Steve Porcaro | Meeting CS-80 V
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- There aren’t many keyboard players who have blurred the lines between muso and mainstream quite so prolifically and successfully as Steve Porcaro.
As a seasoned session player, songwriter, and a founding member of rock demigods Toto, the legacy of his playing and his musical impact cannot be overstated. We have the privilege of spending time with Porcaro and CS-80 V, our digital reimagining of his very first Toto synthesizer.
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_CREDITS
/ steveporcaromusic
Steve should have his own UA-cam channel talking about synths ......
so many stories to tell and wisdom to pass on
There’s a series of vids from the ‘80s with him talking about sound design that’s really good.
@xtrmst_01 they need to show young kids about music production
Leland Sklar does this on his channel. Tells stories and shows how he plays the songs.
Yeah,Leland sklar does,it’s cool.
LEGEND isn’t a big enough word to describe his contributions to modern music!!! Earth, Wind and Fire, Brothers Johnson, Michael Jackson and of course his own band, TOTO!!! Genres don’t matter much when you’re that good!!
Steve blurs all genre lines. He can do ANY STYLE at the highest level.
I remember seeing him play live with Gary Wright promoting the Dream Weaver LP, but that was before most people had even heard of him. He was rockin’ back then too.
Those 4 artists you have cited are some of the best of all times...rock...disco....funk...soul....pop....they were the masters of the best styles of modern great Music but you forgot to mention Donna Summer who was one of the greatest female singer of all times ...the queen of one of the best styles ever : DISCO! Too many people never realized that the vast majority of disco albums were recorded by the VERY best Musicians EVER .
When you are that good, why be bound by genre?
Agreed!
Yeah....Great to see Steve Again ! I worked in the Yamaha/Buena-Park Combo service dept in late 70's to mid 80's and actually worked on Steve's CS-80 ( sent in for repairs & to up-grade the voice...VCO's with the latest..Diode-Stabilization MOD ); unfortunately, that BIG CS-80 power supply had broken-loose from it's mounting and pretty much distroyed many of the pcb's in that area of the CS-80 ( including the Matrix-pcb ). Sorry way-to much to repair....SO - We just gave him a new one. In fact, I still have the original CS-80 / Serial number tag from Steve's CS-80 he sent in !!! One of my keep sakes, beside some other Toto-only keep-sake stuff that I was given, while I worked there at Yamaha. Some great memories !! Thanks Steve & all the guys in ToTo & especially to " David Paich " / Sent in his CP70B for repairs, BUT....broken cast iron Harp Section. So again, Yamaha gave him another one ( I of course have the serial-number tag & front-YAMAHA aluminum emblem from the very front of the harp section. GREAT ToTo keep sakes ! Tks All......Jeffrie T
That’s awesome memory🔥
I met Steve at the now-closed Josefina’s club in Sherman Oaks, CA, circa 1985. I was sitting in with the Tower of Power Rhythm Section, and Steve was sitting in a booth by himself listening to the group. After I played, I walked by his table and immediately recognized him and said “Hello”. He couldn’t have been any nicer or more approachable. I mentioned to him that I loved his song, “Takin’ It Back” from the TOTO I album, and it really flattered him, or so he told me. He then wrote his number on a napkin and told me to phone him to get together to hang and talk keyboards. I did so, but we never ended up connecting up. Still, it was a huge compliment to have him want me to get in touch personally and do the keyboard hang. Steve is and was a class act and a great musician. Great memories of meeting him those many years ago.
Cool.
@Jerry Sierzenga Do you have the VST stuff or the analog keyboard synths or both?
Wait are you the John Taylor from Duran Duran? 😱
Thanks for sharing this interaction.
Absolute genius. Just loved all of Steve's contributions throughout Toto's career.
It wasn't until now that I recognized what a signature his CS80 artwork actually put on Toto's music. When he started playing, it "felt" instantly like Toto. What a legacy he created with his dedication to synths.
What a Band that was.... Just listened to The Japan 1979 version of hold the line with every single note and vocal live, pure greatness.
The wall behind the piano at 6:50 really says about all that could be said with words. I would love to meet Steve and just shake his hand and say thank you, but I never will. The music he helped create in the late 70's early 80's was a big part of my childhood. I miss that. I still have my original Toto, Hydra and IV albums along with Thriller that I bought with chore money. That music was and still is my favorite. Nothing will ever surpass that era. Certainly nothing produced now.
This guy shaped the 80's sound, what a legend
Certainly he helped shape the sound of 80’s music. Deserves all the accolades given and more.
Steve, Jeff and Mike : all legends!
and papa Joe on percussion who got them all into music!
@@richimbrogno4399 Thank God he did!
Merci de penser à Mike. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
My very first live concert was Toto when they came to the USF Sun Dome in Tampa for the Isolation Tour. I remember walking on one of the upper levels and I could look over the edge and peer behind the stage at the massive stacks of equipment they were using. Then the concert started and I was blown away. Instantly Steve Pocaro and David Paich became my heroes. Toto still holds a place in my heart and I listen to them several times a week. Absolutely amazing.
Steve was the sound of Toto................Legend and Visionary is an understatement.
Thank you very much for your current and future contributions to music around the world.
Only YOU could take a digital sound, and make it sound like music to my ears.
I'm not really a keyboard player, but I've admired Steve's work for more than 40 years. This was really cool.
Bless The Porcaro Family!!! Master Musicians displaying THE ART OF MUSIC at the highest level in the most humble manner, driven by passion, talent and the most beautiful personalities...... And although I hear them almost everyday I miss Jeff, Mike & Joe and I bless them everyday for having left behind so much amazing music for us to listen to. Steve, your humbleness makes me think sometimes that you don't have an idea how incredible invaluable you and your family have been to music for the whole world!!! You guys have changed lives! For what it's worth "Takin it Back" mesmerized me from the first time I heard it and has been on the top of my list of reference songs that I use regularly when installing and tweaking sound for over 40 years! I pray that you'll be around for a long time in good health, prospering in happiness, with the same passion we see in this video ( and every other ). Thank you!!!! By the way, this Arturia CS-80 V is amazing!
Well done Arturia - at last, a proper and worthwhile celebrity endorsement, from a real musician with the real keyboard, real experience, and real knowledge. So much better than all those previous arty-farty promo videos.
Put this celebrity in front of Xils Lab's new CS-80 emulation and see where his endorsement stands. ;)
I could've watched that all day.
Takin It Back is my absolute fave Toto song .. You are the man SP!
This man, wow what can I say! Absolute legend, monster & hero! Could watch this guy play his parts on his own all day! It just doesn't get any better! The guys in Toto with their music and sessions, are part of my life!
That little jam he does here at the end is really cool!
A legend in this business. Very few with the class, musicianship, and impeccable chops of Steve Porcaro. Very few.
Wish he would produce more material.
He talks like he was just some part of any kind of ensemble when he was one of a kind cornerstone among very few exceptional ones. This is so humbling. Thank you so much Mr Porcaro.
For me, Porcaro's work was critical to making Toto a standout, as opposed to just another LA studio band.
Toto's self-titled album is a masterclass on song writing and musicianship.
This is guy defines a legend and genius. All the people who he’s worked with, what he’s contributed, what he’s created and what he’s become. Steve Porcaro you are just purely incredible and have to be one of the greatest keyboardist /syntheits, musicians and men of all time. Your work and contributions are like no other. They are powerful and unique. Long live, Steve Porcaro!! ❤️🎹
I've been a keyboardist for 40 years. Like Steve my hero was Keith Emerson. Emerson was another one not satisfied with "default" patches and tones. Me either. Every time I used to hear someone say, "see what this thing can do" I am thinking "that's nice, but what can YOU do". Steve's history with synths more than answered that question.
I rank having met Steve Porcaro being one of 2 highlights of my life besides forming the family I’m in. He’s such a huge inspiration words are not enough. Nothing but respect for Steve P.
That’s nice of you. Im sure he’d be touched. :)
We need a Steve Porcaro Preset pack for the CS-80v !! So many great sounds in that video alone.
When Steve Porcaro is promoting your software, you know you’ve done it right.
No doubt, Steve Porcaro is one of the pioneers to define the classic 80's sound, the synth sound. Even modern genres like Synthwave take a lot of this library.
I rewatch this many times. I still can't get bored watching this.
A legend and a hero. He taught me so much! I was fortunate to see him live with band and Joseph Williams, playing a lot of songs from Fahrenheit. A touching experience.
Love you, Steve. ❤️
I'm a singer songwriter from New Orleans. I've always been a huge fan of the Porcaro brothers. I've met Bobby Kimball a few times. He's from Louisiana as well. Great video! I wish you would do a video on the Keyboards you used with Gary Wright. We play several Wright songs in my covertune band 3 Blind Mice. P.S. The intro to Human Nature is legendary.
La très grande classe Mr Porcaro vous resterez à jamais un grand génie des synthétiseurs car tout vos productions ainsi que vos collaborations ont toujours été de très grandes qualités vous avez énormément apporté à la musique des années 70 et 80.
Merci beaucoup!!!Monsieur Monsieur Porcaro
Steve Porcaro: Great, unique, makes my live better with every of his songs and sounddesign!
Listening to the CS80 makes me cry. It sounds so perfect like the holy grail lost to time. 40 years since nothing has been able to come close to the organic living breathing grandeur of this pinnacle of synth beauty. Sorry but no emulation can come close to the loving warmth it has. The brass sounds like archangels appearing in the clouds on judgement day. Vangelis and Steve knew what emotions a CS80 can stir and demonstrated it well through their work.
I could hear the difference between the CS-80 and the CS-80V but Arturia have done a good job. CS-80's are worth so much now.
Yes indeed, good comment. Personally I think the fact that such a complex instrument -- perhaps the pinnacle of analog polysynthesis -- could be emulated this well is pretty amazing. Even Steve Porcaro seems to agree here. Still, what is apparent is that no VST synth is ever going to be quite as rich and dynamic as the real thing.
@@Topsy_Krett Steve likes his VST's as he's as he can just hook it to a midi controller up to his laptop and hit save which he back then in the early 80's with his epic rig he had.
Great video! It was so cool to see Steve Porcaro's reactions to the CS-80 V and hear his insights on how the original CS-80 was used in Toto's music. Thanks for sharing this interview with us, it was a real treat for synth enthusiasts and Toto fans alike.
When Steve played the intro to Takin’ It Back it gave me goose bumps. That’s my all time favourite song of all songs that I’ve been exposed to. It touches me very deeply. I bought the “Hold the Line” 45 rpm as soon as it was released. I flipped the record over to hear Takin’ It Back. I went crazy over that song. I never understood why it was a B side recording. One thing I find about musicians playing songs they made in the 70s and 80s is they can never fully recreate the synthesizer sounds. They are almost always off. It really removes a lot from the song. I NEVER like it nearly as much. I figured it was because the synthesizer is no longer made and the new ones cannot reproduce the same sounds. That’s why I’m so shocked today to hear Steve, many decades later, reproducing the exact same sound. Wow. Just so awesome.
Truth be told every song on the first on the first album was a banger so all b-sides would have had that 'What? this is a b-side!?" feel to it
@@PEC2528 I agree. I loved the entire album. I worked in the TV and electronics department in a big department store when I was in my late teens. I would often take my own cassette tapes in and play them in the ghetto blasters the store had on display. Twice when Takin’ It Back was playing I had customers come up to me and ask me who is singing that song. It seemed to have instant appeal. No other song that I played garnered this sort of reaction. I think if it was released as a hit it would have sold many millions.
I have finally saved enough money to purchase an Arturia keyboard, essential 61 black...it will arrive in Zimbabwe in the next 2 weeks and i cant wait to dig into these beautiful synths that Arturia has to offer and ill unlikely never see these synths irl but this is just a perfect 😃thank you Arturia for this offering
My self-respect goes to you all the way back to when I first discovered synths ,God bless you you've always been an inspiration
Love it!
I’m not a synth player but I do like what Arturia has been doing and this was very inspiring. Thanks Mr Porcaro and Arturia.
That little jam at the end has been around for a long long time.. I remember something like it during the Goodbye Elenore promo video thing... a small part when Jeff walks over to a drum machine and messes around while Steve plays what sounds like this melody.
I'm spotting that lovely obscure and forgotten italian Generalmusic / GEM S3 synthesizer used as master keyboard for the VST. It's one of the best digital poly-at keyboards I have ever used.
Thanks for identifying it!
Exactly
I had it, it's the _one_ instrument I've loved the most.
Absolutely useless for leads, but boy, besides being a fantastic controller it did have some great poly pads in its own right.
The Elka sounds were _amazing_ and to this day unrivalled in any of the big Japanese workstations.
Things like this should be in the credits. What surprises me is that it was made until 1998 (I read), so this is already over 30 years old. An I guess Steve is not on a budget, so it must have some special qualities. The looks alone are great already.
Arturia - this is incredible! Steve Porcaro - you're so inspiring!!! Thank you for all of your brilliant work! This is my fave video♥
Steve is so humble. He’s one of the most unique and technical artists, musicians of all time. He added so much to Toto’s perfect storm of musical brilliance. The Wizard!
Thank you for everything Mr Porcaro, and for this video as well.
Steve Porcaro the legend!!
God bless you Steve, miss you on this Toto tour! Inspiration for all keyboardists all over the world
One of the most underrated keyboard players out there. A master of hooks.
One of my favorite keyboardists! Glad to see this!
I could watch Steve talk and play synths for hours. Guy needs to livestream on a UA-cam channel.
Fantastic the last jam
Steve Porcaro.. you're one of my favorite keyboardist, when TOTO can out I was instantly hooked on your playing.. thanks Steve for all the years of great music..
Oh... wanted to ask, did you play on the All and All album with Earth Wind & Fire ???
On "All 'n All", Larry Dunn played almost all the keyboard parts.
Steve was mostly involved in synthesizer programming for the follow up album, "I Am".
@@frenchysound ok.. that makes sense.. lol. Larry Dunn the original keyboardist for E.W.F. I play trumpet and keys and was in an 80s band that played almost every song on the All & All. album.. that's where the question came from.. thanks for the info and for replying back so fast..
@@randytrader3026 I saw EWF on the All 'n All tour in 1979. It was Amazing!
@@frenchysound that's incredible, that would be the one to see for sure.. I never got to see them live but I'm most definitely a big fan..
I've been a fan of Toto since 1981, and I've heard hold the line millions of times and that song will never fade away.But Toto,we're geniuses.
The world would be a darker place without geniuses like Steve Porcaro. And I love Arturia for having a real genius trying their stuff. I only wish this video was two hours long.
Awesome!!
Ver uma lenda dessas falando assim fico até emocionado, porque é uma inspiração pra nós aspirantes a synth guy como ele é hehe 🥲
Hey Steve. Always good to see and hear from you! Kevin.
Once aspect of Steve's career that is hard to appreciate on the video, is how much of a showman he is on stage. Went to see Toto Live in the early eightees, and I could not take my eyes off him. He really would steal the show.
Aways loved that Taking it Back synth. So unique...pure genius.
STEVE is a definite hero of mine, I actually had a CS80 back in the day, and my head is about to explode thinking about the fact that there was no way to actually save a patch back then. Using the CS80 live you had to adjust those very touchy toggles. as fast as you could between and/or during songs for the next patch. Just thinking about being able to save and call up the sounds with Aturia, WOW. Iconic player and talent, iconic synth!
Love Steve. What a legend.
Steve Porcaro is not a keyboard player. He's "Captain Synthesizer " in my book . I became a keyboard player because of in this order (1) Dennis Deyoung (Styx) (2) David Paich (3) Steve Porcaro and I'm especially motivated by Steve Porcaro because he plus Michael Gray who played Billy Batson in SHAZAM my favorite super hero in the 70s and me all shared a birthday > September 2, 2022 . This is interview with Steve I count it as my be-lated birthday present 🎁 🎁 . Great interview.
I asked Steve Porcaro about how he did the intro Takin It Back. He said he used a few Sine waves, swooping filter and some portamento
Steve Porcaro has truly had an amazing impact on keyboards, music, and people everywhere.
This could be 20 times as long and I’d watch the whole thing,
It would have been amazing if you guys just uploaded the unedited full version of the jam at the end.
Porcaro family is one of the most important thing happened in modern great Music ....when he play the intro of one of the most beautiful Toto song at 3:10 (Takin it back) I realized one more time how GREAT are the first 5 Toto albums...5 absolute MASTERPIECES where songs like Africa ...Hold the line or Rosanna are good but absolutely NOT their best. I'd love Arturia to make a MINIMUM 1 hour episode with Steve Porcaro .
P.S. I'm desperatley searching for an instrumental track that Toto recorded in the 80's that it was made with a powerful majestic synth riff that reminds the song Steve is playing in the end (but is not the same) I don't think it was included in any of the official Toto albums....maybe it was a compilation or a soundtrack (it was not dune by the way) ...I hope you will help me to find it 🙂
Moodido (Boxing Theme) for The Olympic Games 1984 in Los Angelis Soundtrack
@@jeffoluke AAHHHHHH....thank you!!!! Incredible song...majestic synth riff...thanx again 🙂
This is great! More of these please 🙂
This was a cool video. Steve is a legend among keys players. So cool to hear his insights and approaches to playing synth.
Eu amo a família Porcaro !!! Thiago from Brazil !!!
Good job, Arturia! I've always loved the sound of the CS-80!
He's a one of the true legend. This video made my day!
But it would be really good if we can see the preset's names he is playing.
Thanks Arturia
Thanks Stece Porcaro
Steve Porcaro is a master of synthesizers. My respects to one of the greats of music.
Just needed the REALLY big shirt to finish the piece, but wow that was a great endorsement. Not to mention some patch tips like the old vids too. Magic!
Nice man with humility. It would be great to see him do extended videos on his past work and also on new music and instruments.
Steve's a genius. You could learn so much from him.
Oh man Steve, that intro to Takin' it Back.. so glorious.. For sure one of my favor songs in all of Toto's catalog
If a legend say it’s legit who am I to say otherwise! I love this synth!
Everyone on this planet has the right to have their own opinion, even if it does not coincide with the legends of the music industry, this is normal. As for me, Arturia is currently the best thing from the emulation of analog synthesizers, they are constantly updated, the company understands where to go and what to do, it's very nice.
Learn something new everyday. That CS-80 was a beast in itself! I remember David “Hawk” Wolinski from Rufus/Chaka Khan had a CS-80 as well. Great synth!😌🎹🎶👍🏾
I am blown away… a hero of my youth. One of the greatest keyboarders ever. 🙏🏻😎
Fax
We need an Arturia poly-aftertouch controller for this. Pretty please. 🙏
I mean standard keys, not the MicroFreak.
And ribbon.
Yeah, that would be an insta-buy
All these software instruments are truly wonderous, not just because they replicate the original so closely but they make these rarities available to a larger audience. That said I have to imagine it won’t be as fast to work with as the original with knobs. Porcaro talks about session players doing what they’re asked for really fast. Navigating all those sliders and knobs just cannot be as quick on a Mac or PC, even with a touch enabled screen. The CS-80 remains a thing of beauty, in any case.
Keyboardists are like drummers, we just love to be surrounded by all of our musical toys.
incredible artist.
I could listen to Steve talk about synths all day and would absolutely love to hear stories about his brother Jeff absolutely amazing drummer. Roseana half time shuffle one of greatest grooves of all time
Thank you, Steve! 🙂
Legend doesn't even come close to what this guy is! Love the sounds he gets from those old machines
I just tried this synth today for the first time without knowing any of its history. And I instantly thought woha this sounds awesome!
Holy crap, this takes me back - had a CS-60 thru most of the 80's.
I love to listen to Steve's explanations.
Damn this video made me so happy lol Nice to meet you Steve Porcaro👊🏾
Steve Porcaro and Toto...the kings of Musicians
Genius, class act, and my friend. Love him.
That jam at the end is pretty kick ass!
Legend!!! Wonderful video.
Would love to see more presentations like this, mixing artists' use of the classics while demo'ing the V versions - especially Oberheims, Synclavier, Prophet. Thanks!
Great to see this true synth OG from the 70s comment for Arturia's soft emulations, which are my main sounds. AL V with V Collection 9, controlled through a KeyLab 61 Mkll
Very very cool. Great emulation. The HydraSynth is the closest poly after touch synth to this CS 80 which you can program to do very similar approaches.
I've idolized this guy since seeing him live with Gary Wright. Gifted.
How awesome is that!!! been playing with the demo versions just now till I can afford V9
Using a GEM S3 😍