Yamaha Reface CP synthesizer

General

Before digital pianos became a common sight, manufacturers tried various methods to create a more portable version of the heavy acoustic piano. Various models that saw the light of day are considered classics, and therefore still quite popular. No wonder Yamaha was eager to bring names like Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinet - which have become part of pop music history - back into the spotlight. Their Reface CP synthesizer is a compact device that's much easier to transport than the original electric pianos were. As such, it's a perfect instrument for bands and other live acts.

Characteristics of the Yamaha Reface CP synthesizer

The Reface CP may be compact, but that doesn't mean it isn't able to deliver outstanding sound. Pick a Rhodes sound, select a reverb and you're able to enjoy that typical, intimate seventies sound, for instance. Of course this Reface's technology is all but vintage. DIN-MIDI and USB-MIDI enable you to connect the synthesizer to your computer, but also allow you to use a different keyboard - ideal for parts that require a wider key range, or if you prefer full-size keys over mini keys. You can also connect a sound source to the synth's aux input - plug in your smartphone or tablet, and you're able to play along with a backing track.

What's more

Numerous hit songs and acts owe their characteristic sound to an electric piano. In addition to the aforementioned Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinet, the Reface CP also features a Toy Piano and a Yamaha CP80. The latter boasts a distinct sound that was briefly all the rage in the 1980s, and later on made a modest comeback in the sound sets of various keyboards. Using this Reface is dead easy; pick a sound, select matching effects, and you're ready to get cracking. Its polyphony shouldn't give you any concerns - with 128 voices, you'll never miss a note.