Yamaha Reface DX

Reviews | Yamaha Reface DX
82
F
M synthesis has been
experiencing something of a
renaissance recently, largely
due to the popularity of soft
synths such as Native Instruments’
FM8, Primal Audio’s FM4 and Digital
Suburban’s Dexed. These authentic
sounding, feature rich, backwards
compatible soft synths have ensured
that FM synthesis has stayed relevant
for modern day producers. Save for the
MOD7 engine in Korg’s Kronos and
Nord keeping FM alive in their Lead/
Stage models, the big players (and
particularly Yamaha) have largely
abandoned FM in favour of sample-
based synthesis. It’s a real shame, as
the only thing really holding back FM
synths of old (including the brilliant
SY77/99 and FS1R) was the lack of
hands-on control. The DX200 module
went some way to putting things right
but it still required a computer to get
the best from it. Fast forward to today
and we have the fi rst new DX with a
keyboard since 1988’s DX11! This is
big news and something folks have
been waiting for for a long time, but
will it address the key defi ciencies of
old FM, in particular the lack of
hands-on control?
The Reface DX is built into the
same high-quality enclosure as the
other Reface models. This time though,
it’s a browny colour like the original
DX7 but the similarities stop there –
this new DX has more in common with
the DX100 and so it features a
mini-keyboard (three octaves compared
to the DX100’s four) and also uses four
operators (FM-speak for oscillators).
Despite being one octave shorter than
the DX100, the quality of the Reface
DX’s keybed is much nicer. The
mechanism is based on a miniaturised
Motif keyboard and you can really feel
the difference between the Reface
keybeds and other manufacturers’
mini-key offerings. Like the Reface CP,
the DX also has velocity, though no
aftertouch. One of my favourite parts of
the DX100 was that it could be worn as
a keytar and thankfully the Reface DX
(and other Refaces) can be worn this
way too, using the optional Keytar Kit.
Touch down
The front panel is very clean looking.
From left to right we have a pitch lever
(also found on the Reface CS) and,
similarly, it’s a shame there’s no
dedicated mod wheel, though it
Yamaha Reface
DX | £347
The Reface DX has some
great effects onboard,
much like its Reface
brothers. However, there
are two effect units
available at once here,
surpassing the other
models. Effect types
include distortion, touch
wah, chorus, fl anger,
phaser, delay and reverb
so there’s plenty to
radically alter the dry
tones. Importantly, these
effects sound excellent
and really enhance the
already great-sounding
new DX engine, plus you
can tweak the effects in
real time using the touch
faders to spice up live
performances. If only the
old DXs had had FX!
There’s also a handy
basic looper with
real-time overdubbing
(same as the Reface CS)
where you can record up
to 2,000 notes (though
there’s no real-time
parameter recording). It
can be sync’d to MIDI
too and it’s a great way
to capture ideas on the
fl y, which you can then
record to your DAW.
Round the back you’ll
fi nd a full-sized
headphone jack and jack
outs, an Aux In for
jamming along to MP3s,
USB for MIDI/updates
and a sustain pedal
input. Finally, to top
things off, you can
capture preset sounds
and make setlists
using the iOS Capture
App and then share
them via the online
SoundMondo community.
FX, Looper And Connectivity
The fi rst new DX-badged synth since 2001’s
DX200 module is here. Dan ‘JD73’ Goldman
sees what’s new…
WHAT IS IT?
New four-operator DX
synth, with mini-keys,
speakers, looper
and effects
CONTACT
Who: Yamaha
Tel: [phone]
Web: www.uk.yamaha.com
HIGHLIGHTS
1 Compact, portable and
well built with intuitive
editing via the new
touch controller
2 Sounds great with a
glossy, noise-free,
modern DX sound
3 High-quality effects
and handy looper
INCLUDES AUDIO
l
vault.futuremusic.co.uk
been waiting for for a long time, but
FMU298.rev_reface_dx.indd 82 10/8/15 1:41 PM