You have the following options for the Yamaha CS-5:
- Fit a MIDI retrofit kit
- Use the Yamaha CS-5’s existing CV/GATE sockets with a MIDI to CV converter. We also have a Socket Kit that adds a Filter socket so you can control the filter cutoff.
1. Fit a MIDI retrofit kit
You can fit a MIDI retrofit kit which will allow you to control the Yamaha CS-5 directly using MIDI. Our MIDI retrofit kit is for MIDI IN and THRU only. Fitting a retrofit kit is a skilled job which should be undertaken only by a competent synth service engineer or fitted by us at our premises in Epsom, near London (only available for UK).
2. Using the CS-5’s Sockets
If you want to control your Yamaha CS-5 using its sockets, then you will need to consider all of the following:
Sockets – locating and connecting to the appropriate sockets & possibly an additional socket.
MIDI to CV converter and the correct settings for it
Leads – selecting the correct ones
Setting the Yamah CS-5 to accept the incoming signals
Sockets
The Yamaha CS-5 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 two relevant sockets fitted as standard are as follows:
CV INPUT ( for controlling the pitch of the notes)
Labelled: CONTROL 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/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 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-5
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 would like to know more about MIDI to CV, see What is MIDI to CV?
3) Leads
You will need the following leads for your Yamaha CS-5:
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)
Settings to change on the Yamaha CS-5 itself
There are no settings to change on the CS-5.
