How does Vangelis make his CS80 sound like a choir?

[ghostwhistler]

It appears thus from this clip (about 50 seconds in)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoEkyBX7qsg

I can't tell the settings from the clip but it looks like he's demonstrating a patch he's created (I assume) on the cs which is the synth he's talking about. Tips? I'm using the Arturia emulation and cannot get anything like this.

Thanks

[BertKoor]

I don't think that vox/choir sound comes from the CS-80. His left hand is playing just some low notes on the CS-80. Notice his right hand reaches out to another synth stacked above and further back.

[fmr]

I don't think that vox/choir sound comes from the CS-80. His left hand is playing just some low notes on the CS-80. Notice his right hand reaches out to another synth stacked above and further back.

Probably the Roland VP-330, which he was also using at the time, AFAIK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoX1uFszGnM

[ghostwhistler]

Perhaps you are right. It is hard to tell, but it seemed like he was specifically demoing the cs at that point.

[KingofBeers]

Choir and Perc was from his Emu Emulators MK1 - 1981 MK2 1984.
Cheers.
KoB

[fmr]

Choir and Perc was from his Emu Emulators MK1 - 1981 MK2 1984.
Cheers.
KoB

I don't think there were Emulators already when that video was recorded. And, according to interviews of him and his collaborators, the Emulator was mainly used for percussive sounds. I think the first recording where he used the Emulator was in Blade Runner. According to THIS article from Sound On Sound, the Emulator was first added in 1983.

Other evidence, taken from the Nemo Studios site: https://www.nemostudios.co.uk/bladerunner/

"Besides the Yamaha CS-80, two other prominent instruments heard throughout Blade Runner are a Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus synthesiser, for the string section, and a Fender Rhodes, for the nostalgic-sounding electric piano.

Other instruments included a Sequential Circuits’ Prophet 10 synthesiser, used for producing low drones and effects, E-Mu’s Emulator keyboard, put to use as a percussive sampler and a sound library, and Yamaha GS-1 for occasional percussion effects."

Other site that lists several equipment used by Vangelis, and how it was used: https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/gear ... nd-beyond/

[KingofBeers]

I try to refrain from doing internet rants as I can't really articulate what I want to say ..and it comes over as sounding stupid, arrogant or angry ... you know....but here goes.

Back in the late 90's I used to work for a film/TV composer and got to meet and work with a lot of people, engineers and production teams of many film composers whom have worked with Vangelis and other Top composers, back in the day a lot of people used to talk about other's studio gear, techniques and practices ---- not some quote from a magazine that get it wrong half the time.

Vangelis had a huge cv/midi setup ..."it was all set to omni!" - he used to use on/off switches to control which sounds to trigger.

In the video above which is a "pop star snapshot" and not really his true setup, the Grey box with the white sticker over it is an Emulator mk1.

Also to quote your post.
"E-Mu’s Emulator keyboard, put to use as a percussive sampler and a "sound library" ...one being choir samples processed through the Roland vocoder.

Cheers.
KoB.

[fmr]

In the video above which is a "pop star snapshot" and not really his true setup, the Grey box with the white sticker over it is an Emulator mk1.

Also to quote your post.
"E-Mu’s Emulator keyboard, put to use as a percussive sampler and a "sound library" ...one being choir samples processed through the Roland vocoder.

Cheers.
KoB.

OK, I accept you may be right, based on what's written here: https://elsew.com/data/other.htm

The documentary is from 1984, and titled "The Man and his Music"".

I was surprised that, apparently, Vangelis already had an Emulator. by then An excerpt: "Vangelis seems completely relaxed while playing, improvising on different sounds, playing the CS80, his Emulator sampler, and many other synths, giving a unique insight on his recording techniques at the time.". So, it may have been indeed the Emulator.

OTOH, the writer of the article says the Emulator is in front of him, while the CS-80 is at his right ["Vangelis speaking and demonstrating his gear (Yamaha CS80 on his right and an Emulator in his front)]".

And we can, indeed, spot a large grey instrument, which is presumably the Emulator, in that location (the bad quality of the video doesn't allow to recognize it.

Since when he plays the choir he reaches an instrument ABOVE the CS-80 (the place where he usually had the VP-330) I still have doubts. Anyway, it was nice to debate with you