This was my first synth. Three more, a digital piano, and six months later, my playing skills have improved dramatically, and this is still the instrument I reach for when I want to relax. It’s not a professional instrument. It’s not a toy. It’s the ultimate gateway drug into the world of music and synthesizers. I love this thing

@creamydistortion

2 жыл бұрын

Next step: Get a real, vintage Yamaha DX-7 and enter nerd heaven!

@mezzafinook

2 жыл бұрын

next step: stop being a brony

@benhall2235

2 жыл бұрын

What is a “professional instrument” any instrument that one might use to perform music with at a paid gig? Plenty of people have been paid to play one of these on stage.

@thesamuelskate

5 ай бұрын

​@@benhall2235Totally agree. The "professional" is not about the cost, it is about the personal. That elitist thinking is what ruins the experience of many, a clear example is the 'Microkorg', a small synthesizer that all "experts" avoid because it is cheap or because it looks like a "toy", then you realize that PROFESSIONAL artists like The Killers, Justice, Tame Impala, etc. have used it in their songs. An instrument is an instrument.

Watching this video in 2019. The tone you got at 8:25 sold me. Immediately went over to Sweetwater and picked one up. Can't wait to use this synth.

@newYorkStories

5 жыл бұрын

Same here. Ordered it today.

@julianwarren8059

4 жыл бұрын

@@constantfind9052 yes this can do both

@jetlee7743

4 жыл бұрын

Lol I was thinking the same. Did you buy..I'm between this one and DX

@Rocky2000258

4 жыл бұрын

Lucky..

@EllieNixchole17

4 жыл бұрын

Hahah wish I had the money

Thank you for sharing your talent on our Reface CS! Keep up the great work!

@Doctormix

8 жыл бұрын

+Yamaha Corporation of America Thank you so much! Respect to you all :-)

@lloydpopp13

7 жыл бұрын

Is there a way to transpose notes by semitones on this Synth? Couldn't find it on the manual

@andrewscott1253

7 жыл бұрын

I'd like to see a Reface XL, the same with proper sized keys, pitch wheel and assignable after touch.

@fender1000100

7 жыл бұрын

Easy run it through a controller keyboard or OTHER synth like I do through my DX7. Its magical.

@blickblocks

6 жыл бұрын

Exactly, no reason to keep rebuying an expensive full key synth when you can get compact units with the different sounds you want and control them with your preferred full size keyboard!

Yamaha just perfects everything, motorcycles, electronics, instruments. If they make it im buying it.

@Psztyk236

4 жыл бұрын

3/4 of my audio gear is made by Yamaha, piano, e-drums, guitar, two refaces (CP and CS), guitar amp (THR10) Quality of their products is absolutely outstanding

@TorutheRedFox

4 жыл бұрын

even instruments that sound like motorcycles lmao

@paulwomack5866

4 жыл бұрын

You forgot target recurve bows and snowmobiles!

@funky.ass.breakz4473

4 жыл бұрын

The complete absence of patch memory makes this synth far from perfect...

@dq3333

4 жыл бұрын

....and the V10 Engine for the Lexus supercar LFA

The SK series from the early eighties were the best. I had a SK 30 as my first synth when I was 15 in 1983. and I understand a lot of programing. I actually Taught sound synthesis in 1986 at a music store for programing a Dx7...No one understood the DX7, it was like NASA gave you a rocket and said merry Christmas..

This is my go to synth for Juno 106 style chord pads. It can do a ton more! Great value for the cost and an awesome design.

@garyleaver3714

4 жыл бұрын

I was thinking that I was alone with that opinion.

Bought one, and i can assure you this is amazing. Looks and sounds amazing for the price.

I don't understand, why people are bitchin' about the Reface line... "Small keys!, too expensive!, shitty sound!". Show me ANY PRODUCT that delivers so many options in so small, portable and CHEAP package! Where would you find anything similar to eg. CP? Native instruments Scrabee Vintage Keys - 150 Euros, than you have to add midi controller to your rack - at least 100 Euros, than you need laptop. And that's it. You can go this way, or you can just buy Yamaha CP, which gives you EVERYTHING you need in one, elegant, logical solution. No mouse clicking, no presets, no cables, just few knobs, intuitive layout and BIG sound. You can take it anywhere and in an instatnt you have pro sounds at your fingertips. Not to mention great sounding FX on board. Ref CS? It cost about the same as MiniBrute. Well, Minibrute has normal-sized keys, but Yamaha has three octaves. Which, I think, you would prefer, if you had experience with POLY SYNTH! CS has 8-note polyphony! Show me 8-note poly synth with FM modulator and onboard effects. Show me anything that cheap with so many possibilities. MiniBrute, MS-10 and so on? Mono synths needing other stuff to just to turn it on, not to mention playing with it. DX? No comparison to anything on the market. Simple, small FM synth with amazing sound. Not understanding how FM synthesis works? No prob, just play with basic 4 sliders. Wanna create your own sounds from the scratch? Get a degree and then click Edit. Boom! What else could you get to have FM synth? NI FM8+controller+laptop+speakers. Again, you have to invest much more. And you don't have portability you have with any Reface product. Reface YC? Again, nothing like that on the market. simple, small solution with 5 organ models, drawbars and onboard effects. 500 bucks? That's CHEAP. Wanna play Farfisa organs while taking a dump? No prob. Then wanna compose a track in your super-duper home studio? Plug it to your DAW via MIDI, plug outs to your soundcard and you have complementary, pro, studio solution. Need bigger keys or/and more octaves? No problem, you have MIDI In. Just plug any midi controller and you're good to go. And then wanna go on vacation with some instrument to have fun with, compose while sitting on the beach? Wanna play with your guitarist friend at night by the fire? Try to do this with Korg MS-10 :) I think people forgot what's important in music. It is playability and creativity, not the way it looks on your desk. You don't need bunch of stuff to play music, you need complementary intrument, who cares how it looks? If it doesn't look like Doepfer Eurorack synth, it immidietely is bad? No. Who cares about looks, size, what's importatnt - what you can do with it. Basically, with any of Refaces you can do exactly tha same things you could do with much bigger and more expensive insruments, which probably wound never leave your hosue due to their size. I had chance to play these instruments. aNd I immidietely fell in love with these. It releases so much creativity, when you have simple, small and complete solution with you. These instruments have the same spirit as an acoustic guitar or any other acoustic intrument. All in one solution, just take it on your lap and play. It is so much fun, when you don't have to turn on your computer, than your speakers, than you DAW, than your virtual instrument. No matter how much these products will be critisized, I think they will over time become legendary. Just like Yamaha DX7, Roland TR808/909 and so much more other instruments. At the begginning they were critisized, and then... they became legendary :)

@markvarney7165

8 жыл бұрын

Haha you don't need a university degree to program fm. Its pretty easy once you get your head around it. The thing about those old Dxs is they didn't have the most user friendly interface. The reface DX has a great interface.

@theycallmejpj

7 жыл бұрын

but minilogue can only do 4 notes

@zydiz

7 жыл бұрын

sejtaridiss volca keys, cheers!

@OttosTheName

7 жыл бұрын

While I do partially agree with criticism on this device, it's less then half the price of a Minilogue. And that's after the price just dropped 10% today. Only the Monologue is in the same price range (still noticably more), but that one is a mono synth and has only 2 octaves, rendering it pretty much useless in my opinion. So everything in this price range is slightly too small and cramped and kind of needs an external keyboard in my opinion. Making them rather impractical for live use. I wouldn't mind having a CS to play with at home though... Bang for the buck wise I think it's a good deal. I don't see them becoming legendary, but I think they'll hold their value reasonably well despite it not following the analog trend.

@RobKaiser_SQuest

6 жыл бұрын

People are bitching because they just bought something else and realized it wasn't worth the money for what they wanted to do, and they're insecure. Ignore them.

this is so cool ... no presets ... just old skool adjusting ... you could even run this through various effects or guitar pedals

God I hate the elitist mentality amongst synth players. Go to literally any synth demo and look in the comments, half the people say it's too expensive/sounds and looks like a toy/ whatever synth they have is better in every way. This seems like an amazing intermediate level synth, but no, anything less than Moog is a toy

@mipmipmipmipmip

6 жыл бұрын

and then in 10 years they’ll pay extra for it because of its rarity

@catchreboot

5 жыл бұрын

no because in 10 years this kind of product will be broken !!! lead free solder is a part of the problem . try to repair a moog voyager (6 layers pcb) , dave smiths or another shit stuff ,"normally" the brands have to publish the schematics but they don't ... you can still repair a minimog ! am i wrong ?

@David-yt4rw

5 жыл бұрын

Man idk. But i get your point. I have a yamaha pss from 1988 working fine.

@David-yt4rw

5 жыл бұрын

+sel bel I guess i tend to think a reface will longer the same. Good sound.

@hedegaard8

5 жыл бұрын

But thats because this Yamaha Reface is NOTHING more than just a toy, whether you have a Moog or not, whether you play guitar or drums or not. This "thing" cannot be taken seriously. Honestly, can you see Jean Michel Jarre sitting and playing this thing? No, didn't think so. Thanks.

As soon you started playing Jump, I was giggling, when you went "Jump!" I fell out of my chair. I'm buying this.

@curleynollaigh

5 жыл бұрын

Hanger bb v

great demo man. this synth is next on my list. has such a creamy sound

Man that percussion sound was excellent, could make some excellent tunes out of that.

@Doctormix

8 жыл бұрын

+SeraphimKnight Absolutely!

Great demo brother I've been watching this video for three years.. I think its time I buy the damn thing.

@DanJDThompson

4 жыл бұрын

Do it! It's so fun no matter what your style or expertise level

@strangewater

4 жыл бұрын

@@DanJDThompson I did and I am very very happy :) this little guy makes me smile so hard

I’ve been looking at what to buy for my first synth and I think I’m going to go with this. Sounds really capable and I like the fact it has no presets so that I can properly learn about synthesis

@djwiggles2835

2 жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly, that’s why I ultimately decided on this over the reface dx

I love the design of it, it’s so clean and also kind of retro. The first few min of playing really shows it off lol.

god the last couple of seconds in which you tried the looper... Breathtaking....

I love the simplicity, just modifying some good old waveforms. :thumbs up emoji:

the tone this dude dials in at 8:18 is righteous

@tylersmith7925

3 жыл бұрын

It’s so crazy how different it was like just a few seconds before hah

I can't get over HOW ALL these Reface Keyboards SOUND. LOVE THESE videos!! Keep up the great work! Which one would you pick if you could only pick one?

The reface line is pure quality in tone and playability. Super musical, all of them.

I really enjoy the sounds this synthesizer provides. I especially like how at certain settings, you can easily get some old school vg synths on this synthesizer. I sure would like to purchase one along with the reface dx.

@alexskibicki2262

Жыл бұрын

Update: I bought the Yamaha reface cs and it is totally phenomenal. It’s one of the best synthesizers I’ve ever own along with a korg volca fm. I’ve been using it for my recordings and it was amazing. The reface cs is a definite keeper. 😎🎹

The DX and CS look fun 😄 definitely picking it up soon

This one sounds the most awesome of the 4, but I still want them all.

awesome sounds ... thanks for the demo

I bought one and kept it in a box because in 20 years it will be worth 20k. Thanks yamaha for contributing to my future retirement funding. 👍

@garyleaver3714

5 жыл бұрын

Ha ha smart guy.

@funky.ass.breakz4473

4 жыл бұрын

Doubtful that the Reface series will ever significantly increase in value.

@greg981

4 жыл бұрын

@@funky.ass.breakz4473 yeah, shoulda bought a roland sh-101 back when that was cheap instead

4:02 (personal note)

Great demos. Thanks so much.

7:50 RIP headphones

Got to try out this along with a couple of the other Reface models. Love it, it can be gigged with, used for song writing, can get tons of work in a studio set up form small to big. Think it's too small? Get your preferred keyboard controller and use that, just like if you bought one of dozens of other synths which are synth only, no keys. Listed at $799, never seen anyone sell it over $599, and right now they're $399 on some sites. And some people think that's too expensive, but this isn't a toy. It's a professional musical instrument and tool. When you only have so much space in your little studio and you're tired of soft synths, or don't have that option (not using plugins maybe? tracking analog with no computer?) this is a compact fun to play with, easy to learn, serious synth that'll save your space and you're back. It's either this or the Korg Minilogue for me.

@Doctormix

8 жыл бұрын

+Federline Smith Couldn't agree more! :)

Nice demo - this is the most attractive one to me.

@PhilW222

9 жыл бұрын

peter47a You will be able to save presets to an iPhone or iPad through a preset management app. Much better than managing it through some tiny screen. And I quite like the interactive nature of it, it reminds me of my very first synth - just a panel of knobs and sliders, no presets on that!

@Doctormix

9 жыл бұрын

PhilW222 Very well said :-) And you can connect your iPad via usb while using the midi ports at the same time!

@YamahaMusicUSA

9 жыл бұрын

PhilW222 Glad you found the reface you like.

For its size and price it sounds pretty good. saving for one now.

My god this sounds amazing :D

Nice presentation Doctor!!!

I was pumped when you got the Jump sound haha Let's gooooo! lol

I pulled the trigger today on this. I figured it's been out for eight years, and it won't be around forever, so I jumped. I think it's a good tribute to the CS80. Just loads of fun in a small package. Out of all the Reface instruments I think this one has the most personality. The CP is nice tho too, although not my first choice for organ sounds. I think I'm going to love this!

@scotty1404

9 ай бұрын

I got one yesterday too..have fun playing

@BillVincent

9 ай бұрын

This little thing has been so much fun so far. It's actually really rich. The analog modeling is strong in this one. @@scotty1404

best demo of this unit on the internet

Would love to see Yamaha put out a true analogue again.

@Thoracius

3 жыл бұрын

yes. The sound out of this one is good, but the audible stepping on the slider values is not ideal.

@georgegeorgio1751

3 жыл бұрын

@@Thoracius Not everyone fiddles with the sliders when playing , once you get a great sound you just play

I’m looking for a first synth, and after this video I was SOLD!

I finally decided to buy one. Well I always wanted to but I finally could (finding work was hard). Only keyboard I had until now was a crappy sampled based Roland EM-15. Basically you see the sounds your computer makes when you play a midi file ? Well it's this but with slightly better quality samples plus reverb and chorus (I've had it for 10 years now ! And it was already 5 years old when I got it). Now I'm gonna have a proper synth !

very nice,excellent job

dude, your videos are amazing. the synths sound great, but you're making actual good use of the sounds for demonstration, very cool! :-) can you please play ELP "fanfare for the common man" on this thing? :-D

@DamienDrake

3 жыл бұрын

He'll save that for the Reface GX. ;)

DX and CS will be great addition to my setup.

@Doctormix

7 жыл бұрын

They are great indeed!

I have a dx and cp, they're great. Would also like the cs but not without some preset memory locations.

If Yamaha made a 16 voice version with some more bells and whistles (more LFOs and EGs, full-sized keys, velocity to name a few), they'd struggle to keep up with demand.

Fantastic.

I dig this claudio dude

They need to make a CS-80 version in a miniature form like this. 16 voice oscillators and all.

@JoeSkutnik

7 жыл бұрын

The Dollar Guy id buy that.

@TRaddcliff

7 жыл бұрын

id buy that for a dollar....nothing more though.

@arando4359

5 жыл бұрын

The Dollar Guy about as big as the grandmother 32

@colonelpercival2832

3 жыл бұрын

Behringer are working on it

Those babies are amazing. Watching in 2020

This will be my next synth. Thanks for the demo. 8:19 I was sold.

@deltoid77-nick

4 жыл бұрын

same

@pfatalbert

3 жыл бұрын

Lol me three

+RR 1976 The REFACE CS has an amazing sound. No need to use any software. What Yamaha have done is a miracle. Theyve condensed the power of a CS80 into this small portable synthesiser. Im not kidding im going to upload the sound that made me buy this synth this week. I programmed it on my friends REFACE CS. And no one will believe it came from this small synth. Trust me alot of people are going to be seriously impressed with this single sound. Ive named it Vangelis for a reason. It is one of the most beautiful epic sounds you will ever hear come from a synthesiser.

@Doctormix

8 жыл бұрын

+PROJECT DX We look forward to hearing it!

@savanaviolenta

6 жыл бұрын

PROJECT DX so where is it,one year past?

@1999Fabion

5 жыл бұрын

Still waiting for that demo, bro.

@aaalllfff

4 жыл бұрын

Hi, I know your comment is 3 years old, but, fancy helping a newcomer to the synth world? :) If so, just a quick question.... Which do you think is better? Yamaha Reface CS or Novation Mininova? Thank you!

Hey, I love your videos; they are easy to watch, and very enjoyable! Do you have an opinion as to how this may differ in sound 'quality' when sizing up against lets say a Nord Lead 2x? Can you achieve similar wawas, oscillation, or complexities in sound layering? This sounds like a beast. Just debating if I should go the nord 2x route or acquire this for a bit cheaper and plug it into my Korg Ms-20 Mini Controller for some unique effects. I don't mind the lack of keys as the sound really makes up for it. Please share your 2-cents on this one! I'd appreciate it! :)

the osc sync sounds really good

This thing looks like a ton of fun to play with holy sht

Wow you made my choice for the Cs

Hey Dr. Mix! Thanks for this! I'm wondering: do you have a favorite from the Reface series?

I saw you're Yamaha Reface (the red one, like an orgue) and I'm very surprised of this one, I was expecting a toy but actuall, he's fuc¨¨¨ powerful!

Even though I've had enough of simple subtractive synth like that, since I definitely prefer sliders to knobs, I might be getting one some day in addition to reface DX (which I'm yet to have either :P).

@Doctormix

7 жыл бұрын

Hahaha! Go for it mitokyo!

Hi Doctor! Could you kindly show us how to use the looper tempo synced to a drum machine, let's say a Roland TR-8S? Many thanks, your videos are very inspiring ! Keep up the good work.

damn now I want one. I was just playing around with the DX today. And I want a monologue gaaaah

I like these demos, very varied. Good job :)

This could replace my Roland SH-1000... It has all the sounds I'd need, and has a monophonic mode and polyphonic mode. Damn, everything about this makes me want to get one to make my workstation more ergonomic. I might sell the SH-1000 and use the money to buy one of these.

When i heard the sound on this, i swear i hsvent been excited for hardware in s while. Really considering getting one

Great work, we need prices now yamaha.

dude, i have a sennheiser 558 hear, holy shit, this synth sounds SO GOOD

Cool stuff :)

Beast!

I am fairly new within the synthesizer and keyboard family.. So my basic question is.. from where do you get the sound? Amplifier or any kind of music set would do through auxiliary cable? I have this Kenwood Stereo Amp KA-691, would it work with it just with the aux cable?

Great review! Can you use the cs with a sustain pedal?

Fantastico 🤩

Thank you for the very nice demonstration. I shared it on our Yamaha Reface Group, on Facebook. I hope thats okay. Thank you.

Dude where do you put all your synths and instruments?

8:20 that sounds sells it for me

Terrific

Is there a way to transpose notes? Haven't found it on the manual.

Thank you!

Jesus christ almighty this thing is outstanding.

@Doctormix

8 жыл бұрын

Haha I'm pretty sure that was almost exactly our reaction when we first heard it! ;)

I dont know much about playing a keyboard aside from a couple song. This keyboard is awesome and looks like it would be a lot of fun. The Only thing holding me back is the price, is it worth buying if its only going to be used as a toy to mess around with? Any chance there is something similar to this out there that will only cost between 100 and 200$? Thanks for any help.

This seems like a perfect keyboard to take with you to a buddy's for a jam session. Loop recorder comes in handy that way. It might just be exactly what I'm looking for in a mobile synth.

@YamahaMusicUSA

9 жыл бұрын

D.F. Sudac We're glad we can create something that works for you!

@programclu1

9 жыл бұрын

+Yamaha Corporation of America Price is a bit mad though guys. they'd sell like hot cakes if you lowered them a bit.

@therestorationofdrwho1865

8 жыл бұрын

Too bad it's way too expensive. Completely remake the CS-80 it's more worth it.

7:37 sounds like tron's motorcycle

@Doctormix

7 жыл бұрын

Hahaha!

@NightSprinter

6 жыл бұрын

It DOES!!!!!

@TorutheRedFox

4 жыл бұрын

lmao

4:04 holy shit that sounds great

"ooh, i feel a little bit dizzy now"

@obezijana

6 жыл бұрын

how can i use these effect (like a crumpled tape in audiocassette) in DAWs? Please somebody help me, i've been seeking this for years.

@fernandovidriales4168

5 жыл бұрын

4:20

@obezijana

5 жыл бұрын

I'll try, thank you so much!@@titanium2295

@brunokongawi2993

4 жыл бұрын

Sounded like Borat lol

can you only assign the LFO to one perameter at a time or can you assign different depths and speeds to each perameter?

This one seems to be the most difficult to source! But luck would have it i recently bought a pristine boxed one off Gumtree 50quid! My question Mr cute synth guy......is it worth collecting the other 3 as I was so impressed. I was possibly thinking of getting them in the order DX CP and finally YC. What's your thoughts

Wow, sounds cool!

@Doctormix

8 жыл бұрын

+PSS-270 Casio-Core Music. It IS cool! :)

@pss-270casio-coremusic.5

8 жыл бұрын

+Doctor Mix Hmmm, you're right for sure. Well, I will have to get one then. Yeah.

These look so sooo so soooo cool! but please 399$ Once they go down, I'll grab this one as well as the DX. Maybe even the other two. They really look cool and actually I dig the small keys. With a cheaper price I really feel these will be classic.

Can you stack sounds on the looper? Like play over your loop and then put that into the loop etc?

8:30 - patch reminds me of Autechre's "Yulquen"

@sikguy9939

4 жыл бұрын

It remembers me of a minecraft song called "Aria Math"

@cagethefoxtrick3852

3 жыл бұрын

@@sikguy9939 true bro

Also can you plug a larger keyboard into it to use it as a full keyboard?

@kphillipsmusic

4 жыл бұрын

Yes.

Mind blown

4:07 This is what I came to hear. Alphaville!

nice to see old synths reformed into new tech that allows people to enjoy it

How many factory presets does it have? Does it have a sequencer or arpeggiator?

can i connect my roland td-30 Vdrum also to the midiport?? looks like more fun for both :D

A computer VST user enters forested wild world of Old Skool synths without presets : He hears the primal wind blow across the barren desert plateaus, prickly cacti stubbornly clinging to unforgiving rocky ground. He feels fear but an unexplained longing calling him to step forward ... a surge of some strange privative adrenalin rush going through his veins. He has left the safe comfortable city-dome of the repressive controlled post apocalyptic society of presets and entered the unknown and unforgiving wilderness! Wish him luck!

This is the keyboard of my dreams !! Only question, it is possible to save edited instruments ???

@DamienDrake

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, you can save on the website as I recall. I've only got the DX, but I plan to grab this one next.

Do these things stay tuned to pitch? My friend has a mini brute and it's fun to play with, but it's always sharp or flat. Might just be user error, I'm not too familiar with analog synths

@getgle

4 жыл бұрын

This is a digital synth so it probably doesn't have any tuning issues.

@getgle

4 жыл бұрын

It emulates analog synthesis digitally.

Can you record different parts and play them together on this? I don’t see any pads to do it

Is there some way to synchronize its looper with volca bass sequencer?

the pad at 4:00 is great! This little keyboard is an amazing portable option despite opinions

@Doctormix

8 жыл бұрын

+thefumigator Absolutely!! :)