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.

This is meant for a band, not so much solo stuff unless you have other machines to do the drums and things. This is almost like a analog synth where you make all the sounds and can control everything like that. It comes with only 26 or so sounds half of them are leads so one key at a time type deal. It's really a band instrument not really a sit alone and make songs thing unless you already have computer software to go with it. Not really what I meant to buy but it's cool. It has a lot of functions and a looper that doesn't auto correct you like the DJXI which always annoyed the hell out of me when the DJXI always cut off my loop to make it fit or something. So that's cool. You can make nice sounds which are very unique. It's the same size as the DJXI synth. It has built in speakers which are not booming but loud enough. Is has all the ports for everything on the back. It weighs nothing but it's sturdy. Nothing feels like it'll just break off. Definitely definitely not weather proof at all though. Not a outside instrument. Very portable. Has touch controls that let you change all the sounds and levels. You can turn the looper beeping off easily. There's multiple modes for it too. It has echo effects reverb every effect pretty much. Like a tube amp does. The keys have pressure sensitivity like the DJXI. But I think the keys are slightly bigger. But yeah.. no drum sound effects which sucks. With em I'd be able to make sick music just by myself on here but you really do need at least another person or computer software to use this fully in my opinion.

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.

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!

Lovely sound on this here guy. I was intrigued by this young unit when it first came out, but they were slightly overpriced. Yamaha has since decided to lower the price, making this boy a must have. There are obviously countless iconic records which feature the sounds of Yamaha's FM synths, but Beverly Glenn- Copeland's "Keyboard Fantasies" has to be one of favorites. The Reface DX has some nice presets out of the box but I'd recommend checking out Yamaha's SoundMondo website for more interesting sounds if you're not already familiar with the ins and outs of FM synthesis. Find a preset you like, and easily sync it to your device, then start tweaking the parameters to make it your own. The DX is very capable of creating lovely, subtly evolving pads. I've added this to my setup which includes an Elektron Digitakt, Korg Minilogue, and Roland TR8. All of which can be synced nicely via midi. However, as the DX DOES NOT have midi thru, it will need to be the last device in your midi chain (otherwise, you'll need a Quadra Thru). The mini keys feel incredible, and are nicer than the Korg Minilogue's. However, if mini keys aren't your thing, this chap can easily be controlled via an external midi keyboard.

If you love FM sound this thing has you covered; it's the little FM synth that could! It has by far the best mini-keys I've ever felt. Super expressive, portable, incredible quality all around. The Polyphony is impressive, as are the built in speakers. My single complaint is that the looper is not multi-timber, so only one voice/patch can be used at a time, though polyphony sounds can be layered. It's almost half the cost it was only 2 years ago, just an incredible deal. If you love FM from the classic show themes, to Sega Genesis growls and brass, to modern EDM it does it all!

Can’t believe how much I like this thing. Wanted to get a small synthesizer that was battery operated and had speakers that I could play with while sitting in my easy chair watching TV. This fit the bill. My very first synthesizer was a Casio SK1. Considered a toy by many, it was the first affordable sampling keyboard you could buy back in the 80s. My first real synthesizer was a usedYamaha DX 11. I found myself using the Casio more than the Yamaha because of its portability. I went with the reface DX for the nostalgic fondness of my old DX 11. What I didn’t anticipate was all the little nostalgic touches that make the reface DX so special. I like how each of the models in the reface lineup have their own nostalgic touches. I will definitely be getting others in this series.

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!

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.

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.

Best 400$ I ever spent. Amazing!