Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $396
Budget/Beginner
$500
$1501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Yamaha Reface CS". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Unleash the iconic '80s synth sound with the Yamaha Reface CS, a compact powerhouse that encapsulates the essence of Yamaha's revered CS-5. Boasting 37 keys, five unique oscillator modules, and an impressive 8-note polyphony, this mobile mini vintage synth is an ode to the golden era of music production. With its compact design, it is your go-to instrument for impromptu jam sessions and perfect for bedroom producers, thanks to its seamless MIDI functionality. Experience the authenticity of vintage synthesizers without breaking the bank with this agile marvel.
Key Features:
- 37 compact keys for a full range of sound exploration
- Five distinct oscillator modules for a variety of tonal possibilities
- Maximum 8-note polyphony for layered, intricate compositions
- Mimics the classic timbre of Yamaha's acclaimed CS-5
- Portable design, ideal for on-the-go music production
- MIDI functionality, perfect for integrating with your existing setup
- Affordable pricing, offering genuine vintage synth experience.
Product specs
| Type | Keyboard Synthesizer |
| Sound Engine | Modeling engine with Pulse, Multi-saw, Oscillator Sync, Ring modulation and FM |
| Number of Keys | 37 |
| Type of Keys | Mini synth keys |
| Velocity Sensitive | Yes |
| Polyphony | 8 notes |
| Number of Presets | 5 oscillators |
| Effects Types | Chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, distortion |
| Sampling | Phrase looper (up to 10 minutes) |
| Audio Inputs | 1 x 1/8" TRS (aux in) |
| Audio Outputs | 2 x 1/4" (left, right) |
| Headphones | 1 x 1/4" |
| USB | USB Type B |
| MIDI I/O | 1 x MIDI jack with breakout cable |
| Pedal Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (FC7 volume controller) |
| Power Source | 12V DC power supply / 6 x AA batteries (5 hour lifespan) |
| Height | 2.37" |
| Width | 20.87" |
| Depth | 6.87" |
| Weight | 4 lbs. 3 oz. |
FAQs
-
Is the Yamaha Reface CS suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, the Yamaha Reface CS is suitable for live performances thanks to its compact size, built-in speakers, and battery power option, making it highly portable and versatile for on-the-go use.
-
How does the Yamaha Reface CS sound engine work?
-
The Yamaha Reface CS uses a modeling engine that includes pulse, multi-saw, oscillator sync, ring modulation, and FM synthesis, allowing for a wide range of sound design possibilities.
-
Does the Yamaha Reface CS support polyphonic play?
-
Yes, the Yamaha Reface CS supports 8-note polyphony, allowing you to play complex chords and layer sounds effectively.
-
What are the connectivity options available on the Yamaha Reface CS?
-
The Yamaha Reface CS offers various connectivity options, including 1/8" TRS aux input, 1/4" audio outputs, USB Type B, MIDI I/O via a breakout cable, and a pedal input for a volume controller.
-
Can the Yamaha Reface CS be powered by batteries?
-
Yes, the Yamaha Reface CS can be powered by 6 AA batteries, providing up to 5 hours of playtime, making it ideal for portable use.
-
Does the Yamaha Reface CS have built-in effects?
-
Yes, the Yamaha Reface CS includes built-in effects such as chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, and distortion, enhancing your sound design capabilities.
Videos
DankPods
The Yamaha Reface CS Synthesiser.
Reviews
PROS
-
Portable and battery-operated, ideal for mobility
-
Onboard speakers and stereo effects enhance playability
-
Sweet spots are many and varied, offering lush, warm tones
-
Quick and easy to program, requires minimal desk space
-
Doubles as a MIDI controller, enhancing versatility
-
Solid build quality with smooth faders and great feeling keys
-
8 voice polyphony expands creative possibilities
-
Wide range of sounds, from vintage to modern
-
Compatible with Soundmondo app for preset sharing (iOS)
-
Accessible and fun for beginners, yet complex enough for skilled players
CONS
-
App for presets only compatible with iOS, excluding Android users
-
Only one envelope for modulation, limiting flexibility
-
No onboard patch storage or recall functionality
-
Onboard speakers prone to buzzing with certain patches
-
Looper control is imprecise, making loop end points difficult to set
-
Keys may feel small for those accustomed to full-sized keyboards
-
Some parameters exhibit stepping, which might not suit all production styles
-
Requires a separate MIDI adapter for full MIDI functionality
-
Sound through built-in speakers not as rich compared to external amplification
-
Limited sequencer capabilities, lacking an arpeggiator
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha Reface CS.
Features and functionality
-
The Yamaha Reface CS lacks onboard preset storage, but presets can be saved and accessed via the Soundmondo app, which includes user-created patches.
Source -
The Reface CS looper is a note looper, not an audio looper, allowing sound changes during playback as it replays notes rather than audio layers.
Source -
The Reface CS allows pitch bend adjustment from a half-step to an octave, offering flexibility for expressive playing.
Source -
The CS's analog-style synthesis is noted for its classic sound character, appealing to users seeking traditional saw, square, and triangle waveforms.
Source
Use cases and applications
-
Owners often utilize the Reface CS for portable practice sessions due to its battery power and onboard speakers, making it ideal for casual, on-the-go use.
Source -
The CS is favored for live settings due to its quick sound manipulation, whereas the DX is preferred for studio work with its deeper programming potential.
Source
Comparisons
-
The Yamaha Reface CS is noted for its simplicity and ease of use, with a workflow reminiscent of classic analog synths, but differs in oscillator implementation.
Source -
Compared to the Microkorg, the Reface CS has twice the polyphony, but lacks preset storage, making it a choice between sound flexibility and preset convenience.
Source -
The CS excels in immediacy and ease for analog sounds, while the DX offers deeper sound design capabilities, appealing to those who enjoy complex FM synthesis.
Source
User experience
-
Several users appreciate the Reface CS for its immediacy and ability to quickly dial in sounds without menu diving, enhancing creativity through its limitations.
Source -
Owners often use the Reface CS for travel and casual settings, citing its built-in speakers and battery power as ideal for quick, spontaneous playing.
Source -
The mini keys on the Reface CS are praised for their playability, allowing chord shapes similar to full-sized keys due to their top-playable design.
Source -
Despite having multiple synths, owners often keep the Reface CS due to its immediate sound design capabilities and portability, making it a frequent choice for gigs and travel.
Source -
Users find the CS more intuitive for beginners due to its hands-on, immediate interface, while the DX requires an understanding of FM synthesis for optimal use.
Source
Mods and upgrades
-
Although the Reface CS lacks velocity sensitivity in its own synth engine, its keys support and transmit velocity over MIDI, useful for controlling other gear.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 8 Reviews and 39 Ratings
161
Flexible, but don’t expect a cs80
It’s touted as being inspired by the cs80 and while you can hear small parts of that, it’s just impossible to recreate what that was in a small synth like this. But once you get that notion out of your head, you start to realize that this little synth may be the most flexible sub 500 dollar synth on the market. It’s synthesis options give you enough control to create as many sounds as your imagination can muster, and the 8 note polyphony is great for getting that layered pad sound to get fairly strong. At less than 300 dollars I think it’s a no brainer to own this at least unti Behringer finishes it’s cs80 clone. ???????????
75
This thing is amazing!
Ready to go right out of the box, you can create a wide range of sounds in just a few minutes. It looks amazing and is very portable and light. The keys feel great and make it easy to play for people with smaller hands (like myself). The oscillators are decently varied (5, notably sawtooth and square) and the ability to change the sending of the LFO or ASDR is great. 8 note polyphony is just enough for me. Some of the sounds I've gotten out of it are really great! For 300$ I'm very satisfied.
I bought this thinking it had no velocity response but it appears it may actually have a volume dependent velocity implementation so that was nice to find out.
254
Great little synth
A surprisingly versatile virtual analog synth. The effects are a great addition and really add to the tones you can create. Such a shame that you can't save presets - as this severely limits it for live use in my opinion. Also the sequencer is very limited and poorly implemented - an arpeggiator would have been a lot more useful. Still a keeper for the ease and speed of creating and tweaking sounds form scratch.
69
Love the tones
This little synth does a lot. They put so much flex into the range of each control, as self resonance can be a huge part of making sounds with this. No patch memory in any format (a tiny flip-up panel with a single reproduction of all the tiny levers even tinier would be hard to do) but the ability to quickly dial in what you want is really the point. I wish the looper had a mode without tempo controls that just hard-AB loops because that tempo lever is indicative of nothing. Giving us some markers of what the lines represent would have been really cool, but overall the ability to make such a range of tones using AA batteries and not even cluttering a backpack too significantly makes the minor complaints pretty minor.
90
Fun to play around with and get good sounds.
I did a ton of research trying to find what my best option for a synth that could get me close to some Tame Impala or Mac Demarco synth. You get a lot more than just that from it.. Love this little syth. The speakers, batteries and portability make it a great option.
243
Fantastic
The sound from this is amazing, the format is a bit iffy, but forget that, the sound is what's important!
118
Great VA synthesizer
A powerful synthesizer for musicians at search of the subtractive synthesis on a small package.
Artist usage
Add artist
In a YouTube video titled "Bon Iver '22 (OVER S∞∞N)' - Late Show #PlayAtHome," Justin Vernon can be seen playing a Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer at his studio in Wisconsin.
The Synth can be seen in "Lucky Star". It is the small white synth that French Kiwi Juice uses for the vocoder effect.
In this photo of Jay's keyboard set-up, a Yamaha Reface Polysynth can be seen at the top of the photo.
"Just playin for babies in airports!" video taken by the band member Nick Semrad.
In the live performance video of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at AB - Ancienne Belgique, Ambrose Kenny Smith can be seen playing a Yamaha Reface CS synthesizer.
Album Usage
The Yamaha Reface CS has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha Reface CS, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursMore Yamaha Synthesizers
Accessories & Related Items
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Synthesizers
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
yassiinarrahilGear IQ 212
-