Send us Fan Mail Andy Whitmore explores the underrated Yamaha CS-40M, recreating 27 classic synth parts from 9 famous songs by The Stranglers, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Simple Minds, Landscape, Section 25, Bill Nelson and Our Daughter’s Wedding. In this episode, Andy dives into the characterful sound of the Yamaha CS-40M — a classic 2-note duophonic analogue synth first released in 1979. It originally cost around £650, which is over £4,000 in today’s money, and good examples now sell for roughly £2,300. The CS-40M sits in the wider Yamaha CS family and can be thought of as a smaller, grittier cousin of the legendary Yamaha CS-80. It doesn’t have the CS-80’s huge 8-voice polyphony or polyphonic aftertouch, but it does share some of that unmistakable Yamaha analogue character — big oscillators, expressive filters, multiple modulation sources and the famous ring modulator. Rather than simply playing one riff per song, Andy recreates multiple parts where possible: basses, leads, textures, counter-melodies, sequences and layered synth lines. Across the 9 tracks, you’ll hear 27 separate Yamaha CS-40M parts recreated on the original hardware. Sounds for this episode were programmed by Andy’s friend and fellow synth programmer Paul Soulsby, who helped bring these classic early-80s synth parts back to life on the CS-40M. Everything you hear is played on the real Yamaha CS-40M. No software synths, no samples — just the original instrument doing what it does best. If you love classic synths, early-80s new wave, synth-pop, post-punk and finding out what these vintage instruments can really do, this one is for you. What you’ll hear in this episode Classic Yamaha CS-40M analogue tones 2-note duophonic synth parts Ring modulation and modulation textures Early-80s synth-pop, new wave and post-punk sounds Bass parts, leads, pads, counter-melodies and layered synth lines 27 classic synth parts recreated on the original Yamaha CS-40M Featured artists include The Stranglers, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Simple Minds, Landscape, Section 25, Bill Nelson and Our Daughter’s Wedding. Parts recreated Landscape – Einstein a Go-Go – 2 parts Duran Duran – The Chauffeur – 2 parts The Stranglers – Golden Brown – 1 part Ultravox – The Voice – 1 part Simple Minds – 70 Cities as Love Brings the Fall – 4 parts Ultravox – Sleepwalk – 5 parts Section 25 – Looking From a Hilltop – 2 parts Bill Nelson – Living in My Limousine – 5 parts Our Daughter’s Wedding – Lawnchairs – 5 parts Listen / watch more For more synth breakdowns, famous riff recreations and classic keyboard content, visit Andy Whitmore online. Andy Whitmore: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show If you enjoy these classic synth recreations, please follow the podcast, subscribe on YouTube and leave a comment letting Andy know which synth or artist you’d like covered next. Support the show
