We don’t currently make an internal retrofit for the Yamaha CS-15 although we may at some time in the future. Currently however the only option is to use it with one of our range of MIDI (or USB) to CV converters – there is more information on our converters below in section 2.
If you want to control your Yamaha CS-15 using MIDI, then you will need to consider all of the following:
1) Sockets – locating and connecting to the appropriate sockets & possibly an additional socket.
2) MIDI to CV converter and the correct settings for it
3) Leads – selecting the correct ones
4) Setting the Yamaha CS-15 to accept the incoming signals
1) Sockets
The Yamaha CS-15 is already fitted with CV (Control Volt) & S-trig (Trigger) control sockets, which is all you need for control of the notes, however it could benefit from fitting an additional socket for control of the filter cutoff frequency. The relevant sockets fitted as standard are as follows:
CV (for controlling the pitch of the notes)
Labelled: CONTROL VOLT – IN – VCO1 & VCO2
Socket type: 1/4″ mono jack
Connections: Tip = CV (Hz/V) input signal, Sleeve = Ground (to screen)
Setting on converter: Hz/Volt – (refer to the converter manual for how to do this)
Note: If you want to control both oscillators you will need a jack splitter lead for our Solo models – for the Pro-2000 you can use output channel A for VCO1 and output channel B for VCO2 and you will need to set A & B to the same MIDI channel.
GATE/TRIG INPUT (for controlling when the notes play)
Labelled: TRIGGER – IN – EG1 & EG2
Socket type: 1/4″ mono jack
Connections (Jack): Tip = s-trig input signal, Sleeve = Ground (to screen)
Setting on converter: S-Trig with 5V pullup (refer to the converter manual for how to do this)
Note: If you want to control both envelope generators you will need a jack splitter lead for our Solo models – for the Pro-2000 you can use output channel A for EG1 and output channel B for EG2 and you will need to set A & B to the same MIDI channel.
FILTER / VCF INPUT As mentioned above, Kenton make a 1 socket upgrade for this model which provides a filter cutoff control socket on a 3.5mm mono jack. This will enable you to change the filter cutoff amount of both voices using your sequencer or MIDI keyboard.This upgrade is available either as a kit for fitting by your own engineer, or fully fitted by us at our premises in London.
Socket upgrade kits for Yamaha CS-15
2) MIDI to CV converter (or USB MIDI to CV converter)
Use this link to see the range of Kenton converters suitable for this model
Use the following settings on the converter for this synthesiser:
CV – This synthesiser requires Hz/Volt control. Set the CV select parameter to Hz/V – this requires a change from the Kenton default
Gate/Trig – This synthesiser requires s-trig with 5V pullup – this requires a change from the Kenton default.
Aux1/Filter – The VCF/Filter upgrade socket if fitted requires a 0-10V analogue signal – this is the Kenton default setting.
If you don’t know anything about MIDI to CV converters and would like to know more, read the following page on our website:
3) Leads
You will need the following leads for your Yamaha CS-15 if used with one of the Solo models:
2 x 3.5mm mono jack plug to 1/4″ mono jack plug lead
2 x 1/4″ mono jack SOCKET to 2x 1/4″ mono jack plugs SPLITTER lead
1 x 3.5mm mono jack to 3.5mm mono jack lead (only required if you have the filter socket upgrade kit fitted)
You will need the following leads for your Yamaha CS-15 if used with a Pro-2000:
4 x 3.5mm mono jack plug to 1/4″ mono jack plug lead
1 x 3.5mm mono jack to 3.5mm mono jack lead (only required if you have the filter socket upgrade kit fitted)
3.5mm to 1/4″, 3.5mm to 3.5mm mono jack leads are available in several lengths.
The 1/4″ mono jack socket to 2x 1/4″ mono jack splitter leads are 0.2m length only.
4) Settings to change on the Yamaha CS-15 itself
There are no settings to change on the CS-15.
