Softube CS-80 ? - Model 77 Dual Layer Synth

[Deisss]

Whatever it is, I am willing to buy it unseen and unheard.

You should never do this, friend.

The CS-80 has always sounded really bland to me. I think it's one of those synths that's become misunderstood because of its rarity. It was famous more for its performance capabilities at the time. Without post-processing effects, it has a boring dry sound, and I can't imagine reaching for this over something more interesting. If I had to use a CS-80 emulation, I'd most likely use the Arturia version because of its more advanced features. The monophonic modules for Modular have even less appeal.

Im surprised by the amount of people who have played this synth. I believe most of people commenting has never even seen one in real life.

Coming from "Ive actually played all major synth in real" I personally put the CS-80 high in the list, not first, but pretty high, it's a wonderful synth. it's not an easy synth, the workflow isn't obvious starting by having that weird workflow osc - envelope - level - sine level - envelope again - general level
And that is just the sound, everything else is horrendous. Repair is a pain, weight is a pain and so on.

That said, its the best software emulation out there:
- Cherry Audio is far away sound-wise
- Arturia never brings any magic to my ear compare to the real deal
- ME-80 run into tons of compatibility issue

On the current situation I still choose the deckards dream over anything (even the actual CS-80), its a good tradeoff with sound with not too much of pain, and as close as it can get from the original sound (at least to my memory because that's a long time I have played a CS-80 now).

But still, very happy to see this release. Already bought actually.

[bonch]

Coming from "Ive actually played all major synth in real" I personally put the CS-80 high in the list, not first, but pretty high, it's a wonderful synth. it's not an easy synth, the workflow isn't obvious starting by having that weird workflow osc - envelope - level - sine level - envelope again - general level

My experience with a real CS-80 is that it sounded surprisingly muddy. The envelopes are also faster than people would expect. Many of those early era Yamaha synths just don't sound good to me. The CS-80 was a synth for people who play synths. What made it stand out was its expressive performance capability, and that's actually reduced in this emulation--missing the chorus and tremolo from the hardware and a lack of MPE. The UI is significantly cleaned up, but I think anyone wanting a CS-80 emulation isn't going to prioritize that.

So what's left? It's going to depend on what you think you'll get out of this. If you just love the CS-80 and want something approximating its presets and workflow, you might like this if you don't mind its restrictions and don't already have another emulation. If all you want to do is run synthesized brass sounds through a reverb, you don't need a CS-80 emulation to accomplish that. The only other one I have is Arturia's, and I don't think this stands above it sonically.

When it comes to Modular, Softube apparently isn't making emulations of real world modules anymore, so we're left with scraps from their vintage emulations. I can't imagine finding a use for CS-80 modules when there are so many more interesting synths to reach for, not to mention the fact Modular is (with some exceptions) monophonic. It is a little bit of added value, though, and I'm sure someone will find a use for it.

[zvenx]

....The only other one I have is Arturia's, and I don't think this stands above it sonically.

.....

Everyone of course is entitled to their opinion, but this is why I know your opinion isn't of value for me personally.
Softube not standing sonically above something Arturia? Really?
rsp

[bonch]

Everyone of course is entitled to their opinion, but this is why I know your opinion isn't of value for me personally.
Arturia standing above something Softube Sonically? Really?
rsp

My goodness, people are aggressively antagonistic for no good reason. Am I supposed to care that you don't care about my opinion? You could just keep scrolling through the thread, LOL.

I didn't say either stood above the other. They fall within the range of variation you'd find in any individual vintage hardware. I realize some people on KVR have a weird anti-Arturia bias. V4 of Arturia's CS-80 is perfectly fine, and I'm skeptical you'd be able to tell the difference between emulations in a blind test.

Softube has gained a reputation among some people for being some sort of magical step above everyone else when it comes to emulations, but they've released plenty of stinkers. I remember the Tube-Tech controversies, for example.

[zvenx]

....

You should never do this, friend.

......

I see what you mean.. It isn't like you thought you should tell me what I should or shouldn't do.
rsp

[bonch]

....

You should never do this, friend.

......

I see what you mean.. It isn't like you thought you should tell me what I should or shouldn't do.
rsp

And I'll repeat it: nobody should spend money on software unseen or unheard. It's common sense. At least demo it first, for god's sake.

[revvy]

I spent money on Civ 7 pre-release. None of anyone’s business to judge me over it. If you don’t agree please don’t reply, just scroll on.

[bonch]

I remember when people did that for 6 and regretted it.

[zvenx]

I corrected my post to reflect what you said.
I actually like a few Arturia effects.
I just haven't heard any of their software synths that I like enough to use in actual projects (I have three).
And even at $99 I couldn't justify buying their previous Collection of Synths.
But yes some people love them and that is fine... They just don't appeal to me.
Their OB-Xa, I demo'ed on about three different occasions and really tried to like it.. I just didn't.

As to blind tests; There is a reason why a guitarist would go to a store and play 5 guitars of the same model before choosing one...one just resonates with them more than the others, one just inspires them more than the others.

For me, nobody does Analog Software emulations as well as Softube.
So yes I will keep buying their Model series.

rsp

[bonch]

As to blind tests; There is a reason why a guitarist would go to a store and play 5 guitars of the same model before choosing one...one just resonates with them more than the others, one just inspires them more than the others.

Well, now you're discussing something different--a person who's demoing before purchase. Like I said, if there's something about the workflow or otherwise that is inspiring or productive for you, then this plug-in might be worthwhile.

[Deisss]

Many of those early era Yamaha synths just don't sound good to me. The CS-80 was a synth for people who play synths. What made it stand out was its expressive performance capability, and that's actually reduced in this emulation--missing the chorus and tremolo from the hardware and a lack of MPE. The UI is significantly cleaned up, but I think anyone wanting a CS-80 emulation isn't going to prioritize that.

I fully agree with this.

The muddy sounds never felt to be a problem on any hardware (both real one and deckards), i just use the HPF and go with that if I feel that.

If all you want to do is run synthesized brass sounds through a reverb, you don't need a CS-80 emulation to accomplish that.

Dunno, always got a very alive feeling from the CS-80 or Deckards (the 2 I played the most, less of that feeling from the MKS 70), like many synth, I think reducing it to brass sounds is a mistake, like reducing a JP-8080 to a supersaw. Exploring the synth in other area is often rewarding with any of those "one famous sound synth".

The only other one I have is Arturia's, and I don't think this stands above it sonically.

Never got this alive feeling from Arturia, so I move it away very quickly. Sound wise it didn't even sound that great, but I have a soft spot for the sine wave on this synth, because it's weird (at least on the one Ive played) and couldn't hear that from Arturia. Its already much better on the Softube...

[zvenx]

As to blind tests; There is a reason why a guitarist would go to a store and play 5 guitars of the same model before choosing one...one just resonates with them more than the others, one just inspires them more than the others.

Well, now you're discussing something different--a person who's demoing before purchase. Like I said, if there's something about the workflow or otherwise that is inspiring or productive for you, then this plug-in might be worthwhile.

Most things I would demo before buying... but there are some I don't need to demo.
Softube Model Synths
Any Synth u-he puts out.
Anything that Spectrasonics makes.


Why? cause they have never failed or disappointed me yet, none of them..

But my money, will spend it how I want to.
rsp

[bonch]

Dunno, always got a very alive feeling from the CS-80 or Deckards (the 2 I played the most, less of that feeling from the MKS 70), like many synth, I think reducing it to brass sounds is a mistake, like reducing a JP-8080 to a supersaw. Exploring the synth in other area is often rewarding with any of those "one famous sound synth".

Oh, certainly, but the sound that's always used for marketing these things is a generic McVangelis brass 'n' reverb. This one even comes with the reverb built in.

[Vortifex]

We all have our preferences. But every time I think about how picky I am about synths, I remember that people have made cult records using equipment or software that people would consider quite basic or crappy now.

I can tell this is another high quality emulation from Softube. It seems the CS-80 experience just isn't for me though. The sound and quirks of the synth don't inspire me.

[BONES]

I have a question - how does the VCF envelope modulation work on this thing? Am I right that it's multiplied by the cutoff frequency at a constant level, rather than added like it is in most synths? It feels very limited/limiting to me. It's probably why the synth sounds so underwhelming. I think it's going to be a deal-breaker for me. It's a shame because the sound quality is great, especially the huge bottom end it has. I just can't see where I'd find uses for it.