The CS-01 is a classic analog monosynth from Yamaha. Although originally designed for use by novice musicians or first time synth-buyers, the CS-01 has been recognized by today's electronic musicians as one fat little bass machine with simple controls. In a nutshell, the CS-01 is simple to use and edit but still has some great features for any situation. It's tiny and portable, it has baby-sized keys and it can run on batteries, and there is a built-in amplifier and speaker which is quite fun.

As for sounds and synthesizing, the CS-01 is the perfect monosynth for bubbly and growling bass! It features a very nice 12dB resonant VCF filter. In addition to the oscillators' sine and square type waveforms there is PWM and noise. There are also LFO controls, glissando (like portamento), a typical ADSR envelope generator, pitch & mod wheels and even a breath controller input (INCLUDED!).

One of the best features is the breath controller input. The breath controller was Yamaha's foray into the "alternate controller" market, with the introduction of the BRC1. Few, if not any, manufacturers incorporated this usefull, if somewhat awkward and sometimes messy (spit) controller idea. However, if you are a brass or woodwind player who is used to control loudness and timbre by air pressure, the BRC1 is very natural. The mouthpiece is held in the mouth with your teeth as the performer blows air into it. The harder you blow, the more signal it sends. The breath control input has separate knobs for VCA and VCF (cutoff frequency) amount.NOTE: Breath Controller appers to have been never used. The CS-01 did come with a cool carrying case. (Also INCLUDED!)

The CS-01 may look simple or toy-like but it is still able to create cool little analog bass blips, bass lines and bass bubbles that are just perfect for today's electronic musicians. It has been used by the Dust Brothers, Underworld, OMD and Chick Corea

You will look at this synth and immediate dismiss it as a toy. DON'T!!! This synth is the real deal. The pure tone of the VCO is strong enough to make up for the lack of modulation options. I really dig the pulse width modulation. Really thickens up the sound and will fool you into thinking you got a second oscillator beating against the first one. The white noise dials in snares and hi-hats very well. The leads are sweet, the basses deep...it's a utility player. Set the glissando to fast, triangle wave on the VCO and play octaves and you've almost got the TB303 sound. Literature sez the VCF is 12dB 2-pole but I've read elsewhere it actually 18dB 3-pole like the 303. Its a distinctive instrument in its own right. The filter and choice of PWM or saw makes for some wicked snarling bass sounds (have a listen to the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique for examples), and sweeping the filter can send your speakers to the great reconer in the sky if you're not careful.

This is pretty much a prestine example of the unit. Comes with original case for keyboard AND breathe controller. As well as a reprint of the original manual. Happy bidding!