Description
Yamaha Reface CS Synthesizer: A Compact Wonder for Synth Lovers
Yamaha has been in the business of producing high-quality synthesizers for decades. They have consistently set the bar when it comes to offering synthesizers with cutting-edge features and innovative design. The Yamaha Reface CS Synthesizer is another example of their pursuit of excellence. It is a compact and portable synthesizer that comes with a rich selection of sounds, intuitive controls, and advanced features. This synthesizer is tailored towards musicians, producers, and sound designers who value high-quality sound, inspiring creativity, and portability.
Design and Features
The Yamaha Reface CS Synthesizer is designed to deliver a classic analog synthesizer experience, but in a compact and portable package. It weighs only 4.2 lbs and measures 2.1 inches by 22.21 inches by 6.6 inches, making it easy to take on the road, to the studio, or anywhere you need to make music. Despite its small size, it has a sturdy build and feels durable.
The Reface CS comes with a 37-mini key keyboard that is touch-sensitive and can be played with two hands. The keys are slightly smaller than the keys on a standard keyboard but are comfortable to play. It also features a hold button and pitch bend and modulation sliders that can add expressive performances to your playing. The synthesizer can be powered by using the included AC adapter, or it can be powered by batteries, making it truly portable.
The Yamaha Reface CS Synthesizer provides ample sound palettes to choose from, including fat and punchy basses, vibrant leads, and atmospheric pads. It also has a noise-generator, which can be used to create various percussive and ambient sounds. To further shape the sound, there are five effects available: distortion, chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb. The effects can be used simultaneously and can be tweaked to your liking.
The heart of the Reface CS Synthesizer lies in its sound engine, which is inspired by the legendary CS-series synthesizers from Yamaha. It uses analog modeling technology to recreate the sounds of some of the most iconic synthesizers in history. The engine is capable of producing fat, warm, and rich analog sounds that are perfect for various genres of music.
Performance
Playing the Reface CS Synthesizer is a joy. The mini-keys have a satisfying feel, and the touch-sensitivity is excellent. The synthesizer is very responsive and allows for expressive performances. The interface is well laid out and easy to navigate, with dedicated knobs for various parameters. This makes it easy to create sounds from scratch and to tweak existing sounds to your liking.
The synthesizer also has a sequence looper that allows for recording up to 16 steps. You can use this to create complex patterns, arpeggios, and more. The looper is easy to use and can be synced to external devices using the MIDI out port.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Yamaha Reface CS Synthesizer is an excellent choice for musicians, producers, and sound designers who need a portable, compact, and versatile synthesizer. It is designed to deliver inspiring sound, intuitive controls, and advanced features that make it a joy to play. The synthesizer is suitable for various genres of music, from electronic dance music to ambient and everything in between. It is also easy to use and can be learned quickly, making it perfect for beginners and professionals alike. If you’re in the market for an analog modeling synthesizer that can deliver high-quality sound and portability, then the Yamaha Reface CS Synthesizer is an excellent choice.
Yamaha Reface CS properties
| Product name | Yamaha Reface CS |
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Type | Synthesizers |
| Keys | Yes |
| Number of Keys | 37 pcs |
| Drawbars/Sliders | Yes |
| Modulation Wheel | Yes |
| Pre-Programmed Rythms | Yes |
| Pre-Programmed Songs | Yes |
| Pre-Programmed Sounds | Yes |
| Pre-Programmed Drumset | Yes |
| Pre-Programmed Effects | Yes |
| Built-In Tuner | Yes |
| Portable | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes |
| Connections | 3.5mm (AUX), Headphone, Keyboard Pedal, MIDI, Microphone, USB, XLR |
| Colour | White |
| Power Supply | Electrical Cable to Wall Socket, USB |
Matthew –
As an architect and a music enthusiast, I was excited to try out the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer. I anticipated a lot from this compact instrument, given its popularity among musicians. Unfortunately, my experience with this synthesizer has led me to rate it at a mere 2 out of 5 possible.
One of the pros of the Yamaha Reface CS is its pre-programmed songs. However, this feature is not enough to compensate for the weaknesses of the instrument. The drawbars and sliders are functional, but not impressive, and do not allow the level of control that other synthesizers offer.
When compared to other known synthesizers, the Yamaha Reface CS falls short in its capabilities. The sound quality and range of features do not match up with what is available from other competitors. The user interface itself is not intuitive and often leaves me confused.
I purchased this synthesizer in June and was disappointed in the delivery to St. Louis, as it arrived later than expected and was not packaged as well as I would have liked. Overall, my experience with the Yamaha Reface CS has not met my expectations. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a more advanced and versatile synthesizer.