John wrote:

Hello,

Two issues related to MIDI interfacing.

I purchased a reface CS refurbished from a dealer (maybe used as their display model), and it didn't come with the MIDI breakout cable. Where can I buy this cable? Does YAMAHA sell an official cable separately, and if not where can I get this cable?

It must be a part. You can contact your regional Yamaha distributor to get information on the best way to purchase it.

The other issue I'm having: when I use the USB slot on the reface as my MIDI interface, when recording there is an almost unbearable noise / hum problem. This doesn't occur when I'm not plugged into the USB slot on the reface. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I tried several combinations of unplugging the power source, plugging into different outlets, making sure everything is grounded, etc, and wasn't able to get rid of the noise.

Is it a hum or a high pitched zing. USB ground noise is usually described as zinging or whining, the word "hum" is usually reserved for the 60 cycle variety (here in the USA) associated with electrical motors. It's just flat of a "B".

Is it a hum or a high pitched zing. USB ground noise is usually described as zinging or whining, the word "hum" is usually reserved for the 60 cycle variety (here in the USA) associated with electrical motors. It's just flat of a "B".

Good question - it's definitely more of a zinging or whining than a hum!

The zinging whining type of noise is pretty surely a USB issue. You can try getting a better USB cable. The ground issue arises between items connected in a system and can be fixed easily (or sometime frustratingly not so easily). A lot depends on where in the world you are and the condition of electrical signal in your particular room. Where are you located?

Hey there,

I need to check here more often!

I'm in NYC. I recently went on tour in the USA with the reface and had the same noise issue all over - with multiple USB cables. Fortunately I don't use this as a midi controller rather I hand play, so I don't need it connected, but I'd love to be able to send midi to it via USB without worrying about the noise. I don't get a similar noise with any other synth...

Best
JAB

I have the same problem with my reface DX

I bought a quality USB cable and the noise continues. The only way to not get the noise is to use a mobile phone for SoundMondo and use the standard midi connection to use it as a controller. What happens Yamaha ?.

The USB connection to your computer is where the ground issue is occurring. Run either the computer (if a laptop) or the reface on batteries... this should avoid your computer having an electrical conflict with your connected instrument device.

You can also try plugging the computer and the reface into the same electrical source

I'm having the same issue with the reface dx and i'm following all the usb recommendations that come in the manual.
I have more than a dozen equipments in my studio and never had grounding issues until i tried to connect the reface dx via usb to the imac.
The imac and the reface are plugged into the same electrical source.
An imac can't run on batteries! And i don't think that the answer Yamaha should provide is to run the reface on batteries... So, is there any other solution or should we users just forget that the reface has a usb connection?

I'm having the same issue with the reface dx and i'm following all the usb recommendations that come in the manual.
I have more than a dozen equipments in my studio and never had grounding issues until i tried to connect the reface dx via usb to the imac.
The imac and the reface are plugged into the same electrical source.
An imac can't run on batteries! And i don't think that the answer Yamaha should provide is to run the reface on batteries... So, is there any other solution or should we users just forget that the reface has a usb connection?