YAMAHA CL Series : Digital Mixing Consoles
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The Standards stay, but innovation
never ends.
The pursuit of perfection is ongoing and will probably never end, but
along the way Yamaha has introduced a number of innovations that have
become industry standards offering performance and familiarity that discerning
users continue to demand. By definition, “standards” are best
kept as they are. With evolutionary refinements, of course.
Yamaha CL series digital mixing consoles represent a new level of refinement.
They offer an evolved experience in accessible mixing, plus sonic purity
with sound shaping capabilities that will give the most imaginative engineer
unprecedented creative freedom. The CL series embodies the leading standards
in live sound in their most advanced, most expressive form. |
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With a three-section fader layout for efficient hands-on control,
the CL5 is the ideal choice for a diverse spectrum of live sound systems.
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The Yamaha CL3 provides an ideal blend of compact size and channel
capacity for a variety of live and installed applications.
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The Yamaha CL1 provides dual 8-fader sections in a space-saving console
that can be used alone or cascaded to another CL console for input expansion.
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| Every engineer, artist, and audience agrees
that sound quality is the bottom line. That’s a given. Through thorough
analysis, review, and refinement of every detail of the circuitry and technology
used, Yamaha CL series consoles deliver naturally superior sound plus a
comprehensive range of “coloring” options that give the sonic
craftsmen who will use them extraordinary creative freedom. The signal processors
provided are plentiful and of the highest quality, including extraordinary
Portico 5033/5043 EQ and compressor devices that bring Yamaha VCM technology
together with the legendary talents of Rupert Neve. The platform is pure
and natural, so the engineer can create and deliver the ideal sound. |
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| Creating
the Natural Sound Platform
The full impact of the most advanced digital audio technology available
has been applied throughout the CL series to deliver natural sound that
provides a perfect foundation for the artist’s and engineer’s
imagination. This type of sonic quality cannot be realized through specifications
alone. Repeated listening evaluations and refinements by some of the most
reliable ears and respected minds in the business are an indispensable
part of the process. The CL series digital mixing consoles are proof that
the time and effort involved have been well spent.
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-- Special Interview: Kenichi Ikeda (Electrical Engineer) -- |
The
Sound is in the Details |
The challenge
begins right from the console’s inputs. In order to achieve the
required level of sound quality, individual components, power supply,
grounding, circuit layout, mechanical construction, and countless other
details of the initial input stages must be selected and designed with
the utmost care. Listening evaluation becomes an important part of the
development process right from this first stage as well. Changing even
a single electronic component can alter the sound in unexpected ways,
and the tiniest variations must be noted and evaluated as development
proceeds. Extreme measures have been taken to maximize AD and DA conversion
performance as well, right down to making detailed spectral analyses of
the AD/DA master clock and adjusting the FPGA clock signal routing so
that the most natural, musical sound is achieved. Another critical part
of any audio system is the power supply. Of course the capacity of the
supply is important, but so are the types of capacitors used, and the
grounding must be engineered to ensure the lowest possible impedance.
The resultant sound is an eminently natural representation of the input
signal, providing an ideal foundation for processing and effects that
will lead to the final, polished sound. |
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Prodigious
Quality and Creative Potential
In creating the best possible sound for a profusion of venues and artist
requirements, sound engineers draw on their experience and imagination to
make a multitude of practical as well as creative decisions. The engineer’s
primary hands-on tool, the mixing console, must be able to accommodate them
all. Of course the bottom line is sound quality, and this is just one of
the areas in which the CL series consoles excel. They also feature some
of the most advanced analog circuitry modeling technology available to add
unprecedented character and shape to the sound as needed, while maintaining
the utmost sonic quality. |
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Digital Approach to Acclaimed Analog Technology |
Rupert Neve is a legend. His contributions
to the fields of audio recording and production began at the dawn of the
era and continue to this day in the form of microphone preamplifiers, equalizers,
compressors, and mixing consoles that are the gold standards of professional
audio.
Clearly Mr. Neve is very serious about his sound, so it’s an honor
that he and his company, Rupert Neve Designs, have officially recognized
Yamaha’s original VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) technology as being
the first of its kind that is capable of accurately modeling the rich, expressive
analog sound they have championed for so long. With VCM technology, digital
audio is at last capable of matching analog designs for sonic quality.
VCM, developed by Toshi Kunimoto (“Dr. K”) and his team at Yamaha’s
innovative “K’s Lab” division, is a circuit modeling concept
that effectively simulates the most detailed characteristics of individual
circuit components, right down to capacitors and resistors, resulting in
astonishingly realistic circuit simulations that easily outclass conventional
digital simulations. But accuracy isn’t the only consideration, musicality
is essential as well, and VCM modeling delivers both. |
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The CL series consoles come equipped
with VCM models of the renowned Neve Portico 5033 equalizer and Portico
5043 compressor/limiter, both developed through close cooperation with Rupert
Neve Designs. A valuable range of other VCM equalizers, compressors, and
studio-quality effects is also included. You will hear the difference. The
CL series consoles come equipped with VCM models of the renowned Neve Portico
5033 equalizer and Portico 5043 compressor/limiter, both developed through
close cooperation with Rupert Neve Designs. A valuable range of other VCM
equalizers, compressors, and studio-quality effects is also included. You
will hear the difference. |
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A truly useful sound reinforcement console
is one that can keep pace with the rapidly and dramatically changing demands
of live sound applications. Efficient, intuitive operation is essential.
Yamaha’s acclaimed Centralogic concept is the core of a refined user
interface that offers a new, unprecedented level of operating efficiency
in the CL series, from visual feedback right down to the form and feel of
the faders and controls. The CL consoles are also ready for seamlessly integrated
remote control and offline editing via an Apple iPad® or other computer.
Control is familiar and intuitive, while at the same time offering extensive
freedom.
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CentraLogic
at the Heart of an Evolved Interface
Yamaha’s Centralogic user interface has already proven its value as
the most user-friendly digital operating environment available, even for
engineers who were previously only comfortable with analog consoles. Founded
solidly on Centralogic roots, the CL series takes intuitive, efficient operation
to an even higher level, offering an operating experience that engineers
will not only feel immediately familiar with, but will be able to grow with
into the future. |
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-- Special Interview: Masaaki "Mick" Okabayashi (Engineer Manager) --
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Overview
- Analog Style Intimacy
Clear visual continuity from the Centralogic section’s physical faders
to virtual on-screen controls via the console’s elegantly curved panel
matches the unambiguous directness of analog console channel modules. Any
of the console’s input and output channels can be instantly assigned
to the Centralogic section in 8-channel groups. |
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Selected Channel
- Another Industry Standard from Yamaha
Clear visual continuity from the Centralogic section’s physical faders
to virtual on-screen controls via the console’s elegantly curved panel
matches the unambiguous directness of analog console channel modules. Any
of the console’s input and output channels can be instantly assigned
to the Centralogic section in 8-channel groups. |
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| Every
Detail Designed for Optimum Operating Feel |
| The way CL series functions and
controls work together is a perfect example of how a whole can be greater
than the sum of its parts. Within the larger framework of the user interface,
the visibility, feel, and precision of individual faders, knobs, and switches
are an essential part of the overall operating experience. The visual flow
of the control layout across the consoles’ sweeping curves makes a
significant contribution to smooth operation as well. The outstanding balance
of the entire system, plus refinements such as programmable channel names/colors
and user defined knobs, add up to operation that is, in a word, sublime. |
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-- Special Interview: Masafumi Ito (Product Designer)
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Newly
Designed Faders
No detail of form or function has been overlooked, right down to how the
curvature of the elegant fader knobs comfortably fit the fingers at any
angle. The fader knobs even have non-slip inserts that provide ideal friction
for smooth, slip-free fades. Visibility is important too, so the knob edges
are sculpted to provide a clear view of the fader scale from just about
any angle. |
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Editable
Channel Names and Colors
Editable channel name displays above each fader automatically switch to
a larger character size for short names, and show pan and fader values as
well. Below each channel name display is a color bar that illuminates in
any of eight selectable colors, the same as those used in the central touch
screen, for at-a-glance channel and group identification. Brightness can
be adjusted for optimum visibility under any ambient lighting conditions. |
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Direct Access to
the Parameters You Need
The User Defined Keys provided on Yamaha digital consoles are already a
standard. The User Defined Knobs provided on the CL series consoles will
quickly achieve the same status. Just about any of the console’s variable
parameters can be assigned to the four User Defined Knobs for direct, instant
access. Another advanced control feature is Custom Fader Bank selection,
allowing the faders in each section to be instantly reordered as required.
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Harmony in Form
and Function
The sweeping form of the CL consoles is not only elegant, but it provides
the best possible view of all controls and displays from the operator's
position. The visual continuity from the Centralogic faders to the display
is seamless. The hand rest is genuine oak with a gorgeous finish that matches
the visual and tactile sophistication of the overall design. |
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| Network capabilities are rapidly becoming
fundamental and indispensable in today’s fast-paced world of digital
live sound. CL series consoles feature separate console and I/O rack components
that communicate via the Dante™ network audio protocol, allowing fast,
efficient design and deployment of capable systems from the most basic to
the dazzlingly complex. The ability to add Lake® processing via expansion
slots also adds to the system’s versatility and adaptability to the
widest range of mixing needs. |
DANTE
for Fast, Flexible Networking
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| The complexity and variety of
today’s live sound systems makes fast, adaptable configuration and
setup capability vital. Of course the highest level of sonic performance
must be maintained at the same time. CL series consoles use the Dante network
protocol developed by Audinate to allow flexible connection to multiple
I/O rack units configured and located according to the needs of the application,
while at the same time providing redundancy for superior reliability. |
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-- Learn More about Dante -- |
Upto
Eight In/Out Racks
Dante directly supports star network configurations, so up to eight I/O
rack units can be connected to any single CL series console and conveniently
located wherever they are needed most. A few simple DIP switch settings
are all that is required to change to daisy-chain networking as required. |
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Simple
Setup
The ability to set up even complex systems quickly and easily is another
benefit of Dante networking. In most cases devices on the network are recognized
and set up automatically. And since patching operations that usually require
a separate computer can be carried out directly from the CL console, changes
to the initial setup are painless as well. |
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Redundancy for
Reliability
Dante also makes it easy to maximize system reliability. Star networks allow
the use of redundant primary and secondary lines for each device, for the
utmost reliability in critical applications. With this type of setup a malfunction
in a cable or other network component won’t bring the whole system
down. The show will go on. |
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NXAMP Discovery
and Patching
Here's a case where Dante offers not only extended system flexibility, but
enhanced operability as well. NEXO NXAMP discovery and patching operations
that normally require a computer running the Dante Controller software application
can now be carried out directly from the CL console touch screen display
when the NXDT104 Dante network card is installed.
* CL firmware version 1.5 or higher required. |
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Full
Integration of FOH and Monitor Control
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| Multiple CL series consoles can
share control of the same I/O rack unit, allowing unprecedented system flexibility
and efficient use of system resources. A new Gain Compensation function
adds the ability to combine FOH and monitor control via a single network,
for comprehensive digital live sound integration. |
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-- Learn More about Dante -- |
I/O
Rack Unit Sharing with Gain Compensation
One obvious drawback of connecting multiple consoles to a single I/O rack
unit is that gain adjustments made from one console can cause unexpected
gain changes at the other consoles. The Gain Compensation function implemented
in the CL consoles ensures that when the analog gain stage is adjusted from
one of the consoles, corresponding compensation is automatically applied
at the digital stage so that the level sent from the I/O rack unit to the
connected CL consoles remains constant. |
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Digital
Gain Control
Gain compensation applied after any initial analog gain levels are set is
carried out entirely in the digital domain. Digital gain control is another
original CL series feature that contributes to extraordinarily smooth, efficient
operation and integration of the entire system. |
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| A Complete
LIVE Sound Toolkit |
| The quality and variety of internal
effects have become major factors in choosing a digital live sound console.
Studio quality sound is a must, but so is having the right processors for
the job at hand. CL series consoles feature virtual effect racks that are
packed with a selection of effects that have been chosen and developed to
meet the real-world needs of live sound professionals. Everything you need
to create perfectly polished sound for your application is right here. |
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-- Learn More -- |
Premium
Rack Brings Studio Standards to the Live Stage
As the name implies, “virtual racks” provided in the CL series
consoles let you combine signal processors you need for your application
in one easily
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