Yamaha CS-30

We don’t currently make an internal retrofit for the Yamaha CS-30 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-30 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-30 to accept the incoming signals

1) Sockets
The Yamaha CS-30 is already fitted with CV (Key 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 two relevant sockets fitted as standard are as follows:

CV input ( for controlling the pitch of the notes)
Labelled: KEY VOLT IN
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)

Gate/S-Trig input (for controlling when the notes play)
Labelled: TRIGGER IN
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)

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-30

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

Kenton MIDI to CV converters

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:

What is MIDI to CV?

3) Leads

You will need the following leads for your Yamaha CS-30:
2 x 3.5mm mono jack to 1/4″ mono jack 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″ and 3.5mm to 3.5mm mono jack leads are available in several lengths.

GO TO OUR SELECTION OF LEADS

4) Settings to change on the Yamaha CS-30 itself

There are no settings to change on the CS-30.