This week at NAMM 2015 Yamaha announced its new range of mini-keyboards dubbed the “ReFace” series, inspired by a wide range of their top tier instruments. In essence the range is looking to add an element of portability while not compromising on sound or build quality at a fairly budget price.

The range is comprised of 4 separate units:

• Reface YC – re-imagines the classic Yamaha YC Combo Organs
• Reface CP –  classic Electric Piano sounds + the classic CP80 piano sound
• Reface CS – re-creates the classic CS series of keyboards
• Reface DX – draws inspiration from the classic DX7

Yamaha released a press release in regards to the new product line:

“The series offers great sound, built-in speakers, 37 keys with professional-grade HQ-Mini action (derived from the flagship Motif XF) and battery-powered portability for making music on the go. But more than mere travel companions, these versatile keyboards connect with external speakers, smartphones, tablets, MIDI devices and computers for use on stage and in the studio.”

This is exciting news for producers out there looking for high quality sound sources that they can take anywhere with them, even more exciting is the ability to send and receive midi from such a compact unit! Some producers may take issue with the lack of octaves (37 keys) and the size of the keys themselves however as seen in demonstration videos they play quite well and the hardware is taken from Yamaha’s flagship Motif XF.

The premise between each unit is a sound source and a set of dedicated set of effects and some of the results are quite surprising and dynamic.

Yamaha press releases reveal more details about each specific unit:

• Reface YC – reimagines the YC Yamaha Combo organs, introduced in the late 1960s and used by Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream and others. The YC offers all the expression of drawbars, rotary speaker, percussion and effects. It includes five retro organ sounds — ranging from tonewheel to transistor to the original Yamaha Combo organ — and 128-note polyphony. reface CP redesigns the Combo Piano, launched in 1975 and ubiquitous on stages during that era. The sound enhanced the work of Keane, U2, Genesis, Billy Joel and more.

• Reface CP – features six electric piano sounds including tine, reed, clav, toy and CP80 plus direct control of six different 1970s-style effects built into its retro-chic design. It also includes a sustain pedal input with a half-damper response and 128-note polyphony.

• Reface CS – rekindles the legacy of the CS-series Control Synthesizers, introduced in 1976 and played by Vangelis, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson among others. Offering 8-note polyphony, reface CS uses virtual analog synth technology and five flexible oscillator modules to create a wide variety of complex sounds from analog to digital.

• Reface DX – draws its inspiration from the iconic DX7, which debuted in 1983 and became the first commercially successful electronic keyboard used extensively by a multitude of bands throughout the decade and beyond. With the press of a button, the reface DX changes from retro-80s tones to cutting-edge modern sounds perfect for EDM. A new Multi-Touch Control interface makes it easy to customize your sound with the powerful FM (frequency modulation) synthesis engine. The instrument includes 8-note polyphony, 32 Voice Memories and a backlit display. reface features a “one to one” control scheme, meaning the panel controls perfectly match the tone generator for direct sound creation and musical inspiration.

Out in September this year and with a rough price tag of $500-800 these look like an exciting piece of gear, one that will surely feature in many live sets to come! Check this video below for a hands on with each instrument, courtesy of Andertons Music Co!