Yamaha CS6X

All the right features are there. I feel the sampling is a little extraneous. The keys are nice and bouncy although a little narrow. Plenty of presets and sound control. Having the plug in board option is nice too.

Price paid

$950/used circa 2001

UTILIZATION

Ehhhh.... it's a tad confusing. The submenus can be a bit tedious at time searching for the right paramater. Most parameters have a knob on the front panel, thankfully, so you only rarely have to dive under the hood.

Built like a brick shit house. It's pretty heavy and would probably break if you dropped it from a high distance but it can put up with a good beating.

SOUNDS

The sound quality is great. The presets seem mainly focused on the trance genre which is why I bought it.. Effects are useable but I'm suce a fan of outboard and plug in effects I usually keep the synth as dry as possible.

OVERALL OPINION

Bottom line: I love this synth for the trance/house/techno sounds I can get out of it. Piercing highs, warm pads, rumbling lows and everything in between. It's my main MIDI controller and I use with a wide variety of soft synths also. I've actually sold a few synths just to hang on to this one. I will probably buy some old school analog synths soon to round out my collection but the CS6x is the last VA synth I will buy for a long time.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 6-, 2003)

• Synthesizer 61 keys, velocity, aftertouch multitimbral
• Type Summary: AWM2.
• Types of Waves: Sounds AWM sampled.
• Polyphony: 64 voices.
• Multitimbral: 16 votes + 1 (A / D) + 1 (Phrase Clip) + 2 (Plug-in) voice.
• LFO: 1.
• Envelopes: ADSR.
• Filters: Multi-mode.
• Sounds: 256 presets + 128 prog.
• Combis: 128 prog. (A combi = 4 basic sounds).
• Split: Yes.
• Display: Backlit LCD.
• Effects: 12 reverbs, 23 chorus, 93 insertions, 24 insertions for the plug-in.
• Audio Outputs: Stereo.
• External Storage: SmartMedia Cards.
• Sequencer: Arpeggiator (128 preset arpeggio patterns). Reader SMF (format 0).
• Weight: 11.6 kg.
• Dimensions: 101.9 x 35.7 x 10.9 (WxDxH in cm).
• Assignable pitch bend and modulation. Control tape.
• Support for the breath controller.
• 8 drum sets + 2 programmable presets.
• Equalizer.
• 14 rotary potentiometers (Tone Control) and 5 assignable to any parameter.
• One can associate two memories "scene" at each performance (combined) to store the positions of six potentiometers.
• A morphing between two scenes of a performance is possible using the modulation wheel or foot pedal.
• Computer Interface PC / Mac.
• Stereo audio input (A / D).
• 4 MB RAM for sampling (16-bit linear, 44.1 kHz).

UTILIZATION

Very ergonomic to use with its plethora of control knobs in real time, it suffers from the syndrome DX7, that is to say that for editing patches, given the tiny size of the screen and the large number parameters, it is better to go through the editor on the computer.

The supplied software is quite usable but a bit tedious. SoundQuest is compatible with the beast, and more pleasant to use.

The manual is available in French on the net and comprehensive enough to remain.

SOUNDS

Even today in hardware synth I have not found better overall for the hard trance and electro, and it has its uses in other styles of electronic music. If you are looking for grand pianos, strings or other "real instruments", look elsewhere.

The touch is still perfect after more than 20 years of almost daily use. expression is excellent, better than a lot of synths today, and polyphonic aftertouch is a nice addition.

There is a secret weapon, wheel morphing between two scenes, which allows mixing and switcher two completely different sounds.

The ribbon of expression is a little more, and the breath sensor.

The effects are good, there are subtle to the contempt.

The arpeggiator is very good in my opinion.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought new in its release and I still have it, while quite a few other synths have passed under the bridge, that says it all: o)

I had tried just about everything he had at the time and it is he who has come home with me. I rachèterais eyes closed.

This is a great synth, it stands up to a lot of competition now and the number of controllers available makes it a good master keyboard too.

It was a bit expensive at the time, but is now found with two expansion cards already installed at attractive prices.

google for specs and Yamaha are your friends ...

it is basically complete and honest.

UTILIZATION

Manual a bit messy, I've seen better ..

the edict is feasible on the synth as well thought out despite the sub menu but greatly facilitated by assigning knobs below the display
but the edit on the PC is great and friendly (as DHAB)

SOUNDS

Excellent for those who love the sounds electro barred and totally unrealistic .. but just realistic in the electro!

I not like the bass from the original PCM except subs that take the same route at D &B; added that once the plg YEAR they are super top and indispensable

expression and the effects are okay and know no more to be forgotten.

OVERALL OPINION

Already be aware that some crap compared to this synth is a synth .. true!
incomparable with a Korg Triton Classic example that I bought in a hurry and is totally incomparable and especially auditory next!

I was interested in its release in 90 'but more 12,000 bales for aquérir I was a little cool.
This synth is totally ignored because of the label "techno" and affiliation
in the range CS1X/CS2X with whom he was confused and did absolutely nothing to do with him because he has a powerful synthetic complete multimode filter with LFO and a bank doubled PCM sample particularly well cared for (by chance ) and by its orientation to face fashion "techie" at the time that makes it just stuffed samples of analog machines and with whom we obtiend very good rich, powerful sound well above some "big names "acclaimed, and this for a synth that came out 15 years ago!
And do not forget its compatibility with significant PLG cards, I added the personal PLGAN with its step sequencer and editor (compatible with that of the excellent AN1X) which allows for analog sounds typed 'kind of egg Arp 2600, R2D2 chirping in, kind of spacey pads Solina, the basslines to Brian Transeau ect .. amazing!
I also added the excellent PLG150PF with great sounds of acoustic piano and Rhodes electro-type level Motif ES I think although I have not tested.

bought used only € 350, this is an excellent value for money

I love the creative side with ARPEGIO and sounds wacky and sometimes innatendus (what I like in synths) its controls and knobs on the front (left fifteen years ago at the time of the Korg 01W!)

surment not the machine that I will sell on a whim because I am pleased every time I use it.

As a reminder I had fun making a demo unpretentious only patches of origin and with the internal PCM (without maps) Souncloud:
https://soundcloud.com/phillortat/synth-test-3
* To listen to because it gives an idea of ​​the sounds of this bike (I think)

Will one day be sought on c because machine seriously misunderstood but excellent for that matter.

See previous opinion ... (Mine is a bit old, I have at my house six months ago a long time, but as seen in talking to me mark!)
Just two points a bit negative:
cable for connection to PC
and memory card
while two rather difficult to obtain.
Arpeggio presets rather simpa.
Simpa touch tape, but after testing the PAD of REMOTE49 Novation (well after) have to say it was top.
Anyway, the important thing is the sound, so twelve o'clock controllers are available.
Otherwise, I have not tested any option cards, apparently there are good returns.

UTILIZATION

C where it is stretched, still have little realizing seeing the facade of the beast.
Easy access to navigate through the memory, but in limited edition due to the piti LCD and small pots.

Editing on PC is possible by the famous cable (I think (correct me if I'm wrong ...))

Keyboard very well made compared with the competition, also pots.

SOUNDS

This is where I would put the value +.
But ... after that have to do veus: TOP TRANCE for the (global), the HOUSE (pads, leads (to equalize as too powerful), AMBIENT (global)

For effects, the CHORUS is fine for digital, but what made me the slap, the REVERB c'set, I tested since pls synths and failed to find such clarity and warmth (tjs in numeric course), I talk about brands hihi access waldorf style innovation Quasimidi (they forgive me because they have wonderful chacuns synths with their advantages, but not at the level of reverb I feel, although the CS6x not playing in the same category: AWM2 requires
maybe ... I have not had the ocasion to use as rack effect.
But not far to buy one just for the reverb, as what she is tops!

OVERALL OPINION

Used 6 months.
Tried: Roland MC303, Yamaha RM1X, Raveolution Quasimidi, VIRUSti Access, Waldorf Q, Novation SUPERNOVA2

To summarize, sounds very much in the style described, very average if not PC for editing, effects Vallent worth a try (reverb, chorus.

We hope this assessment will help you, as c order.

Ciao DJ Gohan (who migrated to Corsica ...)