Press Release: 25 years after first setting the standards in digital mixing, Yamaha has taken digital consoles to another evolutionary level with the launch of the three-model CL series at ProLight + Sound 2012.
Retaining essential features and functionality that have become standards over the past quarter of a century, the CL series of digital mixing consoles offers an evolved experience in accessible mixing. Combined with sonic purity and advanced sound shaping capabilities, the new range gives the most imaginative artists and engineers unprecedented creative freedom.
Combining a tactile, ergonomic user interface with elegant and contemporary design, the CL series comprises three models - the CL1, CL3 and CL5. Ranging in mix capacity from 48 to 72 mono plus eight stereo inputs, all models feature 16 DCAs, 24 mix and eight matrix busses, plus stereo and mono output busses.
User interface
At the heart of the CL series is Yamaha’s acclaimed Centralogic user interface, ensuring that the consoles will be immediately familiar to many thousands of live sound engineers.
It has evolved considerably on the new consoles, incorporating a new generation, highly responsive colour touch screen and an array of user definable rotary encoders and buttons. Newly designed faders offer optimum feel, visibility and accuracy and are freely configurable to allow control of any combination of inputs, outputs or the 16 DCA faders. The control surface also provides editable, backlit channel name displays above each fader, with assignable colour bars. The CL1 and CL3 also feature the option of an external meter bridge.
Audio quality
Audio quality and character were top priorities in the development of the new consoles. In addition to featuring newly-designed mic preamps and delays on every input channel and output port, the range debuts a prestigious line up of studio quality processing.
The Effects Rack provides the equivalent of eight SPX2000 effects processors, along with a range of VCM EQs and dynamics, while two further virtual racks provide access to up to 32 channels of graphic EQs.
However, probably the most exciting sonic innovation is the introduction of the Premium Rack concept. Developed by Yamaha’s Dr K (Toshi Kunimoto) and his team, the Premium Rack provides a range of extremely high quality, dynamic processors and EQs. Yamaha is particularly proud and pleased to have collaborated closely with Rupert Neve to incorporate the highly acclaimed Portico 5033 EQ and 5043 Compressor as key elements in this new concept. These processors are included as standard in the CL series, eliminating the need for any plug-in management.
“For the first time we have the capability of bringing Rupert Neve sound into the live audio field, entirely due to Yamaha VCM technology. I believe that it is indistinguishable from the original analogue sound,” says Neve.
Scalable solution
A key factor in making the CL series so flexible is the pair of accompanying I/O racks, the Rio3224-R and Rio1608-D, and the fact that consoles are the first to feature built-in Dante networking as a standard feature.
A scalable system is easily constructed by simultaneously attaching up to eight I/O racks via Dante, providing up to 256 input sources. Pairs of CL series consoles can also be cascaded to handle larger mixing requirements.
Connection of basic systems is easy, using the console’s auto-configuration facility. Two or more consoles can share the inputs from one set of I/O racks without fear of unexpected level changes due to the inclusion of Auto Gain Compensation within the I/O racks themselves. With the new Dante 32-bit mode of operation, gain compensation can be provided without audibly affecting the dynamic range.
“We are extremely excited to be collaborating with Yamaha on the extraordinary new CL series and I/O racks,” notes Audinate CEO Lee Ellison. “Dante provides a flexible, low latency, highly scalable, plug and play networking solution to connect Yamaha networked systems, Dante Virtual Soundcards or any other Dante networked device. We believe the combination of technologies integrated in this new platform will provide an unsurpassed digital experience.”
The Rio3224 also includes four stereo AES-EBU outputs, keeping signals in the digital domain right through to the amplifier. The new consoles feature three MY card slots on the rear panel, maintaining compatibility with every existing audio format as well as newer cards like the MY8-Lake speaker processing card and the MY16-Dugan auto mixing card.
The three card slots also allow for additional i/o alongside the consoles’ onboard eight mic inputs and eight line outputs.
Software control
CL Editor is a new standalone online / offline editor which runs on both Macs and Windows PCs. Featuring all the functionality that users will be familiar with from other Yamaha Editor software, it does not require Yamaha Studio Manager as a host.
Further new software applications include a new version of StageMix for iPad, which offers comprehensive wireless remote control and has been expanded to include new features such as channel naming, DCA fader control and tap tempo. Crucially, both CL Editor and StageMix can be run simultaneously, allowing very flexible options for engineers, sound designers and system technicians alike.
Meanwhile, Yamaha’s new File Converter software has been upgraded to allow straightforward exchange of console files between the CL series, PM5D, M7CL and LS9.
Recording
Every CL console customer will receive a copy of the new Steinberg Nuendo Live recording software, which has been designed specifically for live recording applications. Available from July, it includes unique features not found in any other live recording software and will be tightly integrated with CL consoles to provide optimum ease of use.
When combined with Audinate’s Dante Virtual Soundcard (also included with every CL console) engineers can easily use the Dante network to record up to 64 tracks of audio to either a Mac or Windows PC.
“Nuendo Live is not only ultra stable and easy to use, but it integrates seamlessly with the latest generation of Yamaha live consoles,” says Steinberg Managing Director, Andreas Stelling. “This is another successful example of the strong ongoing relationship between Yamaha and Steinberg.”
In addition, basic stereo recordings can be done via a convenient two track USB recording and playback function.
Setting the standards
Having worked very closely with engineers and rental companies for a quarter of a century, Yamaha knows that the key requirements from digital consoles are flexibility, audio quality, ease of use and, of course, the company’s well known standards of reliability.
With the advent of the CL Series, the company is confident these products strike the perfect balance between innovative functionality and sound investment potential.
“The CL series ideally answers today’s needs using today’s technology” says Kazunori Kobayashi, General Manager of Yamaha’s Pro Audio Division. “The collaboration between Yamaha, Rupert Neve Designs, Audinate and Steinberg has made it possible to deliver a sublime balance of sound, performance, and features that results in uncompromised overall mixing capability and quality. After a quarter century of evolution, the CL series represents a momentous new chapter in the history of Yamaha digital mixing.”
The CL5 and Rio3224-D are scheduled to be released in the spring of 2012, with the CL1, CL3 and Rio1608-D available in the summer.
