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reface

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Did Yamaha plan to create reface products on rack modules version ?

 
Posted : 01/01/2016 12:27 pm
Bad Mister
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No. You miss the point. A rack unit does not (typically) give the user access to the front panel - each of the reface are compelling because of the front panel interfaces.

Behind the scenes: The least successful area (in terms of sales) in the business of musical instruments/synths are rack modules. This is why so few are available (and I'm not just talking Yamaha here - but the entire musical instrument industry). They seem like a good idea but in reality they fail to capture the intended market. Reason: lack of the hands-on front panel interface that you get with the keyboard version of the product.

The rack is convenient to carry, period. (the reface are also convenient to carry, but also provide a compelling front panel experience!!!). The logistical layout of the rack unit does not lend itself to a fun or practical user interface. The reface are all about that front panel interface

Take the organ interface - part of what is compelling about the organ is the real time, hands on access to the front panel drawbars - place an organ in a rack, tether to it via a 20 foot MIDI cable and you have completely removed the real time hands on access to the front panel. Not practical - to put drawbars vertically on the front panel of rack unit. Even when played from a full sized keyboard you can still place the refaceYC in a convenient location to use the hands-on front panel interface!

Take the analog synth interface - part of what is compelling about playing an analog synth is the real time, hands on access to the front panel knobs and sliders - place an analog synth in a rack, tether to it via a 20 foot MIDI cable and you have completely removed the real time hands on access to the front panel, Not practical to put knobs and sliders on a vertical front panel of a rack unit and have it convenient for performance. Even when played from a full sized keyboard you can still place the refaceCS in a convenient location to use the hands-on front panel interface!

I could go on but you get the idea... look at the reface (HINT: the "face" in reface is about the interface).

If you want to use your reface as rack units - simply get your 20 foot MIDI cable but instead of mounting it in a vertical rack - place the unit just above your controller keyboard (or hide it if that's your thing) and play away. Play it from your favorite set of full sized MIDI keys! that's part of the design concept!!!

This answers the rack people (the units are just over 19-20 inches across, not that you can rack mount them but so they fit in your lap when sitting) - but next time you're sitting on an airplane, train, sitting in the tour bus, riding shotgun with your band mate or simply watching the Super Bowl while playing your reface... you will begin to understand the appeal of these serious little synths!

We find that while rack units offer the SOUND of the keyboard they are 'reduced' from, they do not offer the type of user interactive experience that makes them compelling offerings.
And while there are no shortage of fantastic plastic keyboard controllers available - which often cost as much as the reface itself! we strongly feel the reface will appeal to enough folks who don't want to compromise on great sound for convenience. Use it alone or play it from you favorite controller - best of both worlds

So far, the reface are having a very, very positive response in the marketplace. soundmondo.yamahasynth.com (in early working beta, already is approaching the 1000 patch plateau)!!!

 
Posted : 01/01/2016 3:30 pm
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Yamaha,s responce is nonsence . Laughable at best . Of course you can build a rack version and also have all the knobs and buttons that is on the keyboards. And yes there Is a massive market for small boutique racks . Midi sequencers are all in now and people are collecting modules .

Very patronising responce shame on you

 
Posted : 23/11/2016 8:07 pm
Martin
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Eminent Member
 

The most succesful 4-op FM synth that Yamaha produced in my opinion was the TX81Z rack module. Even if the YS200 (which I owned) and the underrated V50 (which I owned, and now own again) are in fact better synths with the sonic capabilities +more from the TX81Z, they will never get the legendary status the TX81Z has. The DX100 does have a similar legendary status, but is overrated in my opinion. The DX7 is another story. "In terms of sales" the DX7 indeed is hard to beat. But the DX7 didn't have much "real time hands on access" at all. It's many editable parameters are hidden behind a small display and several menus. Rack modules like the TX802 and FS1R are very much loved and wanted these days, even if they didn't come close, in terms of sales, to the DX7.

I really like my Reface DX, no question about that. But you should have restricted your answer to the original question to something like: "No, Yamaha does not have plans to create a rack version." And I can understand Yamaha's reasons for that.

But don't write all this nonsense. Just answer our questions.

 
Posted : 23/11/2016 10:30 pm
Bad Mister
Posts: 0
 

Post a question then Martin...You are free not to read any of my answers. A simply "No" is not a reason to have a website... this is about discussion. If you don't want to discuss then you certainly do not have to... that is your choice. You seem to know that rack module sales are disappointing... and understanding that you can trigger the reface via MIDI (from any controller of your choice) is not something that is immediately apparent to many. So that's why we have a web presence, to discuss some of the concepts.

Thanks for sharing your opinions (although someone might say to you - "don't write all that nonsense...") but that would be rude.. and not in the spirit of the forums...

 
Posted : 23/11/2016 11:53 pm
Martin
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

I didn't mean to be rude, sorry for that. There is already too much rudeness on the internet. Let's just discuss Yamaha synths, agree to disagree, learn, and have fun together!

 
Posted : 24/11/2016 11:09 am
Paul
 Paul
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New Member
 

It would be interesting to have a 16-voice 4-op + SPX in a single rack unit, just my opinion.

 
Posted : 24/11/2016 3:47 pm
Martin
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

I'm receiving my Reface KT keytar extension today. That's one more + in favour of the Reface concept vs. a keyboardless rack module 😀

Another interesting idea might be an FM module in Eurorack format. With in/out connectors for patching audio, controllers, modulation routings ...
Could be a nice option between the growing number of Eurorack modules. Eurorack format is today's more affordable/practical alternative for the huge modular systems from the past. Mostly many analog modules can be found on the market, from many small and big companies, and also from DIY individuals and communities. A digital Yamaha FM soundsource could be a nice addition.

 
Posted : 25/11/2016 8:58 am
Martin
Posts: 0
Eminent Member
 

Paul wrote:
It would be interesting to have a 16-voice 4-op + SPX in a single rack unit, just my opinion.

Yes I have had that thought often too. But If you can find one for a good price 2nd hand TG77 or FS1R rackmodules are an even more powerful option.
My V50 has 16-voice FM and DSP FX. What you describe would be someting like a V50 module version. Or a double RefaceDX engine in a rack.

 
Posted : 25/11/2016 9:10 am
Paul
 Paul
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New Member
 

Indeed, a double reface DX engine in a rack unit or desktop module would be great!
The very rare FVX-1 had 4 x 8 note polyphony with 8 operators and 63 algorithms.
So we're back at "The least successful area (in terms of sales) in the business".

 
Posted : 25/11/2016 10:37 am
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