The Yamaha Reface CS Synthesiser.

DankPods
23 Mar 202312:00

TLDRIn this video, the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer is explored, a compact and modern reinterpretation of the iconic CS80. The presenter, a jazz musician, delves into the synthesizer's capabilities, demonstrating its unique sounds and features. From its wave pattern options to modulation, looping, and effects, the video showcases the instrument's complexity and versatility. The discussion also touches on the evolution of electronic music and the synthesizer's role in it, emphasizing the craft behind creating electronic sounds. The video concludes with a nod to GarageBand, suggesting that many already have access to a synthesizer through their Apple devices.

Takeaways

  • 🎹 The Yamaha Reface CS is a compact synthesizer that emulates the classic CS80 synthesizer.
  • 🎵 It allows users to create a wide range of electronic sounds, from simple melodies to complex textures.
  • 🏆 The original CS80 was a top-of-the-line synthesizer used in many famous recordings and known for its rich sound.
  • 🚚 Despite its impressive sound, the CS80 was heavy, fragile, and expensive, making it less practical for many musicians.
  • 📱 The Reface CS is designed to be portable and user-friendly, making it accessible to a wider audience.
  • 🎚️ It features a range of controls for wave shaping, modulation, and sound effects, offering deep sound design possibilities.
  • 🎶 The synthesizer includes a looper function, allowing users to layer sounds and create complex patterns.
  • 🎵 It supports polyphonic play, unlike some older synthesizers that were limited to monophonic sound production.
  • 📲 For those who already own Apple devices, GarageBand offers a similar synthesizer experience for free.
  • 🎵 The video emphasizes the craft and skill involved in creating electronic music, dispelling the notion that it's 'cheap and easy'.

Q & A

  • What is the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer?

    -The Yamaha Reface CS is a compact synthesizer that emulates the classic Yamaha CS80, offering a range of sound creation capabilities in a smaller, more portable form factor.

  • Why was the original Yamaha CS80 significant in the music industry?

    -The original Yamaha CS80 was significant because it was a top-of-the-line synthesizer in 1976, known for its rich sound and versatility, and was used extensively in the 1980s, including in the Doctor Who theme and by the ELO.

  • What are some of the challenges with the original CS80 synthesizer?

    -The original CS80 faced challenges such as its heavy weight of about a hundred kilograms, fragility of its components, sensitivity to temperature changes affecting tuning, and its high cost, with less than 800 units ever made.

  • How does the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer differ from a traditional keyboard?

    -The Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer differs from a traditional keyboard in that it is not designed for playing conventional melodies but for creating a wide range of electronic sounds and effects, with a focus on synthesis rather than standard keyboard functions.

  • What is the role of the 'mod' section in the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer?

    -The 'mod' section in the Yamaha Reface CS allows users to modify the sound by adjusting parameters such as wave pattern, resonance, and low-frequency oscillation, which can drastically change the character of the sound being produced.

  • How does the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer handle polyphony?

    -The Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer allows for polyphonic play, meaning it can play multiple notes at once, unlike some other synthesizers that are monophonic and can only play one note at a time.

  • What is the purpose of the pitch bend feature on the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer?

    -The pitch bend feature on the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer is used to alter the pitch of a note after it has been played, allowing for expressive performances similar to techniques used on instruments like the guitar.

  • How does the looper function in the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer work?

    -The looper function in the Yamaha Reface CS allows users to record a sequence of notes or sounds and then repeat it, creating a layering effect that can be used for building up complex musical patterns.

  • What effects can be added to the sound using the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer?

    -The Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer allows users to add various effects to their sounds, such as delays, which create an echoing effect, and phaser, which alters the sound's frequency to create a dynamic, modulating effect.

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

    -While the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer is more analog and less forgiving in terms of fine-tuning compared to digital synthesizers, it offers a hands-on, tactile experience and a unique sound that can be both fun and challenging to work with.

  • What is the relevance of the Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer to someone who already owns an iPhone?

    -For iPhone owners, the GarageBand app provides a similar synthesizer experience, offering a range of sounds and effects to play with, indicating that many people already have access to synthesizer capabilities without needing additional hardware.

Outlines

00:00

🎷 Journey into Electronic Music with Yamaha

The video begins with the host's introduction to the world of electronic music, contrasting it with traditional musical instruments. As a jazz musician with a background in music philosophy, the host expresses a deep appreciation for electronic music, despite initial resistance from peers. The narrative then shifts to Yamaha, a company renowned for its diverse contributions to music technology, from synthesizers to modern drum kits. The focus is on the Yamaha CS80, a groundbreaking synthesizer from the 1970s known for its rich sound and complexity. Despite its high cost and delicate nature, the CS80 was a defining instrument of the 1980s, featured in iconic works like the Doctor Who theme. The host then introduces the Yamaha CS reface, a compact and modern reinterpretation of the CS80, designed for portability and ease of use. The video delves into the intricacies of synthesizer operation, from wave patterns to modulation, showcasing the creative potential and challenges of electronic music production.

05:01

🎹 Exploring the Yamaha CS80's Polyphonic Capabilities

This segment delves into the unique polyphonic capabilities of the original Yamaha CS80, allowing multiple notes to be played simultaneously, which was a significant feature compared to many monophonic synthesizers of the time. The host demonstrates the instrument's versatility, including its pitch bend feature, which adds expressiveness to the sound, akin to a guitarist's pitch bends. The discussion continues with the practicality of the CS80's design, touching on the ergonomics and the evolution of the keytar, a synthesizer with a built-in pitch bend mechanism. The host also explores the synthesizer's attack settings, which dictate the initial force of a sound, and the effects features, such as delay and phaser, which add depth and texture to the music. The segment concludes with a playful acknowledgment of the synthesizer's sensitivity to adjustments, emphasizing the hands-on nature of analog synthesizers.

10:02

📱 Discovering Synthesizers in Modern Technology

The final paragraph shifts focus to the ubiquity of synthesizers in modern technology, highlighting that many people already own a synthesizer in the form of an iPhone with GarageBand. The host reminisces about creating music with GarageBand on an iPad, emphasizing its user-friendly interface and the vast array of sounds and settings available. The video concludes with a nod to the enduring appeal and creativity fostered by synthesizers, from the professional to the casual user. The host expresses gratitude for the audience's engagement and hints at future content related to Yamaha's musical innovations, such as the ego6, a portable audio recorder. The video ends on a light-hearted note, with a playful admonishment directed at a pet named Frank, adding a personal touch to the host's passion for music technology.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Synthesizer

A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals that can be shaped into music. In the video, the Yamaha Reface CS is introduced as a compact synthesizer that emulates the classic CS80, allowing users to create a wide range of sounds. The script mentions how synthesizers have evolved and how Yamaha played a significant role in their development, particularly with the CS80 in the 1980s.

💡MIDI

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that allows electronic musical instruments, computers, and other equipment to communicate and interact with one another. The script refers to Yamaha's contribution to MIDI modules in the 1990s, which were essential for connecting and controlling various devices in electronic music production.

💡Analog Synthesizer

An analog synthesizer is a type of synthesizer that uses analog electronic circuits to generate and manipulate sound. The script contrasts the Yamaha CS80, an analog synthesizer known for its rich and complex sound, with the digital and more portable Reface CS, highlighting the challenges of tuning and maintaining analog equipment due to environmental factors.

💡Waveform

A waveform in the context of synthesizers refers to the shape of the audio signal that produces a specific sound. The video discusses different waveforms like sawtooth and square waves, which are fundamental to creating various timbres and textures in electronic music. The script illustrates how changing waveforms can drastically alter the sound produced by the synthesizer.

💡Modulation

Modulation in synthesizers is the process of altering one or more aspects of a sound wave, such as pitch, amplitude, or timbre, to create dynamic and evolving sounds. The script describes how the Yamaha Reface CS allows for modulation through its controls, enabling users to add depth and complexity to their sounds, as demonstrated by the music examples provided.

💡Low Frequency Oscillation (LFO)

LFO is a type of modulation where a low-frequency signal is used to modulate a parameter of a sound, such as pitch or filter cutoff. The video script mentions using LFO for pitch and depth, creating a sweeping effect that can add movement and interest to the sounds produced by the synthesizer.

💡Octave

In music, an octave is the interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency. The script explains that despite the limited size of the synthesizer's keyboard, the octave function allows the user to play notes at a lower or higher frequency, thus expanding the range of sounds that can be produced.

💡Polyphony

Polyphony refers to the ability of a synthesizer to play multiple notes simultaneously. The video contrasts this with monophonic synthesizers, which can only play one note at a time. The Yamaha CS80 is highlighted for its polyphonic capabilities, a feature that sets it apart from many other synthesizers of its time.

💡Portamento

Portamento is an effect where the pitch of a note slides smoothly between two notes. The script humorously describes the portamento effect as something that 'sounds like something from Olive Garden,' indicating a smooth and continuous transition between notes, which can be used creatively in electronic music.

💡Pitch Bend

Pitch bend is a technique used on synthesizers to alter the pitch of a note after it has been played, similar to the pitch bending on a guitar. The video script describes how pitch bend can be used to create expressive and dynamic performances, noting that many synthesizer players use this feature extensively to add emotion and character to their music.

💡Effects

Effects in the context of synthesizers and electronic music are processes that alter the sound in various ways, such as adding reverb, delay, or distortion. The script discusses the use of effects like delay and phaser on the Yamaha Reface CS, demonstrating how these can be used to enhance and shape the sound, creating a more polished and professional result.

Highlights

The Yamaha Reface CS is a compact and portable synthesizer that revolutionizes music creation.

Contrasting traditional synthesizers, the Reface CS is lightweight and durable, making it easy to transport.

Yamaha's history in synthesizer development includes the iconic CS80, known for its use in the 1980s Doctor Who theme.

The original CS80 was large, heavy, and sensitive to environmental changes, affecting its tuning.

The Reface CS synthesizer is a modern, miniaturized version of the classic CS80, offering similar capabilities in a smaller form factor.

It features a variety of wave patterns, including Sawtooth and Square waves, for sound generation.

The synthesizer includes a modulation section for adding depth and complexity to sounds.

Low Frequency Oscillation (LFO) can be used to create dynamic pitch and filter effects.

The Reface CS allows for polyphonic play, a feature that was groundbreaking in the original CS80.

Portamento effect can be used to smoothly transition between notes, adding a unique flavor to the sound.

Pitch Bend functionality is crucial for expressive playing, mimicking techniques used in other stringed instruments.

The synthesizer's attack control allows for customization of how notes begin, influencing the sound's character.

Effects such as delay and phaser are built-in, offering a range of sonic possibilities.

Despite its simplicity compared to digital synthesizers, the Reface CS offers a hands-on, tactile experience.

Yamaha provides SoundCloud tracks demonstrating the synthesizer's capabilities, showcasing its versatility.

GarageBand on iOS devices offers a similar synthesizer experience for free, indicating the accessibility of music creation tools.

The Reface CS synthesizer is a testament to the evolution and miniaturization of music technology.

Electronic music creation is a craft that requires skill and practice, as demonstrated by the Reface CS's hands-on approach.