"Even the smallest synthesizer can change the course of the future." - Galadriel, "The Lord of the Ring Modulators"

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Frodosynthesis.

@rozzgrey801

2 жыл бұрын

You shall not low pass!

@rachelar

2 жыл бұрын

😂

@TheLarryBrown

Жыл бұрын

If we make cheap synths, then every no talent would have one. It would be like a schmee for all.

This is a great example that it's the creativity and expertise behind the instrument that counts.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

That and the ability to control one's laughter.

@MrMisterMist

2 жыл бұрын

Polishing turds is a craft, Alex can make turds sound like a golden nuggets.

@fender1000100

Жыл бұрын

@@MrMisterMist The greatness is in this synth already Mr. As it is in its modern counterpart. The CS reface. The problem is the idiots who think something has to be huge and heavy. And very expensive to be any good. Try making a complete synth pop track on a CS80. If it can stay in tune long enough. I've done that on my CS reface. Including all the drums and percussion. Label hogs never make any great music. They just talk about old synths and who used them.

My music teacher at school had one of these (late 1980's) was the first analog synth I ever used. He let me borrow it. I borrowed it, a lot! 🤣

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! School of synthing?

I love your musical creations. So many people get stuck in trying to recreate specific sounds or styles of music, however you seem to be able to artfully blend all sorts of things together to make stuff that sounds familiar but unique. This is the stuff that I really love to listen to!

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! The joy of synths is that you can quickly move through lots of timbres until something works with your other parts. Really liberating.

I thought for sure the CS01 would show up on Bad Gear before landing here. Glad to see this little gem being celebrated. I added MIDI to my CS01 and, wow, just wow.

@MePeterNicholls

2 жыл бұрын

How does one even begin to add midi?!

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

It's RAD gear!

@botany500kojak

2 жыл бұрын

@@MePeterNicholls There used to be a mod board you could add to these. They don't make them any more, last time I checked - about 5 years ago.

@lo-firobotboy7112

2 жыл бұрын

​@@AlexBallMusic RAD GEAR needs to be a thing!

@wouterdesmedt1736

2 жыл бұрын

Same here. Somehow I managed to add the MIDI board without sacrificing the internal speaker. This really is a secret weapon synth.

My first synth, which I still have 40 years later. I used it a lot, and as a tradition, it's the first synth I use when I test a new effect or piece of audio equipment.

One of my favourite synth/keyboard artists Jean-Phillipe Rykiel is a master on the CS01. He can really make this little synth sing using the breath controller. Highly underrated little mono synth, I'd say!

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Ah thanks for the tip Xavier. I've now heard some rather impressive breath controller demos as a few have posted them. Shame I haven't got the breath controller.

@rosssmethurst6942

2 жыл бұрын

You're so right! Jean Phillipe Rykiel is the absolute master of the CS01, especially when he uses the breath controller for expression control. I've seen him play it live on several occasions and was amazed how brilliant he made it sound.

@mamakuproject

6 ай бұрын

do you know more about the breath controller he uses? JPR made me interested in this synth

You had me at Schmangelis

Now this is the absolutely brilliant content I keep coming back for. 😀 Hilarious, informative, and good music. You've positively outdone yourself once again, Mr. Ball.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

😀

@trumjohannsmancave

2 жыл бұрын

He always does😊👍🏻🎹

Thank You Alex, Great Video. You always make me discover something New!

Another superb and entertaining demo, brilliant stuff. This was actually my first ever synth when I was a kid so I assumed that all synths had pulse width modulation that sounded this good, but despite the Junos and Jupiters that followed I never heard anything else that matched the richness of this little fella's PWM, it's just gorgeous

I bought one in mint condition last year and retrofitted MIDI to it [top tip: use a TRS socket rather than a DIN socket]. The PWM is a beast!

Every time you said "Stop laughing" I started laughing. 😄

@h2o1969

2 жыл бұрын

Totally

@ivanlozano2019

2 жыл бұрын

We've got a badass over here watch out!

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Stop laughing!

@AJDIYNetwork

Жыл бұрын

I love it!

@TheLarryBrown

Жыл бұрын

That's not funny.

Love this little jigger.. I played around with one of these in the early 80's - Tons of fun and great sounds to be found here. Thanks for doing this demo, Alex - it brings back fond memories!

Your sense of humor just lands perfectly with me 😅 love it

Love the mighty little CS01. You make that little thing sound BIG! My old DX100 had strap pegs too ...Good times ...great presentation!

I've still got mine! It was given to me by my music teacher some 25 years ago, I dropped it on the floor and cracked the pcb. Years later, I came back with the soldering iron and rescued it. Its a true underdog and sounds like a beast! Great vid as usual Alex! Thanks! 👍

Those first 5 seconds are absolutely brilliant. Thanks for posting!!!

Borrowed one for about 8 years until my guitarist remembered I had it. Dammit. It was so good.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

A guitarist having an 8-year memory lag sounds right. (I'm a guitarist)

A friend had one, and that was my first encounter with a synthesizer. Back then the borderline between the electric organ and the synthesizer was not so clear, but the CS-01 had a distinctive PWMish sound that screamed SYNTHESIZER. It set a standard in me for what a synthesizer should sound like.

Alex probably made that little cs01's day. It probably longed to be in a cool piece of music, but getting to meet and play with an iconic synth like the system 100m was the icing on the cake. Could be the highlight of its life.

Freur used this in their live performances a lot. It sounds so awesome

What a powerful little beast. Back in the eighties a workmate had a band, their keyboard player had one. I still remember seeing them play live with this hung on a strap like a guitar. Ah memories 😁

Agreed Alex. Dismiss it at your peril, it's a mini monster. I love mine, great at slow filter sweeping stuff. Glad you brought it to the attention of those who were unaware of this little beauty. Entertaining as ever. Thank you.

You made my day in the first 3 seconds of this video.

As a teenager, This was almost going to be my first mono synth shortlisted with the Jen SX-1000, then the Roland SH101 came out and I bought that instead.

@schore69

2 жыл бұрын

good choice! sh101 go beep boop shrrrrz

Good choice of subject matter, nice tunes and all round itch scratching stuff. Thanks Alex.

I hate when people says: It`s a toy! There is no toy instruments. If you a creative person, EVERY instrument is relevant. I saw so many people with very powerful equipments, but even such equipments did not help them to conjure up the magic! At the other side, I saw some persons which are capable to present a miracle almost on everything what is finding in their hands! So if you want to own some gear, it`s OK, but it is more important to work on YOUR creativity, elegance and the other skills. The better skills almost always lead to the possibility to choose! Alex, great work!

@DrLoverLover

12 күн бұрын

Nobody did

I played one years ago and loved it!! Uli!! Pick this bad boy up!!

I think all the CS mono syntbs are pretty underrated. They all sound great and they all have some unique features. But I guess that's life if you've got the CS-80 as bigger brother.

The reface CS is also worth looking into if you want sounds like this, but some polyphony and midi features mixed in :)

@unclemick-synths

2 жыл бұрын

I love my Reface CS - so quick to dial in great sounds and great mojo. If disaster struck it's the keyboard I'd grab on my way out (and not just because it's light).

@kaitlyn__L

2 жыл бұрын

The whole reface series is really good! And sadly underestimated by some because of their toylike appearance (much like the CS-01 I suppose).

@retro-dademusic6403

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. Very cool little synth!

@unclemick-synths

2 жыл бұрын

@@kaitlyn__L yep, they're great - I _love_ the YC and I use the CP a lot though it's a great pity they didn't give it a "Mrs Mills" upright piano instead of the toy piano (they'd have sold zillions to Beatles fans if they'd done that because good upright sounds are scarce). The only Reface I don't have yet is the FM but that's because I already have more FM synths than I need for my type of music.

@kaitlyn__L

2 жыл бұрын

@@unclemick-synths I’ve lusted after the reface DX since its release but now I think I may end up getting the Korg Opsix instead… after all, it’s two Volca FMs stuck together with the Minilogue’s screen and a few analogue filters added too. As cool as the reface DX is, six operators beat four… and the ergonomics of the control panel seem better.

Loved that little end jam Alex.. sending u some love and positive vies from australia.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers! Positive vibes back to you. Just watching the Australian GP qualifying funnily enough.

Yay!!, the first synth I ever bought in 1981, a guitar strap and the breath controller (cost almost as much as the synth) took it to another level, eventually traded it for a deposit on a jx3p, would buy one for nostalgia's sake, but people want such silly prices for these things now.

nearly bought one of these a few months ago, beginning to regret that now that the prices are inevitably going to skyrocket 😂

I think the real talent here is you Alex. You could probably get a good sound out of a toilet seat!

@h2o1969

2 жыл бұрын

I'm still waiting on my blender video, but, Hainbach had Alex a bit stumped with the Ciat-Lombardi. But, to be honest, it was not a fair test. Given a minute or two, I'm sure Alex would make that sing too.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Bog n Roll is a new genre I'm working on.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

@@h2o1969 I just used it to chop fruit in the end. Way better.

@djGreenALERT

2 жыл бұрын

:)) Oh gawd.. what have i started 'ere.

@rozzgrey801

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Is that like Out-House?

Bought the CS01 about 22 years ago for $50. Great little synth.

Dude! I can’t believe you just published this video! I’ve been watching reface Cs videos all day ! 😍

@Peter_S_

2 жыл бұрын

It's a rather amazing line with so many sleepers.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Wasn't reface a film with Travolta and Cage?

@outerspacebass

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic I want to insert animated face-off gif here

@TheLarryBrown

Жыл бұрын

​@@AlexBallMusic No, you're thinking of "Face Time." :)

What an amazing video! I'm surprised by the sound of this synth, especially in that second jam which was awesome! I definitely need to get one when I get the chance. I loved the presentation of this as well, although I did keep on laughing...

Love the intro! 😂 But also, it does have a really nice sound. Thank you for demonstrating! ^^

Just discovered this channel. Subscribed within about five seconds of the video starting. Absolutely fantastic. Great content (and great musicianship) presented with panache and a nice sense of humour. #StopLaughing 😉

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome.

Really amazing Alex ; along w/the eu_rack. Keep it going

That jam at the end is brilliant. Love it.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Your intro is always so iconic, I'm still repeating that Moog intro and you got another one hahaha(content is awesome too!!!

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers! I shall carry on with the silly intros.

@_alexxon

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic I absolutely love them😍

Ooohmygod. The intro broke me for a sec. Rising up on the synth noise while making that face, and then just immediately gazing elsewhere to discuss the setup to this installment... LOL!

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

It's how I appear.

@artisan002

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Seriously, I already enjoy your work. But, all these extra, campy bits just seem appropriately "you" and make it all that much better.

20 years ago, vintage synths were more affordable (less insanely priced, anyway), yet CS01 and mkII (and an HS-60) were the most I could justify. My AIRA-looking mkII is still kicking-limited uses, but plenty of fun, and as well demonstrated here: these multitrack well and pair well with effects (yay, pedals)! Quick to adjust, WYSIWYG, and I’ve even got the 2nd version breath controller (TRS expression pedal seems to work for that breath control port, too).

my first synth. - I don't remember it ever sounding that good.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Some mighty fine PWM for your first time.

@Death_By_Media

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Some therapist will help Nick Batt to remember having had one as a wee lad one day it will all make sense .

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Batt Man origins.

@Death_By_Media

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic 🤣

@rachelar

2 жыл бұрын

A lot of techno heads first like Bomb the bass etc

0:18 Now this is the humor that I look for in your videos.

Had been the very first synthesizer I got back in time. Loved that tiny little thing. Today, the Reface CS does the same magic and more. :)

@ZenMountain

Жыл бұрын

Ok.

Well done for referring to the mc4 and the system 100m as the phone exchange and taxi meter, I enjoyed that.

My go to monosynth. Great to see it getting some love.

Got one of the first in the country, with the breath controller, and still have both. The PWM is amazing. Will never sell it just sounds so good!!

@subtension

2 жыл бұрын

Oui le PWM est monstrueux!

@olleygillespie5541

2 жыл бұрын

@@subtension C’est magnifique

Already the first 10 sec of the video are a masterpiece for the senses!

I love my CS01 - first synth I ever bought. I’ve also got the breath control, which is odd, but kind of works. Basically changes the volume/envelope. There’s probably a video of someone playing one on TOTPs in the early 80s.

Just dropping in after picking up BabyAudio's newly released soft synth inspired by this little beast. I picked up what's probably the modern version of this in the Reface CS as one of my first synths. Another instance of a little Yamaha CS that was probably overlooked due to its appearance!

I literally had one as a kid from a yard sale , but I’m pretty sure I gave it to good will a year later because i was an OG hater of small keys lol and was so young I had no idea what it was really. Damn it . Killer tune as per usual . Cheers

That intro bought you a new subscriber.

The Philip of the CS range.

My first synth. Love it. Respect it.

My first synth was a CS01. Loved it! I had the breath controller, too, which helped with expression. Pity the pitch bend only went up and not down.

Mine sits next to my desk - always ready for a quick jam!

YOU instigated the laugh.. I was seriously perplexed but/and pleasantly suprised. LOL.. Brilliant!! 😉

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

😉

Jean Phillippe Rykiel still uses this neat little synth! He utilizes the breath controller and makes some very unique and gorgeous sounds. Look him up!

Yeah sounds lovely. Cool little synth for sure.

I have a CS01-2..(thrift store find for $5 , one partially cracked key).. I keep it in my bathroom and fire it up everyday...love the PWM, Wind, EG, everything about it.. takes a few minutes to warm up... :)

Great sounding synth !

I love this little bastard!! Grew up with it😍🤘🎹 So glad to have found another one🎶

And just like that, the resale price has gone from £ to £££££.

@h2o1969

2 жыл бұрын

Yep

@thebadterrorists5323

2 жыл бұрын

Actually its just gone from ££££ to £££££.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

From p to pp.

@naram.riddim.section

2 жыл бұрын

These are already hugely sort after in the reggae world - as they pretty much defined the digi era basslines in Jamaica from the mid 80s to early 90s.

@samlatone1763

2 жыл бұрын

@@naram.riddim.section any good vids of people playing one through a Jamaican soundsystem?

skweee dudes and Dorian Concept ain't laughing when it comes to cs01 noodles

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

So I've heard. Need to go check that out.

I had one of these with the breath controller. Brilliant little keyboard. Wish I'd kept it.

That is a good synth. I use it a lot for recordings. Nice video & tracks. ;-)

that intro was amazing

I was lucky enough to find one of the MkIIs a few years ago, they have full VCF resonance control, these work well as a budget SH-101 alternative (ok, until the market was flooded with clones). There's a lot of modding potential for those inclined, to add MIDI and even hybrid waveforms!

Excellent performance and equipment.

I used to have one. Great little synth!

I've got a small collection of old Yamaha and Casio synths from the 80s and they're pretty dang cool.

Every time you said stop to laughing, I was laughing. You're the best Alex.

Does sound tasty, Alex. Thanks for the video. I'd forgotten about this one but it brought back happy memories of me craving one as a young teen. (Thought the pitch and mod wheels looked so cool.) Ended up with a cz101, which also has lugs for a guitar strap. Unfortunately, there are pictures...

Your songs are so amazing

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers!

I like all the Yamaha CS synths. I have a CS5 that sounds absolutely fantastic. Not many controls. Really rather basic subtractive synth architecture with one oscillator but it sounds great. So much character. Great video. I was hoping to grab one of these at some point too but now the price is going to go up. ;)

@DiscoStringHit

2 жыл бұрын

Have two CS5s and decades and dozens of synths later, they're still my absolute favorites and get used in every track.

I had one of these, sod it in the 90's have missed it ever since, they are great fun

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely a fun synth.

@Barefoot_Joe

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic there should be more truly portable analogue synths, for some silly reason I kept my Casio tone but not this

Bloody awesome tune buddy

Alex could make toast with yesterday’s jam sound incredible

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

This sounds like a challenge. How do you mic up toast?

“The old phone exchange” hahah. But yeah, that’s a nice juicy monosynth indeed. Your first demo track reminded me of the Read Only Memories/ROM2064 soundtrack, not so much in instrument texture (they’re more FM-y) but in key and atmosphere.

Every time you said, "stop laughing," I lost it. LOL!

Those rock, I had one and MR-10 that came in the set with monitors, mixer etc. My wife has the 2nd version with breath controller.

Sounds so good, adding the oberheim drum machine and a well made layered composition does not hurt either.

I love Moogs and classic Roland synths, but I’ve noticed more and more that I REALLY like 2 pole filter synths. OG ARP, Oberheim, this thing…all sound awesome!

That first track gave me tingles in places I didn't know I had.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Your appendix?

@TheLarryBrown

Жыл бұрын

​@@AlexBallMusic An abnormal nodule on the back of his pituitary. Lucky for him. Some urgent surgery took care of it. You're a life saver.

Best intro ever!

my first synth was a choice between this or the Jen SX1000, and I opted for the Jen. This was 1984, and I was the only kid in my school with a real synth, which was dubbed "The Smartie Machine", because the knobs looked like smarties. But I have always loved the sound of the CS01, it is a beast of a machine, so underrated

Pretty sure this guy could make even a 90s touch tone home phone sound awesome.

Had one since the week they came out. Back then, nothing came close for the money. Used it live in my first band.

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Brian. Ah, very interesting to know where you started!

Oh god! I HAD one - secondhand in a Brighton junk shop in about 1995 for £20. Loved it. I lent it to someone and they "lost" it. Bastards!

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Did it come with a stick of rock and a seagull?

@rachelar

2 жыл бұрын

Track them down. NOW

@hundovir

2 жыл бұрын

@@rachelar :-)

I had one late 70s early 80s and miss it. It had great sounds in it.

I feel like i looked these up last year at dome point and they seemed cool but cost prohibitive for what they were. Pretty sure there's some Japanese jazz fusion clips out there featuring some sick solos with this

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Someone sent me a clip of James Taylor in the late 90s and his keyboard player does a breath controller solo with one of these. Actually sounds surprisingly good.

Second jam was stomping! 👌👏

@AlexBallMusic

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers!

I like my old casios. SK-5 etc etc. This little guy is on top of my list now!

All the classic cs line , rocks!!!

You can easily get control of the resonance (to the point of self oscillation) by accessing the small trimpot near the cutoff slider. I drilled a tiny hole to access this with a plastic screwdriver. There are cv mods out there too.

Ive got one, plus breathe controller. Its great for teaching simple synthesis to my students