I've got other synths than the Cs1x, but I get a knot in my stomach everytime I consider trading or selling the Cs1x, because A)I get tons of use out of it, and B) I have trained myself to get the sounds I want out of it. Once you're familiar with it's interface, you can move Mach12 programming tons of crazy patches that just absolutely blow away the ho-hum preset patches. I truly feel sorry for anyone who can't program this synth...you know, these are the people you see spending half their lifetimes buying the newest and greatest, then trading it for something else, then selling that to pay for something else, so on and so on, rinsewashrepeat. I hate to break it to ya, but if you cant at least program some of your own good sounds on this thing, you sure as hell won't be able to program anything mindblowingly original sounding on a hotshit VA synth either. The Cs1x is far from being the greatest, sharpest synth in the box, but it's a versatile and worthy addition to any studio. Bowie, Bushflange, R.I.P, and hundreds of other professional users may not sing its praises daily, but you'll find the blue one in their studios, because they're a good supplement. And for the used prices now, they're a great first synth too. Couple it with a capable software sequencer, and you've got a good workhorse.

Things I've actually heard said about this synth: "It teaches you nothing about synthesis" No? Geez, I thought DCO->DCF->DCA with Envelope generators for pitch, filter, and amp with lfo was pretty much your standard subtractive synthesis...but nope, there's nothing for ya to learn here, and you really don't wanna read the BlueBook, ok? Just don't do it, because you won't learn anything! You won't learn anything from the bluebook's tutorials on how analog synthesis works, and how it coorelates to the Cs1x's synthesis methods. You won't learn anything from the bluebooks explanations on Envelope generators, and how to use Amplitude, Filter, and Pitch envelopes to get sounds you've heard in mixes from synths and often wondered "how'd they do that?". You won't learn anything when the bluebook teaches you how to use release on the AEG and the lfo to make a very VERY convincing extra delay effect. Or how to use velocity settings to get filter tracking effects like on analog synths. Have you picked up on my sarcasm yet? READ THE BLUEBOOK! JUST READ IT, and either toss the p.o.s. manual that came with the cs1x, or use it for rolling paper, or wipe your ass with it and mail it to the stupid Yamaha exec that wrote it. Just don't be a bonehead...don't just tweak one Envelope's parameters and assume that the envelopes do nothing...tweak a parameter, tweak another one, tweak the one you just tweaked, go to another Env generator, tweak that some, go back, tweak the first env, etc etc etc. Don't be lazy.

And brush your teeth and floss regularly..and don't test car batteries with your tongue. Am I nagging enough?

Cs1x Pros: Sends cc messages from knobs for controlling other synths, good but confusing midi implementation, good realtime control, velocity sensitive keyboard, 3 fx (kinda crappy reverbs + hohum chorus/flange + Very good and very editable Variation FX), 32 note polypony, Tons of user support, good filter, plenty of synth waveforms (if you want cellos, buy a cello, or buy a sampler and kidnap Yo-yo Ma.), Variation FX can be 'inserted' on any layer in a performance, great multitimbrality (when using a good sequencer), TONS of support and user groups, Host port for MAC/PC, Great Manual available (BlueBook, NOT the waste of rain forest that Yamaha included with it).

CONS: No aftertouch, Only stereo outs plus phones (2 extra outputs would've been nice, only having stereo outputs defeats the extensive mulitimbrality somewhat), tacky and cheap feeling keyboard, 2 versatile high-quality FX would've been better than 2 humdrum ones and 1 good one, Arpeggiator doesn't send midi, LFO's not midi syncable, occasionally sounds 'bandwidth limited', not enough cross-modulation options, doesn't cook dinner for me, won't do my bill, refuses to write songs for me, won't or doesn't want to perform a strip-tease version of 'Cabaret' for me.

I'm sure I left something out. 5 rounded up from 4.5.

If u got a lot of money to spend, and dont mind spending them on a cheap plastic machine that only produces one single good sound at a time, well buy it.... I swapped mine for a Roland JV90 wich is not specifically aimed at the Techno/Trance/Dance scene but i does a hell of a better job than the Cs1x (and i havent even got the Techno Collection expansion board yet).

In my opinion the Cs1x is something that looks good in your setup (I like the blue color...) but nothing more.