Description
The Yamaha reface Series offers the classic sounds of the 70’s and 80’s in 4 super compact and individual instruments.
The reface series is based around 4 legendary Yamaha keyboard ranges; The CS series for classic analogue Synths, CP Series for Stage Pianos, EY Series for Combo organs and and the DX series for Digital FM synths. All featuring the same basic compact chassis, they each have their own flavour with both styling sounds, and internals taken from their original ancestors!
The reface DX
The reface DX almost needs no introduction. It is of course based on the legendary DX7 Synthesizer first released in 1983. Credited with being in so many recordings spanning the 80’s, it’s no wonder that the DX7 is included in the Reface Series. Featuring a really intuitive 4 Operator FM synth inside the box a gorgeous screen and a range of controls, the DX is a fantastic option for those wanting to get into synthesis without getting completely bamboozled. Featuring a wide range of sounds from the DX range, the reface DX offers a versatile sound set.
Looks Like a Toy, Behaves like a beast
At first look, you may be fooled into thinking that the reface pianos are somewhat of a toy. With their super compact design mini keys and in built speakers, it does seem reminiscent of a few mini-starter-keyboard instruments that i grew up with in looks.
HOWEVER, in terms of both sound quality,playability and features, the reface series completely blows those keyboards out off the water!
Thanks to its internal circuitry the sound is warm and rich and has all the artifacts and intricacies of the original. If you wanted, you could plug the reface into a larger rig and just use it as a compact top quality sound module for a larger keyboard with fully weighted keys.
Mini Keys, Mighty Control
With mini-keys becoming more prominent in a range of keyboards these days, many players have been disappointed by their lack of playability and responsiveness compared to a proper keyboard action. having been used to the proper hammer action of a real piano myself, I have in the past sometimes wondered whether mini-keys is that one step too far!
What’s great about the reface key bed is that you’ll find that the Mini-Keys are like none that have been before. The keys not only feel better to play, there’s a huge amount of expressiveness and sensitivity that is sometimes lost in other mini key setups. In a reface promotional video a reviewer remarked “It seems like a piano player actually made the keys”!
There is obviously a reason why Yamaha decided to use mini-keys on the reface series, and as soon as you start taking that keyboard out and about, you really start to see the benefits of its compact nature. Whether your on your (usually dull) train ride to work with some headphones on or your sitting in a park with your mates on a sunny day, you can make awesome music and be creative.
The reface slogan is “Your Sound. Any Place, Any Time”. This really sums up why you should get a reface. It’s a no-brainer to easily perch somewhere in your performing rig to add an extra layer, or one of your main creative outlets when you’re out and about. reface is more than just a toy, it offers a powerful collection of instruments that you can take wherever, whenever!
The DX Sound
The reface DX comes with 32 different presets in 4 banks featuring Classic DX tones from the early keyboards to more modern DX100 tones. Whether you’re looking for a cutting bass, a wood ep or a soaring lead tone you can flip to a preset and you’re ready to play.
However, if you want to use the presets as a basis and make those sounds your own, you have at your disposal a range of editing functions that are controllable through 6 touch sensitive “Data Entry” controls. Then if you like your edit better than the preset, you can save it, and next time it will be your preset that comes up!
FM Editing Sections
- Operator Frequency
- Level
- 12 different Algorhythms
- Feedback
FX & Modulation
The reface DX offers a range of digital FX and modulation controls to fatten your sounds and you can choose any two to use together at one time. They are;
- Distortions
- Touch Wah
- Chorus
- Flanger
- Fazer
- Delay
- Reverb
Loopers Delight
The reface DX also features a in built looper so that you can play around and get some ideas together and jam. Combined with it’s fantastic portability, the reface DX is a powerful music making tool when on stage or on the go.
