The Gaz Williams Show - Reface CP five years on, still good?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ม.ค. 2021
- Jump to 0:35 for show start
I'd always fancied getting Yamaha's diminutive Reface CP, a paean to electro magnetic keyboards like the Rhodes and Wurly, Nick Batt was quite taken with it and described the layout of effects as very Lalo Schifrin inspired which is super cool in my book! I decided to buy one a few days ago but I wondered if it is still a useful device or has it been superseded? - เพลง
I have played mine constantly for years, i take it in the car on trips, on the couch. Its such great kit. True story, i left it on my backyard patio table and there was a down pour. I ran outside and it was absolutely dripping wet. However.... it had auto shut off. I brought it inside and i was nearly in tears, my wonderful wife took it completely apart and dried every component, left it 3 days, reassembled and it worked and has never stopped !!!
That’s a great story and what a wonderful wife!
Any tip finding wife who can tear and reassemble CP?
Yes.. she's a keeper..(and the CP!!)
Answer: Yes
I’d even say: Of Course!
I purchased a cp when I was sent to Arizona for work for a few weeks. I was expected to live in a hotel room by the airport but I instead brought this and a zoom h6 into the desert, found some quiet spots and noodled for hours.
Reface CP my favorite mini synth!!! Beautiful sound. Love it
Very nice tour thanks - I think its the sheer quality of the sounds that can be squeezed out of it that is impressive as well as the range.
I am really glad to found your own chanel Gaz! That yamaha cp is amazing.
The CP is physical modeling, no samples and isn't based on any other previous Yamaha synth technology. I have a friend who works for Yamaha and that's what I was told. I love mine.
In the manual for all four Reface models it states the CS uses analog physical modeling. The CP is listed as spectral component modeling + AWM2. AWM2 is a Yamaha synthesis engine using advanced wave memory. AWM2 is not unique to the CP and is found on atleast one other Yamaha model; the MODX. AWM (version 1?) is also on the Reface YC. Yamaha or nobody else is going to come up with a sound engine and not use it anywhere else.
According to Yamaha:
"The AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) is a sampling system which creates the realism of an acoustic instrument by using digital technology to record the instrument sound and applying high-quality digital filter technology to the recorded audio samples."
Anyone know if it's possible to switch between playing the internal sounds and using it as a MIDI keyboard? (If so, how is it done?)
@@Lo-fi_Hi-brow Hey, this is a bit late but you didn't get an answer yet so:
In order to toggle midi control you must first switch off the device, and then hold the lowest E note on the keyboard as you turn in on. This activates midi control. To toggle local control, hold the lowest F note and turn it on. The lights should either flash (toggle ON) or be lit (toggle OFF).
To quickly switch between the two on a live gig for example:
You could mute the midi channel on the daw and keep the volume on on the keyboard. Then when you want to switch, unmute the midi on the DAW and put the volume slider to 0 on the keyboard.
Hope this helps! More information can be found on the manual pages 38-42.
Link to the manual: aadl.org/files/catalog_guides/1508075_reface_manual.pdf
I hope yamaha will make a 49-key version of Reface CP. It would still be quite compact and should have room for having bigger and better speakers. And of course put the acoustic piano sound front and centre.
I think I would purchase a cp if it had one more octave, proper acoustic piano, usb and line output. Oh yeah, at that size include a lithium battery. I think a lot of players would love it
Gotta love the buttons included on the cp. it’s way cool.
SOLD !! #shutupandtakethis 💵
I am sold on both. The Volante is just superb match to the jam. Thanks Gaz
I almost can play "I'm not in love"by 10cc entirely and sounds just amazing 🤖🥁
I considered a Reface CP for quite a while then settled on the AAS Lounge Lizard VST. Great sound, value, effects are sync'able also.
I got. DX last year, hardly ever used it. Swap[ed it for a CP this year and i play it almost every day. Its fantastic for working songs out, without the distraction of finding sounds and editing etc. Just plug and play.....for hours.
I love mine. I don't want to spend all my time looking at a screen. I wanted Rhodes sounds for a good price and being that I have a small apartment, this and the Roland JDXI are perfect for my needs. I'm a bassist, so this is perfect for writing/recording and demos.
Damn Gaz, that sounds great
You have the coolest studio
I like that it has the built in speakers and the small form factor, so I can take it around and jam.
I completely agree!
I think size is important (for busking/travelling) even at the expense of those extra keys. If its slightly longer it restricts its portability (eg on airplanes
Love that Rhodes MKII
The Reface CP is one of my favorite instruments that I own. I bought it not long after it was released, impressed by the various demos on TH-cam. I wouldn't add a single feature. It's a complete instrument. The limitations are part of its musicality. I run mine through a Strymon el Capistan and Lexicon PCM70. I'd rather add outboard effects than stuff the instrument with more onboard ones.
They could have put the acoustic piano in the instrument selection instead of hiding it.
@@primtones You can now replace the "Toy" preset with Acoustic Piano via usb software update. However you will lose the Toy setting permanently.
@@joemonroe1106 That's good news! Is that updater V1.30?
Yes, still good. Just bought a new Reface CP (August 2021) to hook up via midi to my Yamaha CP300 piano. I bought it for the sounds alone. Not a fan of mini-keys, and don't plan to put batteries in it and take it all over the place. I agree that Yamaha should put this in a modular form. The sounds in the CP300 are great, and the keybed is one of the best, but the lack of a CP70/80 patch was almost unforgivable (though deep down in the XG waveforms on the CP300 there is a "detuned CP80" sound). The technology in the Reface CP is amazing...love the tremolo, phaser, delay, and reverb. Yes, still good.
Once useful always useful, as long as it works for you.
Thank you, was thinking about this one as I have the CS and it is great, now that I know it has the piano sound as well, Im getting one.
I've got both as well, great combo. If you link together with midi cable you can use the looper function in the CS to loop the CP sounds
@@thejustustrio that is great news! Thank you! 👏🏻
@@TenisDimants yea yea yea!!
Yes Gaz!
The refaces without the keyboard would make great sound modules. I was looking for a Hammond organ sound module with draw-pulls, and it turns out the Reface Yc was a great budget option.
Yeah I agree. I am not that keen on the mini keys. A desktop module that incorporated the YC and CP would be fabulous.
I agree too. I wonder why no other company introduced a similar hardware rompler piano with more models and the same effects. Also, a very good point that a module without a keyboard will make it better as it is hard to please everyone in the number and size of the keys.
I am now in 2021 and I do not like to have a laptop on a table when I jam, I am a big fan of hardware stuff. And I am forced to buy this 7 years old Yamaha reface CP because there is no real competitors. What a bummer. I mean, it's not about the reface CP itself, I would just like to have something newer and bigger.
@@IIeTpOc9H4uK Unless you have tons of money, the reface CP with a full size keyboard is all you need to get that sound. These are classic sounds which some might even say were old fashion, but I believe there will always be a place for them in the mix. Just a hint in the right place evokes the history associated to that sound. Its like sampling, only you are using the actual hardware, the same for the Hamond reface YP, which should still find a useful place in a modern production. If Roland are stuck for idea, this would be welcomed, especially if it also had audio over usb. eg direct to DAW.
that bit you are playing about 12-15 minutes in, is cosmic. 0oO....i want one.
Yes!
Ive used my Reface CP on linux as a midi controller without needing any drivers. Maybe a change after the 1.3 firmware update?
Khruangbin use one of those on stage.Love mine.
I have this archaic Emu probably 16-bit digital acoustic piano module. It is definitely a, but what I like about it is every feature is a knob on the front panel, including many channels voicing tuning and transposition which includes a few octaves settings. Although it sounds dated one thing it is good at doing a "Double Octave" effect (in conjunction with the unit with a more authentic piano patch) you can play things like a Salsa Montuno sound using only one hand, also using the piano in conjunction with other sounds like strings between the two..
Interesting!
One again, a great session! You can control the delay with midi cc. Somewhere on the net there is a guide
Ah brilliant. I should put the cc values up somewhere. Thanks!
@@GazWilliams i sent you the link on Facebook
Bruford One Of A Kind is my top instrumental album of all time.
I love that album so much. Big reason why I have a Jeff Berlin signature bass funnily enough.
I have a CS. One of my two complaints is the midi tempo clock for the looper is transmitted over midi out can not be disabled
We can hear you well, the audio is coming through clearly
I liked the 'cosmic' stuff just fine. But it would have been nice to hear the sounds played uneffected as plain pianos, though I guess there's enough videos of that. Hard to find a new one in the U.S. I'm on a waiting list 'till May.(2022)
My fave mini keyboard ever or I'd own an actual Rhodes a long time ago
@Harry Turner Project Nice to see you too!
It is 7 years now and still cool
33:18 so, I just ran a test with my MPC One and Reface CS and I wasn't talking out of my harris last night. The One does indeed recognize the CS via USB and both receives and sends MIDI to it successfully, so I'm thinking that the driver is more about connectivity to the online portal than class compliance the way we think about it (unless Akai has built-in the necessary functionality for Reface compatibility).
Ah that’s excellent to know. I haven’t properly investigated it yet but I’ll mention it in future shows as it’s going to make several reappearances I think.
If you connect it to good speakers, yes. The internal ones distorts and just sounds horrible on higher volumes.
7:15 can you do a tutorial "of the fancy you can do" it sounds magical.
It's more than okay.
128 notes polyphonic AWM2 + physical modeling (+ VCM for some FX)
You can permanently replace the toy piano setting for the acoustic piano via usb software update. However, you will lose the toy piano preset in doing so.
You can? I'm ok with this.
can you post a link to this update? I can't find it
Arturia Keystep played by a master-my Miracle keyboard is in the Garage-this is funny as heck!
Keys roughly the size of Yamaha Reface keys.are found on Accordions.
Yes it is! I play this thing a lot , hope you're aware of the secret grand piano in it!!!
I've heard that new ones dont have that anymore does it still work, when did you get it? Do sustain pedals work with it? The acoustic piano sound might be what pushes me to get this
It's a shame they haven't issued these as sound modules, or just a sound module with all four engines. Having four tiny keyboards doesn't appeal, although I could see sticking the CP or YC on top of my VPC1 controller.
Why use external reverb if it already has internal reverb? Anyway I believe it is a capital sin using external effects when reviewing a keyboard or synthesizer.
Wurlitzer emulations are really really good, no need for the real thing now.
I run my Reface thru a geddy lee pre amp for saturation..add a high quality sustain pedal and your one step closer..
is it too clean at times? yes
does it keep me from making music? no
5:33 "It might not be the greatest acoustic piano...". No, because that was the sound of the CP-piano. The actual acoustic piano sound is definetily the sound of an acoustic piano, in my opinion quite awesome by the way. So are the other sounds. Great instrument! The effects are awesome as well.
Its sad that everywhere is out of stock on all the Yamaha Reface Pianos
I don't know much about the real Rhodes hardware variants, but I love the Herbie Hancock sound of the mid-70s and I can't find a demo of this keyboard that has that rich plumminess, yet still able to bark when you dig in. I guess that's because this thing doesn't do that particular sound? Shame as for me that is THE classic Rhodes sound
You can connect it to a bigger keyboard and get all the octaves plues better more handfreindly keys ?
Absolutely.
Unlike him, I actually think the acoustic piano is great and I have a touring professional who comes over and practices at my place when he's coming through town using the CP through my old Yamaha 88-key keyboard instead of the acoustic-piano patches that are already in that keyboard.
I use it to play around when I have down-time at work and then go home and connect it (MIDI) to my big Yamaha and use all of the CP's sounds.
I get copyright strikes on my own songs, something about Soundcloud. I distributed a couple with them. Tis' a mess.
I don’t think you successfully engaged the actual secret piano sound.
I think I forgot mid show how to do it!
Thanks for lovely morning entertainment here -watching Thursday 28'. You’re a true musician. The Reface CP sounds real nice, but is indeed limited. Should’ve had a good piano (I don’t get Nick Batts hight praises really),- clearly the DX is the star of the family. I’d LOVE if Yamaha dropped an Mk2. Imagine the Reface SY...
Or even better a Super Reface with it all!
Thanks for comparing it with the Keystep 37.
The only trouble with DX is that it only has 32 patch memory :( If it was at least 128....
@@RadekPilich At least it has memory compared to the silly CS :D I've been scoping out the market for a small midi keyboard, but I just can't seem to make up my mind to get a pure midi controller vs a nice little synth like a Reface that'll will double up as a perfect standalone 'compose/noodle anywhere' synth. Gaz is not making it any easier playing the Arturia 37 with his Reface hahah But then again he's a gear horder :D
@@jm6734 I am right there with you. I think my solution will be the upcoming Korg's wavetable synth (modwave).
@@RadekPilich I'm sure you'll have fun. I'd really love me a Reface SY or an expanded FM synth over those new Korg's. Then again I'm a shit programmer who just enjoy noodling and turning up the reverb :D
They should make a desktop version of it!
Like a small keyless module?
Can you imagine a desktop module that combines a couple refaces? Even if it was just this with better MIDI. Damn…
@New Loops Too right!
Evening all!
Gaz does anyone sell a kit to turn the CP into a 19" rack mount or any other form factor sound module?
Ooh interesting not heard of anyone who does that. Anyone else know?
Sure - Yamaha sells a keytar bracket kit for it! So it would be a person-mounted form factor sound module. Useful? No, not at all. But indisputably "other".
Was it the reface you were playing at 5am today Gaz. I joined in halfway through...
Yes it was.
@@GazWilliams I caught the last section and that was a special moment -- you had tuned in to something !
13:30 that could evolve into Echoes by Pink Floyd or the theme from Twin Peaks by Angelo Badalamenti.
Ah...
I don't think Yamaha will make a different size is because it would compete with the CP and YC line of keyboards
Yep I agree I was merely fantasising on what I’d prefer.
@@GazWilliams love your show gaz
My latest Reface is the CP (CP = Christmas pressy?). Already had the CS and YC and my dictionary says "mojo... see Reface". The CP is the only one where I habitually use a master keyboard for two-handed playing because with the CS and YC I only need one hand on the keys because of all those controls crying out to be tweaked. I have so much FM gear I can't justify the DX.
I love the Wurly and enjoy the Rhodes'. It's a BIG pity they didn't give an upright piano instead of the toy. A decent "Lady Madonna" upright is sorely lacking in the world of hardware - note to Yamaha et al... a dodgy chorus effect on a grand piano sample doesn't even _begin_ to resemble an upright 🤮. Think of all the Beatles fans who would buy it!
Funnily enough I’ve been trying to learn to play Lady Madonna so yep I’m with you on that.
I’m not sure if you know but the CP and KeyStep both have 3 octaves of keys. 😂
Whoops!
That wasnt the acoustic piano. That was the CP70
Theres is btw. no more class complience on the new iOS devices with USB connector.
Is this right? I’ll need to check up on this immediately.
@@GazWilliams I heard it in a video from Ben and Gear. They seem to have stopped the certification programm. Maybe some things will still work not they don't officially cover all stuff that is class compliant. At least this is how I understood that.
Ah yes the Easter Egg mode
@Martin Taylor Robin who?
HI GAZ
Well it sounds the same as it does 5 years ago! So yup!
I am connecting 3 Refaces to my linux computers via USB without any special driver!?!
Korg needs to make a mini M1
They kind of made a mini Triton in the Taktile but sadly it was terrible.
@@GazWilliams is that why I never heard of it lol???
Am I missing something? It has 36 keys...why would 1 more key make a difference?
Hello kid! 💯👍👍👍
I have the YC and the CP and I love them. Maybe I will get the CS someday... just for fun. No driver needed for me with my Macbook. Check this video, there is some details about the MIDI transpose and how I use my Reface YC.
th-cam.com/video/hY2MfXSPRpU/w-d-xo.html
The Reface has 37 keys...
Yep my mistake. I was thinking about my Native Instruments M32 which I was comparing the Keystep 37 to earlier in the day.
@@GazWilliams LOL That's cool! In your defense, the Keystep 37 has slightly wider keys making it a bit wider than the Reface, and the keybed is MUCH better! The Reface keybed isn't bad, but the Keysteps have the best keybeds I've played on a mini!
I traded my Strymon Volante for the Strymon Magneto... I know it's the same engine but to me the Magneto sounds better.
Smells like kif in here
Yep, CP is a sonic beauty. Just need to connect it to a decent MIDI controller cuz those baby keys aren't doing it any favors. Also changing its midi channel is rather ridiculous, so choose a channel wisely and dedicate that number to the little wonder.
Yep no on the fly channel changing like on the Keystep or on the fly transposition either. Both involve powering down. Holding a A Major chord (in the correct octave) then remembering which key to press to activate the change - C# for midi in, D# for midi out, D for transposition then hit a key two octaves up to set which channel or key. Err think that’s it. Hardly the most elegant way to do it!
Great video! I’ve owned my CP Reface for two years and it travels with me everywhere. I also have 12 rechargeable batteries which allows me to play it anywhere. I am currently running my CP thru my Modx 8 and into a mixing board for playback with 88 weighted keys, it’s a game changer. I noticed in this thread about choosing a channel wisely to dedicate the CP to? Are you implying I should create a channel thru my Modx 8? Just trying to figure out the most functional way to patch these two instruments together. Thanks for any advice 👍
Egg / Hatfield and the North / National Health !!
(not keen on Bruford at all - poor melodies)
When does the ranting cease and the real hands on the keys begin?! Yamaha bro...