Free Software Synth ‘Closer To Classic Yamaha CS-80 Than Anything Out There’, But Is ‘Unstable’

German producer MORPHOICE has introduced Unstable, a new software synth that they say “is in no way intended to be a CS-80 emulator, but is still probably closer to the real hardware than anything out there.”

Unstable is available now, as a free download for Mac & Windows, while the software is in beta. ‘Beta’ software is pre-release, and intended to expand the audience of the software so developers can get feedback on the software’s stability and features.

But can it Blade Runner? Check out the demos below and let us what you think!

Here’s an overview and demo, via Autodafe:

Features:

  • Unstable features two synthesis layers, each offering a noise, sawtooth, and pulse wave oscillator, with adjustable pulse width and variable speed pulse width modulation. Unlike the Yamaha CS-80, the level of each oscillator is adjustable, allowing for free mixing of the waveforms, which are closely modeled after the original.
  • The CS-80 features two state-variable filters in series, which allow for a unique subtractive sound synthesis, unlike most common synthesizers. The high-pass filter is modeled after the original; the low-pass filter, however, features a Moog-style ladder filter with the capability to self-oscillate, providing a vast range of musical harmonics.
  • The Yamaha CS-80 features the most musical ring modulator ever built, and Unstable is designed to model it “as closely as possible”, with its own analog-style attack and decay envelope modifying the modulation speed.
  • Use the on screen ribbon controller to pitch bend your sound up to an octave.
  • 16 step arpeggiator with variable note and modulation values. The arpeggiator is functioning, however, some options are not fully implemented yet.
  • A dedicated drive circuit adds analog warmth and subtle harmonic distortion for loudness and crisp presence that cuts through your mix.
  • Unstable features the effect engines of DarkStar Reverb and Delay, as well as the WingMen Chorus. The developer compares this to a CS-80 with something along the lines of the JUNO-60 Chorus and Blackhole reverb.

Here’s the requisite Blade Runner sound demo:

Here’s a Vangelis-y sound demo:

 

Pricing and Availability:

Unstable is available now, for Mac & Windows, as a free download while the software is in beta.

8 thoughts on “Free Software Synth ‘Closer To Classic Yamaha CS-80 Than Anything Out There’, But Is ‘Unstable’

  1. Even if “unintended” as a direct CS-80 revisiting, I have to say that the vital °sound* is dead-on. Its been a “flavor of the month” synth recently, but the quality here is obvious. I don’t feel the need for numerous multiples, but if you have, say, Arturia’s take on it, no law says you can’t have a spice rack of tones. I’ve committed to Cherry Audio’s version, but I still pull up the ME80 once in a while. I look forward to seeing Unstable released when finished. It seems as if it would make a good second CS-80 in a kit.

  2. If you play ALL of the various CS-80 emulations out there in unison, will it then sound close(st) to it?

    I see Behringer gets a lot of flak for their hardware “reissues”, but jesus, the VSTi marked is pretty oversaturated at this point.

  3. Please let me know if you installed it as an AU on Mac OS 15. The UNSTABLE.component is unrecognized and it has nothing to do with privacy/security settings.
    Thank you!

    1. Sequoia removed the ability to run unsigned components but you can fix it via the following Terminal command — make sure you replace “username” with your actual user name:

      xattr -c /Users/username/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/UNSTABLE.component

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *