Performance editor for Yamaha CS6x / CS6R

The Yamaha CS6X synth (and the CS6R sound module) was one of the powerful precursors of the MOTIF synth series. Announced in 1999, these synths sported features that remained unmatched for years. With 64 voices, an unsurpassed array of digital filters (different filter types for 6, 12, 18, 24 dB/oct - including combination filters), and a phrase sampling facility, these were truly impressive synths. The sound quality of these units was also highly superior to that of some big competitor's models. The only thing that definitely falls short of expectations is the single insert effect unit. To give some compensation, the chorus unit supports a wider range of effects, including delays and phasers.


Altough the user controls support live performance well, it becomes very tedious as far as editing is concerned. Yamaha has released a voice (patch) editor, but there is no performance editor available. You can use Emagic SoundDiver, but you may find it an overkill. It is unfortunate that these great synths' true power remains hidden or hard to access because of a difficult UI.

That's why I decided to write my own performance editor software. Altough I didn't spend much time on the project, it has now reached maturity and is proved to be a useful tool. Spoiled by the UI sugar of other synths, I must admit I created my first performance on the CS6R with this software - once it was ready.

Features:

• Compatible with Yamaha CS6X, CS6R
• Most common performance parameters editable (see exceptions)
• Part parameters 1-16, A/D, Phrase Clip, PLG1, PLG2 fully editable
• Reverb and Chorus settings can be copied from patches
• Every parameter change on the UI is synchronized to the synth real-time
• Manually selecting a performance on the synth is detected by the software

Non-editable parameters:

• Performance common
  • EQ
  • QED (Scene1+2): Knob1/2/A/B/C, Cutoff, Resonance, Attack, Decay
  • QED Chorus control, Rev/Cho Send, Sustain, Release, Portamento switch,time
  • Controller Numbers, RB mode
  • Reverb parameters, Chorus parameters (can be copied from patches)
  • Insert effect parameters for A/D part
  • Controller set source for A/D part
  • Plugin board native system parameter

Planned features:

• Secondary MIDI IN port
• UI for currently non-editable parameters
• Advanced audition features
• Editor for detailed effect parameters (common+insert)
• Librarian functionality, patch management
• S80 compatibility

Here's a screenshot from the current version.

Downloads

You can download a fully working version of the software from the link below:
Download CS6x/CS6R performance editor for Windows 2000 / XP
After downloading and extracting the ZIP file, the program can be executed right away.

Did you find this software useful?
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