Yamaha REFACE DX Portable FM Synthesizer

If you're a serious synths person, you already know the significance of the impact that Yamaha's original DX7 made on the music of the early 80s. Full controll over 4 oscillators with 8 flow algorithms, effects, attack, decay, sustain, release, the possibilities are ENDLESS!!! It comes with 4 banks of 8 sounds; keep them, move them, alter them, create your own sounds... stores 32 sounds, and connections to Soundmondo let you save or even restore an original sound. Get ALL FOUR of the Reface Series while you still can... the first 4 that I got in 2020 were $199 at Swetwater; NOW, they cost twice or more!!! They all sound incredible. The ORGAN (YC Reface) is INCREDIBLE. Free membership at Yamaha's Soundmondo Community lets you share, privately store, or download other people's sounds, no strings attached. I bought all four AGAIN, tested them and put them back in their boxes; someday soon, they'll be worth their weight in gold... but I still want to play the first set that I got; I keep them all hooked up to my soundboard in my studio... they're the perfect "fill in" instruments for recording. Recommend also a Sustain pedal for them, and a swell (expression) pedal for the organ... Yamaha or your favourite brand will work. I don't use MIDI, but all 4 have MIDI capabilities, as well. Try it. Don't like it? Return it, blame me in the return comments!!! You will never find another set of incredible keyboards like the Yamaha Reface Series!!! Also perfectly portable... compact size, built-in speakers and L/R/PHONES make it great for the road and gigs. Can't say enough good about them!!!

I've only had this synth (Reface DX FM synthesizer) for a few days, and I am stoked with it! I've not had much FM synthesis exposure in terms of use, my only experience being on Ableton Live's Operator software. I'm finding that going "hands on" with this hardware synth is teaching me so much more in comparison to a soft synth! Heck, even some of the preset tones sound awesome to me (especially the wobble bass patch)! I agree with a review I watched on Youtube though, the presets don't really do justice to this synth's capabilities. It did take a bit of getting used to for me; Not only do I have little experience in FM synthesis, but this synth's workflow is very unique. There's no knobs to turn here, all parameters are used via button presses and/or the touch sensitive encoders. While you do have to do a bit of menu surfing for some parameters, it's a simple as one to three button presses. In comparison to the Novation Super Nova and MicroKorg I used to own, this unit is far more true to the hands on approach. I'm still getting used to the touch sensitive encoders, but I'm certainly not unhappy about them. All it took was some reading and a couple of Youtube videos (I watched the videos for ideas and inspiration), and I started making some very unique tones, tones that I could never hope to make on a subtractive synth. I'm currently experimenting with running this in tandem with my Novation Circuit. This synth automatically switches to a External MIDI Clock setting when you connect a MIDI cable to it. Some gripe about this, but it's what I want from it, so I can't complain here. The looper is simple, yet effective, and it's quantization function works. Even with my terrible timing, I was able to sync some notes on this synth to drum patterns on the Circuit. So I'm really enjoying this synthesizer, and am waiting for the Reface YC organ I ordered to come in, I may even splurge later on for the Reface CS. I just really hope these units prove to be reliable. My previous two musical instrument purchases have both become defective within a week of receiving them. I'll be extremely sad and disappointed if this synth becomes a third to that list.

I own quite a few very expensive analog synthesizers and since analog Moog synthesizers sound amazing and are endlessly customizable... I have been reluctant to try digital synthesizers. This digital synthesizer is very good at many things. It cost me less than my cheapest Moog analog synthesizer and is somehow more capable and intuitive. While yes the moog can make some sounds this can't. I already find myself playing this more than my very expensive Moog analog synthesizers. This is a very good synthesizer especially considering the price. If you have ever spent money on an analog synthesizer, you cannot even pretend this Yamaha Digital synthesizer is not a spectacular deal for the money. It is a spectacular deal. Excellent instrument!

I got this for its mobility. However it’s very small. It has the signature sounds the classic dx7 had and it even has a pitch lever. There is also an octave lever to get sounds a full size keyboard would have. Still too small. I would rather have the classic DX7 or DX7 II FD instead. Those weigh more but they have 61 full size keys and more options. I studied C++ in college and i am not really afraid of programming an old dx7.

I’m a former professional keyboardist who has owned many synths, pianos, and keyboards over the years. This Reface DX impressed me straight out of the box, and I do not come from an FM synthesis background. I just finished touring the presets (and did a little experimentation with changing parameters and effects) and good lord the possibilities with this thing are crazy… and it sounds incredible in my headphones. For the price you’re not going to find a better sounding entry into FM synthesis. If you like that kind of sound and you’re on the fence, I encourage you to give it a try. The only con I can think of is the small key size… but then again, portability and battery-operability is a virtue in and of itself. And the keys feel good for their size. And you can control it with a different keyboard if you want, just treat it like a desktop sound module. This is a serious instrument. Bravo, Yamaha.

Llevo 6 meses con este pequeño sintetizador, soy entusiasta de los sintetizadores, y estoy totalmente satisfecho con este yamaha reface dx. Puedes usarlo de controlador vía cable midi o usb. Debido a sus bocinas integradas es totalmente portable. Para practicar o componer en cualquier lugar, en la sala, tu recamara o al aire libre. Las teclas son más pequeñas que un teclado normal, pero ello no representa ningún problema. Puedes bajar nuevas configuraciones de sonidos o subir los tuyos a la aplicación de Yamaha. Ampliamente recomendado!!

Uma decepção pra mim que esperava mais, por ser um teclado Yamaha. Tão ruim que só toquei uma vez e mais nada. Lixo!

As you will have read in other reviews, this is a very capable FM synth in a small and affordable package, part of the Reface series. Tons of fun.

It is an easy learning experience to play. It has good sounds on its own merit and working with other sinths it works even better.

Best 400$ I ever spent. Amazing!