Michael wrote:

Brilliant idea, Brilliant design.... just sounds brilliant.

Just a thought to reduce bulk... I personally like the idea of expanding over time; as and when you can afford it...
Therefore, "My" only design change would be to take each controller panel and allow it to plugged into the other with a toggle switch to activate sounds from the keyboard - all working as one keyboard in either split or layered. Hopefully to reduce duplication costs of components (example pick attached.)

Not going to happen!... but I like to give constructive feedback.

Still great 🙂

Not sure I understand exactly what you are saying. You mean like via MIDI?

The connection would be via midi from the primary keyboard, but the live video said there is an AUX input so you can daisy chain all four keyboards into one output. or use the presets from the iPhone app as a toggle.

Just a small tweak lol.

They will do well.

Well, they already have MIDI so connecting multiple units is already possible. And the way they are going to be displayed is connecting one to the other: OUT to AUX IN > OUT to AUX IN > OUT to AUX IN > and the last one goes to the sound system. What am I missing? Seems this is already possible.

We don't anticipate that all four would be setup together anywhere other than a store, but if you were to get all four, you could certainly work things out to chain them. You would need something to divide MIDI, however. You don't need a toggle switch (each has an identical keybed) simply play the unit you wish to play. Or use a full sized controller. If you have a MOXF, Motif XF or CP4 Stage, that would do nicely! 🙂

As to splitting a 37 note keyboard, ... hmmm! not so much. But I could see getting a full sized controller and using it as a master controller (again with the help of a MIDI splitter).

I think that they will find their real use as a keyboard you can take anywhere you go. Right now if you are a player and are on the road, you have slim pickins on a serious portable keyboard. There is no apologizing about the sound of these things... they blow everyone we show them to away! There was a question about hearing the speakers (well, you can't hear the speakers through other speakers)

When you're relaxing at the pool, at the beach, on the tour bus, and the guitar player has an acoustic _ you have your Reface. When you go to the stage it can become a module for you to play from whatever controller you like. Or you can wear it and rock out. It speaks CONTROL CHANGE for just about every editable parameter. Really smart when it comes to all of that.

I get where you are coming into the market place with the "Reface" now, and I want you to know I'm not attacking the product(s) that have taken years to produce. There are some great technical advances that have been introduced with a new twist.

Personally, just putting "Reface" to one side for a moment - I have an idea of what I want from an instrument and a limited budget / timescale to get what I want to make me happy. My needs will be different to everybody else. Technically, you could just sell the controller bars on the Reface and plug in a larger size USB keyboard (but this is not what you are selling) for me I'd be happy to have the controller bar at the top of my computer keyboard connected to a DAW (ie: Small and compact with the sounds I wanted without using soft synths)... but this is not what you are selling. I get that!!

Basically, all I want is everything the top of the range Motif has to offer... but I want to purchase parts of it over a time period and at budget I can afford (and I don't mean finance) - or - maybe start compressing the sound technology into one of these Reface size products - and allow an iPad to dock with it.

Whatever I say will be wrong to someone, but unless I voice my opinion I will not get what I'm looking for. It may never happen, but it is worth a try.

The "Reface" products will be toys I cannot afford and like you said people will most likely not buy all four - but they will be great for someone.

Basically, all I want is everything the top of the range Motif has to offer... ... into one of these Reface size products - and allow an iPad to dock with it.

? ? ?

With respect; let me guess... you don't understand what I'm saying! - Might be a challenge but I'm sure you can do it... I will leave you to think about it 😉

Sure I want the Moon and NYC... I really cannot tell if you are serious. Let me repeat: "everything the top of the range Motif has to offer..." ( my emphasis) in the size of the Reface. If you are in your twenties you may live long enough to see that. I hope you do. But you are kidding me, right? I don't know who to take serious today! 🙂 If you are kidding, I'll laugh with you. If you are not, then I don't believe you are really in touch with what that would take. And then I apologize for not taking you seriously.

On the serious side, the Reface do interface with the iPad - that was covered in the presentation. You can store and recall your programs via an App called Reface Capture- all that is required is a USB-Camera Connection Kit adapter.

Please do not leave me to think about it. 🙂 This is your dream... I am willing to listen, but everything the Motif can do, really. How much?

You will hate me for saying this but I'm not joking... Let me tell you why. The electronics industry is moving so fast I feel that Yamaha is in danger of being left behind. PC's can be put in a USB stick drive, apple can cram some amazing stuff into a watch and tablets are getting faster. The point I'm trying to make is that people are wanting stuff to be mobile but there are no signs of the "Flagship" synth being made lighter/portable and more accessible. Also, people like me would like most (if not all) of the features without the large price tag. Please take it as a complement because you have something I want.

The MX is probably doing well because if you ask the users, they say they want an XF but cannot afford it (simple fact that Yamaha are not Capitalising on).

Why is there a reluctance to give people what they really want than having multiple products doing a similar thing. Focus on getting one synth that can be produced as cheaply as possible and easy to fix. This was my thinking with a modular system that can be built up over time, but effectively the end goal would be the flagship product when all the modules have been purchased. Something for everyone and interchangeable.

The iPad is having major upgrades to the iOS soon and could be used to handle the sequencing and recording side of things (reducing your costs) but gives people another option. Team up with Apple because they are taking music apps to a new level.