Yamaha Reface CS Review - IS IT STILL WORTH GETTING?

With so many budget alternatives today, does the Yamaha Reface CS hold up against the competition? You can support my reviews by becoming a Patron: / bobeats and you can buy a Yamaha Reface CS here:
Yamaha Reface CS
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US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
OTHER GOOD STARTER SYNTHS
Original Minilogue
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US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72
Cobalt8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X
Argon8
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL
Microfreak
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US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK
Dreadbox Typhon
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6
Korg NuTekt NTS1
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10
Reface CS
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR
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Пікірлер: 541

  • @soundxplorer
    @soundxplorer3 жыл бұрын

    Excellent sound, fun to use - it's my "go to" synth that I play whenever I want to focus on writing a melody instead of digging through menus on more complex synths. It's easily one of the most inspirational pieces of gear that I've bought in the last 10 years.

  • @HotStrange

    @HotStrange

    3 жыл бұрын

    Agreed. I sold mine a couple years ago and have missed it ever since, despite getting a lot of more powerful pieces of gear. There’s just something special about it. I just ordered another one today and I’m excited for it all over again.

  • @fender1000100

    @fender1000100

    Жыл бұрын

    @@HotStrange Never sell this. Its so IMMEDIATE. Something nobody has brought to anyones attention yet. Is all these wonderful sounds come from just 17 parameters. I'm going to show in a tutorial in 2023. How you can go from say a KICK DRUM to big Vangelesque type pad in less than a minute. This is the true power of this gem. And the reason they didn't have to have any onboard user memories. I simply write down the settings with pen and paper (remember them) oldschool. If I want to SAVE the sounds for sequencing purposes as use no software I'm real oldschool. I do so to my Korg Microsampler. Another very underrated piece of kit. The two of them together..and magic happens as I will show throughout 2023.

  • @r3dsnow757

    @r3dsnow757

    10 ай бұрын

    ​@@fender1000100hi, what kind of notations do you use to right now exactly the settings? I'm getting mine soon, I wanna do it the old school way too.

  • @rort1371
    @rort13715 жыл бұрын

    The looper is awesome. For people who prefer melody and chord progressions and not just blops and blips it’s extremely useful and fun.

  • @lit2021

    @lit2021

    2 жыл бұрын

    the looper is badly designed if you need live looping, it's hard to end the loop on beat (even with quantization on) because the slider switch has to "click" in the play position, and it often slips and goes to stop. They should have put buttons like on a normal looper. Also, they could have put a simple step sequencer like on Arturia Keystep. I find the looper useless and am about to return the CS to the shop and get a Roland JU-06a, which in my opinion is a much better option.

  • @matttondr9282

    @matttondr9282

    2 жыл бұрын

    It’s nice to have it for sure, just wish it had more features than just a basic loop. Also custom instrument presets to switch faster..

  • @kimdiez2681

    @kimdiez2681

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lit2021 But NOBODY buys this powerful little synth for the looper.

  • @Answersonapostcard

    @Answersonapostcard

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lit2021 the looper is fine, you just need practice, what the synth lacks in features it makes up with fun and playability with no menu diving

  • @fender1000100

    @fender1000100

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lit2021 Bad move. I can never understand people who are too lazy to just link it. To a hardware sequencer like I do to my QX5. Which has superior flexibility to any looper. For sound and versatility the reface CS is the BOSS..and blows everything else away.

  • @richnewman
    @richnewman5 жыл бұрын

    Bought the CP and YC and they are incredible. It's amazing to have so many EP's and organs in my studio in such tiny packages. Quality instruments and worth every penny.

  • @the3mu606
    @the3mu6065 жыл бұрын

    Glad you did a full video about the reface CS. One of the best music purchases I ever made.

  • @TrueDrezzer
    @TrueDrezzer4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the review and also a description of each OSC interaction with the LFO. I have this synth and have been learning new stuff on it all the time. There is some really cool sounds to be discovered in the texture and mod sliders!

  • @electrorganix
    @electrorganix5 жыл бұрын

    thank you Bo, I have been checking out this synth for a while now. I like the diverse sonic palette of that gear, cheers :)

  • @UnfinishedIdeas
    @UnfinishedIdeas5 жыл бұрын

    Good to hear you're positive about the build quality, ordered a Reface CP and am still waiting for it to arrive. Also 13.01 dat patch

  • @potatovegeta9385
    @potatovegeta93855 жыл бұрын

    Wow I love the sound and simplicity of this synth!

  • @danielmcelhatton1724
    @danielmcelhatton17245 жыл бұрын

    Been contemplating getting one of these for a while now. This has made the decision way easier. Thanks Bo. Keep up the good work.

  • @mathias841

    @mathias841

    2 жыл бұрын

    Same!

  • @JimmyChaos1985
    @JimmyChaos19854 жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU so much for this. Ordered one of these today!!!

  • @5ch3nk
    @5ch3nk5 жыл бұрын

    I love my Reface CS. The poly mode sounds great..I basically never take it out of it.

  • @valdiskrebs566
    @valdiskrebs5665 жыл бұрын

    Love my CS - great for Leads/Pads/Atmospheres! It has sooooo many sweetspots and is well-built. Downsizing home studio ... got rid of my Boutiques, Rocket, MiniNova, Volca Keys, MicroBrute and kept the CS. Highly recommended “first synth”. Also works as a great MIDI controller for my iPad synth apps(with midi-learn). Yes, Arp instead of Looper - but I use CS for leads/improv.

  • @apislapis

    @apislapis

    5 жыл бұрын

    A simple synth great for leads, a great first synth, sounds like my Yamaha CS-01!

  • @onlytiesto1

    @onlytiesto1

    5 жыл бұрын

    how much is a new one?

  • @valdiskrebs566

    @valdiskrebs566

    5 жыл бұрын

    Alexis Less than $300 in US

  • @apislapis

    @apislapis

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@onlytiesto1 I've seen it on sale new at £259 which is the price they should have set at launch. Not sure how much in dollars or euros.

  • @savanaviolenta

    @savanaviolenta

    5 жыл бұрын

    I have it too and for arp I control the CS from my Arturia keystep to add arp and sequencer ,opens up the synth a lot.

  • @champ1061
    @champ10613 жыл бұрын

    I bought this beast, partly due to this great episode. You broke it down it a way that was easy for me decide what this baby can do. No regrets. This synth should be a standard, not only for recording but for writing and brainstorming. Hearty thank you from Detroit.

  • @BoBeats
    @BoBeats3 жыл бұрын

    Yamaha Reface CS EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR OTHER GOOD STARTER SYNTHS Original Minilogue EU:thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM Korg Minilogue XD EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72 Cobalt8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X Argon8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL Microfreak EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK Dreadbox Typhon EU: thmn.to/thoprod/496419?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/GPva6 Korg NuTekt NTS1 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10 Reface CS EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR HydraSynth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2

  • @BoBeats
    @BoBeats5 жыл бұрын

    What is your favorite ReFace synth and why? (Dont forget to connect over at instagram.com/bobeats and twitter.com/bobeatsmusic)

  • @mc2engineeringprof

    @mc2engineeringprof

    5 жыл бұрын

    Far and away the CS. In many ways, it's like a battery powered JP-8000 that is highly portable. The supersaw-like oscillator is worth the price alone. I'm not sure if I agree with the naming as this is much more of an AN1x / AN200 / PLG150 - AN analog modeling synth than the CS#x AWM / PCM synths or the original CS analog synths. Also, the lack of an arpeggiator is a real drag (though easily remedied by purchasing a Korg SQ1 or Arturia Beatstep for about $70). The build quality is great and the web -based patch storage and sharing system is the icing on the cake!

  • @jupiterdrake9965
    @jupiterdrake99655 жыл бұрын

    I use this synth for so many different songs. Its got alot of wiggle room for creating some trully inspirational sounds. Realizing this I started taking pictures of the slide placements anytime I happened apon something 2 interesting 2 forget(:

  • @Finetales
    @Finetales5 жыл бұрын

    Great demo! One of the few really good ones out there that really showcase the CS's strengths IMO. Given the disclaimer that Yamaha is my favorite synth company and I'm probably very biased, I am a bit obsessed with the Reface series and will sing its praises anywhere. The form factor is PHENOMENAL. In my opinion it might be the best form factor ever made for a portable synth. (I say "portable" because I think rack modules are the best form factor for exclusively studio use.) There are very few other synths for any price that have a very convenient small size and weight, a chassis and keybed of such high quality (yes they're minikeys, but they are one of the best-feeling keybeds I've played in any size), battery power, AND built-in speakers...not to mention that the Reface speakers sound really good (unlike many built-in speakers on synths) and you can even buy extensions to play a Reface as a keytar. Finally, with the included splitter, they have real MIDI in and out (in addition to USB) which a lot of cheap synths leave out these days. All 4 of them sound awesome, and have really nice interfaces. I really can't think of a single downside. I wish Yamaha would make new Refaces and keep the line going, but it doesn't seem like they will. :(

  • @HotStrange
    @HotStrange5 жыл бұрын

    I owned one of these for a long while. It’s great and my go to recommendation when someone asks for a cheap Poly. Surprisingly versatile and can get very warm and lush. I miss mine daily.

  • @OtisAvalon
    @OtisAvalon4 жыл бұрын

    Just bought one yesterday. I’m very excited!!

  • @godders7594
    @godders75945 жыл бұрын

    Excellent review Bo

  • @JonMurray
    @JonMurray5 жыл бұрын

    Great review and has absolutely confirmed my want and need for this bit of kit! Thanks! Keep up the great work!

  • @JonMurray

    @JonMurray

    5 жыл бұрын

    Just an update, I’ve ordered and it will be with me on Friday! Woohoo! Haha! 😂

  • @WildernessMusic_GentleSerene
    @WildernessMusic_GentleSerene5 жыл бұрын

    Oh yea it is worth it! Wonderful that you reviewed this synth so late in its production, because it is a value synth with great sound, it deserves our attention. I have my sites directly aimed at this synth for 3 years, still saving my money, will be buying this year. This is a fantastic poly synth with its 8 voices, direct interface, a sing/song filter, and just $300. I am a 30 year sound designer, this synth is not just for beginners, it can be played live with tweaking for a wonderful quick sound design. I do own the Reface DX now, and it is also a great way to start sound designing in FM, a superb interface with 4 operators that can make sine, sawtooth and square WITHOUT the additional 4 operators that the DX7 had. (note: I am not the only one who value the Reface CS, it has been sold out at Sweetwater for over a year :)

  • @tylerevans1700

    @tylerevans1700

    5 жыл бұрын

    A+ comment, I def learned something and appreciate it

  • @churchofaggressiveaudio6498

    @churchofaggressiveaudio6498

    5 жыл бұрын

    Good points! Review of older or even out-of-production gear is very useful in general since old musical instruments have a very active after-life in the pre-owned market. 👍

  • @evankeal

    @evankeal

    5 жыл бұрын

    Have the dx, it didnt get me to fully understand fm, but as close as I will get without studying greatly. The fx and looping really make this mini keyboard line soar way above anything under 500 generally speaking. Wish my cz101 had fx and a looper back then, and many physical controls like these.

  • @jarkokoo

    @jarkokoo

    5 жыл бұрын

    With the current prices CS and DX are practically a steal. Both of them are seriously overlooked synths.

  • @WildernessMusic_GentleSerene

    @WildernessMusic_GentleSerene

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@jarkokoo OH yes, for sure Jarkokoo! Yamaha Reface and Roland Boutique series has given the poor musician the best sounding digital oscillators and polyphony to work professionally with. And a nod to Novation Peak too, but too much money to include with my statement.

  • @computethis7128
    @computethis71284 жыл бұрын

    As a aspiring game developer, I love this synth because it is amazing for sound effects of all kinds, as well as for making music for games and I just absolutely love messing with sounds, which is why I went with the cs over the dx since you can customised the sounds and also use as a powerful midi controller with all the sliders.

  • @fortheloveofnoise9298

    @fortheloveofnoise9298

    4 жыл бұрын

    The Mopho/Mopho x4 is also really good for game sounds. It can do 8-bit chiptune sounding stuff even though it was never meant to.

  • @HotStrange

    @HotStrange

    2 жыл бұрын

    You can customize the sounds of the DX also, arguably more so than you can on the CS.

  • @huukihuuki
    @huukihuuki5 жыл бұрын

    Bought it month ago and I love it. Huge sound palette for an instrument like this, well thought-out interface and killer looks (imho the best looking synthesizer on the market, followed by minilogue). Looper is a nice addition. I posted few vids with reface recently, you can check them out. On a side note, I wish Yamaha would expand on this idea and build a full size synth to really bring the CS name back. Montage, or whatever it's called, doesn't excite me at all.

  • @80iesDude45

    @80iesDude45

    2 жыл бұрын

    Quantized looper would be great

  • @ytJnC
    @ytJnC5 жыл бұрын

    Great review. But it seems the FEG/AEG fader was overlooked. A common CS misconception is that it only has one ADSR response. But the FEG/AEG fader can vary the EG response to the filter and amp. At its extreme settings top or bottom, the full adsr is used for one destination and a gate is used for the other. Change the fader and the proportions change. But that’s not all! In sync mode, ADSR also plays a role in the pitch mod. So it’s quite possible from one ADSR EG to have three different EG responses simultaneously thanks to the “streamlined” minimalist interface. Don’t forget while some folks say there’s no mod wheel, every fader can be indexed by hand. Wiggling the FEG/AEG fader can produce a result not easily heard on other synths. Cheers!

  • @iqi616

    @iqi616

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yep, that's a very powerful feature of this synth. Another example of the great design choices they made.

  • @jjmifsud3618

    @jjmifsud3618

    4 жыл бұрын

    I also noticed the that in FM Mode, FM amount is tied to the Envelope as well. Another favourite trick with my Reface CS is to set a very slow decay, and then play with the sustain slider - the sound will slope to the new sustain value at the decay speed! VERY well thought out architecture

  • @HotStrange

    @HotStrange

    3 жыл бұрын

    My favorite thing about this is how streamlined the interface is. Much like the Minilogue, every parameter has a purpose and serves the instrument in a unique way. Also with the combo EG you can get a lot of subtle filter/amp modulations depending on where you put the slider, i.e. 70% filter and 30% amp gives the amp EG a very slight subtle modulation that I love. Amazing synth.

  • @fender1000100
    @fender10001005 жыл бұрын

    Lets put it this way. Had it been full size with at least 32 user programs. It would now be a legend. For sound its up there with the very best analogues.

  • @michaelmcclelland2080

    @michaelmcclelland2080

    4 жыл бұрын

    PROJECT DX Truth. Another Yamaha legend. But it would also cost twice as much then.

  • @Setsuna_Kyoura

    @Setsuna_Kyoura

    4 жыл бұрын

    I think Yamaha will do that in the near future. The Reface is like a first try in recreating great analouge synth sound and they are looking how the people are reacting. Now they know everybody love these things and maybe can even profit from all the reviews and ideas. Yamaha would be dumb if they decide not to make an affordable full size synth with some more features as the CS.

  • @fortheloveofnoise9298

    @fortheloveofnoise9298

    4 жыл бұрын

    I bought it for the super saw since my JP8000 had too many issues so I had to sell it.

  • @fender1000100

    @fender1000100

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@michaelmcclelland2080 Be worth it for that rich warm sound.

  • @ultrasyd
    @ultrasyd5 жыл бұрын

    The DX is clearly my fav. Very versatile, I love the programmation with lots of possibilities. Took it for my son but ... I use it most of time :D

  • @ricktownley7282
    @ricktownley72825 жыл бұрын

    Best review of the CS on KZread. Yamaha should put this on their site. Hope to see more hardware reviews like this. Since often a video is as close as we can get to the real thing in today's world, this kind of depth and detail by someone who really knows his stuff is very much appreciated. Another great video by Bo.

  • @BoBeats

    @BoBeats

    5 жыл бұрын

    Cheers Rick!

  • @J_El_Rey

    @J_El_Rey

    4 жыл бұрын

    Agreed. I’ve been going back and forth about getting one. This video is the only one that really went in depth into every feature

  • @MrBasic
    @MrBasic5 жыл бұрын

    I feel very strongly about letting kids learn on "real synths". They can do it! Great showcase of the highly underrated CS.

  • @PocketUnv
    @PocketUnv5 жыл бұрын

    I've considered this synth for a while, I bought the Reface DX and absolutely loved it, this review didn't exactly lessen that feeling =)

  • @DamienDrake

    @DamienDrake

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are expressing my exact experience.

  • @prodstuntman

    @prodstuntman

    4 жыл бұрын

    1 year later and same

  • @markcline516

    @markcline516

    4 жыл бұрын

    I have it, it is terrific!

  • @cepheid4288
    @cepheid42885 жыл бұрын

    I've had a Reface CS for about a year and a half. The sound is great, especially the Multi-Saw oscillator! Quick tip. Use the looper while synced to a midi host and you can record phrases in a loop with as many bars as you like. This way I can get 4 bars from my Digitone, but longer chord progression with the Reface CS. Only downsides to this unit are no patch memory, no velocity, no on board reverb. Other than that it's a great synth! Love mine.

  • @evollie9035

    @evollie9035

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm certain it responds to velocity from the internal keyboard as well as external MIDI, though to volume only. It most definitely transmits velocity over MIDI too. The keybed is excellent. It's an excellent synth despite its limitations and it's actually hard to make it sound anything but great.

  • @thejustustrio

    @thejustustrio

    Жыл бұрын

    lack of reverb has been the only problem for me -- and, tbh, the lack of patch memory. but so good

  • @brendankoen
    @brendankoen5 жыл бұрын

    I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality and character of the CS. I've got a friend with a mountain of classic analog synths - even he couldn't deny it and picked one up. Definitely underrated!

  • @paulheartsongs
    @paulheartsongs5 жыл бұрын

    Yamaha and Bo Beats. A great combo!!

  • @iqi616
    @iqi6165 жыл бұрын

    My favourite of my synths. I've been using analogue synths since 1985 and I love how quickly you can get to get great sounds with the CS. The choices the designers made for the controls were excellent. The only thing I don't like is that with maximum length envelopes you can get notes cut off prematurely.

  • @leeswindle7790
    @leeswindle77905 жыл бұрын

    Best demo hands down...this is the way everyone should demo. Push this pull that...with brief explanation.

  • @edjefferson9175
    @edjefferson91753 жыл бұрын

    Another two years later it is still worth it! My favorite effect setting is distortion with both fader all the way down. It adds nice harmonics without sounding all distorted.

  • @MagickFlavour
    @MagickFlavour5 жыл бұрын

    I basically use this thing and the Reface DX exclusively when I record. It’s easy to make sounds but you still have an amazing range of sounds you can produce.

  • @WrvrUgoThrUR
    @WrvrUgoThrUR4 жыл бұрын

    this is a sweet little package of 0:14 1970s dreamy trippy heaven!

  • @ronanhughes3861
    @ronanhughes38615 жыл бұрын

    This was my first hardware synthesizer i got and it has served well. It has a very unique sound and its limitations makes it a different beast.

  • @mathias841

    @mathias841

    2 жыл бұрын

    What do you have now ?

  • @chisel316
    @chisel3165 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely love the CS. It's featured in all of my 808 classic tracks covers. It absolutely nails that classic synth saw lead that is found in all the electro songs from the 80s. Peace \/.

  • @bimguff
    @bimguff5 жыл бұрын

    I recently picked up a reface dx, lightly used. It's reasonably easy to program and sounds great for pads. The looper is nice and I haven't struggled with timing it, though it's missing a handful of features that really should have been included. I think the biggest misstep yamaha made was the initial, exorbitant selling price. At their current street price, these things are awesome.

  • @CitizenWarwick
    @CitizenWarwick5 жыл бұрын

    Wow it's actually cooler than I thought it was nice review. Not that you can compare an electric piano to a synth though I have the Reface CP and it's awesome for the music I do!

  • @sodiumlights
    @sodiumlights5 жыл бұрын

    Adore my CP, and cool to use the brilliant sounding hidden piano (sound test mode).

  • @erwickdsouza
    @erwickdsouza5 жыл бұрын

    The Reface series have one of the BEST keys you're ever gonna find on a synth-action keyboard. The velocity response is VERY expressive, keys don't wobble and the feedback is stellar! Great review Bo!

  • @armaankhurana

    @armaankhurana

    Жыл бұрын

    from what i heard, the synth isnt velocity-sensitive tho?

  • @cougarman8
    @cougarman85 жыл бұрын

    If this had an arp and latch it would make me love it 100x more. I still love it and it's one of my first synths. But man that would be sweet and seemingly easy to add?

  • @PaulBoos
    @PaulBoos3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this vid - this is far more versatile than I thought...

  • @ata000001
    @ata0000015 жыл бұрын

    My very first real synth was the Yamaha CS01-II in the early 80's. Then when Yamaha came out with the CS1x in the 90's, that was my thing. When I heard originally that they made the reface CS, I just had to get one. So I got mine when they were a new model, with the higher price. Still love the thing, it sounds soo nice, I'm using it to play chords which sound like honey poured over my music... :) I'm also using the looper even on my live shows, I put the looper to play some chord progressions, sometimes a bit random if I use a different unsynced time for the looper compared to the rest of the music. And I like it. You can do a lot with it and I'll keep using it in my live setup also I'm pretty sure. I had the reface CS as a part of my every live show in 2018. And about the reface series, I have the CS, DX and YC myself, love them all. I was just playing the YC at the weekend in a live jam band with a lot of different musicians playing their instrumets and it was just so easy to take the reface with me to the location, carry it in a cloth bag and just take a keyboard stand and couple of wires with me. Easy to carry with... and play anywhere. and a very good demo from Bo. Like somebody noticed, you can do also some interesting stuff with the FEG/AEG-slider, to affect how the EG works (filter EG/amp EG).

  • @ayosup5326
    @ayosup53265 жыл бұрын

    2:04 no stairway denied

  • @omara.vazquez1640

    @omara.vazquez1640

    4 жыл бұрын

    Best comment ever

  • @chrisegonsearlemusic

    @chrisegonsearlemusic

    4 жыл бұрын

    Proper lolled

  • @amphetamean66X
    @amphetamean66X Жыл бұрын

    It seems so easy to use. Honestly if you have a great expensive synth it often gets beat by this because this is just easier to use to get to sweet sounds. I am strongly considering getting this and this video helped. Great Vid!

  • @HappyOrganMan
    @HappyOrganMan3 жыл бұрын

    That's a cool demo - thanks a lot 👍. I have all 4 instruments of the reface series. They are excellent 🤩

  • @anethanlad

    @anethanlad

    3 жыл бұрын

    question! can you hook this up to a computer DAW (let's say, GarageBand) and play from the sounds there? if you can, could you also record the sounds from the keyboard itself onto there? I'm sort of still new to this 😅

  • @HappyOrganMan

    @HappyOrganMan

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@anethanladSorry, I have no experience with this. I just play the instruments via built-in speakers or headphones. I do not do any recordings.

  • @michaelduke3528
    @michaelduke35283 жыл бұрын

    The sounds this this produces are amazing. If only it had a noise generator, this would be off the charts.

  • @vedabou

    @vedabou

    3 жыл бұрын

    FM engine features noise

  • @TheActualJae
    @TheActualJae5 жыл бұрын

    Huh, didn’t even know about this synth. Suddenly fairly interested in it...

  • @ubiquitousreverser
    @ubiquitousreverser5 жыл бұрын

    Nothing I need but it is a good re-issue of some good digital synthesis on the go. Sounds like a lot of good tones that would go perfect to some Terminator or Night Of The Living Dead.

  • @RodgerColeman
    @RodgerColeman5 жыл бұрын

    Yes, the original asking price was too much -- now it is a bargain and lots of fun to play despite its diminutive size. Personally, I like the looper just fine. Anyway, thanks for bringing attention to this often overlooked/dismissed synth.

  • @Marie579
    @Marie579 Жыл бұрын

    This is a very comprehensive review thanks for demonstrating it BTW now you’ve had it for some time have you managed to fit the battery lid on the correct way round ? 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍

  • @AD-Dom
    @AD-Dom5 жыл бұрын

    It's dx or cs for me. I'm likely going with the cs because of how simple it is... And the epic pads!

  • @lukesuperflyjones
    @lukesuperflyjones2 жыл бұрын

    Soooo to answer your question, ITS DEFINITELY WORTH STILL GETTING! Great video and demo!!!

  • @BTsMusicChannel
    @BTsMusicChannel3 жыл бұрын

    Great demo! This is a very interesting synthesizer for the newer price point, as you say. It looks like a fun way to create sounds, but the one limitation is that it would probably be best used in the studio rather than at a gig if there is no way to save sounds -- you'd have to keep a notebook on the settings or how to program the sounds you want/need and hope it is simple or really practice using it. (For example, on the Korg Minilogue, it takes some practice to be able to replicate sounds -- it is not as simple as just turning the dials the same way they were, you sometimes have to do it in the right order -- but at least you can save your sounds on the Minilogue. That's important if you want/need a specific sound character for a particular song, or the song is built around that sound.) Love the synopsis at the end -- the "who is it for" section. I think it might be a synth for me, but like I said, more for studio unless I really practice using it and can get consistent results on stage. Even as a guitarist, I ban certain pedals from my pedalboard if they are difficult to work with on stage.

  • @exmachinema

    @exmachinema

    2 жыл бұрын

    Seems like there are editor/librarians for this model these days.

  • @thestatpow5
    @thestatpow55 жыл бұрын

    Bought mine about a year ago and I have no regrets, pairs really well alongside a volca Fm and Sample :)

  • @biggrime

    @biggrime

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking about replacing the volca fm and akai mpk with this. Seq with mpc live in stand alone for mobile setup. Think that's a mistake?

  • @thestatpow5

    @thestatpow5

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@biggrime Just be aware that the looper of the Reface CS sucks ass. aside from that it's a great unit to have, good sweetspot synth. But I'd rather have the Volca Fm tbh once you have the FM go through a reverb pedal it is insane!

  • @Carsonchildersmusicnow
    @Carsonchildersmusicnow4 жыл бұрын

    I love this video series

  • @Hyper5nic
    @Hyper5nic5 жыл бұрын

    Just add reverb and/or delay to season the sound, to make the Reface CS sound huge or futuristic! ;-)

  • @cuttingedge1987
    @cuttingedge19875 жыл бұрын

    Yes and I also let my daughter playing my yam An1x...but Iam really interested into buying this synth...just for the none preset memory...because it’s another way of working for me

  • @jjacob25101
    @jjacob251015 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video review. The Yamaha Reface Series keyboards were incredible when they were released about 4 years ago, time flies by, well made, but kind of pricey, at $650 US, but now, about $360 US. I want them just as much now, and still intend to get the CP, YC, and DX in that order. The CS, not so much. The latter is best for those like you, really familiar with all the settings and adjustments in analog synth modeling, though I am not totally oblivious to that, just not my forte, and I already have a Roland JD-Xi, which is great. They have special carrying gig bags for these, as well as other brands. These are perfect for their size to be portable, built in speakers, and battery powered. The DX7 based DX is the digital synth variant and if course the CP fir electric pianos, and the YC for organs.

  • @TechGently

    @TechGently

    4 жыл бұрын

    Another price drop recently, under $300 US

  • @jairkerker2821

    @jairkerker2821

    3 жыл бұрын

    I strongly recommend the Dtronix DT-RDX controller for the Reface DX. It doubles the price, triples the fun and quadrouples the ease and speed of making your sounds.

  • @bouffantmoose
    @bouffantmoose5 жыл бұрын

    Very user friendly! Great little synth, I think.

  • @ProfessorSynth
    @ProfessorSynth5 жыл бұрын

    Nice review

  • @flashsamuk1
    @flashsamuk15 жыл бұрын

    Great video, could you please do the same style review for the DX as I would just like to hear a little more about that as I have been contemplating buying. :)

  • @vinace999

    @vinace999

    3 жыл бұрын

    Just buy it. I have had hours of fun with both the CS and the DX. Totally different beasts..

  • @digitaldiezel5870
    @digitaldiezel58705 жыл бұрын

    WOW!, you pulled a rabbit out of that hat! Very nice sounds! This is great for people who can actually play piano, as opposed to me!

  • @smguy7
    @smguy75 жыл бұрын

    I'd like one and I will buy one on the strength of this video.

  • @madmac66
    @madmac665 жыл бұрын

    Well under rated. That sounded wonderful

  • @cuttingedge1987
    @cuttingedge19875 жыл бұрын

    Very nice video by the way

  • @champ1061
    @champ10615 жыл бұрын

    Love the string sounds at 2:47.

  • @apislapis
    @apislapis5 жыл бұрын

    I was intrigued to see how bob eats a Yamaha CS, but then I saw it was you Bo. I think you answered the question yourself, yes. The only problem with the Reface CS was its price - as you said. Think you've put it on my shopping list.

  • @flyingJoe

    @flyingJoe

    5 жыл бұрын

    Bob eats :-)))))

  • @jokkemursula8731

    @jokkemursula8731

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@flyingJoe And the best part is that "Bob Eats" is a real channel.

  • @DVSnark
    @DVSnark5 жыл бұрын

    Works great with an old electone console organ (me15). The drum machine operates the looper, looper feeds back into the organ to play its sounds, sound through the speakers controlled by the pedal, plus two keyboards and a set of bass pedals. tons of fun. yamaha should have released an additional patch/loop memory unit and a full size keyboard that these could slot into. I used the YC at a few gigs too, great sound especially the leslie effect.

  • @arginlevin
    @arginlevin3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your video! Is it possible to use it entirely as a midi controller ? Could all those sliders be usable for vst instruments?

  • @AJOLDMUSI
    @AJOLDMUSI3 жыл бұрын

    its real nice man thank you sir so nice to get your option and i like it

  • @GreenHoleSun
    @GreenHoleSun5 жыл бұрын

    the reface series is really underrated. I have got a reface dx which is very good both as a standolone instrument (very nice interface for FM synthesis) and as a midi keyboard. Not only it as the finest (IMHO) keybed for a mini keyboard, but you can take advantage of the two surprisingly good tiny speakers with the audio input.

  • @ubiquitousreverser

    @ubiquitousreverser

    5 жыл бұрын

    GreenHoleSun It’s nice to hear people are just stumbling into it. Make’s me think yamaha was just confident to not really do a lot of ads and let it just stand on it’s own. I really like they give you all the hands on control, be great if those are midi capable.

  • @GreenHoleSun

    @GreenHoleSun

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@ubiquitousreverser the reface project had great potential. My dream minikeyboard would have the sound engine, the sequencer and the drum machine of a Roland JDXI and the built quality, form factor, simple interface, keybed and portability( battery powered+speakers) of the reface series. You could have done serious things with that, an entire song with just one minikeyboard, from the start to the end.

  • @camilootero9706

    @camilootero9706

    5 жыл бұрын

    I also have the reface dx and the keys are really awesome and i love evolving pads that you can make with it. I have found that the looper is extremely useless tho.

  • @GreenHoleSun

    @GreenHoleSun

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@camilootero9706 yes, the looper is quite useless. If they added instead a simple sequencer and some kind of drum machine (as in the roland jdxi) it should have been much better

  • @F-Andre

    @F-Andre

    5 жыл бұрын

    i would say, its pretty overrated;)

  • @MattGreerMusic
    @MattGreerMusic5 жыл бұрын

    I recently sold my Reface CS. Always liked it but I had a lot of overlap in the studio. Still though, I'll tell anyone that I think it is a really excellent value. Can sound very big and is easy to work with. Well worth the average price of around $300 USD. I have the CP as well and I don't think I'll ever part with that one.

  • @fortheloveofnoise9298

    @fortheloveofnoise9298

    4 жыл бұрын

    Its a cheap way to get a supersaw and to get AN1X flavor.

  • @B0K1T0

    @B0K1T0

    2 жыл бұрын

    Never tried the CS but gotta agree with the CP :) the effects make it such a creative and playable keyboard. Have it at our office now for a while, my colleagues don't mind my randomly jamming on it as they do so as well sometimes :D

  • @melodkeyelash
    @melodkeyelash4 ай бұрын

    I've been looking for a Tame Impala - esque synth. You've convinced me to get a CS 👍🤟🎶🎵

  • @itamarafek
    @itamarafek5 жыл бұрын

    In my opinion the reface CP is the best of them. I use it as a beckup keaboard or if I want textures its effects actualy give it a more wide sound pallate than you might think. I looove putting it through my modular:) This thing actually saved me in a few gigs. Wish the reface series had more keys though. The CS never captured me... I mean there are so many good and cheap synths these days... And I can't stand those small keys :/

  • @localtechnique

    @localtechnique

    5 жыл бұрын

    I agree. It's the one I bought. Seemed to be the one least compromised by the small form factor. I'm sure the CS and DX sound good but a synth with no mod wheel makes no sense to me. Only gripe with the CP is the occasional dead note if you don't strike the keys hard enough. Apparently the sounds require a minimum velocity of 2 to trigger but the keys can put out a velocity of 1. Not sure if this affects the others as well.

  • @mountainstartemple6041
    @mountainstartemple60413 жыл бұрын

    nice demos

  • @charthers8903
    @charthers89032 жыл бұрын

    I’m getting this to go along with the dx

  • @JobimSynthMusic
    @JobimSynthMusic5 жыл бұрын

    The refaces are great. I have the dx and would buy them all if I had the money and space for them

  • @mirandazolla9552
    @mirandazolla95525 жыл бұрын

    Hi! I’m not sure if I should buy the Reface DX or the CS?? I’m a bass player and new to synths, looking for something versatile that I can add during my band’s live performances. I like that the CS has a looper, does the DX have one too? Any recommendations? Thank you :)

  • @1999Fabion
    @1999Fabion3 жыл бұрын

    After buying it myself, I'd say absolutely it's worth buying. It's so good for thick pads, jumpy leads, phat bases, and twinkling, sparkling bells, amongst other things like sound effects. It's an amazing synth, and the looper is good for short ideas and quick inspiration.

  • @1999Fabion

    @1999Fabion

    3 жыл бұрын

    The flanger can make for some very trippy leads

  • @experiment8189
    @experiment81895 жыл бұрын

    When I was thinking whether to bye the Korg Minilogue I was considering the Yamaha Reface CS and DX also. Actually everything started with the Yamaha Reface DX for me. Maybe you could make some review of that synth also.

  • @Presstones
    @Presstones4 жыл бұрын

    I've had a CS Reface for a few years, used it on and off. Agree with everything in this video except the looper. Here's my 2 cents: It's terribly implemented if you're trying to use it like an audio looper or as a sequencer, but it has aspects of both. It records a loop of just the MIDI note messages, rather than audio, which you can layer an endless cluster of notes into. Because it's looping the MIDI pre-synth (the only fader that's recorded into the loop is the Octave), you can play with every other aspect of the synth, including the tempo at which the notes play back without altering pitch. Great for creating texture or pretending you're Terry Riley.

  • @jesserickard1041
    @jesserickard10415 жыл бұрын

    Hello no thanks an for the video. Quick question, can I use the Yamaha cs in conjunction with say my.minibrute 2s through midi as to use it as it's keyboard or slave unit? I'm assuming yes but most videos just show this units raw potential. Thanks.

  • @delviento325
    @delviento3253 жыл бұрын

    helped me to decide

  • @DopamineOverload
    @DopamineOverload5 жыл бұрын

    I'd say it's still worth getting especially with Omnisphere 2.6 announced. The Reface CS is supported, with the hardware integration, as well as a handful of other synths!

  • @erikpoephoofd

    @erikpoephoofd

    5 жыл бұрын

    In what way is it supported? Could you explain to me what this software does? I have a reface CS and I'm curious

  • @krakapoww

    @krakapoww

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@erikpoephoofd the reface control panel controls the sound attributes of the patch youre playing in omnisphere

  • @marcbrasse747
    @marcbrasse7475 жыл бұрын

    I've often thought it would be great to get 2 of these and layer them from a full sized MIDI keyboard. Neo CS80 on a budget. Shame though it still couldn't do poly aftertouch then. Beside its sheer sound quality that actually was the original CS80's biggest forte.

  • @athaphian
    @athaphian4 жыл бұрын

    I'm still waiting on the Reface XG.

  • @jaydeepalmer
    @jaydeepalmer2 жыл бұрын

    It IS sturdy! I had a weird gig with my reface cp and it was on a movable platform...at a point, the amplifiers fell on the keys! I thought it would be completely trashed 😅 But nope! There was a little scratch on the keys and that was it! It's build like a TANK!!

  • @HotStrange
    @HotStrange5 жыл бұрын

    I’d love to see Yamaha release a new line. Maybe the new CS could have an extra LFO, dedicated separate amp/mod envelope (with different routings), a few more oscillator types like wavetable, additive, and linear FM, onboard patch storage, and a sequencer. I would be all in on that for $500-$600. It just sounds too good not to build on this. Do the same with the DX (add a sequencer, 2 more operators, and a couple more parameters), and combine the YC and CP with full size keys, and you’d have a pretty decent upgrade to justify a higher price.

  • @savanaviolenta

    @savanaviolenta

    5 жыл бұрын

    they won't,they released the MODX it has all the goodies and the price is right.

  • @timjoseph887

    @timjoseph887

    4 жыл бұрын

    T.I.N Mateus and it’s physically huge which is moot to this post

  • @matszh

    @matszh

    4 жыл бұрын

    That is the difference between Roland and Yamaha...Roland constantly releases new versions of their classic synths and gets crap for that, while everyone gives Yamaha crap for NOT releasing new versions of their classic synths...

  • @azaleajanemusic

    @azaleajanemusic

    4 жыл бұрын

    I've been playing the YC for a couple years and I'd love to see a slightly bigger (but still light) version maybe with a pedal keyboard input, an extra octave, and some presets. Cuz the unit itself is killer.

  • @matszh

    @matszh

    4 жыл бұрын

    Z Clef Music Have you seen the new YC61? Really interesting, but a bit pricey.

  • @EEeE3771
    @EEeE37713 жыл бұрын

    BoBeats, I love your hair.

  • @dcshoes841
    @dcshoes8415 жыл бұрын

    I just bought a Yamaha Reface CS after watching Doctor Mix's video on it. Your video just reinforced my decision.

  • @tuomas_

    @tuomas_

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thats one of the greatest synth reviews ever filmed

  • @tuomas_

    @tuomas_

    5 жыл бұрын

    I bought my CS today lmao

  • @pepe7drum
    @pepe7drum4 жыл бұрын

    i am a drummer but i always loved synths, i was trying to decide between the Microbrute, the Minibrute, the Minilogue the XD and the MS20 mini, although i think those are pretty nice synths i think im going for the Reface CS for the fact that is polyphonic and that thing sounds amazing, maybe after this one i will get the MS20 mini just for the sake of having it

  • @beak_on_bong

    @beak_on_bong

    2 жыл бұрын

    Do you regret it?

  • @pepe7drum

    @pepe7drum

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@beak_on_bong Wow things turned out a little different from what i was expecting, i got the MS20 mini instead and it is a badass machine on its own, analog to the core with the patches and the growly sound, i also was lucky enough to find a JUNO 60 for a fairly cheap cost and thats the one that inspired the Reface CS so i was not that far from what i predicted, only bad news is that needs some restoration there are some missing buttons but everything else seems to work just fine

  • @DamienDrake
    @DamienDrake3 жыл бұрын

    This is the next one I'll be getting. I can't stop watching reviews of it. It sounds fantastic. I'll team it up with my reface DX and be unstoppable... until people hear me play anyway.

  • @PunguinYoga

    @PunguinYoga

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ha!

  • 5 жыл бұрын

    I agree with many here that the CS sounds great. I think like Bo that the looper is rather weird. Hard to operate. Generally I find the faders far too short. As well as their range. Never felt the need for patch memory. A very tweekable synth.

  • @HotStrange

    @HotStrange

    3 жыл бұрын

    The looper is great for weird drones and experiments though. Especially since it syncs to midi.

  • @ReGZ0089
    @ReGZ00893 жыл бұрын

    7:03 reminds me of the chords they play for 'The Night Window' on 1917

  • @rocketsocks
    @rocketsocks4 жыл бұрын

    How does the quality of the keybed/key action compare to, say, arturia's keys (like the keystep)? I'm thinking about getting this or the DX but I might skip it if the keys are too cheesy.