Your welcome,
I've tried playing with the PORTA - GLISS switch and SHORT - LONG sliders with inconsistent results. On some CS-80 presets, the glissando works and on others it doesn't. Not sure if there is another setting that I am missing.
In the MULTI section Portamento (PORTA) can be activated/ deactivated pr voice. Be sure the needed voices is activated to get portamento. If PORTA is deactivated you'll get no effect.
Also i suggest you try out the different playmodes playing both legato and none legato notes.
When using the UNISON modes the priority have and impact for the effect when playing legato.
In the poly playmodes RANDOM mode that's the original hardware playmode might work best, as it trigger the effect no matter how you play. But you might wan't the effect the other modes offer. I'm not sure all the playmodes impact on the effect is correct.
can the glissando effect be activated and deactivated through a footswitch, like a sustain pedal MIDI CC 64?
If you switch the PORTAGLISS switch towards the label (down position), then the foot-/ sustain pedal switch Portamento on/ off.
Also you can use the automation parameter PORTA in a host to switch the effect on/ off.