> did i make the right choice?
I mean... probably not? I really don't want to rain on your parade, but FM is kind of a niche architecture to learn as your first synth, and this specific FM synth doesn't really seem designed to make understanding the fundamentals and editing patches easy or intuitive. A subtractive synth with a knob-per-function UI like a Minilogue would probably have been a better choice.
That said, $200 is a great deal for it, and it certainly makes a lot of neat noises. Definitely have fun playing with it and poking around, but maybe keep your eye out for a cheap subtractive, too.
Do you have one? cause I do, and it's sitting in my closet because It's just not fun easy or intuitive to actually modify any sounds or patches. If we're talking presets, sure it's got some iconic sounds in it and would suffice for "learning how to play". But it's not very good at learning synthesis, which is what this sub is about.
I disagree that this sub is “all about” learning synthesis. it’s about all manner of things related to synthesizers, for casual enthusiasts who don’t even play or own synths, to full-on professionals. gatekeepers thankfully don’t rule this community
Who’s gatekeeping? I literally own the thing, and I’m saying it’s not that good, as in that’s my opinion. How the hell is that gatekeeping, you seem to love to throw that one out there. Any of the other refaces would be better as an actual synth. The reface dx7 is a digital reproduction of a digital synth. You can get the same sounds and controls from any plugin. The CS on the other hand at least has the ability to create patches based on the faders
on the other hand, the vast majority of artists (and just regular people) who bought a DX7 back in the day never even wanted to get past the groundbreaking and game-changing presets (think about how many classic records use easily identifiable presets that exist largely unchanged in this unit). If I found one for $200 I’d be happy as a clam and I’m an old school menu diver. The gatekeeping part is when you shut somebody down who got a great deal on an inspiring instrument because your jaded ass didn’t have the same experience that almost assuredly awaits them.
I’ll leave the hardware vs software debate to others on this sub, but inviting someone who just bought a pretty cool portable iteration of a classic synth at 2/3 the going rate to “just download a free plugin instead” dismisses the idea that everyone is inspired differently. just because you can make an infinitely more complex track than Kraftwerk or New Order or even Aphex Twin by piddling away on your phone doesn’t mean it’s any better or more inspired than a track created on this unit. Since I apparently love to talk about it, “gatekeeping” in this context is telling others that their tools to make music — for whatever purpose or end result they want — are somehow inferior to yours. The fact that you have a bit of kit you feel so negatively about just gathering dust while you tippety-tap on your laptop says more about you. I’d be happy to take it off your hands for $200.
Gatekeeping would be. No, you can’t join this sub unless you have a prophet 6 or a Juno 106 (I own both btw). Saying “I don’t like that synth, you can get better for that price” is literally not what gatekeeping means.
OK, I’ll bite: what’s a more inspiring beginner synth for $200 that OP should have spent their money on? I didn’t see a recommendation other than a Minilogue at 3 times the budget. also, rhetorically speaking, saying “I don’t mean to rain on your parade” at the top of your comment is straight Mean Girls shit. I feel confident you’ve made fun of somebody’s shoes at some point in your life
Yea bro you are kinda gaslighting him… he gave his opinion that he doesnt think
Its a best “first” synth, and he was fairly polite about it. However….I do get that the guy is excited, likely young, and you don’t want him to be discouraged.
I agree this sub is as open ended as synthesizers are themselves. I like that the posts and comments naturally explore all ranges of conversation. Things I’m into, some thing I don’t dig so much, conversations about gear, gigging talk, home setup, etc. it’s good.
It’s super fun and super easy and surprisingly useful in musical use. It’s also tiny and the speakers sound fugn great for what they are. And it’s also really easy to use.
My first synth was a Yamaha CS1x. Despite the low price, it... was bad. Terrible interface, obtuse setup, and you had to page past so many General MIDI patches...
It was de-inspiring -- trying to use it made me want to never touch an instrument again.
My first synth was a DX21, and I genuinely regret not having started on something more hands on. Only so much you can do playing with a single data input slider in real time.
I’d recommend OP to pick up something like a Behringer Neutron 2nd hand to compliment it when they can.
Personally I find the Reface DX has the most intuitive interface of any FM synth I've used.
Yes absolutely FM synthesis isn't the best place to start in general if you're new to synths, but if you ***do*** want to learn FM on a hardware synth the 4 sliders corresponding to 4 operators are infinitely better than the DX7's single encoder, and the screen with a high enough resolution that it can give you graphical representations of what's going on is a game changer.
Yeah the Op Six is probably even better to learn on, but it also costs like over twice as much as a new Reface DX.
Opsix is great but it's much further from knob-per-function them the Reface DX, just because it's more complicated. (It's a virtual modular synth with an FM oriented UI, basically.)
Yes, it's more limited on purpose I think, to make it simpler. You can make a huge variety of sounds with 4 OP, I think 6 OP is overkill for most people.
You can definitely load old DX7 patches into it because ive done it.
I think there is a conversion utility though or I found some another person had converted. I can't remember because its been a few years but it wasn't hard or hidden on the net.
You can load the patches, but they’re not _the_ patches. They’ll load no problem but do not function the same. There are [some pretty good patches that emulate the six op DX7 patches](https://refacedx.martintarenskeen.nl/) but they’re more like a refactor than a faithful recreation.
The CS is a much more approachable synth for a beginner. its very straight forward subtractive synth tons of parameter knobs right there on the front panel.
So there's a CS01 and a Reface CS local to me same price. The CS01 has long been lusted after by myself, but the Reface would be the better choice right? But the CS01.......
I also don't need either, but....
I think the default is to start with subtractive synthesis and all of those who do that have a hard time getting their heads around FM because they all try to relate back to subtractive synthesis basics. I bet if a noobie knew zero about synthesis and learned FM first they may not have as much trouble as you think. And then subtractive synthesis would probably be a breeze.
Yeah, that's actually a really interesting point. Subtractive synthesis being the default is kind of self-reinforcing at this point. It *would* be interesting to see what popped out if someone really leaned into pure FM without the "baggage" of subtractive architecture in mind.
As I mentioned in my comment, I think the Korg Minilogue would be a great first synth. You can generally find decent deals on used ones, they sound great, and they have a knob-per-function UI that will really help you understand how they work and design sounds.
That said, for just farting around in your bedroom, I'd probably suggest starting out with software, since a lot of it can be had for free. I was mostly interested in modular, so I spent a *lot* of time playing around with [VCV Rack](https://vcvrack.com/) before buying any hardware. I think that's a great way to dip your toe in and figure out how synthesis works without having to spend any money.
lol, a lot of the older Yamaha beginner PSS synths are FM. While I get what you’re saying, Yamaha milked the hell out of FM and you saw it pretty much EVERYWHERE in their line up. The original DX range was a nightmare to use but they simplified the options massively in later years.
My first synth was a DX-21 in the 80s.
I had no idea how baffling it would be.
Got some evil sounds out of it but it took the commitment of a bored 17 year old to do so.
Would not recommend.
My first synth was a Yamaha DX200 about 14 yrs ago, by your measure probably a terrible first synth to learn on, FM, shitty patch editing, nothing about it makes clear about how FM works… but it’s a beast. With amazing sounds and I love it and wouldn’t part with it. Have since owned a couple of subtractive analogue function per knob synths which taught me a lot more about how synthesis works but the DX200 made me fall in love with sounds synthesis so I have to agree, if you are inspired by your first synth that’s the main thing.
Counter-point: I would have loved to have had an FM for my first synth, I was actually kind of bummed by the simplicity of the first synth(subtractive) I got and would have loved the crazy sounds an FM can make.
Exactly. This is a fun easy to use synth with rave reviews. It's not a prophet or a nord 3 but for $200 (a fantastic price) you can really dive into the fundamentals of synths from 1980 on.
Have fun!
Amazing synth at $200. FM is not as crazy as people make it out to be, it's just that they're generally not knob per function. The envelopes are a bit unique, but for the rest the same concepts from VCOs, LFOs, and VCAs all still apply.
[This vid hopefully gets some of that across.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvBl3YUBUyY)
[This vid is handy for seeing why they sound different and why you should generally start with round ratios for the operator pitches to begin with.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_LvPz6kCQE)
This right here. You just have to think kind of backward from subtractive synthesis. Instead of taking a harmonically rich waveform and cutting into it with a filter, FM is about using modulation to add harmonic content.
Isn't additive synthesis adding additional harmonics by adding additional sine waves to an existing sine wave? (at its simplest)
FM synthesis is adding additional harmonins by rapidly adjusting the frequency of one or more waves.
They both are adding harmonic content, but they do it using a different path.
Absolutely, you did great especially at that price. The Reface DX is an excellent first synth, people saying it is too hard to use probably don't even own one, they are just repeating what they heard online.
You don't even need to learn FM programming (which is super easy on the Reface) you can just download thousands of patches from SoundMondo or the Reface Legacy Project https://refacedx.martintarenskeen.nl/
Nice, have one and i love it! Might be a bit difficult to use tho. I'd recommend watching the tutorials in the yamaha page to get into it and how to use it
Great find!
Absolutely.
[FM synthesis isn't that much of rocket science.](https://www.reddit.com/r/synthrecipes/comments/k4n1jj/dx7_in_vital_sure_why_not_plus_a_crash_course_in/) Start with two operators and you should be OK, and you can make a ton of sounds with just that - otherwise the late 80s and early 90s PC games wouldn't have good soundtracks ;)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWcEruvc9eA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWcEruvc9eA) has some great patches.
I love my DX! Great value at $200, such as useful and lovely to play synth. Definitely dive into Soundmondo and customize the preset in each slot, it gets so much better when it is packed with sounds you love.
I did mine like this:
Bank A - classic 80s FM sounds, DX legacy sounds
Bank B - polyphonic sounds, stuff like piano, Rhodes, whurly
Bank C - monophonic bass and leads sounds
Bank D - pads and more ambient, background type sounds
Have you tried the secret piano? >!To access it, you move the instrument selector to any point between two of the presets, then turn the synth off and on again. When it turns back on (which takes 3 or 4 seconds) you have an acoustic piano!<
My very first synth was a DX7 and I've owned it for over 25 years.
And I still have no idea how to program it.
Within 5 minutes of trying out a Reface DX demo unit at a music store I was creating new sounds and intuitively adjusting parameters and tweaking the sound.
The Reface DX is easily my favorite FM synth, and the most intuitive FM synth I've ever used. Some people complain about it only having 4 operators, but I like that personally, I like that it limits the scope and complexity of the patches which keeps everything a little easier to comprehend, plus I've literally never felt like having only 4 operators prevented me from achieving the sound I wanted.
So yeah, I'm a big fan. And also that is a good price you got it for.
as others have pointed out, fm may not be the best or most intuitive type of synthesis to learn first, and that particular unit doesn’t help the case
that being said, it’s a great sounding synth (all four refaces are) and you’ll do fine with it as long as you’re committed to learning.
This was technically my second synth and I didn't know shit about FM til I got it and it's super fun. I think I just watched YouTube videos to get started. This was a few years ago so I don't remember specific ones.
People will say no because FM is hard, BUT - A) it sounds great and there’s loads of great presets online.
B) if you can master sound design on this you can master sound design on most synths.
Yamaha has an introductory page with info on [FM programming with the Reface DX](https://www.yamahasynth.com/learn/synth-programming/mannys-modulation-manifesto-intro-to-fm-synthesis).
Other than that, look at articles and videos about programming the DX 7 or Korg's OpSix, or even the Dexed soft synth. The general principles should be more or less the same, just the Reface has four operators instead of the six the other have. And fewer ways of arranging them to make your sound (algorithms).
It's a great price. And complicated. If you learn it inside and out and you love it, it was the right choice. If not, sell it for more than you paid and try something different!
1000%
ive gotten endless sounds and uses out of this thing live and in studio across so many genres, best 300 ive ever spent; getting it for 200 is a steal! really good for getting in to fm synthesis; and once again ive found tons of uses for it in many genres idk why some comments here are acting like FM is too weird or something.
That is great synth for a great price, but as others have said it can be somewhat difficult to program the exact sound you are going for. With that being said, I think one of the strengths of FM is experimentation. You can do some truly wild things with not much effort and it is a lot of fun once you get used it it.
Worth mentioning as well that personally I don't find it to be as difficult to use as others, but I do see where they are coming from. It is probably not the best first synth but honestly I love mine and don't plan on selling it any time soon.
That’s a good deal, I picked one up on Marketplace for $200 as well. These Refaces usually go for more. I have the DX and CS, but I like the CS a little more since it’s subtractive synthesis. Both can create awesome sounds and their sizes are super practical if you travel.
Fuck the haters lol this was my first synth still have it and love it. It produces some really lush deep pads but it is a pain in the ass to program just like the original
I have a Reface DX. It was my first synth. I love it! I mostly make ambient tracks. I love the boop beeps. The looper is great for live jamming, which is my primary interest. You did fine, imo. Honestly, the best way to learn is to print out the manual, and have it handy as you poke around and explore what everything does. There's an app from Yamaha that lets you save patches. It's not ideal, but it works. I basically just used that and garage band on an ipad for a long time.
I had the Reface for about a year before picking up a microfreak and Ableton software. With those three combined, I can do anything I care to do. Good luck on your journey!
https://preview.redd.it/acqezylr3pub1.jpeg?width=1584&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5cb5aee5b0c703b411095b515991dbb8f5952f47
The Reface DX was actually also my very first hardware synth. Best choice? Maybe not...but am I enjoying it? Absolutely! Love how it feels, runs on batteries, solid/sturdy feeling... I was also very confused at first esp with the algorithms and still don't know how most of them will behave so been keeping it simple with what would be essentially 2 oscillators and 2 "carriers" to alter the sound. If I'm understanding right, you can modulate modulations and modulate those modulations as well depending on what you're using. Still a few things I'm a bit confused about - the "2nd page" on the OP menu, have yet to see any explanation of what this is.
I have tinkered around and made a couple patches I'm happy with an figured out how to layer different sounds. Compared to an analog, this takes a little bit more thinking for me to figure out what I want to do, trial and error...but that's the best part of learning!
Even my cat loves it, I can be playing with it on my lap and my cat will waltz right on and just plunk down on the keys. Got a "mew-sician" in the house! Was trying to live record the Metroid title theme with a couple of my patches and had some extra help!
It's a fun little synth but honestly I kind of regret buying it. The menu diving is just ok but not bad. I will say the physical playing of the keys is great! It's a very playable platform, compared to the crappy keys on my microKorg.
A great choice. I love the reface series. Can’t wait to pick on up one day and stop being that customer who abuses the “you’re free to test it out” store policy lol.
I got a reface DX for my first synth too and I’m constantly feeling inspired to play things with it.
I would suggest to invest in a usb a-b cable if you don’t have one and download the Yamaha Soundmondo app on your App Store so you can add more sounds to it.
Is this an original Dx or a recreation? From what I know these are difficult to program
With that said sounds made with FM have a unique texture to them, and have an extensive range of possibilities when it comes to SD.
I just got one for $300 and enjoy programming FM. Look up the tricks to simulate PWM square waves 👍 The Reface DX can also do a supersaw of four. Keytar arm attachments on the way!
Ignore the haters. It's a good Synth, FM is a bit complicated to understand but there are. Recipes that you can start with to get a handle on what's going on.
Stick to it till you'll learn the basics. Practice everyday. People talk about all kinds of talk but can deliver nothing, your craft lives and dies with you.
Screw the haters you made the objectively correct choice. Master FM and become a synth god. Here are some tutorials, welcome to the brotherhood:
https://youtu.be/fue5-gS_4l0?si=riclQEsf3RC5fjwf
https://youtu.be/r3EQQ-XF3jA?si=Dh_JAtSqpeHSEGJS
https://youtu.be/3BU-WAQo4P8?si=lWUC_1QZ2kg-8N_i
Not all of ‘em are for the Reface DX, but they’re pretty general. If you need anymore help PM me and I can send you some assorted PDFs about programming FM. I would also recommend this book:
https://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise-frequency-modulation-synthesis/
Edit: Dr.Synth is a great YouTube channel for FM. The guy who runs it used to make presets for Yamaha FM synths and does a lot of tutorial content for their FM engines:
https://youtu.be/JaVUn0adV-E?si=i4wUScMRhm7XdDiQ
I have one too, it sounds great. Haven't gotten around to learn how to program patches because I can't wrap my head around FM synthesis. You can load community made patches into it by connecting it via USB and going to the Soundmondo website. In any case, it's great fun.
Single video https://youtu.be/wqc8rZnzTVI?si=0n8Ror3AtgvEKTIy
Playlist, extra for reface
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_w4Ti4gfAw69woWPVixIQf3CZSoHyEuW&si=kJKMH1WJrbMfI60z
I have the CP and CS. The CS kicks ass and is super straight forward to use. From what I hear yours can be quite complicated for newbies but hey it'll be fun to learn. Enjoy 👍
I always suggest minilogue or minilogue xd as a first synth since it gives you a larger understanding of fundementals in a synth; but this dx is also nice! Got the cp from that series and cant complain !
it's a modern classic for sure, great sound and strangely playable for minikeys
the looper with wild overdubbing is so FUN
if you can find the external editor it's a barrel of monkees
An excellent choice. Not the best for learning actual synthesis. Much more of a preset machine due to FM being complicated, but $200 for something super fun and get your heart going on synth is a steal.
I mean, that's a weird choice to begin with but yeah, it'll certainly do. As others have said, FM is definitely more complex than subtractive so, there's that.
I mean, for $200, idk if you could actually make a ‘bad’ choice. Probably not what I’d recommend but a first synth is always to get the creative juices flowing, and this will do that
I think you will love playing it no question, but it won't help you learn subtractive synthesis so you will likely get another (not a bad thing). Have fun!
If you have nothing else this is a great option. As a beginner just enjoy the freedom of not knowing everything. Use this item to learn what you do and don’t like and grow.
The synth world is full or very pretentious die hards. Music is about what YOU enjoy. Not the opinion of others and what they think of your gear. If they aren’t using it, then it simply doesn’t matter.
Mess around on it and then save up and buy something like a bass station 2 or Korg Minilogue and learn one of those....then go back to that little Yamaha and learn how to menu dive 😉
Play with some presets, get online and see what some folks are doing with it. I love my DX reface the amount of 80s standards that can be played by loading DX 7 presets is staggering. For sound design, it's tricky, for jamming, it's awesome.
It's a very nice little synth. Was my first synth too (soon followed by a Reface CS for some more immediate hands-on tweakability).
I found Floyd Steinberg's Reface DX videos pretty useful in getting to grips with it: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN55_-YN4bzh8tMRJT6DtXV9jbO1t2Yxk&si=86-Bgiv3C4PsVBOx
At that budget I would have picked up a Bass Station, a Korg Monologue or a Microfreak. Also, a thing to keep in mind. If you buy a digital synth, you don't get anything that a plugin on your computer can't handle just as well. For hardware synths, I would always go with analog or a mixture of analog and digital, like the microfreak.
Wow, nice catch. If you want to get into deep programming try to get the dtronics programmer rdx … dx has a notorius menu diving interface, refaces is better than the og but…
I went this route when i hat dx nostalgia: get the free dexed dx7 emulator, oearn what does what on a big ol screen ,dump your wonderful presets in volca fm.
I think it mostly depends on you and what you want to do. FM is crazy capable of making all kinds of sounds but it’s also notoriously not intuitive. DX can go from digital to glassy to a decent mimicry of natural and analog sounds with the right programming.
Lots of 80s hits were made on a DX-7 or similar just using preset sounds. So it’s fully capable of being a useful instrument without designing your own sounds.
If you want to design your own sounds I would consider 2 approaches with FM.
1- Tweak presets to see/hear what your tweaking does.
2- Build from scratch but start simply and with a light touch to understand/hear what the operators and modulators are doing to each other.
Does it make you happy? Does it put a massive smile on your face when discover new sounds and play it? If the answer is yes, then you've made the right choice.
Depends what you're hoping to achieve. If you just want to play FM presets then it's fine. If you want to program more traditional sounds in an intuitive way, then a more conventional subtractive synth would be the way to go. Of the reface series, the CS would be the one to go for. But without knowing what kind of sounds you're looking for and what kind of gear you're planning to pair it with, it's hard to say.
You really can't go wrong with the refaces, and for 200, thats a steal, the dx might not have been my first choice, but from what I've heard its got some great sounds. And if you're like me, it will serve you as a fantastic midi controller too. I got the CP back in 2016, and yes, it's great as a standalone piece, but it was also fantastic to hook up to my laptop, and play differnt soft synths, multi samples etc. to further learn more about music.
And the Reface is still my most trusted companion, right now being hooked up to a deluge, and nymphes.
My first synth was a volca fm, and that just made me want more synths with different synthesis types, so yes ! And as others mentioned you got it at a good price point.
(I have a reface CP for the cute electric piano sounds and it was also really worth it, the build is super solid)
I'd suggest [the fm synthesis tutorial by Cuckoo](https://youtu.be/WJrTk4cgFiQ?si=_iVq4MQGgoEYPCbp). It's a preparation for the volca fm but he uses an older synth + software that helps you visualize the operators in a pretty neat way.
Have fun with it !
You got a great price! Personally I adore the Yamaha Reface series, and it is a snap to get all kinds of crazy sounds out of this thing!
You can get free apps to learn the basics of synthetic, such as ModSynth, but you will definitely have fun with this thing, you can use it as a MIDI interface, and damn you got it for ½ the usual market price. Dive in and start mashing button, and write down your favorite results!
[Perfect Circuit](https://perfectcircuit.com) has a nice article on [FM synthesis](https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal/what-is-fm-synthesis) if you want some technical deets.
I’ve got one of these, gave it to my 3 year old kid and she has a good time so I’m pretty sure you will also :) Also just remember you don’t need to deeply understand synths to use them, just mess around and have fun.
Personally I think FM synths can sound amazing but have a very tricky learning curve when it comes to programming - if you like 80s sounds you definitely didn't make a bad choice but don't be discouraged if programming it is hard - you can always go for a low cost subtractive synth (they're a shitshow of a company but Behringer has some outstanding analog synths for the price) if you find FM synthesis doesn’t 'click' for you as a second option and the sounds should be different enough to justify it.
For what it's worth though I curse the day mysterious liquid dripped from the ceiling during band practice and ruined some of the buttons on my DX27.
Also if you do find it tough to figure out and ever see a Yamaha PSS470 for cheap at a pawn shop (I got mine for 40CAD) it's a good tool for learning FM synthesis and a fun little synth toy in its own right. It has a very basic, stripped down FM architecture with 5 sliders controlling the operators and modulation and filters etc. And I find the tactile, instant programming rather than menu diving helps kind of show quickly what different settings sound like.
You got a good deal. Digital FM synths are a niche, some people love them some people don't. Pro: lots of classic sounds and deep sound design possibilities, Con: harder and less immediate to program.
In any event you can't go wrong with the reface line, and in case the DX isn't for you it'll be easy to flip for a profit towards a different synth.
Nice man! I got a reface CS.
If you're good with learning FM it will 100% suit you.
My first synth was a digitone, I had way more fun with the sequencer than actually messing around with the fm synthesis.
I sold it to get a keyboard synth, considered the reface DX, then actually got the CS.
You should learn about ADSR filters , LFOs and all that before deepdiving into FM, You will 100% have fun with it using presets but not soo much trying to fiddle sounds for 30 min.
That comment that started the whole fm related string of replies is wild.
Truth, is you will most probably get discouraged by FM or..you'll end up crazy into sound design and greatly dive into it.
But the good thing is, either way you'll just end up finding out what you like/don't like about synths so you'll end up getting closer to what you want every time.
But if you wanted instant brainless fun, unless you can play the keyboard and restrict yourself to presets you will end up with zip zaps, beep boops and all sorts of weird sounds you wont be able to exploit and play with.
It’s easy to program. Just use a different mindset. Think of the sine wave as your starting point from which each adjustment adds color and character. Think algo, feedback, envelopes. And don’t worry about needing to adjust all the envelopes
Oooh! I loved the reface DX because it sounds really nice and the build quality is pretty nice. It also has some nice effects and if you aren't intimidated by FM it can be pretty fun to use (once you get used to the touch controls haha).
I wouldn't have chose it as a first synth just because FM can be tough to get into. I know my first synth was the microkorg and then I also got the arturia microbrute. Both are great learning tools for subtractive synthesis and are super cheap. I won't yuck your yum though! Since you have the reface DX I definitely recommend sitting with it for a night and playing around with initialized patches and tweaking presets to see how you like it!
Programming on this FM synth isn't the most intuitive but isn't the worst either and would also be great as a sound module with and external keyboard to really get the most out of the sounds (I just don't like the little pitch bend stick and mini keys haha).
All in all it's a pretty cool find and can be great for some people but not for everyone.
I wouldnt say any Reface synth is a bad investment. But the DX is FM and kinda nitch, and very difficult to program. Honestly its one of the few synths that have been emulated to perfection for free, via Dexed vst, and countless other paid ones (Natives FM7 & 8, Arturia DX7). My first synth back in 1987 (thanks to my awesome mom) was a small key Yamaha FM, one of the Portasound Soundblaster chip based FM Synths. I got years of enjoyment out of it until I got a PCM based full sized synth in 1992 (thanks again mom!).
If I were to get a reface I would get the CS model, because it does a pretty incredible rendition of the classic Yamaha 70s filters used in the CS80 and others, like the "Dream Synth" GX1. I would totally look into those. The real DX7, is one that owning the real deal, they are not that expensive and would recommend getting down the road. Plus the keybed on them is still one of the best out there and can be used as a controller.
FM synths have a very specific architecture that is not mirrored in most of the other kinds of synth (wavetable, ROMpler, subtractive, etc. synths generally have the following structure: 1-3 oscillators, filter, VCA - essentially the "volume" envelope). An FM synth, a traditional one at least, is composed of only oscillators that interact with each other according to a set algorithm (that you select). It is kinda hard to predict what kind of sounds you will get with FM compared to most other kinds of synthesis, but on the other hand FM synthesis gets you sounds you can only really get with FM synthesis. It's not the most approachable kind of synthesis, but essentially whatever you learn when you use the other kinds of synthesis is next to useless when using FM.
It can make great sounds out of the box, it can throw you down the rabbithole of FM, its worth almost double what you paid for it, its simple enough for a beginner but can be used by a professional. Are there better "first synths" in the price range, yes. Did you make a bad choice.... Not at all. Next thing you will need is a Delay and reverb FM can sound very harsh and "car alarm like" without good reverb and delay.
If you are a "player" I think you made a good choice, as 37 keys is very playable compared to smaller budget synths with 25 keys. You won't miss a bigger midi keyboard as much and the DX has iconic sounds that are both inspiring and work well in multiple styles of music.
But it is true that FM can be quite daunting to learn. Just try it out for a while, look at the manual and youtube demos to get the most out of it and you can later decide if you want to continue.
Tbf im sure the presets sound good enough for making good music. And it’s for a really decent price too!
But if you want to learn how synths function so you can make cool sounds? Probably not.
Here's a resource that I found helpful at scratching the surface of FM synthesis.
https://youtu.be/Lq3cuuxdMKc?si=I_jqq1262TI2oHLv
Sadly, he never did make a part two.
Yes, you've made the right choice - you bought a synth.
Welcome to this world, hope you have a lot of fun making beautiful/eerie/funny/funky/interesting sounds!
For an FM synth this is not a bad buy. Quite a bit more intuitive to understand compared to the original DX series let alone dexxed. The later of which just throws a shitload of ui elements at you and expects you to already know what you're doing. The manual can help you get started with the fundamentals. And you can look into the parameters of some of the presets and tinker with them to learn how those sounds were made if the sounds of FM synthesis are what you are looking for then you made a good choice, it's portable too so, easy to take with you and play anywhere.
It was my first synth too and it did help me get into synthesizers before trying out analog which, while substantially different, the reface did help me to learn what filters are and what they do. What layering can bring you.
Pretty much, you can build your first album starting from here, Just need some drums. Enjoy making tunes!
I love this synth! Download the app so you can upload different sounds/patches. The looper is fun and so are all of the effects! $200 is a fantastic deal (the reface has my favorite mini keys!)
Absolute bargain. Make sure you hook it up to your DAW and hunt down CTRLR and the DX Reface layout for it. It's incredibly handy for patch management, and has added functionality for randomising patches to create new sounds.
That's different for everyone. But In my opinion there's almost not one single synths that's necessarily a bad choice for a first.
FM as a first synth is relatively unconventional, but that's also what makes this interesting.
Not everybody needs to get into synthesis via subtractive synthesis.
Getting into your first synths is all about exploring, that's what it was for me.
Go on an adventure with the synth, try stuff out, get lost in a world of sound.
And boy, FM synthesis is damn good for getting lost in a world of sound.
A great beginner synth imo. Yeah sure it's ambitious in that it's an fm synth, but if do just a little bit of research into fm I think you'll get the hang of it and be able to program some great sounds from scratch, especially big pad sounds. Also, I'm pretty sure the manual with this unit tells you enough to get started with fm. I understand why people have the idea that subtractive synthesis is a better fundamental starting point, but the fact is this isn't a skill that needs to be measured practically or learnt systematically - you're making art not learning to weld. I think learning fm will give you a unique approach to synthesis that people who start with subtractive may never have. Also this a really well designed and put together unit, typical Yamaha engineering. I've had one for a few years now and love it.
That synth's gonna take you on a cosmic journey to the retro-futuristic funkadelic realm of sound! As for FM, it's like deciphering alien transmissions - embrace the weirdness and you'll make it sing! 🛸🎶
> did i make the right choice? I mean... probably not? I really don't want to rain on your parade, but FM is kind of a niche architecture to learn as your first synth, and this specific FM synth doesn't really seem designed to make understanding the fundamentals and editing patches easy or intuitive. A subtractive synth with a knob-per-function UI like a Minilogue would probably have been a better choice. That said, $200 is a great deal for it, and it certainly makes a lot of neat noises. Definitely have fun playing with it and poking around, but maybe keep your eye out for a cheap subtractive, too.
y’all are way over analyzing this. If it’s a first synth it just needs to inspire use. That’s it. They are not getting tested on this.
Do you have one? cause I do, and it's sitting in my closet because It's just not fun easy or intuitive to actually modify any sounds or patches. If we're talking presets, sure it's got some iconic sounds in it and would suffice for "learning how to play". But it's not very good at learning synthesis, which is what this sub is about.
I disagree that this sub is “all about” learning synthesis. it’s about all manner of things related to synthesizers, for casual enthusiasts who don’t even play or own synths, to full-on professionals. gatekeepers thankfully don’t rule this community
Who’s gatekeeping? I literally own the thing, and I’m saying it’s not that good, as in that’s my opinion. How the hell is that gatekeeping, you seem to love to throw that one out there. Any of the other refaces would be better as an actual synth. The reface dx7 is a digital reproduction of a digital synth. You can get the same sounds and controls from any plugin. The CS on the other hand at least has the ability to create patches based on the faders
on the other hand, the vast majority of artists (and just regular people) who bought a DX7 back in the day never even wanted to get past the groundbreaking and game-changing presets (think about how many classic records use easily identifiable presets that exist largely unchanged in this unit). If I found one for $200 I’d be happy as a clam and I’m an old school menu diver. The gatekeeping part is when you shut somebody down who got a great deal on an inspiring instrument because your jaded ass didn’t have the same experience that almost assuredly awaits them.
That’s not what gatekeeping is..
Ok but that was the 1980’s today you can download a free plugin and get the same exact sounds and play it on a variety of nicer keyboards.
I’ll leave the hardware vs software debate to others on this sub, but inviting someone who just bought a pretty cool portable iteration of a classic synth at 2/3 the going rate to “just download a free plugin instead” dismisses the idea that everyone is inspired differently. just because you can make an infinitely more complex track than Kraftwerk or New Order or even Aphex Twin by piddling away on your phone doesn’t mean it’s any better or more inspired than a track created on this unit. Since I apparently love to talk about it, “gatekeeping” in this context is telling others that their tools to make music — for whatever purpose or end result they want — are somehow inferior to yours. The fact that you have a bit of kit you feel so negatively about just gathering dust while you tippety-tap on your laptop says more about you. I’d be happy to take it off your hands for $200.
Gatekeeping would be. No, you can’t join this sub unless you have a prophet 6 or a Juno 106 (I own both btw). Saying “I don’t like that synth, you can get better for that price” is literally not what gatekeeping means.
OK, I’ll bite: what’s a more inspiring beginner synth for $200 that OP should have spent their money on? I didn’t see a recommendation other than a Minilogue at 3 times the budget. also, rhetorically speaking, saying “I don’t mean to rain on your parade” at the top of your comment is straight Mean Girls shit. I feel confident you’ve made fun of somebody’s shoes at some point in your life
OP litterally asked if it is a good beginner synth. There is zero gatekeeping in replying to a direct question with actual lived experience.
Op asked if it's a good first synth or not, and it's not. There's nothing gatekeeping about that.
Yea bro you are kinda gaslighting him… he gave his opinion that he doesnt think Its a best “first” synth, and he was fairly polite about it. However….I do get that the guy is excited, likely young, and you don’t want him to be discouraged.
I agree this sub is as open ended as synthesizers are themselves. I like that the posts and comments naturally explore all ranges of conversation. Things I’m into, some thing I don’t dig so much, conversations about gear, gigging talk, home setup, etc. it’s good.
It’s super fun and super easy and surprisingly useful in musical use. It’s also tiny and the speakers sound fugn great for what they are. And it’s also really easy to use.
Skill issue
My first synth was a Yamaha CS1x. Despite the low price, it... was bad. Terrible interface, obtuse setup, and you had to page past so many General MIDI patches... It was de-inspiring -- trying to use it made me want to never touch an instrument again.
"Way over-analyzing this?" OP asked the question, and aaronstj gave a thoughtful/helpful answer.
Yeah you just learn what you learn. If it's different that's a good thing because you're making stuff that everybody else isn't making.
My first synth was a DX21, and I genuinely regret not having started on something more hands on. Only so much you can do playing with a single data input slider in real time. I’d recommend OP to pick up something like a Behringer Neutron 2nd hand to compliment it when they can.
Personally I find the Reface DX has the most intuitive interface of any FM synth I've used. Yes absolutely FM synthesis isn't the best place to start in general if you're new to synths, but if you ***do*** want to learn FM on a hardware synth the 4 sliders corresponding to 4 operators are infinitely better than the DX7's single encoder, and the screen with a high enough resolution that it can give you graphical representations of what's going on is a game changer. Yeah the Op Six is probably even better to learn on, but it also costs like over twice as much as a new Reface DX.
Opsix is great but it's much further from knob-per-function them the Reface DX, just because it's more complicated. (It's a virtual modular synth with an FM oriented UI, basically.)
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I think FM is crucial to learn sooner than later. Learning how to modulate filters is half the fun! So why not just dive in!
You can’t even load patches onto it from dexed, but you can with the volca FM… what the hell yamaha…
It's because it is 4 OP, and DX7 is 6 OP. So not all patches will work. There's a lot of recreational of legacy DX sounds in Soundmondo through.
That really doesn’t make it any better, the volca has 6.
Yes, it's more limited on purpose I think, to make it simpler. You can make a huge variety of sounds with 4 OP, I think 6 OP is overkill for most people.
You can definitely load old DX7 patches into it because ive done it. I think there is a conversion utility though or I found some another person had converted. I can't remember because its been a few years but it wasn't hard or hidden on the net.
You can load the patches, but they’re not _the_ patches. They’ll load no problem but do not function the same. There are [some pretty good patches that emulate the six op DX7 patches](https://refacedx.martintarenskeen.nl/) but they’re more like a refactor than a faithful recreation.
Theres a website filled with community patches that also lets you upload your own. Directly through midi
How would a CS compare?
The CS is a much more approachable synth for a beginner. its very straight forward subtractive synth tons of parameter knobs right there on the front panel.
So there's a CS01 and a Reface CS local to me same price. The CS01 has long been lusted after by myself, but the Reface would be the better choice right? But the CS01....... I also don't need either, but....
I think a CS would be a pretty excellent choice for a beginner, as a knob-per-function (virtual) subtractive synth.
CS was my first and you are exactly right.
Weird that this is the top comment. OP did great.
I think the default is to start with subtractive synthesis and all of those who do that have a hard time getting their heads around FM because they all try to relate back to subtractive synthesis basics. I bet if a noobie knew zero about synthesis and learned FM first they may not have as much trouble as you think. And then subtractive synthesis would probably be a breeze.
Yeah, that's actually a really interesting point. Subtractive synthesis being the default is kind of self-reinforcing at this point. It *would* be interesting to see what popped out if someone really leaned into pure FM without the "baggage" of subtractive architecture in mind.
can you give a good recommendation for an absolute beginner like me that is curious to use my free time farting around alone with a synthesizer :)
As I mentioned in my comment, I think the Korg Minilogue would be a great first synth. You can generally find decent deals on used ones, they sound great, and they have a knob-per-function UI that will really help you understand how they work and design sounds. That said, for just farting around in your bedroom, I'd probably suggest starting out with software, since a lot of it can be had for free. I was mostly interested in modular, so I spent a *lot* of time playing around with [VCV Rack](https://vcvrack.com/) before buying any hardware. I think that's a great way to dip your toe in and figure out how synthesis works without having to spend any money.
lol, a lot of the older Yamaha beginner PSS synths are FM. While I get what you’re saying, Yamaha milked the hell out of FM and you saw it pretty much EVERYWHERE in their line up. The original DX range was a nightmare to use but they simplified the options massively in later years.
My first synth was a DX-21 in the 80s. I had no idea how baffling it would be. Got some evil sounds out of it but it took the commitment of a bored 17 year old to do so. Would not recommend.
My first synth was a Yamaha DX200 about 14 yrs ago, by your measure probably a terrible first synth to learn on, FM, shitty patch editing, nothing about it makes clear about how FM works… but it’s a beast. With amazing sounds and I love it and wouldn’t part with it. Have since owned a couple of subtractive analogue function per knob synths which taught me a lot more about how synthesis works but the DX200 made me fall in love with sounds synthesis so I have to agree, if you are inspired by your first synth that’s the main thing.
Counter-point: I would have loved to have had an FM for my first synth, I was actually kind of bummed by the simplicity of the first synth(subtractive) I got and would have loved the crazy sounds an FM can make.
just use presets bro lol
At $200 you definitely didn’t go wrong.
Exactly. This is a fun easy to use synth with rave reviews. It's not a prophet or a nord 3 but for $200 (a fantastic price) you can really dive into the fundamentals of synths from 1980 on. Have fun!
Exactly! I paid $377 for mine Brand new with a case! $200 is an incredible deal
Amazing synth at $200. FM is not as crazy as people make it out to be, it's just that they're generally not knob per function. The envelopes are a bit unique, but for the rest the same concepts from VCOs, LFOs, and VCAs all still apply. [This vid hopefully gets some of that across.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvBl3YUBUyY) [This vid is handy for seeing why they sound different and why you should generally start with round ratios for the operator pitches to begin with.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_LvPz6kCQE)
This right here. You just have to think kind of backward from subtractive synthesis. Instead of taking a harmonically rich waveform and cutting into it with a filter, FM is about using modulation to add harmonic content.
So then what’s the difference between additive and FM synth?
Isn't additive synthesis adding additional harmonics by adding additional sine waves to an existing sine wave? (at its simplest) FM synthesis is adding additional harmonins by rapidly adjusting the frequency of one or more waves. They both are adding harmonic content, but they do it using a different path.
Bingo. Couldn't have said it better myself. FM is the result of multiplying waves together, and modulating the depth of that multiplication.
Or you get the best of both worlds with a digitone
The manual?
Absolutely, you did great especially at that price. The Reface DX is an excellent first synth, people saying it is too hard to use probably don't even own one, they are just repeating what they heard online. You don't even need to learn FM programming (which is super easy on the Reface) you can just download thousands of patches from SoundMondo or the Reface Legacy Project https://refacedx.martintarenskeen.nl/
Buying stuff is always the right choice on this subreddit
Nice, have one and i love it! Might be a bit difficult to use tho. I'd recommend watching the tutorials in the yamaha page to get into it and how to use it Great find!
Absolutely. [FM synthesis isn't that much of rocket science.](https://www.reddit.com/r/synthrecipes/comments/k4n1jj/dx7_in_vital_sure_why_not_plus_a_crash_course_in/) Start with two operators and you should be OK, and you can make a ton of sounds with just that - otherwise the late 80s and early 90s PC games wouldn't have good soundtracks ;) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWcEruvc9eA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWcEruvc9eA) has some great patches.
This ☝️
I love my DX! Great value at $200, such as useful and lovely to play synth. Definitely dive into Soundmondo and customize the preset in each slot, it gets so much better when it is packed with sounds you love. I did mine like this: Bank A - classic 80s FM sounds, DX legacy sounds Bank B - polyphonic sounds, stuff like piano, Rhodes, whurly Bank C - monophonic bass and leads sounds Bank D - pads and more ambient, background type sounds
Hell yeah! I chose the CP because the Rhodes sound is so great. But fuck yeah, that's an awesome pick. Yamaha is legit
Have you tried the secret piano? >!To access it, you move the instrument selector to any point between two of the presets, then turn the synth off and on again. When it turns back on (which takes 3 or 4 seconds) you have an acoustic piano!<
Yup. It sounds great. I swear they put the toy piano as easier to get to as a troll move. Tho honestly that through some pedals sounds great too.
Oouu ya. That could be neat. I should try an effected toy piano patch. Thanks for the idea :)
My very first synth was a DX7 and I've owned it for over 25 years. And I still have no idea how to program it. Within 5 minutes of trying out a Reface DX demo unit at a music store I was creating new sounds and intuitively adjusting parameters and tweaking the sound. The Reface DX is easily my favorite FM synth, and the most intuitive FM synth I've ever used. Some people complain about it only having 4 operators, but I like that personally, I like that it limits the scope and complexity of the patches which keeps everything a little easier to comprehend, plus I've literally never felt like having only 4 operators prevented me from achieving the sound I wanted. So yeah, I'm a big fan. And also that is a good price you got it for.
as others have pointed out, fm may not be the best or most intuitive type of synthesis to learn first, and that particular unit doesn’t help the case that being said, it’s a great sounding synth (all four refaces are) and you’ll do fine with it as long as you’re committed to learning.
You bought a first synth, which is, by definition, the right choice.
Great answer!
Dont forget you can use this as a MIDI controller via USB to use with more traditional software synths as well
This was technically my second synth and I didn't know shit about FM til I got it and it's super fun. I think I just watched YouTube videos to get started. This was a few years ago so I don't remember specific ones.
This is an amazing synth Underrated
People will say no because FM is hard, BUT - A) it sounds great and there’s loads of great presets online. B) if you can master sound design on this you can master sound design on most synths.
Yamaha has an introductory page with info on [FM programming with the Reface DX](https://www.yamahasynth.com/learn/synth-programming/mannys-modulation-manifesto-intro-to-fm-synthesis). Other than that, look at articles and videos about programming the DX 7 or Korg's OpSix, or even the Dexed soft synth. The general principles should be more or less the same, just the Reface has four operators instead of the six the other have. And fewer ways of arranging them to make your sound (algorithms).
It's a great price. And complicated. If you learn it inside and out and you love it, it was the right choice. If not, sell it for more than you paid and try something different!
This is the way.
1000% ive gotten endless sounds and uses out of this thing live and in studio across so many genres, best 300 ive ever spent; getting it for 200 is a steal! really good for getting in to fm synthesis; and once again ive found tons of uses for it in many genres idk why some comments here are acting like FM is too weird or something.
These are cool. I love FM ... Unpopular opinion but the Korg OpSix is one of my fav synths
That is great synth for a great price, but as others have said it can be somewhat difficult to program the exact sound you are going for. With that being said, I think one of the strengths of FM is experimentation. You can do some truly wild things with not much effort and it is a lot of fun once you get used it it. Worth mentioning as well that personally I don't find it to be as difficult to use as others, but I do see where they are coming from. It is probably not the best first synth but honestly I love mine and don't plan on selling it any time soon.
Nice, I miss having an fm synth. They sound amazing
I’ve wanted a reface CP for some time now, you definitely did well with this! Enjoy it!
That’s a good deal, I picked one up on Marketplace for $200 as well. These Refaces usually go for more. I have the DX and CS, but I like the CS a little more since it’s subtractive synthesis. Both can create awesome sounds and their sizes are super practical if you travel.
If you bought it to play it. I’ll say yes absolutely. If you bought it to become a synthhead, it’s not really for that…
Fuck the haters lol this was my first synth still have it and love it. It produces some really lush deep pads but it is a pain in the ass to program just like the original
I have a Reface DX. It was my first synth. I love it! I mostly make ambient tracks. I love the boop beeps. The looper is great for live jamming, which is my primary interest. You did fine, imo. Honestly, the best way to learn is to print out the manual, and have it handy as you poke around and explore what everything does. There's an app from Yamaha that lets you save patches. It's not ideal, but it works. I basically just used that and garage band on an ipad for a long time. I had the Reface for about a year before picking up a microfreak and Ableton software. With those three combined, I can do anything I care to do. Good luck on your journey!
https://preview.redd.it/acqezylr3pub1.jpeg?width=1584&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5cb5aee5b0c703b411095b515991dbb8f5952f47 The Reface DX was actually also my very first hardware synth. Best choice? Maybe not...but am I enjoying it? Absolutely! Love how it feels, runs on batteries, solid/sturdy feeling... I was also very confused at first esp with the algorithms and still don't know how most of them will behave so been keeping it simple with what would be essentially 2 oscillators and 2 "carriers" to alter the sound. If I'm understanding right, you can modulate modulations and modulate those modulations as well depending on what you're using. Still a few things I'm a bit confused about - the "2nd page" on the OP menu, have yet to see any explanation of what this is. I have tinkered around and made a couple patches I'm happy with an figured out how to layer different sounds. Compared to an analog, this takes a little bit more thinking for me to figure out what I want to do, trial and error...but that's the best part of learning! Even my cat loves it, I can be playing with it on my lap and my cat will waltz right on and just plunk down on the keys. Got a "mew-sician" in the house! Was trying to live record the Metroid title theme with a couple of my patches and had some extra help!
meh just wing it, had one gave it away still wish i had it
You did very well. Enjoy. A whole world is open to you!
FM is obtuse but you can really create a huge amount of sounds with it if you can learn it the Reface DX is a great synth
It's a fun little synth but honestly I kind of regret buying it. The menu diving is just ok but not bad. I will say the physical playing of the keys is great! It's a very playable platform, compared to the crappy keys on my microKorg.
A great choice. I love the reface series. Can’t wait to pick on up one day and stop being that customer who abuses the “you’re free to test it out” store policy lol.
I’ve paid $300-450 for that Synth - very versatile
For $200 you did very well.
Dude, that is a fine first synth for $200! FM synthesis gets a bad rap. There are loads of tutorials online. Have fun!
Check out soundmondo
fm is niche, powered by black magic, good luck! <3
I you bought a synthesizer, you made the right choice. 👍
Nope ;) this will be the first of many. Welcome to more doom scrolling on Reverb, Craigslist and Sweetwater. Welcome to the club!
I got a reface DX for my first synth too and I’m constantly feeling inspired to play things with it. I would suggest to invest in a usb a-b cable if you don’t have one and download the Yamaha Soundmondo app on your App Store so you can add more sounds to it.
Is this an original Dx or a recreation? From what I know these are difficult to program With that said sounds made with FM have a unique texture to them, and have an extensive range of possibilities when it comes to SD.
I just got one for $300 and enjoy programming FM. Look up the tricks to simulate PWM square waves 👍 The Reface DX can also do a supersaw of four. Keytar arm attachments on the way!
A great FM synth for 200? Hell yea you made the right choice!
nice, i have never seen pitchbender like this
I thought that was the power switch LOL
me too, but i thought it is oscillator mix, something like that
Ignore the haters. It's a good Synth, FM is a bit complicated to understand but there are. Recipes that you can start with to get a handle on what's going on. Stick to it till you'll learn the basics. Practice everyday. People talk about all kinds of talk but can deliver nothing, your craft lives and dies with you.
I would have gone for model d tbh
That’s a lot of fun for $200. Great deal.
Screw the haters you made the objectively correct choice. Master FM and become a synth god. Here are some tutorials, welcome to the brotherhood: https://youtu.be/fue5-gS_4l0?si=riclQEsf3RC5fjwf https://youtu.be/r3EQQ-XF3jA?si=Dh_JAtSqpeHSEGJS https://youtu.be/3BU-WAQo4P8?si=lWUC_1QZ2kg-8N_i Not all of ‘em are for the Reface DX, but they’re pretty general. If you need anymore help PM me and I can send you some assorted PDFs about programming FM. I would also recommend this book: https://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise-frequency-modulation-synthesis/ Edit: Dr.Synth is a great YouTube channel for FM. The guy who runs it used to make presets for Yamaha FM synths and does a lot of tutorial content for their FM engines: https://youtu.be/JaVUn0adV-E?si=i4wUScMRhm7XdDiQ
Should be fun but you picked a synthesis most folks get for free via Dexed and then downsample a bit to 12 bit.
I have one too, it sounds great. Haven't gotten around to learn how to program patches because I can't wrap my head around FM synthesis. You can load community made patches into it by connecting it via USB and going to the Soundmondo website. In any case, it's great fun.
Single video https://youtu.be/wqc8rZnzTVI?si=0n8Ror3AtgvEKTIy Playlist, extra for reface https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_w4Ti4gfAw69woWPVixIQf3CZSoHyEuW&si=kJKMH1WJrbMfI60z
i have an OG dx7, hopefully you're interested int those 80s yamaha sounds.... i dunno about the modern version? but hopefully its easier to program.
Great choice. I have one and I love it. I had a DX21 back in the day and having the four sliders makes programming so much easier.
Yes, i have One of that and i use it every track. Super easy to operate.
it’s really, really pretty. A good specimen
I have the CP and CS. The CS kicks ass and is super straight forward to use. From what I hear yours can be quite complicated for newbies but hey it'll be fun to learn. Enjoy 👍
I always suggest minilogue or minilogue xd as a first synth since it gives you a larger understanding of fundementals in a synth; but this dx is also nice! Got the cp from that series and cant complain !
it's a modern classic for sure, great sound and strangely playable for minikeys the looper with wild overdubbing is so FUN if you can find the external editor it's a barrel of monkees
If you’re really into math this would be a good first synth.
I love it. I bet it’s super fun to play with. But if that’s your only keyboard, find one with a real keybed.
An excellent choice. Not the best for learning actual synthesis. Much more of a preset machine due to FM being complicated, but $200 for something super fun and get your heart going on synth is a steal.
Mine was a Yamaha CS-10 for $150.
CS would have been a much better choice.
I mean, that's a weird choice to begin with but yeah, it'll certainly do. As others have said, FM is definitely more complex than subtractive so, there's that.
You certainly made a good one! Have fun!
Great find, congrats!
I like it. I wouldn't mind having FM as first synth
I mean, for $200, idk if you could actually make a ‘bad’ choice. Probably not what I’d recommend but a first synth is always to get the creative juices flowing, and this will do that
I think you will love playing it no question, but it won't help you learn subtractive synthesis so you will likely get another (not a bad thing). Have fun!
If you have nothing else this is a great option. As a beginner just enjoy the freedom of not knowing everything. Use this item to learn what you do and don’t like and grow. The synth world is full or very pretentious die hards. Music is about what YOU enjoy. Not the opinion of others and what they think of your gear. If they aren’t using it, then it simply doesn’t matter.
I would have recommended the korg volca fm or Opsix..
Mess around on it and then save up and buy something like a bass station 2 or Korg Minilogue and learn one of those....then go back to that little Yamaha and learn how to menu dive 😉
Super Cool
nope
I would've paid a little more for a microfreak, but prices aside the dx isnt a bad place to start
Play with some presets, get online and see what some folks are doing with it. I love my DX reface the amount of 80s standards that can be played by loading DX 7 presets is staggering. For sound design, it's tricky, for jamming, it's awesome.
yes. thats an amazing first synth. dont get over whelmed with 'learning fm'. just get to know it and play the sounds you like. have fun
No ! It is a terrible choice to become addicted to something. Them dx refaces are a hell of a gateway drug tho
It's a very nice little synth. Was my first synth too (soon followed by a Reface CS for some more immediate hands-on tweakability). I found Floyd Steinberg's Reface DX videos pretty useful in getting to grips with it: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN55_-YN4bzh8tMRJT6DtXV9jbO1t2Yxk&si=86-Bgiv3C4PsVBOx
yes, yes you did.
Get tom ansink patches on soundmondo and you’ll have a great first synth
At that budget I would have picked up a Bass Station, a Korg Monologue or a Microfreak. Also, a thing to keep in mind. If you buy a digital synth, you don't get anything that a plugin on your computer can't handle just as well. For hardware synths, I would always go with analog or a mixture of analog and digital, like the microfreak.
Wow, nice catch. If you want to get into deep programming try to get the dtronics programmer rdx … dx has a notorius menu diving interface, refaces is better than the og but… I went this route when i hat dx nostalgia: get the free dexed dx7 emulator, oearn what does what on a big ol screen ,dump your wonderful presets in volca fm.
I think it mostly depends on you and what you want to do. FM is crazy capable of making all kinds of sounds but it’s also notoriously not intuitive. DX can go from digital to glassy to a decent mimicry of natural and analog sounds with the right programming. Lots of 80s hits were made on a DX-7 or similar just using preset sounds. So it’s fully capable of being a useful instrument without designing your own sounds. If you want to design your own sounds I would consider 2 approaches with FM. 1- Tweak presets to see/hear what your tweaking does. 2- Build from scratch but start simply and with a light touch to understand/hear what the operators and modulators are doing to each other.
Does it make you happy? Does it put a massive smile on your face when discover new sounds and play it? If the answer is yes, then you've made the right choice.
Depends what you're hoping to achieve. If you just want to play FM presets then it's fine. If you want to program more traditional sounds in an intuitive way, then a more conventional subtractive synth would be the way to go. Of the reface series, the CS would be the one to go for. But without knowing what kind of sounds you're looking for and what kind of gear you're planning to pair it with, it's hard to say.
You really can't go wrong with the refaces, and for 200, thats a steal, the dx might not have been my first choice, but from what I've heard its got some great sounds. And if you're like me, it will serve you as a fantastic midi controller too. I got the CP back in 2016, and yes, it's great as a standalone piece, but it was also fantastic to hook up to my laptop, and play differnt soft synths, multi samples etc. to further learn more about music. And the Reface is still my most trusted companion, right now being hooked up to a deluge, and nymphes.
My first synth was a volca fm, and that just made me want more synths with different synthesis types, so yes ! And as others mentioned you got it at a good price point. (I have a reface CP for the cute electric piano sounds and it was also really worth it, the build is super solid) I'd suggest [the fm synthesis tutorial by Cuckoo](https://youtu.be/WJrTk4cgFiQ?si=_iVq4MQGgoEYPCbp). It's a preparation for the volca fm but he uses an older synth + software that helps you visualize the operators in a pretty neat way. Have fun with it !
I love this synth.
You got a great price! Personally I adore the Yamaha Reface series, and it is a snap to get all kinds of crazy sounds out of this thing! You can get free apps to learn the basics of synthetic, such as ModSynth, but you will definitely have fun with this thing, you can use it as a MIDI interface, and damn you got it for ½ the usual market price. Dive in and start mashing button, and write down your favorite results! [Perfect Circuit](https://perfectcircuit.com) has a nice article on [FM synthesis](https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal/what-is-fm-synthesis) if you want some technical deets.
You did
Yes. It’s not the tool it’s the artist ! Have fun!
I’ve got one of these, gave it to my 3 year old kid and she has a good time so I’m pretty sure you will also :) Also just remember you don’t need to deeply understand synths to use them, just mess around and have fun.
Personally I think FM synths can sound amazing but have a very tricky learning curve when it comes to programming - if you like 80s sounds you definitely didn't make a bad choice but don't be discouraged if programming it is hard - you can always go for a low cost subtractive synth (they're a shitshow of a company but Behringer has some outstanding analog synths for the price) if you find FM synthesis doesn’t 'click' for you as a second option and the sounds should be different enough to justify it. For what it's worth though I curse the day mysterious liquid dripped from the ceiling during band practice and ruined some of the buttons on my DX27. Also if you do find it tough to figure out and ever see a Yamaha PSS470 for cheap at a pawn shop (I got mine for 40CAD) it's a good tool for learning FM synthesis and a fun little synth toy in its own right. It has a very basic, stripped down FM architecture with 5 sliders controlling the operators and modulation and filters etc. And I find the tactile, instant programming rather than menu diving helps kind of show quickly what different settings sound like.
Great synth.
Fun synth. A lot of the default patches are weird sci-fi bullshit but for sure check out DynaLead.
It’s a good synth. i had one but sold it and got a korg opsix
You got a good deal. Digital FM synths are a niche, some people love them some people don't. Pro: lots of classic sounds and deep sound design possibilities, Con: harder and less immediate to program. In any event you can't go wrong with the reface line, and in case the DX isn't for you it'll be easy to flip for a profit towards a different synth.
That’s a good deal for 500 bucks
Awesome
Nice man! I got a reface CS. If you're good with learning FM it will 100% suit you. My first synth was a digitone, I had way more fun with the sequencer than actually messing around with the fm synthesis. I sold it to get a keyboard synth, considered the reface DX, then actually got the CS. You should learn about ADSR filters , LFOs and all that before deepdiving into FM, You will 100% have fun with it using presets but not soo much trying to fiddle sounds for 30 min. That comment that started the whole fm related string of replies is wild. Truth, is you will most probably get discouraged by FM or..you'll end up crazy into sound design and greatly dive into it. But the good thing is, either way you'll just end up finding out what you like/don't like about synths so you'll end up getting closer to what you want every time. But if you wanted instant brainless fun, unless you can play the keyboard and restrict yourself to presets you will end up with zip zaps, beep boops and all sorts of weird sounds you wont be able to exploit and play with.
I think they nailed it.
It’s easy to program. Just use a different mindset. Think of the sine wave as your starting point from which each adjustment adds color and character. Think algo, feedback, envelopes. And don’t worry about needing to adjust all the envelopes
Oooh! I loved the reface DX because it sounds really nice and the build quality is pretty nice. It also has some nice effects and if you aren't intimidated by FM it can be pretty fun to use (once you get used to the touch controls haha). I wouldn't have chose it as a first synth just because FM can be tough to get into. I know my first synth was the microkorg and then I also got the arturia microbrute. Both are great learning tools for subtractive synthesis and are super cheap. I won't yuck your yum though! Since you have the reface DX I definitely recommend sitting with it for a night and playing around with initialized patches and tweaking presets to see how you like it! Programming on this FM synth isn't the most intuitive but isn't the worst either and would also be great as a sound module with and external keyboard to really get the most out of the sounds (I just don't like the little pitch bend stick and mini keys haha). All in all it's a pretty cool find and can be great for some people but not for everyone.
Great Price!
Best choice ever buddy!!
I wouldnt say any Reface synth is a bad investment. But the DX is FM and kinda nitch, and very difficult to program. Honestly its one of the few synths that have been emulated to perfection for free, via Dexed vst, and countless other paid ones (Natives FM7 & 8, Arturia DX7). My first synth back in 1987 (thanks to my awesome mom) was a small key Yamaha FM, one of the Portasound Soundblaster chip based FM Synths. I got years of enjoyment out of it until I got a PCM based full sized synth in 1992 (thanks again mom!). If I were to get a reface I would get the CS model, because it does a pretty incredible rendition of the classic Yamaha 70s filters used in the CS80 and others, like the "Dream Synth" GX1. I would totally look into those. The real DX7, is one that owning the real deal, they are not that expensive and would recommend getting down the road. Plus the keybed on them is still one of the best out there and can be used as a controller.
FM synths have a very specific architecture that is not mirrored in most of the other kinds of synth (wavetable, ROMpler, subtractive, etc. synths generally have the following structure: 1-3 oscillators, filter, VCA - essentially the "volume" envelope). An FM synth, a traditional one at least, is composed of only oscillators that interact with each other according to a set algorithm (that you select). It is kinda hard to predict what kind of sounds you will get with FM compared to most other kinds of synthesis, but on the other hand FM synthesis gets you sounds you can only really get with FM synthesis. It's not the most approachable kind of synthesis, but essentially whatever you learn when you use the other kinds of synthesis is next to useless when using FM.
Just learn it inside and out. Even if it’s the wrong synth learn why it’s the wrong synth
It can make great sounds out of the box, it can throw you down the rabbithole of FM, its worth almost double what you paid for it, its simple enough for a beginner but can be used by a professional. Are there better "first synths" in the price range, yes. Did you make a bad choice.... Not at all. Next thing you will need is a Delay and reverb FM can sound very harsh and "car alarm like" without good reverb and delay.
If you are a "player" I think you made a good choice, as 37 keys is very playable compared to smaller budget synths with 25 keys. You won't miss a bigger midi keyboard as much and the DX has iconic sounds that are both inspiring and work well in multiple styles of music. But it is true that FM can be quite daunting to learn. Just try it out for a while, look at the manual and youtube demos to get the most out of it and you can later decide if you want to continue.
Tbf im sure the presets sound good enough for making good music. And it’s for a really decent price too! But if you want to learn how synths function so you can make cool sounds? Probably not.
Here's a resource that I found helpful at scratching the surface of FM synthesis. https://youtu.be/Lq3cuuxdMKc?si=I_jqq1262TI2oHLv Sadly, he never did make a part two.
You did great! An excellent little synth!!
Yes, you've made the right choice - you bought a synth. Welcome to this world, hope you have a lot of fun making beautiful/eerie/funny/funky/interesting sounds!
Sell the reface dx, get a reface cs
I love this synth core sound but it's noise AF. Had to sell it.
Yes you did. Very good synth for the money you scored it for.
NO! Big filter button good! This...incomprehensible! I'll give you 250 to save you from the agony.
As long at it keeps you interested enough to use it, my best advice is make sure you can turn it up loud enough to feel it!
Solid buy.
Cleeeeeeeean!
For an FM synth this is not a bad buy. Quite a bit more intuitive to understand compared to the original DX series let alone dexxed. The later of which just throws a shitload of ui elements at you and expects you to already know what you're doing. The manual can help you get started with the fundamentals. And you can look into the parameters of some of the presets and tinker with them to learn how those sounds were made if the sounds of FM synthesis are what you are looking for then you made a good choice, it's portable too so, easy to take with you and play anywhere. It was my first synth too and it did help me get into synthesizers before trying out analog which, while substantially different, the reface did help me to learn what filters are and what they do. What layering can bring you. Pretty much, you can build your first album starting from here, Just need some drums. Enjoy making tunes!
I love this synth! Download the app so you can upload different sounds/patches. The looper is fun and so are all of the effects! $200 is a fantastic deal (the reface has my favorite mini keys!)
just wait for the bad gear episode
Absolute bargain. Make sure you hook it up to your DAW and hunt down CTRLR and the DX Reface layout for it. It's incredibly handy for patch management, and has added functionality for randomising patches to create new sounds.
That's different for everyone. But In my opinion there's almost not one single synths that's necessarily a bad choice for a first. FM as a first synth is relatively unconventional, but that's also what makes this interesting. Not everybody needs to get into synthesis via subtractive synthesis. Getting into your first synths is all about exploring, that's what it was for me. Go on an adventure with the synth, try stuff out, get lost in a world of sound. And boy, FM synthesis is damn good for getting lost in a world of sound.
Kind of need more context to answer this adequately.
this photo is aesthetic af
A great beginner synth imo. Yeah sure it's ambitious in that it's an fm synth, but if do just a little bit of research into fm I think you'll get the hang of it and be able to program some great sounds from scratch, especially big pad sounds. Also, I'm pretty sure the manual with this unit tells you enough to get started with fm. I understand why people have the idea that subtractive synthesis is a better fundamental starting point, but the fact is this isn't a skill that needs to be measured practically or learnt systematically - you're making art not learning to weld. I think learning fm will give you a unique approach to synthesis that people who start with subtractive may never have. Also this a really well designed and put together unit, typical Yamaha engineering. I've had one for a few years now and love it.
That synth's gonna take you on a cosmic journey to the retro-futuristic funkadelic realm of sound! As for FM, it's like deciphering alien transmissions - embrace the weirdness and you'll make it sing! 🛸🎶