Yamaha1976 (iconic through the 80s-90s)8-voice polyPolyphonic Keyboard$$$$Collector-Grade($3,000+)
Yamaha CS-80
Producers wanting the single most expressive, iconic analog polysynth touch ever built, weight and cost be damned.
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No MIDI on the Yamaha CS-80? Here's how to bridge it
Free tool — see exactly what kind of converter connects it to a modern MIDI setup.
Strengths
- Genuinely one of the most iconic analog polysynths ever built, with real polyphonic aftertouch and velocity sensitivity remarkably ahead of its time
- Massive, lush dual-VCO-per-voice analog tone became the signature sound behind a huge amount of iconic film and pop scoring
- Considered by many players to have the single most expressive keyboard action of any vintage analog synth
Trade-offs
- Enormous and extremely heavy, among the least portable instruments in this entire database
- No MIDI at all, and genuinely difficult and expensive to service given its complexity and rarity
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | CS-80 |
| Era | 1976 (iconic through the 80s-90s) |
| Typical Price Tier | Collector-Grade ($3,000+) |
| Voice Architecture | Polyphonic (8-voice, duophonic per-key) |
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Oscillator Type | Analog (2 VCOs per voice) |
| Filter | Analog resonant low-pass (dual per voice) |
| Keys | 61 |
| Built-in Sequencer | No |
| MIDI Equipped | No |
| Patching | Hardwired front panel (no patch cables) |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
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Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Yamaha CS-80.
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This deckYamaha CS-80
Match39
Flexibility65
Portability8
Ease of Use55
Tonal Neutrality28
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Maintenance & Supplies
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