Yamaha Synths Official: CP-70 Heritage Meets MONTAGE M8x Innovation

The Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano stands as a rare but unmistakable presence in the synth space, instantly recognizable to anyone who’s listened to classic records from the 1980s. Its sound has graced tracks by Peter Gabriel, Genesis, and more recently, bands like Keen, cementing its place in music history. While the instrument itself may not be a common sight today, its sonic fingerprint remains deeply embedded in the collective memory of pop and rock production.

In this video, Matt Johnson and Dom Sigalas set the stage by reminiscing about the CP-70’s influence and ubiquity on major records. The discussion underscores how the CP-70’s unique timbre became a go-to for artists seeking a piano that could cut through dense mixes, providing both clarity and character. The nostalgia is palpable, yet the focus quickly shifts to how this legacy is being preserved and reinterpreted for modern workflows.

The CP-70’s design is a fascinating blend of acoustic tradition and electronic innovation. Opening up the instrument reveals a scaled-down harp mechanism, mirroring that of a conventional grand piano but optimized for portability and stage use. This compact form factor allowed musicians to bring grand piano expressiveness to live settings without the logistical headaches of a full-sized instrument.

A key aspect of the CP-70’s sound is its use of pickups to capture the vibrations of real strings, offering both direct input (DI) and the option to stereo-mic the piano for added spatial depth. The video highlights how engineers and performers would often combine these methods, sometimes running the signal through chorus pedals to further widen the sound. This electro-acoustic approach not only solved practical stage issues like feedback but also contributed to the CP-70’s distinctive, slightly edgy tone.

Yamaha’s MONTAGE M synthesizer takes the legacy of the CP-70 (and its sibling, the CP-80) into the digital age through meticulous multi-sampling. The video demonstrates how the MONTAGE M captures the nuances of these classic electric grands, offering users access to their iconic sound without the need for heavy hardware. The sampled instruments are presented as remarkably close to the originals, both in feel and tonal character.

The hosts point out that the MONTAGE M doesn’t just replicate the past—it enhances it. By leveraging the synth’s advanced architecture, players can access a broader range of notes (as with the CP-80 sample) and instantly recall these sounds for performance or production. The workflow is streamlined, making it easy to switch between classic timbres and modern processing with minimal menu-diving.

One of the standout features demonstrated is the MONTAGE M’s onboard effects section, which transforms the sampled CP-70 into a versatile sound design platform. The video showcases the use of graphic EQ to shape the midrange for that signature cutting presence, as well as stereo tremolo for added movement—a nod to classic production techniques.

The real magic, however, comes with the addition of modern effects like shimmery reverb and mastering EQ. These tools allow users to push the CP sound into new creative territories, from lush, expansive textures to tightly focused stage-ready tones. The workflow is immediate: select a preset, tweak a few parameters, and the instrument responds with polished, professional results, all without leaving the front panel.