes to all possible four layers at the same time. The manual is well written and mostly rather useless; the only complain here is the difficulties at first at using MIDI channels from 5-16 without GM/XG-sounds. But this is a fairly easy synth, really.

The usual, 32-voice polyphony, 16-part multitimbral. Inboard effects are actually surprisingly good. The reverbs aren't that cool, the overdrive is too thin to my taste, but I really like the guitar amp simulation. Can really make a decent Hammondish-retro-70's-proge-organ sound with enough modulation, plus it's great for those acidish basslines. Expansions, none as far as I'm concerned. No aftertouch-sensitive keyboard, a minus. (this is supposed to be a control synth but Ob Matrix-1000 really needs aftertouch). No inboard sequencer. An arpeggiator, syncable to midi clock. But unfortunately the arpeggios aren't editable so you're stuck with presets here. But for this price, it's understandable.

Welp. I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but... I think the filter is somewhat dry sounding. No Minimoogs here, and this isn't a 303 substitute either (but heck, it's too used anyway ;) The presets samples are fair. Good drums, some good general synth foo. The effects can make nice Hague-electro or trip-hop drumkits and spacey synths. As a lead/bass synth I think this won't do. Get a Prophecy. On the non-performance channels you get to adjust chorus/reverb/cutoff/rez/attack/sustain. No special fx. Some of the samples itself are very usable. As said, 808+909 can be found, and one sample is a terrifict sub-bass. But after the complusory playstate, tweaking isn't that satisfying with this cutie.

So far only few minor problems. I'd gig with it. Sometimes getting it to understand that you don't want GM is hard, but nothing more serious.

no opinion

It's well worth the money, granted. Then again, if you have some multi-fx+a bass synth+a few pad synths, just get a Drumstation. I dig the drums with the fx. As said before, the fx really apply only to the "performance" sounds. What I find myself always doing is using some edited drum kit with some twisted fx and perhaps that lovely sub-bass sample, quite nothing else. It's cheap. For a first synth, definetly. But for tweaking, get a Prophecy. Or a TB, they're about the same price ;) And the arpeggios aren't editable, a shame. And it's samples. I don't really care, but it limits to some extent. And I'm definetly not an analogue purist; but the filter is a bit cheesy. (So is the one in JP-8000 as well ;) (please, this is my opinion, spare your flames)

Very simple interface. The patches on this thing are killer. The manual is small but covers most things. It could be more in depth but the machine is really easy to learn without the manual. You have great control on over your patches. You can also layer patches to make distinct sounds. Cutoff and Resonance knobs are great.

61 keys 32 note polyphony Unweighted keys. The keys feel really great. easy to get into your playing. A decent amount of effects. No expansion, but there is not much need for expansion. Has MIDI IN/OUT/THRU. Keys are sensitive, and the knob movements are also sent out via midi. Real easy to sequence to computer. No on board sequencer. Has one awesome arpegiator. can create very cool acidy/trance tracks with it when using the arpegiator with the cutoff/resonance/attack/release knobs.

The tones are awesome, mostly for techno/dance music though. The sensetivity of teh keys rock, you can really put groove into your songs.

I definatly rely on it. You probably would want a sequencer though. If you like to play live then you dont have a problem. If you already have some equipment this thing is great because of its tones. Extremly dependable, however it is not an all in one machine. I like to use it for pad sounds and bass lines and I use other stuff for drums. Has good tones for melodies too. The drum sounds on it are just ok. I mean it has the 909 and 808 sounds on it but I rather use my roland MC-303 for drums.

I would defiantly buy it again. Totally worth the money! None of its competitors come even close to the price. The Nord Lead is awesome but this is almost a thousand dollars cheaper which makes it a better price. I think it defiantly beats rolands JP-8000. Its the best accompanyment to existing dance equipment.

I LOVE THIS KEYBOARD!!!!!!!!!!! Editing is time-consuming but easy.....manual? I don't need no stinking manual!!!!

Only 32 voice but who cares...those voices kick serious booty! killer effects...no, not Lexicon but easy to use and sound great. Expansion? Not really but who cares, it is what it is. Yeah midi but that's not what makes it a killer. No sequencer but one heck of an arpeggiator!!!!

Realistic? Nope Bad? To the bone! Easy to use? For me,yes. Go hear this thing and decide for yourself.....

How reliable was your best friend? He ate all of your food and drank all of your drinks and he even tried to put the move on your squeeze but you'd kill for him and he you.Reliable? So far so good and if it goes down this instant I'll forgive it and remember what a thrill it gave me for awhile.

KILLER!!!!!

If you can't tell by now that I love this keyboard(I also own other synths eg;QS7 etc.)then you aren't too perceptive.

One word: Knobs! Finally, a digital synth that doesn't require a degree to search through menus. 2 of the knobs are user assignable to a slew of sound editing options. As for those, there's an array listing of all the sound editing options on the face of the box itself with a pointer knob so you always know exactly where you are. The presets sound exactly like what this synth is geared toward: dance music afficionados, like me. It also functions as an GM/XG sound source, but I mostly ignore that part of it. The manual is good for explaining most of its features, but the MIDI stuff is a bit cryptic. Get the Blue Book from Yamaha.

6 realtime control knobs (amp attack and delay, filter cutoff and rez, 2 user-assignable), lots of chorus and reverb styles along with a "variable" effect that can be chosen from a list of things like 2 and 3-band EQ, delay, etc., 3 foot control inputs, PC or Mac hookup port (driver and cable come seperately), low-pass filter, lots of editing options like LFO, pitch envelope, filter envelope, port time etc., all editable via MIDI control messages, VERY cool arpegiator syncable to MIDI (does not out to MIDI, though). Minuses: this is a sample-playback synth, so the waveforms can't be edited. No disk drive or card slot basically means you're stuck with them. You can change just about everything else about the sounds, though. No sequencer, either, so if you want to use those cool 808 and 909 samples, you have to hook it up to something else. For the price, though, it's very acceptable.

This machine was made for techno/jungle/trance/ambient. If you're looking for a machine to back your rock band with 10 billion string sounds, this is not for you. If you're looking for artificial sounds that wreak havoc in a club, this is the machine to get. The keyboard is nice for velocity sensing, but don't hit it too hard (see below). Knobs and an arpeggiator add a new dimension to expressiveness previously thought dead with analogue machines.

It hasn't totally screwed up on me yet. The keys are a bit flimsy (I can already feel a few black keys weakening). The knobs also feel a bit fragile (I'd rather have sliders). The left wheels are pretty solid, though. So far, it's done everything my computer sequencer has told it to do.

I ordered the blue book from Yamaha and to my surprise, it was free! No toll free number, but they didn't keep me on the phone long. I haven't ordered any upgrades, though it doesn't seem to need one. Given the company's history, I feel pretty secure about my purchase.

This is my first real professional-sounding box (before this, I had a couple of the kind you see at Radio Shack and Circuit City). For me, it was a choice between this and the Roland MC-303. There is no comparison. The only advantage the MC seems to have is a built-in sequencer which is really only useful for playing its own sounds. The Yamaha has a heck of a lot more sound editing options (the Roland doesn't even let you edit the filter envelope), and when it comes to MIDI implementation, the MC-303 is downright xenophobic. Even if I get tired of the sounds on the CS1x, it still makes a great controller. With a list price that's a hundred dollars less, my choice was very easy to make. Even after getting the CS1x, I still wouldn't get an MC-303 because the sequencer is pretty much useless for controlling my CS1x, and I'm spoiled by the sound editing options the CS1x has to offer. The only thing it's lacking is an expansion utility and a sequencer. Once I get me an Emax2, I'll be all set for gigs. Basically, it's a poor man's Nord Lead... a swell imitation of analogue (though not as good) with all the advantages of digital. Well reccomended!

This is an add on too my earlier review: I want to add the following information concerning using the performance sounds multitimbrally. Since writing the review, I have learned some new things as follows. First, call Yamaha Literature and order the, so far, free "Blue Book" which is a tutorial style book put out by Yamaha in Germany. This book shows you how to totally access any sounds you want. And it comes with two disks with new patches etc.
Each Performance is made up of up to 4 voices. If you look at your Voice Data List, you will see that the Preset Performance patches use the sounds in banks Pre 00, Pre 01, Pre 02 and Pre 03. The names of the sounds in Pre 00 are identicle to the names of the patches in the Preset Performance set. If one of those patches happens to use 3 voices, the other two voices (sounds) will be in the corresponding patch numbers of banks Pre 01 and Pre 02. Now, the voices making up the User Performances are exist in banks Pre 04, Pre 05, Pre 06 and Pre 07. Pre 04, just like Pre 00, holds all the voices that make up the first (of up to 4) voices of the User Performance set. They also have the same names. For example, check out page 12 of your Data List. You will see that User Performance #47 is Seminl. This patch uses 3 voices and voice one is called Seminl A and is in bank Pre04, #47; the second voice making up User perfomance #47 is called Seminl B and located in Pre05, #47; finally, the third voice is called Seminl C and is in Pre05, #47. Get it?
In fact if you check out the Data List, you will see a set of voices called "Additions" which reside in Pre08, Pre09, Pre10 and Pre11. In fact, these voices represent a whole third set of Performances! BUT, the patches are not included with the synth even though the voices are there. There is just the PRESET and USER sets, not the third one. Crap, right? Well sort of. The sounds ARE there for your use. A midi file containing sysex data comes with the Blue Book and contains all an "Xtra" patch bank, to use it you load the file into a sequencer and play it with your CS1x connected by midi. The CS1x USER performances should then be a whole new set of patches reflecting the voices in Pre08-Pre11. By the way, Pre12 holds the great performance drum voices like the 808 etc.
OKAY NOW HERE IT IS!! Even though midi channels 1-4 are used up by the performance voice chosen, you can actually assign channels 5 through 16 to any sound in any bank anywhere in the synth as long as you are in the correct mode. SO FOR INSTANCE, User Performance Preset #29 is called Xrayz. You will see upon inspection, either via the synth itself, or by looking on page 12 of the data list, that Xrayz is made up of only one voice which is located in bank Pre04, #29. So, you can, if you want to, assign Pre04, #29 (called Xrayz A) to, say, midi channel 11. And so on. So you see, you are not limited to only using the XG sounds as I, based on the manual, indicated earlier.

The Performance presets are FAT!! and extremely versatile and controllable. The XG soundset of 480 voices plus is very good if not stellar. Programming is very easy with all parameters accessable from the front controls, not through menus and submenus etc. The programming feature are basic to those who are familiar with analog style subtractive synthesis. The manual is pretty good compared to others. But that may not be saying much. There are a few areas which required a second or third read only to find that it is sometimes what is NOT said than what is that defines the issue. For instance, for multitimbral midi playback, it appears from the manual that you may only use the 480 multi xg voices but not the very cool performance voices for which you will by this synth in the first place. Obviously you can sequence a single performance, but, not multitimbral performance sounds? NO, and yes, sort of. What the manual only hints at but doesn't say really is that you can have a performance patch play on one of channels 1 through 4 and have 12 xg voices play on channels 5 through 16. This could have and should be better explained in the future by Yamaha. Ah, but it is hard to be too critical when this synth is so sweet sounding and is so inexpensive.

32 notes polyphony, 16 multitimbral with the caveats stated above, 3 effects units with 65 different settings. The reverb unit and the chorus unit are applied globally while the variation effect unit (which is 43 different very adjustable effects) is available as an insertion effect into only one of up to four voices which make up a performance preset. The effects sound pretty good and the variation effect's insertion features allow for lots of excellent effects. No real expansion capabilities. But none needed really. No aftertouch. No sequencer.

The analog sounds are great and the control knobs for cutoff, resonance, attack, release are great not to mention that there are 2 assignable knobs for anything else you wish, i.e., volume, pan, pitch, lfo, etc. In fact, one of the assignable knobs can control 4 of any of the parameters in varying amounts for each of the up to 4 voices making up a performance patch. This feature equals fat and crazy effects sounds to your hearts content. In addition to the six control knobs, for each performance patch, you can store 2 "scenes" each scene is a snapshot of the 6 control knobs. In addition to the "scene" making up the patch, this can make for 3 very different sounds for each patch. When you choose both scenes simultaneously, the mod wheel morphs between them! While playing, at any given time, you can temporarily save a scene to one of the scene buttons. Later you can hard save it if you wich. Music that this synth is good for is everything! The 32 style arpeggiator makes for hot dance/techno stuff. THis is a very capable techno machine.

Light flimsy case. Just don't drop it. I will definately gig with it. It can probably take more than my minimoog.

Excellent overall! Highly recommended I wish it had full multitimbrality for the great lush performance patches I wish the knobs were of better quality (I will remedy this soon) The price is too right! This is the equalizer. Yamaha's Nord Lead Killer! Watch for copycats soon to follow.