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Yamaha

collapse expand iconDescription

Yamaha reface keyboards are designed around the practical needs of contemporary musicians. The name of the series, "reface" is a conflation of the idea of reimagining and the legacy of Yamaha's many groundbreaking keyboard instrument interfaces. Among the innovations that it hearkens back to are the legendary CP80, DX7 and Yamaha Combo Organ. This is the reface CS, which has as one of its chief orientations the exciting timbres from the CS5 synth.

The reface Series is small. Incredibly small. But unlike miniature keyboard instruments of the past, the reface touch is satisfying and expressive, and the sound is nothing short of spectacular. The reface family of keyboards features built-in speakers and is battery operable so you can create on the go. An AUX line in allows you to play along with MP3 players or whatever other audio device you wish to use. Add MIDI and USB connectivity, and the reface's capacity to interface with external devices is vast.

Not just another monophonic analog clone, the 8-note polyphonic reface CS five unique oscillator modules create an incredible variety of sounds from warm and fat analog to crisp and clear digital. The intuitive Texture and Mod controls take simple oscillator types and turn them into complex and sophisticated waveforms. Animate your sound with the simple but powerful LFO and EG, and add depth, flavor and attitude with the onboard effect and filter. If you've got a song idea or want to build a performance from the bottom up, you can capture it using the onboard Looper.

For keyboardists and sound designers needing a huge variety of polyphonic synth tones, reface CS is a mini-key synthesizer with heritage from the renowned CS and AN synthesizers featuring multiple oscillator types each with a unique character. Unlike synthesizers that only offer single synthesis types, or only play one or two notes at a time, reface CS features additive and subtractive synthesis and 8-note polyphony.

WebMIDI and the reface Keyboard

Yamaha is one of the first to offer a way to use WebMIDI, which connects MIDI devices to the internet, allowing musical instruments to play online synthesizers, as well as save or share sounds. Reface Mobile Mini Keyboards can use WebMIDI to songs to YouTube (video) and SoundCloud (audio).

BROWSE shows all available sounds (currently thousands), and you can refine your searches using tags. Once you find a sound you like, click on it and hit SYNC. This will send the sound to your connected reface and show them as you move the controls on your keyboard to recreate the sound. How cool is that?
Yamaha reface CS Mobile Mini Keyboard
Yamaha reface CS Mobile Mini Keyboard
Yamaha reface CS Mobile Mini Keyboard

collapse expand iconFeatures

Keyboard
  • Number of keys: 37
  • Action: Synth
  • Key size: Mini
  • Aftertouch/Velocity: Velocity (MIDI only)
  • Key Type: Synth-type
Sounds
  • Number of voices: N/A
  • Polyphony (max): 8-note
  • Layers: No
  • Split: No
Connectivity
  • AUX input: Yes
  • MIDI Connectivity: MIDI In/Out
  • Line output: Yes
  • Line input: Stereo
  • USB Connectivity: Yes
  • Headphone jacks: 1
  • Pedal inputs: 1 (volume)
  • Storage type: External (iOS and MIDI)
  • Expandability available: No
Onboard Features
  • Recording/Playback: MIDI phase looper
  • Rhythms: Not applicable
  • Preset songs: Not applicable
  • Display: None
  • Effects: Yes
  • Built-in speakers: Yes
  • Pitch bend/Modulation: Pitch bend
  • Other controls: 14 sliders
Effects
  • Reverb: Yes
  • Chorus: Yes
  • Delay: Yes

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collapse expand iconReviews

5

3 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Electronic Music2
  2. Travel2
  3. Learning1
  4. MIDI1
  5. Lhbass1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced1
  2. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Easy to Use2
  2. Good Audio2
  3. Portable2
  4. Responsive / Good Action2
  5. Battery powered1

Reviewed by 3 customers

  • Great Value for manipulating saw/square waves

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byWoody

    fromDayton, OH

    Bought this to learn more about oscillators and wave forms, great product

  • CS01 on steroids

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byJeff

    fromundisclosed

    I had a original CS01 when they were first introduced, and later updated to a Juno 106 for the polyphony. But I always regretted getting rid of the little Yamaha. There simply is no PWM like Yamaha's, and I missed that. So when I received the reface CS, I was curious as to whether it would bring me back to the old days with the 01. Yep, it did. Okay, it has mini keys and isn't a rocket ship like the big expensive synths, but the improvements (polyphony, effects, etc.) give this little synth a big heart and a great sound. It's even gig-worthy, if you're not opposed to smaller keys, and can be MIDI controlled if you are. Besides, it's light enough to take anywhere, so this summer when the guitar geeks break out their dreadnoughts around the fire, you can draw your secret weapon and blow them away. Great buy.

  • Better than the Original

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted10 years ago

    bylightbg

    fromRockaway, New Jersey, USA

    I have an original CS01mkII that I use to teach beginning synthesis. When Yamaha introduced the reface line last summer I wanted a CS, but the YC caught my eye first. Now I have them both, and the CS was worth the wait. The best part is it's 8 voice polyphonic, plus it has +/- 5 octave range, 5 oscillator waveforms, built in effects, and a looper. Very playable mini keys, great battery life, and small enough to take anywhere. Yamaha just opened it's reface website (https://soundmondo.yamahasynth.com/), and you can upload and download patches using Google Chrome (for Web MIDI). A great way to get ideas for patches in a hurry. Yamaha has also updated the operating system, the biggest part being you can adjust the pitchbend lever from +/- one octave to +/- one whole step - I find this more usable beause of the short travel length of the lever. A very playable and useful musical instrument.

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byTerry

    fromJupiter, FL

    Is there a way to attach a guitar strap to be able to wear the keyboard while standing? Perhaps an optional attachment?

    Is there a way to attach a guitar strap to be able to wear the keyboard while standing? Perhaps an optional attachment?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Unfortunately, no6t that I know of.