Yamaha Reface CP User Review

[@tonyhill8963]

Its amazin how gorgeous that thing sounds.

[@mikeellisonhimself]

Nice review. After hesitating for a few years due to my lack of keyboard skills my piano teacher has got me to the level where I think I'd have as much fun with this as I do with the CS and YC (and might even practice more diligently).

[@REM977]

Love it! I use it as a sound module and second keyboard. The vintage keyboard sounds are GREAT! As close as you can get to the real thing.

[@godders7594]

Thank God someone who knows how to review a keyboard properly, well done snolan1990

[@girlinagale]

It's amazing how the bigger midi keyboard range increases the whole potential so much.

[@adamandlorraine]

Secret piano sound. Turn off the CP. Place the instrument selector button midway between any two instruments. Turn on the CP. You now have an acoustic piano sound.

[@MichaelBarmaley]

adamandlorraine it works!!! Amazing!!!

[@sarsbrooks5398]

Great Tip - I just purchased all four (4) Boards...These Mini KeyBoards r definitely - easy to transport. Just take the one (1) you’ll need most & go...Thanks Yamaha - #NOMOREHEAVYLIFTING

[@jul3249]

I was over the moon when I found that out! It's now the main sound I use, together with the rhodes 1

[@proisle]

THANK YOU !!! worked right away !

[@pcuimac]

Works best for me between Toy and CP sound. Who knows which other sounds are inside the awm2 board!?

[@MrChesterChuletas]

You're my best friend 🎵

[@PedroPetracco]

Amazing unit! Thorough review.

[@snolan1990]

Thanks, I'm glad it was of use.

[@davebowman6497]

Eight years later, the coda to Derek/Claptons "Layla" does just fine.

[@ClaudeLavender]

Can you get the stereo spread whilst recording a mono signal into your audio interface/daw?

[@2tallcharles99]

No, you have to record in stereo to get the stereo spread effect.

[@mik300z]

Excellent review, thankyou. i bought one last year and you have done a thorough job of going through all its features. best review on yt! great playing too👍

[@nebula0697]

It's such an awesome design for a live full-size version. But of course they want you to buy the CPs, the complexity of which isn't as fun as this. Some company sooner or later is gonna do a cheaper version of a stage keyboard with this type of cool stomp-box effects implementation. The toy piano is actually awesome sounding as a special effect with reverb and delay or phaser

[@tophboph]

Best review out there. Thanks mate, great work!

[@musicbinderpro8903]

Many thanks for the great review!

[@souldefunk]

Another great video. Cheers :)

[@MrFricoco]

Awesome! This is one of the ones I wish I had.

[@Edgar-M]

+MrFricoco Same here. I’ve been v interested in it since its’ release (despite all the negative opinions about it on internet synth forums). Really want a nicer sounding (ie: something better than my old Roland romplers), yet simple and straight fwd, Rhodes instrument.

[@snolan1990]

+Edgar Magooo There is a lot that you could pick fault with on this unit but for genuinely good sounding electric piano sounds in a small unit with simple controls it is very good. I think it would have worked better as a 1U rack with proper MIDI but I understand that most people aren't into rack gear any longer.

[@Nashid77]

+snolan1990 What do you mean by proper midi?

[@Nashid77]

+snolan1990 Never mind. just got to that part in the video.

[@snolan1990]

+Nashid77 Yeah just a few fundamental flaws with the MIDI implementation. I've managed to work around it but I suspect lots of people wouldn't be able to. Thanks for watching :).

[@nate-orito7990]

What song did you play when you demoed the CP80 sound I can't remember for the life of me what it was

[@snolan1990]

Is it the piano outro to Leyland- Derek & The Dominoes? If not ill double check.

[@alanmckean]

I just checked the Yamaha downloads for the CP and the first firmware update says: "It is now possible to set the master tuning, master transpose, transmit channel, and receive channel." Does this fix the MIDI problem that you described at the end of the video?

[@snolan1990]

Yes it does! I updated the description when it came out back in 2016... "As of the 7th of April 2016 firmware version 1.30 has been available for the Reface CP. The main revisions of this update are the option to set the master tuning, transpose and MIDI send and receive channels. I have installed this update on my instrument and can confirm it does appear to work as expected; solving my main complaints about the instrument. The MIDI receive and transmit channel can now be set via the units keyboard by powering the unit in a special "advanced settings" mode. Setting the channels in this mode is very straightforward when following the updated instruction manual and, most importantly, all settings are stored throughout power cycles. Bravo Yamaha for excellent implementation of a much needed update."

[@MrChesterChuletas]

Layla 🎵

[@LordGeyBoi]

Can I just put batteries in this piano then plug in headphones and play?

[@beezesty]

I bought the CP hoping I could be mobile and play and sing with my little boy. But even at 60-70% volume, without any drive, the right speaker is rattling, clanking whatever so badly that this is no joy whatsoever. I wonder why nobody seems to be disappointed by that.

[@snolan1990]

+beezesty I should have made a bigger point of that issue in this video. There is no question that the speakers are effectively useless and constitute little more than a novelty. For me personally, and a great deal of other users I'm sure, the speakers and indeed the mini keys would almost never see any use as the instrument would be used as a module as part of a larger system. However for users such as yourself looking to take advantage of the portability factor of optional battery power and the built in speakers this would be a big let down.

[@girlinagale]

Rhodes tones have a lot of middley resonance so tiny speakers are not at all good for them. These inbuilt speakers are not designed to be any kind of purposeful playing option, really a gimmick, just to check the sounds briefly. Maybe one of those small rechargeable amplified speakers would be better, but something minimal like a Roland Mobile Cube (general purpose amplifier, do not go for a guitar combo, they are eq'd for guitars and do not have the bottom end for keyboards) would be the minimum I would consider.

[@albrin]

got same problem... but its not only about the speakers. as the keyboard got an input/aux port, you can put some music from an ipod or another device, and the speakers run well... so its not a physical/speaker/amplifier, thats for shure (besides the size of the speakers, the power, etc) theres a programming issue that i hope they fix with a firmware upgrade. i upgraded the firmware to a version 1.30 and got the same problem

[@albrin]

i think the problem is not the size/power of the internal speakers. put some music via the aux input with an ipod or a mp3 player and you will see that the speakers run well.. its not about the internal amplifier the problem... i guess its a programming issue that they havent resolved yet

[@albrin]

nice video. can i ask you whats the country of origin of yours? mine says made in china....

[@REM977]

Nice presentation!

[@Jack-fs2im]

Nice vid but Heard that when on batteries the sound distorts ,is that true.

[@snolan1990]

I've never tried it on batteries but I can say the internal speakers on my unit have always been distorted. It has never been an issue for me as I've always hooked it up to a mixing desk but for some people that might be a deal breaker.

[@Jack-fs2im]

@ Thank you very much for your reply,think maybe its just “clipping” .liked yr vid .merry xmas

[@HazeAnderson]

8:54 ahhh yes. :) One of my fav piano parts. :)

[@QuintenPieters]

Haze Anderson what is it?

[@jaguarunaKG]

That's from Eric Clapton's "Layla". I just love that piano! The best part of the song IMO

[@ckminty603]

I like watching totally stoked people sing backup with Eric on it. The piano change is really nice though.

[@denisemccleese3895]

Good evening I just bought and unboxed the Yamaha Reface CP. can you recommend any external speakers they have to be very small because I am going to use this in live sessions on a push table

[@snolan1990]

I'm not very familiar with small speakers but I will say that this is an area that has improved massively in recent years! I can imagine with a decent branded blootooth speaker (as long as it has a line in!) You could get good sounds.

[@847am2]

i smell some jamiroquai : ) awesome vid !!

[@tom_ash33]

I like the Reface. Using it for outdoor and session playing, So I am using it as a mobile keyboard. Sounds are great. Have the same problem with the right mini-speaker though. But not using inbuild speakers anyay.

[@snolan1990]

+Thomas Aschenbrenner I should have made a bigger thing of this issue in the video. You really do need some kind of external speaker to make any real use of the CP. I can only forgive Yamaha for this in so much as it is effectively impossible to make speakers that small sound any good playing the EP sounds the CP can create. Still a big let down for anyone wanting to use this as a stand alone instrument.

[@adamandlorraine]

snolan1990 liked your detailed review. thanks. i bought one. speakers were a big let down. they can't handle the sounds without resonating/ distorting. strange as Yamaha have made better speakers for decades in the cheap psr range.

[@coronelsakura2841]

What a bunch of nonsense. Just buy a little external speaker and stop complaining

[@miriamsilvagaray6898]

21:13 what song is ? thanks

[@Svartr.HrafnSvartr]

It's the outro to the song 'Layla' by Eric Clapton...

[@MonkeySpecs301]

oh wow, so you can use a full size board and utilze the sounds from the cp?

[@nebula0697]

Yep. works as MIDI module. You can get your favorite controller then have this and the YC Reface on top and you got some nice vintage keys there. Or you can get CP and get a few organ sounds and lots of control over everything but not nearly as fun as this

[@shoshishararecordingsshosh1501]

Is the keyboard hooked up to external speakers? What are the cords hooked up to? Can u hook up to speakers or use the Yamaha Bluetooth device to use Bluetooth speakers? Can u use with any online apps (e.g. Bandhub or smule) when connected to mac air or iPhone? Do u recommend extended warranty? If u can answer, my decision is made!

[@BlowtheTrump9683]

I get a cp yesterday. I wanted to know how you connect it to the bigger keyboard? I had fun playing the smaller keys. But I like to experiment with the sounds of the cp using a larger keyboard.

[@samnolan4425]

Any MIDI equipped keyboard will work as a controller. You can use either 5 pin Din MIDI connectors with the provided squid connector or USB.

[@BlowtheTrump9683]

@@samnolan4425 Thanks Sam for your reply. I have a Yamaha MX 61 that has a MIDI INPUT AND OUT PUT but the squid connector provided with my CP doesn't fit. So what can I use with it. I just want to be clear. Thanks again for helping.

[@samnolan4425]

@@BlowtheTrump9683 All you should need is a standard 5 pin MIDI cable to connect the out of your controller to the in on the CP squid connector. You can get these cables very cheap online.

[@BlowtheTrump9683]

@@samnolan4425 Thank you very much Sam. God Bless!

[@TheJepereMan]

transpose can be change?

[@theycallmejpj]

is there a specific sustain pedal you need to buy?

[@snolan1990]

Any generic sustain/hold pedal/switch with a 1/4" socket on it should work. You can get them for around £5 at the cheapest.

[@Axibis]

Great video.

[@thesundancekidd]

really nice funky progression in the intro. Is there somewhere i can listen to the full track?

[@samnolan4425]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3_Xinhrm7eWm6s

[@thesundancekidd]

@@samnolan4425 brilliant !

[@lesterfalcon1350]

So if you buy all 4 units, you get 20 manuals, 4 in your language (hopefully), but you just need 1.

[@mik300z]

and I agree on it being a pain stuck on midi chan 1. especially for those of us who still midi chain our synths together.

[@snolan1990]

Yamaha have since released a firmware update to fix these MIDI issues!

[@mik300z]

+snolan1990 ah excellent thankyou!

[@jacksonsteevens1104]

How can i set this up to another speaker / amp

[@dslentz]

it has 1/4 inch jacks for audio out.

[@perruschke6691]

Can i use the Keyboard and knobs like a Midi controller?

[@kh884488]

Yes!

[@marksangster6690]

I love the instrument. I have had two Mk2 Rhodes and a Wurlitzer and for me, the sounds are pretty good. My main problem, though, is when I play it via MIDI, from my CP300 Stage piano. I find I really have to whack it, to get the 'bark' on the Rhodes setting. I have tried playing it from my Korg Triton and have the same problem. I can't get the top part of the dynamic without hitting the keyboard very hard, which is really annoying! Any ideas? I'd appreciate it! Cheers! Mark. (I'm talking about the Reface as slave and the Korg, etc as master, of course).

[@snolan1990]

Even having never played a real Wurli or Rhodes myself I did notice this. My solution was to adjust the settings on my sequencer to effectively "Amplify" the velocity of every key press. This obviously reduced the dynamic range of the velocity sensitivity but I found it works pretty well for me. I expect you will have a similar option in the settings of your CP300 or Triton.

[@joonks7373]

If possible change the velocity curve.

[@HappyOrganMan]

Great! How can I learn to play such licks? Are there training books available?

[@jadewebber313]

Does the latest firmware fix stuff? Can you save patches, perhaps midi is sorted? Thx

[@samnolan4425]

A newer firmware fixes the MIDI issues. The instrument is not designed to be able to save patches, however it is so simple to dial in the effects that it really is not necessary. However there is a new discovery of a baby grand sound hidden on the instrument that you may have read about. I would expect that any new firmware updates would remove the ability to use this sound.

[@theycallmejpj]

for a first synth/keyboard, i'm stuck between this, a microkorg, a mininova, or a roland jd-xi ... this one has the best polyphony, but also the least versatile (although I love that Rhodes sound, best digital Rhodes sound I've ever heard).

[@snolan1990]

I suppose it depends on what kind of music you are looking to make. The Rhodes & Wurlitzer sounds on this thing are really phenomenal but you might fin'd that you would prefer a touch more versatility for a first keyboard/synth.

[@theycallmejpj]

snolan1990 i'm primarily a guitar and bass player, so only looking for something to add a bit of colour, build up my knowledge of chords and harmony, and maybe have a different creative approach from a new instrument. thanks for the reply, and just to add I subbed your channel and spent a good couple of hours watching your videos the other day - you're the best synth head on youtube for my money ^_^

[@theycallmejpj]

i bit the bullet and have ordered this as a little xmas treat to myself. you should phone Yamaha and ask for some commission =)

[@hanskirsch2300]

theycallmejpj dude I'm having the Same problem, it really depends if you want versatility in Terms of sound...You'll have to make a compromise between hands on control and sound

[@trailwaver404]

The reface dx doesn’t have a nearly as good of a chorus effect as this one :(

[@avm2889]

Any suggestions on a reasonably priced midi controller or electric piano to go along with it?

[@n_mi5906]

Impulse 61 from Novation...nice piece of gear ;)

[@hykn0t]

Using reface CP in a live performance, which keyboard amps do you recommend?

[@pikin2]

Roland all day:)

[@DrJedd]

Very good, methodical and rational review! (nice sweater too by the way) you earned a new sub :) (oh just FYI it's spelled "implementation" :P I know, it's annoying hehe)

[@snolan1990]

+Dr. Jedd Hahah Thanks for the comment :). That is annoying as it is embedded in the video and I did actually check the spelling of it but for whatever reason it got through anyway. Oh well hahaha :D.

[@DrJedd]

+snolan1990 I know right? :P But it is a trivial mistake and the video content is amazing. By the way I have one question I can't seem to find an answer for on the Internet : can the reface be usb powered? And what about used as a midi keyboard only? Do you need the ac or batteries?

[@snolan1990]

+Dr. Jedd The unit can not be powered by USB. It appears that USB is for data transfer only. If you wanted to use it as a MIDI keyboard for other instruments then using it with either batteries or the AC would work. Basically as long as it is powered on it will output MIDI note data via the MIDI socket.

[@DrJedd]

+snolan1990 so can you actually use it as a midi controller for a computer daw over usb if you put batteries in it?

[@snolan1990]

+Dr. Jedd I'll try it and let you know. I would be very surprised if it wasn't able to do that.

[@lewisbirkett4428]

Thanks, I think I'll maybe decide against it and get the yamaha p45. It's not portable but seems to have more, although I prefer the sounds on this for most of them. Not as many sounds as I want on either but can use midi

[@JoostDNonsens]

Did you check out the DX? I usually buy used gear but when I played this thing at the music store I just had to buy it. I love it! You should give it a try ;)

[@snolan1990]

+Joost D. I haven't actually been able to have a go on any of the other Reface instruments. I have watched reviews of all of them and I think the DX does seem to have a number of genuine upsides. But as I already have a TX81Z that I don't use enough as it is I couldn't really justify buying a DX. The YC seems really cool also, the only one that didn't grab me at all was the CS.

[@savanaviolenta]

Oh,I can assure you the CS has so much under the hood that is beyond belief.

[@mikeellisonhimself]

@@savanaviolenta yep, the CS is great. Whoever designed the minimalist interface was a genius. They might have been aiming for simplicity but the design is so quick to dial-in great sounds. My go-to "analogue" synth (even if sometimes just for placeholder sounds so I don't lose the muse like I would on a more fiddly synth or worse scrolling through presets - the ultimate muse killer).

[@MrMoviePhoneEx]

Is there any difference between the CP and CS in terms of playability of the keys? I’m looking at both, not just for what they do but also as a midi controller for soft synths in a DAW. Personally the CS offers more of what I’d love to be working with right now - as a first actual hardware synth (sort of). But ultimately I’m looking for the best playable small form keyboard I can find for a VST rich workflow.

[@snolan1990]

I'm not 100% certain but I think the keybed is identical across the range and as it happens it is quite playable and responsive for mini keys. The CS has a pitch bend which the CP doesn't (this would be useful if it is to be your controller keyboard). However at the same time none of the range appears to have a modulation wheel, where as almost all midi keyboards would. I hope this information is of use! Best of luck with your music.

[@MrMoviePhoneEx]

@@snolan1990 Thanks, I've been watching reviews of the reface line all day and you might be right about the keys, though, I did see that the CS doesn't actually send velocity data over midi so that might be a none starter. I'd love to find a 32-37keybed with decent action that just plays reliably. I currently own a roli blocks setup, komplete m32, komplete s49mk2, and a korg nanokey2... If I had the space I'd make the s49 a perminent fixture in my desk, but I don't. Eventually when I move into a new space I'll get a full sized midi keyboard, but for now I reach for the m32 or nano most of the time and both get stuck notes and missed inputs - the reface line seems like a step up in quality, and for that form factor, that's all I can hope for :) Any ideas on other boards I should look at?

[@snolan1990]

@@MrMoviePhoneEx I'm shocked to hear that the CS doesn't send velocity. I haven't actually checked to see if the CP does, it certainly can handle velocity internally and receive it. Bit of a shame if Yamaha didn't enable velocity out on what is almost certainly a velocity sensitive board. Unfortunately I don't really have any insight into compact MIDI controlers so I can't really be of much assistance in that regard. I hope you find a solution.

[@MrMoviePhoneEx]

@@snolan1990 Still researching, it might just be that the CS doesn't register velocity internally, but Yamaha did put the same keybed in each of the boards of the reface line up so technically their ability to work as a daw based midi controller for VSTs should be the same across the range. Still trying to verify. The difference for each would be their additional control options, or which the CS would be the more useful depending on the amount of soft synth control you would require. Thanks for getting back to me!

[@johnadriandalton]

New firmware released ... problem solved?

[@snolan1990]

+John Adrian Dalton Thanks for the heads up. I wasn't actually aware of that firmware update. I will have a go at installing it tomorrow. If it does what it says in the description that should be problem solved in terms of MIDI issues.

[@snolan1990]

+John Adrian Dalton I have just installed the update and I can confirm that it seems to work perfectly. I have added an annotation to the video directing viewers to read a full description of the update in the video description. Thanks again for the information!

[@rickpowell9308]

Yamaha..Please make a CP module. I would buy it.

[@snolan1990]

I agree it would be nice to have a rack or desktop module but the CP is quite small anyway.

[@slevboy2]

Hey what kind of chord do you need to connect the cp to another keyboard like you did in the video?

[@mellowrockstar]

+Alex berger A midi cable

[@akituazon5784]

Can you use this as a controller for Garageband iOS?

[@snolan1990]

Aki Tuazon as far as I am aware you would be able to use it as a MIDI controller but you can get a dedicated MIDI controller for much less.

[@wax83]

The bottom line is you can get all those sounds with the DX reface! Well, kindof.. ;)

[@kxstudio9887]

I need a great EP. sound like CP but I need General sound like DX too. So Should I got Which one ??

[@wax83]

Parinya Dechpakorn Both I'm afraid.. :)

[@boblolo3977]

nice video, scary sweater.

[@tonyhill8963]

Are you running the kawai in on midi or as audio in?

[@mikeellisonhimself]

I only wish they'd put a decent upright in it instead of the toy piano. A good Chappell sample and they'd sell millions to Beatles fans. Mangled grand piano ROMples (the usual offering) don't sound anything like a real upright.

[@neoaureus]

By this time I hope you figured out the grand piano Easter egg I the unit?

[@lastxp]

I think toy piano should have been the hidden sound

[@MasleyVystupoe]

Adieu. Lol. Nice demo.

[@Blueguitar007]

Yet another bunch of comments saying the speakers suck. I've decided not to buy. Don't cheap Casio and others have speakers you can at least hear ok? Why was this so hard to install decent speakers in something that cost $400?

[@musicismyreligion5213]

What a stupid choice by Yamaha to put a USELESS toy piano setting on a $400 device.

[@tylerthompson1842]

Why would you put a featured toy piano with a hidden grand piano? Whoever came up with that should be fired!

[@ianhellens]

What wah pedal do you use on the clav?