Yamaha CL5

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.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.

Thanks to in-depth collaboration with Dan Dugan Sound Design, renowned Dan Dugan automatic microphone mixing with its advanced algorithms is built into the CL series consoles. Setup is easy: just insert the processor into up to 16 channels for automatically optimized microphone gain distribution. Gain control is smooth and natural, as though experienced human operators were doing the mix. The system also effectively reduces feedback and comb filter issues. For speech applications, especially non-scripted situations, this allows the operator to concentrate on details other than fader operation for consistently high-quality mixes.

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.

The Selected Channel display provides a comprehensive view of the many controls and functions available for the currently selected channel. The corresponding physical controllers to the left of the display are labeled and laid out in the same way as the on-screen controls, for confident access and operation. The CL series includes a number of refinements to this now-standard interface for unprecedented operating ease.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 accessible location, much like traditional analog outboard racks. The new CL series Premium Rack can accommodate up to eight instances of the six expressive EQ and dynamics effects provided, including the Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5033 equalizer and Portico 5043 compressor/limiter. The ability to use some of the most highly regarded studio effects in live mixes can help you deliver unprecedented sonic quality in any venue.

In addition to the Premium Rack described above, the CL consoles feature an Effect Rack that allows simultaneous use of up to 8 effects from a selection of 46 ambience effects and 8 insertion effects, all of outstanding quality. Although a separate EQ rack is provided for the output buses, any of the 8 effects in the Effect Rack can be replaced by graphic EQ units as needed.

The CL consoles also feature a GEQ rack that allows graphic EQ to be inserted into the output buses as required for room equalization and other functions. Up to 16 31-band GEQ units can be mounted in the rack for simultaneous use, and those GEQ units can be individually switched to Flex15GEQ mode, effectively providing two EQ channels that allow up to 15 bands to be used at a time. With a full rack of GEQ units all functioning in Flex15GEQ mode, you have a total of 32 GEQ channels for extensive equalization capacity.

VCM technology delivers refined, musical tonality in the outstanding lineup of devices provided in the CL series Premium Rack and Effect Rack.

The Nuendo Live* DAW application has been specifically designed for live multitrack recording, providing comprehensive control and overview for smooth operation under the most demanding live situations. An extension plug-in provides seamless integration with CL console features, such as channel names, markers, transport control, and more

Dante Virtual Soundcard : Dante Virtual SoundcardDante Virtual Soundcard software, included with CL consoles and Rio3224-D/Rio1608-D I/O racks, enables direct multitrack recording to a Windows or Mac based DAW without the need for an audio interface between the console and computer. A high-performance DAW application such as Steinberg Nuendo Live* can be used to record up to 64 tracks with studio quality and editing capabilities.

Virtual Sound Check : DAW playback can be instantly patched to the CL console’s input channels so that multitrack recordings can be used for “virtual” sound checks when the performers aren’t available. Recordings of the previous day’s performance can be used for sound check on the following day!

*Nuendo Live is not bundled in some areas.

2-track recording in mp3 format couldn’t be easier. Simply plug a USB memory into the USB connector on the front panel of the console and start recording. No other equipment is required. Of course playback from the USB memory is possible as well, making it a convenient source for BGM or sound effects.

With the CL StageMix application, an iPad becomes a wireless remote controller that can be used to set up and operate CL consoles from anywhere on stage or in the audience seating area. There’s even a built-in iPad stay on the CL5 and CL3 panels, providing a convenient mount for an iPad to be used for additional control functionality. There’s also the CL Editor application for computers running Windows or Mac operating systems, for both extended online operation and offline setup and editing. In addition to full Selected Channel and Overview display operation, the CL Editor facilitates scene data management, patch list editing, channel name editing, and much more. It’s even possible to use the CL StageMix and CL Editor applications at the same time.

No specialized programming skills are required. An intuitive interface makes it easy to create faders for volume control and switches for channel on/off, for example, and position photographs or other graphic elements on the tablet screen as required to create original control panels that are ideally suited to individual applications and users. In addition, ProVisionaire Touch and ProVisionaire Control can control CL/QL/TF series digital mixers, MTX and MRX series processors, XMV series and PC-D/PC-DI series power amplifiers, R series (ADDA) and Tio1608-D I/O rack, DZR-D series powered loudspeakers and DXS XLF-D powered subwoofers and Nexo NXAMPmk2 powered TD controller. It is easy to combine those parameters onto the one screen.