Yamaha CP reface Alternatives

[Urumiko]

Keyboards are not my area of expertise.

For some months now I find myself lusting after everything the CP reface has to offer. Well, Convincing Rhodes and Whirli sounds in a convenient package.

I currently find myself limiting my gear purchases more to the £150 kind of range and these keyboards are really holding their value.

I was wondering if anyone was aware of older alternatives i might be able to nab on ebay.
I do like the reface form factor but I'm wiling to consider anything from sound modules to full size pianos.

[resistorman]

Most keyboards or modules I’ve seen spend most of their budgets constructing acoustic piano sounds and the Rhodes and Wurlitzer samples are almost an afterthought. Not what I would call convincing.

[Arpangel]

I think my answer is no, I've been resisting the urge to get a CP for a long time, and I'm very tempted, as a real Rhodes is still a lot of money.
The Reface IMO is a very hard act to beat. I hate the form factor, it's horrible, but just treat it like a sound module and stash it out of the way somewhere.

[The Elf]

When one of my continental friends convinced me to try out the Reface CP in his studio I really didn't want to like it. I expected to politely prod a few keys, then move on and take a look at some of the better stuff in there. I spent 20 minutes being gob-smacked by the CP.

I hate almost everything about the hardware, from the ridiculous mini keyboard to the 'here we go again' external PSU. I hate the tabletop form, the short power cable, the impossibly small legending... At least it isn't a momentary power switch (I'm looking at you, Korg...). Would that it were in a 19-inch rack module...

But to hear it is to forgive it.

I simply had to get one - I've hoisted it up high on my keyboard stand (and I had to extend that damned PSU cable to manage this), just low enough so I can twiddle the controls. I have a cable plugged into the headphone jack in order to defeat the 'salvaged from a Furbie' speakers. Safely tucked away I play it from a decent keyboard. Once you hear the CP you forget the hardware and just revel in it what it does. It has no right to sound this good.

The simultaneously available multiple effects are really very good too - much better than those provided on the other Refaces.

In short - if you know you like the CP then I'd say go for it. I doubt you will be disappointed. I really have stopped looking for those sounds from elsewhere.

[Urumiko]

Thanks all.

I guess you have all served to prove why the CP specifically is holding its value.

Yes It's weird that it looks like a toy. One could argue there would be a market for a sound module version of this kit. That said, as much as id Hook my controler keyboard up to it in the studio, its nice to know that if i wanted to break away from the computer and use it as part of a jam rig, it could function nicely in that niche.

i guess ill just try and pinch my nose when im shelling out all that cash for a plastic toy keyboard.

I wonder what tech it is based on.

[The Elf]

i guess ill just try and pinch my nose when im shelling out all that cash for a plastic toy keyboard.

You may be pleasantly surprised at how solidly it is built - it looks like a toy, but it certainly doesn't feel like one.

[N i g e l]

" Plastic Toy keyboard "

I think the Reface series is iconic. A Future classic !

The keyboard action is no toy, although it is mini keys which doesnt suit all adults.

There is an accoustic piano "Easter Egg" in the CP, which Ive mentioned in that post

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... 23&t=68844

[N i g e l]

the ridiculous mini keyboard

ideal for people with small hands and when you want to palm 12 notes at once

external PSU. I hate the

fitting the PSU inside the unit would make it considerably bigger to say the least

tabletop form,

aka highly portable, great for use with a laptop when away from base.

defeat the 'salvaged from a Furbie' speakers

Considering the speakers are 3 x 3 cm they sound good. The case is labyrinth tuned
so extra bass comes from below.

You can turn the speakers off [and other stuff] with a special power up keypress.
[ on the DX its in the menu system ]

The simultaneously available multiple effects are really very good too - much better than those provided on the other Refaces.

The DX effects are good too. 2 serial effects choosen from any of the usual suspects. Phase chorus distort reverb delay etc

The Reface also have an aux in. Ideal for plugging in a drum machine on your phone or to give a Volca some decent speakers.

[Rich Hanson]

Three octaves for a piano, though!!!

[The Elf]

fitting the PSU inside the unit would make it considerably bigger to say the least

I'll take it! Where do I sign?

[N i g e l]

N i g e l wrote:
fitting the PSU inside the unit would make it considerably bigger to say the least

I'll take it! Where do I sign?

1 Option is to do away with the PSU and buy 2 sets of rechargeable AAs....

[The Elf]

N i g e l wrote:
fitting the PSU inside the unit would make it considerably bigger to say the least

I'll take it! Where do I sign?

1 Option is to do away with the PSU and buy 2 sets of rechargeable AAs....

[Arpangel]

Is anyone using an 88 note keyboard with the CP? Or at least a 61. How does the CP fair sonically at note extremes?

[The Elf]

I use a couple of 76 boards - the extremes are perfectly fine.

[Dashanna]

I was wondering if anyone was aware of older alternatives i might be able to nab on ebay.

Check out the E-mu Classic Keys sound module, same soundset as the Vintage Keys, including very good classic e-pianos, but replaces the filters with FX and comes in much cheaper - £80 - £125.

[Arpangel]

I use a couple of 76 boards - the extremes are perfectly fine.

That's good, I'll have to check one of these out with a decent keyboard..

[N i g e l]

If your going to the Yamaha shop, can you try out a CP1 as well and post your thoughts?

They both use Spectral Component Modelling so Im wondering if the reface is a cut down version of the CP1 and if so whats been cut (apart from the tweekability).

[Arpangel]

If your going to the Yamaha shop, can you try out a CP1 as well and post your thoughts?

They both use Spectral Component Modelling so Im wondering if the reface is a cut down version of the CP1 and if so whats been cut (apart from the tweekability).

I'll try and go there tomorrow, I'm in London right now so it's OK.
I'll post back in a couple of days and let you know how I got on.

[N i g e l]

Great ! Thanks

[Arpangel]

Great ! Thanks

OK, I went there today, they had never heard of a CP1, until a chap looked it up on the computer, they didn't have one obviously.
I tried the CP88 which didn't impress at all, no feedback from the keyboard, and the Rhodes sound was way too bright.
However, I must thank you for emptying my wallet, I bought a Reface CP after a minute of playing it, Intold the salesman it sounded better than the CP88. What a great little keyboard this is, fantastic effects too, I never thought I'd own one of these, but it's a revelation. I'm looking forward to putting my SM57 on those speakers.

[The Elf]

I'm looking forward to putting my SM57 on those speakers.

Instant 1976 Woolworths home keyboard!

[Arpangel]

I'm looking forward to putting my SM57 on those speakers.

Instant 1976 Woolworths home keyboard!

This is great! I've been up all night playing it, we're still camping out on our "building site" so it's filled up time nicely.
Even though the keyboard is small, it's got just the right type of feedback, it's just a classic.

[N i g e l]

Glad to hear your enjoying your new CP. Definitely a classic.
Which of the Rhodes tones do you prefer ?

[Wonks]

It's a sine of the tines.

[Arpangel]

Glad to hear your enjoying your new CP. Definitely a classic.
Which of the Rhodes tones do you prefer ?

I don't know? RD11 I think, for more straight ahead stuff, but for spacey, it's RD1, but it's difficult to say, I like them all, even the CLV with a slow chorus is amazing, but RD11 with the D Delay set to maximum, and feedback loops is a freak out, just nudge the Time knob a little and you can't get really spacey. I seem to be stuck on one patch, 1 octave down, RD11, tremolo on, chorus on, D Delay on, reverb on 50%, absolute heaven! Toy piano is good too, it's all great! Funny thing, I'm not having any issues with these small keys, that's surprising.