Yamaha
CS1x Synthesizer
July 12, 1996 Yes, knobs are back in style with the new
Yamaha CS1x, a real-time synthesizer featuring analog-like voice editing control,
but at a remarkable price - (list price) $799.95 - that will appeal to first-time
buyers, desktop music hobbyists and serious amateurs. In short, the CS1x takes
the best of analog - simplicity of use, natural interactivity, thick sound, and
knobs - and combines it with the best of digital-reliable pitch, plenty of memory,
one-touch setting reconfigurations, hundreds of voices, MIDI, etc. The result
is a powerful interactive experience in which users can simply turn knobs to control
the sound in real time without steep learning curves, complex operations, or pages
and subpages of hidden menus. And being that it's digital, data can be easily
saved for future use. "The CS1x has a very high initial fun factor," said
Avery Burdette, product manager at Yamaha. "For example, when you turn it on,
the first sound is a drum kit with the arpeggiator already programmed, so that
you simply press keys on the keyboard, and it immediately responds by playing
an extremely funky and addictive rhythm. This is just one of 256 performance experiences
that makes the CS1x so engaging. If a musician is looking for the best first synthesizer
to buy, we believe this is it. With it, they can learn more about how synthesizers
work than from any other similarly-priced instrument on the market today."
An important feature on the CS1x is a "Scene Controller," which allows instant
and dramatic shifts to be created in the atmosphere and timbre of the sound. "This
instrument permits a kind of sound motion, movement and morphing that has never
been available before at this price point," notes Burdette. "It can create an
infinite variety of permutations of its exceptionally mellow and rich sounds.
Not to mention the fact that you can simply reach up and grab a sound control
knob and turn the sound into something else immediately. The musical possibilities
are immense." Other notable features of the 61-key, 32-note polyphonic Yamaha
CS1x include 480 normal voices and 11 drum kits for Yamaha XG format music production
and playback; 128 preset Performance programs, many of which are suited for Dance
and Techno music, as well as 128 user Performance program memories; 30 versatile
arpeggiator six real-time control knobs (including two assignable knobs) which
provide intuitive voice editing control over up to 4 voices; versatile arpeggiator
functions, and a TO HOST serial computer interface. There is even a Line Input
for adding accompaniment or sampled sound; for example, from the Yamaha SU10 Sampling
Unit or QY22 Music Sequencer, which can be conveniently placed on the built-in
shelf atop the CS1x. For
more information on the Yamaha CS1x Control Synthesizer, write Yamaha Corporation
of America, Audio, Guitar and Synthesizer Division, Digital Musical Instruments
Department, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011. Visit
their web site at www.yamaha.com. |
