The Yamaha Reface CS Synthesiser.

DankPods
23 Mar 202312:00

TLDRThe Yamaha Reface CS Synthesiser is a compact and portable version of the classic CS80 synthesizer. This video explores the instrument's features, including its wave pattern options, modulation capabilities, and looping functions. The presenter, a jazz musician with a deep appreciation for electronic music, demonstrates the synthesizer's potential for creating a wide range of sounds, from simple melodies to complex electronic compositions. Despite its complexity, the Reface CS is shown to be a fun and rewarding instrument for both beginners and experienced musicians, highlighting the craftsmanship behind electronic music production.

Takeaways

  • 🎹 The Yamaha Reface CS is a compact, modern synthesizer that pays homage to Yamaha's legacy in electronic music innovation.
  • 🏆 The original Yamaha CS80 from 1976 was a groundbreaking synthesizer, but it was heavy, sensitive to temperature changes, and expensive.
  • 🚚 The Reface CS is a portable and user-friendly version of the classic CS80, making it more accessible to a wider range of musicians.
  • 🎧 The synthesizer is not a keyboard and offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for those interested in creating unique electronic sounds.
  • 🔊 It features various controls for wave pattern, modulation, and sound shaping, allowing for a broad range of creative possibilities.
  • 🎵 The video demonstrates the synthesizer's capabilities, including creating different sounds, using a looper, and exploring polyphony versus monophonic settings.
  • 🎚️ The Reface CS includes effects like delay and phaser, which are essential tools for electronic music production.
  • 📱 Many people may already own a synthesizer in the form of apps like GarageBand on their smartphones, offering a similar creative outlet.
  • 🎵 The video emphasizes the craft and skill required to produce electronic music, dispelling the notion that it's 'cheap and easy'.
  • 📖 The script provides an educational insight into the world of synthesizers, from the history of Yamaha's involvement to the intricacies of sound design.

Q & A

  • What is the Yamaha Reface CS Synthesiser?

    -The Yamaha Reface CS is a compact, portable synthesizer that emulates the classic Yamaha CS80 synthesizer. It is designed to be user-friendly and allows for the creation of a wide range of electronic sounds.

  • Who is the presenter in the video and what is his background?

    -The presenter is a jazz musician with first-class honors in jazz philosophy. He has a deep appreciation for electronic music and has experience with music production, including remixing and sound creation.

  • What was Yamaha's contribution to the development of synthesizers?

    -Yamaha played a significant role in synthesizer development, including the creation of the top-of-the-line CS80 in 1976, which was used extensively in the 1980s for iconic music and television scores.

  • What are the drawbacks of the original Yamaha CS80 synthesizer?

    -The original CS80 was heavy, weighing about a hundred kilograms, and was very fragile. It could go out of tune if moved or if exposed to extreme temperatures.

  • How does the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer differ from the original CS80?

    -The Reface CS is a compact version of the CS80, designed to be portable and durable. It retains the sound quality and versatility of the original while being much lighter and more user-friendly.

  • What features does the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer have?

    -The Reface CS features a variety of sound creation tools, including wave pattern selection, modulation options, a looper, and effects like delay and phaser. It also includes a pitch bend feature for expressive sound manipulation.

  • How does the presenter demonstrate the synthesizer's capabilities in the video?

    -The presenter demonstrates the synthesizer by playing different wave patterns, adjusting modulation settings, and using the looper and effects to create a range of sounds, showcasing the versatility of the instrument.

  • What is the significance of the 12 notes in music and how does the synthesizer utilize them?

    -The 12 notes form the basis of Western music, repeating in octaves. The synthesizer allows the user to play these notes and manipulate them through various settings to create different sounds and effects.

  • How does the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer compare to modern digital synthesizers?

    -While the Reface CS is a simpler and more analog-style synthesizer, it offers a hands-on, tactile experience that contrasts with the precision and preset nature of many modern digital synthesizers.

  • What is the presenter's opinion on electronic music and its creation?

    -The presenter appreciates the complexity and skill required to create electronic music, emphasizing that it is a craft that requires practice and experimentation to achieve great sounds.

  • Are there any modern alternatives to the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer mentioned in the video?

    -The presenter mentions GarageBand as a free alternative available on iPhones and iPads, which offers a range of synthesizer options and sound creation tools.

Outlines

00:00

🎹 Yamaha's Journey in Music Technology

The paragraph introduces the topic of musical instruments with a focus on Yamaha's significant contributions to music technology. Yamaha is known for various products, from racing bikes to high-performance musical instruments. The speaker, a jazz musician with a background in electronic music, discusses the evolution of electronic music and Yamaha's pivotal role in it. Yamaha's CS80 synthesizer from 1976 is highlighted as a top-of-the-line instrument used in iconic music of the 1980s, despite its high cost and maintenance challenges. The discussion transitions to the Yamaha CS reface, a compact and modern version of the CS80, which is easier to use and maintain.

05:01

🎧 Exploring the Yamaha CS Reface Synthesizer

This paragraph delves into the features and capabilities of the Yamaha CS reface synthesizer. The speaker explains that unlike a keyboard, a synthesizer offers more control over sound creation, which can be challenging to master. The paragraph covers various aspects of the synthesizer, including wave pattern selection, modulation, and the use of low-frequency oscillation. The speaker also touches on the concept of musical notes and octaves, and the ability to play chords. The discussion continues with the use of a Looper for creating layered sounds and the importance of pitch bending, a technique that adds expressiveness to the music. The limitations and the charm of the analog nature of the synthesizer are also highlighted.

10:02

📱 GarageBand: The Synthesizer in Your Pocket

The final paragraph shifts the focus to the accessibility of synthesizers through modern technology, specifically mentioning GarageBand on Apple devices. The speaker reminisces about creating music on an iPad and the versatility of GarageBand as a free app that offers a wide range of synthesizer options. The paragraph emphasizes the ease of use and the creative potential of GarageBand, allowing users to experiment with different sounds and settings. The speaker also encourages the audience to appreciate the craft behind electronic music and to explore the fun of making music with synthesizers, even if they are not professional musicians.

Mindmap

Keywords

Yamaha Reface CS

The Yamaha Reface CS is a compact synthesizer by Yamaha, a renowned Japanese manufacturer of musical instruments and electronics. In the video, the presenter discusses the evolution of synthesizers, highlighting the Yamaha CS80 from the 1970s and how the Reface CS is a modern, portable version of such classic synthesizers. The Reface CS is designed to be user-friendly yet powerful, allowing musicians to create a wide range of electronic sounds.

Synthesizer

A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals that can be shaped into musical sounds. In the script, the presenter contrasts the Yamaha Reface CS with traditional keyboards, emphasizing that it is not a keyboard but a synthesizer, which means it is more complex and offers a greater range of sound creation possibilities. The video showcases how synthesizers have evolved from large, expensive machines to compact, affordable devices.

MIDI modules

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) modules are electronic devices that facilitate the transmission of musical data between instruments and computers. The video mentions that Yamaha was known for their MIDI modules in the 1990s, which were integral in the development of modern electronic music production. These modules allowed for the synchronization and communication between different electronic musical instruments.

Analog synthesizer

An analog synthesizer is a type of synthesizer that uses analog electronic circuits to create and manipulate sounds. The video references the Yamaha CS80 as an example of an analog synthesizer, which was known for its rich and complex sound but also for its fragility and high cost. The Reface CS, on the other hand, is a digital emulation of an analog synthesizer, offering similar sound capabilities in a more robust and affordable package.

Waveform

In the context of synthesizers, a waveform refers to the shape of the audio signal that produces a particular sound. The video script mentions different waveforms such as Sawtooth and Square wave, which are basic forms of audio signals used in sound synthesis. The presenter demonstrates how changing the waveform on the Reface CS can drastically alter the sound produced by the instrument.

Modulation

Modulation in synthesizers refers to the process of altering certain aspects of a sound, such as pitch or timbre, over time. In the script, the presenter plays with the mod wheel on the Reface CS, which controls parameters like pitch bend and filter settings, creating dynamic and expressive sounds. Modulation is a key technique in electronic music for adding depth and movement to sounds.

Looper

A looper is a feature on some synthesizers and music production software that allows a musician to record a phrase or pattern and then repeat it, creating a loop. The video describes the challenge of creating clean loops on the Reface CS, which requires precise timing and control. Looping is a common technique in live performances and studio recordings for building layered soundscapes.

Portamento

Portamento is a musical effect where the pitch of a note slides smoothly to the pitch of the next note played. The video script describes the portamento effect on the Reface CS, which can give a performance a smooth, gliding quality similar to that of a string instrument. It's a feature that adds expressiveness to the sound, making it more human-like and less robotic.

Effects

Effects in the context of synthesizers and electronic music refer to various processes that alter the sound after it has been produced. The video mentions effects such as delay and phaser, which can add depth, echo, and other sonic textures to the sound. Effects are crucial for shaping the final output of a synthesizer and can greatly influence the mood and style of a musical piece.

Pitch Bend

Pitch bend is a technique used on synthesizers to alter the pitch of a note after it has been played, creating a sliding or bending effect. The video script describes how the presenter uses the pitch bend wheel on the Reface CS to manipulate the sound in real-time, adding expressiveness and emotion to the music. Pitch bend is a staple feature of synthesizers and is often used by performers to emulate the pitch variations of traditional instruments like guitars or violins.

Highlights

Yamaha is known for its diverse range of musical instruments, from high-performance racing bikes to synthesizers.

The Yamaha CS80 was a top-of-the-line synthesizer in 1976, used in iconic music and film scores.

The CS80 was heavy, fragile, and expensive, with less than 800 ever made.

The Yamaha Reface CS is a compact version of the CS80, making it portable and affordable.

The Reface CS synthesizer is challenging to use, offering a hands-on approach to sound creation.

The synthesizer allows for the creation of a variety of sounds using wave patterns like Sawtooth and Square wave.

Modulation capabilities enable the creation of dynamic and evolving sounds.

The synthesizer includes a low frequency oscillation feature for sweeping effects.

Polyphony allows for the simultaneous play of multiple notes, a feature not common in all synthesizers.

Portamento effect can make the synthesizer sound more expressive and melodic.

Pitch Bend is a key feature for synth players, allowing for guitar-like note bending.

The synthesizer includes a Looper function, which is difficult to master but rewarding for creating layered sounds.

Effects like delay and phaser can add depth and character to the synthesized sounds.

The Reface CS requires precise adjustments, as slight changes can drastically alter the sound.

Yamaha provides SoundCloud tracks to demonstrate the potential of the Reface CS synthesizer.

GarageBand on iOS devices offers a free synthesizer experience similar to the Reface CS.

Electronic music is a craft that requires skill and practice, as demonstrated by the complexity of the Reface CS.

The Reface CS synthesizer has been in production since 2015, offering a modern take on classic synth design.

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