I'm currently reading through some older threads (that are very long) and hoped to get some quick and updated opinions. I'm interested in the Yamaha CS-80 sounds, especially those of Vangelis and his work on Blade Runner in particular. I know I'm late to the party, but I just discovered this.
I'd like some opinions on the the current soft synths for the CS-80 sound. I mainly use a Mac/Logic, but do use an iPad occasionally (love the Model D app). I do have Syntronik Deluxe (love "Temple of Analog" and "Blade Runner" is ok), but am looking for more programmability. I like the fat CS sound with the grainy edges, particularly of the filter swept brass sounds.
I'd be most helped by the reasons for your choice, thanks!
How do Syntronik, Memorymoon ME80, Arturia CS80v and any others compare?
Yamaha CS-80 Soft Synth (Syntronik, ME80, Arturia CS80V, what else?)
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- KVRist
- 99 posts since 3 Jan, 2012
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- KVRAF
- 5201 posts since 16 Nov, 2014
For iPad i recommend Zeeon which is awesome and can do some great analog tones and is at the same time flexible like a modular (almost at least). One of the best sounding synths for me (including my desktop tools). The modulation matrix offer some great things, audio rate modulation, even audio output of a layer to modulate another etc.
But since you use mac and Logic you might be covered already with the Logic instruments which can do this as well.
ES2 is great f.e. underrated for me.
Even Sculpture can do amazing hybrid like tones.
Of course i must mention my favorite synth in general P900. Which is more dedicated to Moog flavor maybe but since it´s a modular and offers different filters, great FX and outsanding saturation per voice.
But i really would try to start in Logic itself and maybe try Zeeon for iOS since it is cheap and just sounds stunning for me.
If that doesn´t do what you want you could look further.
But since you use mac and Logic you might be covered already with the Logic instruments which can do this as well.
ES2 is great f.e. underrated for me.
Even Sculpture can do amazing hybrid like tones.
Of course i must mention my favorite synth in general P900. Which is more dedicated to Moog flavor maybe but since it´s a modular and offers different filters, great FX and outsanding saturation per voice.
But i really would try to start in Logic itself and maybe try Zeeon for iOS since it is cheap and just sounds stunning for me.
If that doesn´t do what you want you could look further.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 99 posts since 3 Jan, 2012
Thanks for the recommendations, Cinebient. I do really like the ES2 synth and am hoping the GUI gets updated soon...I might use it a lot more. I agree, it is underrated. I'm kind of hoping to find a good CS-80 soft synth just so it will be easier to start building patches from. I'm hoping to get an OSX version more than iOS as it complicates my workflow.
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- KVRist
- 462 posts since 2 Jun, 2015 from Belgrade, Serbia
I think DUNE 2, Zebra and Spire can pull it off nicely. Sylenth1, maybe not (haven't really tried it), because you can't really adjust the envelopes (fortunately, they are good the way they are, but maybe not for every occasion).
I have certain respect for the Memorymoon line of synths, but, when it comes to ME-80, the magic just isn't there IMHO (or, to put it more nicely, there's no more CS-80 in it than you can get with other quality VST synths with enough options).
I have certain respect for the Memorymoon line of synths, but, when it comes to ME-80, the magic just isn't there IMHO (or, to put it more nicely, there's no more CS-80 in it than you can get with other quality VST synths with enough options).
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- KVRian
- 710 posts since 4 Jul, 2011 from England
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- KVRAF
- 23089 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
Nothing out currently has the true CS-80 sound.
Nothing.
Nothing.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 99 posts since 3 Jan, 2012
I've been demoing the ME80 and it sounds pretty good and I think I will purchase it.
Does the Arturia collection ever go on sale?
Does the Arturia collection ever go on sale?
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- KVRAF
- 23089 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
Usually towards the end of the year. So you've got a long wait.Angle Loss wrote:I've been demoing the ME80 and it sounds pretty good and I think I will purchase it.
Does the Arturia collection ever go on sale?
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- KVRAF
- 5257 posts since 13 Jul, 2004 from Earth
I don't see Syntronik as a soft synth.
It is more like a sample player with limited programming options compared to the originals with no way to choose oscillator waveforms.
It is more like a sample player with limited programming options compared to the originals with no way to choose oscillator waveforms.
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- KVRAF
- 6467 posts since 18 Jul, 2008 from New York
Why go soft when you can get Deckard’s Dream for only $5,995?
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- KVRAF
- 5666 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
As nice as Deckard's Dream is, in my humble opinion, it misses one important CS-80 feature, which contributed to its unique sound, namely the Ring-Modulator. It could be said that the ring-modulator was unique all by itself. The way it was implemented and the way one interacted with it with those sliders...It's a pity that it's not re-produced in this synth.
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- KVRAF
- 1628 posts since 3 Oct, 2001 from Thailand
As much as the Arturia's emulation of CS-80 is being bashed by a lot of people, I still remember its ring modulator being much smoother than that of ME80. Whether it's more faithful to the original, I don't know. However, I felt ME80's ring modulator was nearly unusable when I was trying it out years ago. Maybe I was using it wrong, I'm not sure.
Out of the box, though, ME80 has many presets that remind me of what I heard from the CS-80 in the records.
Out of the box, though, ME80 has many presets that remind me of what I heard from the CS-80 in the records.
Peace, my friends. I'm not seeking arguments here. 