GLT Audio Launches PM-80 Controller for CS-80 VSTs

GLT Audio unveiled the PM-80 on December 31, 2025, positioning the controller as a bridge between modern CS-80 VST replicas and the physical, hands-on workflow of the classic Yamaha CS-80. The PM-80 is a purpose-built MIDI controller with 75 dedicated faders and a ribbon controller, designed to lay out virtually every control point for patches so users can dial tones and modulation with physical hardware rather than clicking through plugin parameters.

The company framed the PM-80 as a practical answer to two common barriers: the prohibitive cost and upkeep of original CS-80 instruments and the limitations of mouse-driven editing. “For many musicians, owning a CS-80 synthesizer is a dream that’s out of reach – both financially and in terms of required maintenance. While today’s VST replicas sound remarkably close, the true spirit of the CS-80 only comes alive when you have all controls at your fingertips. That’s why GLT Audio created the Poor Man’s CS-80 — the PM-80, featuring 75 dedicated faders and a ribbon controller, offering an inspiring hands-on experience.”

For composers, sound designers, and performers who rely on CS-80-style sounds, the PM-80 offers immediate practical value. Physical faders and a ribbon encourage exploratory performance and faster patch creation, reduce time spent mapping controllers in a DAW, and can make live patches more reliable and repeatable. The dedicated layout also supports rapid recall of workflows familiar to anyone who has worked with large analog keyboards and modular panels, translating that approach into modern software-based setups.

The PM-80 is available to pre-order for €499. Verify that your CS-80 plugin supports MIDI mapping or controller templates and confirm how the PM-80 integrates with your DAW and MIDI routing before committing. Ask the seller about shipping timelines, warranty, and any firmware or template updates that may follow launch.

This controller arrives at a moment when interest in tactile hardware controllers is resurging among synth communities. If you want to move beyond parameter menus and regain the immediacy of patching while keeping your studio digital, the PM-80 is a focused, affordable option to test that workflow without hunting down or maintaining a vintage CS-80.