YAMAHA BOWS AFFORDABLE, NEW LINE OF LARGE CAPACITY MIXERS FEATURING ONBOARD RUPERT NEVE PROCESSING, NUENDO RECORDING AND IPAD REMOTE CONTROL.

BY GEORGE PETERSEN
Today at ProLight+Sound/Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Yamaha Commercial Audio launched its stunning new CL (Centralogic™) Series of digital live consoles.

All are Dante network-based with remote I/O for a faster, more responsive operations. These 72/64/48 mono input consoles are differentiated only by frame size and input capability, and feature 24 mix buses, 8 matrix buses, plus stereo and mono outputs, 16 DCAs and onboard Rupert Neve-designed signal processing. The powerful small-footprint design was developed specifically for sound reinforcement applications such as performing arts venues, theaters, houses of worship, touring, and remote broadcast, with a high output bus count that’s perfect for live broadcast and monitor applications.

The Yamaha CL5 mix capacity is 72 mono + 8 stereo inputs (64 channels through Dante and 8 local), with 34 faders (16 on the left, 8 Centralogic, and 8 right plus stereo and mono masters). The CL5 also includes built-in output metering. The CL3 is a 64 mono input system, with 8 stereo inputs, and 26 faders (16 left, 8 Centralogic center, plus masters). The CL1 console is a 48-mono + 8 stereo inputs, and 16 faders plus two master faders (8 left and 8 Centralogic center, plus masters). All models feature 16 DCAs, channel encoders and support 48kHz and 44.1kHz sampling rates. An optional meter bridge is available for the CL3 and CL1 consoles. The CL5 and CL3 feature a built-in shelf for an iPad, and the CL1 has a shelf for an iPod.

CENTRAL CONTROL
All CL consoles has a top panel center section with a comprehensive selected channel section, a new 16-bit color LED backlit touchscreen, four User-Defined Knobs, 2-track USB recorder/player section, and more. also standard are sixteen 31-band GEQs, an 8U effects rack and a new 8U Premium Rack including Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5043 Compressor and Portico 5033 EQ as well as new Yamaha VCM compressors and EQs. Rupert Neve, who approved the 5033 and 5043 in the Premium Rack during its initial evaluation, called it ‘very sweet sounding’ and ‘indistinguishable from its hardware equivalent’.

Additional console features include simultaneous CL Editor/StageMix connection, multi-track recording via Dante Virtual Soundcard software, and File Converter Software for CL, PM5D, M7CL and LS9 consoles. A new recording software from Steinberg dubbed “Nuendo Live”, optimized for live recording and playback transport, will also be bundled with the console. CL Editor for Mac and PC as well as StageMix for iPad will be available for the series free of charge.

INPUTS, OUTPUTS
Up to eight external Rio (Remote I/O) boxes can be used for a total of 256 channels via the Dante digital network. The 5U rack space Rio3224-D includes 32 remote controlled mic/line inputs, 16 line outputs, and four AES-3 outs. The 3U Rio1608-D includes 16 remote controlled mic/line inputs and eight line outputs. Dante network I/O can easily be set up and patched utilizing familiar paradigms within the console user interface, with no external software required for network operations.

The fader sections of all CL consoles features new self-lit key tops, channel name and color bar visible in sunlight, new fader caps and a smoother drive circuit. The Centralogic section also features Undo and Preview keys for Scene Memory, fader bank select, and 16 user defined keys.

The CL console’s back panel consists of dual Dante ports, 3 MY card slots, work clock I/O, MIDI I/O, AES/EBU digital out, 8 Analog Omni ins/outs, 5-in/5-out GPI, and an external PW800W PSU connection.

Check out this video demo I shot of the CL5. Note: it’s nearly 12 minutes long, but goes into a lot of detail about the power of this mixer and its features. It’s definitely worth watching if you’re serious about understanding the CL5.

I WANT ONE!
Targeted MSRP for the Yamaha CL5, CL3, and CL1 is $27,499, $21,999 and $14,999, respectively. The Rio3224-D has a targeted MSRP of $8,499 and the Rio1608-D has a targeted MSRP of $4,799. The optional meter bridge for the CL3 and CL1 has a targeted MSRP $1,199. The flagship CL5 and Rio3224-D will be available in late Spring 2012, and the CL3, CL1, and Rio1608-D will be available in late summer 2012.

Stateside, you can see Yamaha’s CL consoles at the NAB show in Las Vegas, April 16-19, in booth C2239. Or for more info, visit Yamaha online.
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