Yamaha CL1 digital mixer console

The CL series uses the most advanced digital audio technologies to deliver natural sound that provides the perfect basis for the imagination zarboth artist and sound engineer. This type of sound quality is impossible to obtain only by specification. Cyclical listening assessments and improvements by the industry's most respected professionals are an indispensable part of quality control. Cl series digital mixing consoles are proof that the time and effort involved in this process have not gone to waste.

The challenge starts with console inputs. In order to achieve the required level of sound quality, individual components, power source, grounding, circuit layout, mechanical design of the device, and countless other details of the original input phases must be selected and designed with the utmost care. Listening assessment has been an important part of the development process since this first phase. Changing even one electronic elements can change the sound in the most unexpected way, and the smallest differences must be noticed and evaluated as the project progresses. Extreme measures have also been taken to maximise and efficient AD and DA conversions, to create spectral analyses of the main AD/DA clock and to adjust the FPGA signal diversion clock to achieve the most natural musical sound possible. Another important element of any audio system is the power source. Of course, source capacity is important, but the same is true of the capacitors used, and the grounding must be designed to provide the lowest possible resistance. The resulting sound is an extremely natural representation of the input sound, thanks to which it provides an ideal basis for processing and effects that will lead to the final, polished sound.

By creating the best possible sound to meet the expectations of various concert halls and artists, sound engineers use my experience and imagination to make a lot of practical and creative decisions. The engineer's basic tool, the mixing console, must meet his requirements. Sound quality is of course paramount, and this is one of the many areas that cl series mixing consoles aim at. They also offer the most advanced analog technology available today to add an unprecedented character, shape the sound as needed, while maintaining the highest sound quality.

Rupert Neve is a legend. His merits in the field of audio recording and production began with the whole era of music equipment as we know it today. And they continue to this day in the form of microphone preamplions, equalizers, compressors, as well as mixing consoles, which are the gold standard in professional audio technology.
Mr. Neve takes his sound seriously, so it's an honor that he and his company, Rupert Neve Designs, have officially recognized YAMAHA 's own technology - VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) - as the first of its kind capable of modeling the rich, expressive analog sound they've been defending for so long. Using VCM technology, digital audio can finally customize analog designs to gain sound quality.
VCM technology, developed by Toshi Kunimoto ("Dr. K") and his team at the innovative YAMAHAdivision, is a circuit modeling concept that efficiently simulates the most detailed characteristics of individual components, up to capacitors and resistors, resulting in an astonishingly realistic circuit simulation that easily outclasses conventional digital simulations. But accuracy isn't the only aspect- musicality is also essential, and VCM modeling provides both.
The CL series mixing consoles are equipped with VCM models of the famous Neve Portico 5033 equalizer and portico 5043 compressor/limiter, both developed in close collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs. The models also include a valuable range of other VCM models: equalizers, compressors and studio-quality effects. You'll hear the difference.

A really useful sound enhancement console is the one that can keep up with the rapidly changing demands of sound applications. Efficient intuitive operation is essential. In the CL series, the core of the precision user interface is YAMAHA's acclaimed Centralogic concept, which offers unprecedented new performance from the visual side to the shape and character of silencers and controllers. CL consoles can also be controlled remotely using an Apple iPad® or other computer. The control is simple and intuitive, while offering a wide range of freedom.

Centralogic YAMAHA s user interface has already proven its value as the most user-friendly work environment, even for sound engineers who previously only considered analog consoles. Rooted in the Centralogic concept, the CL series takes intuitive and smooth operation to an even higher level, offering a system that you can quickly get acquainted with.

Clearly noticeable uniformity of style, moving from hardware silencers to virtual user interface through an elegantly scratched panel, perfectly matches the unambiguous directness of the channel modules of the analog console. All input and output channels can be immediately assigned to the Centralogic section in eight-channel groups.

The Selected Channel screen provides a useful overview of the many controllers and features available for the currently selected channel. The corresponding physical controllers on the left side of the screen are marked and arranged in the same way as those on the screen for sure access and operation. The CL series includes a number of improvements for this already standard interface to make working on it as easy as possible.

The way cl-series functions and controllers work together is a perfect example of how the whole thing can be better than the sum of its parts. In much of the user interface, the clarity, style and precision of individual silencers, knobs and switches is an important part of the overall reception of work on the console. The visual flow of the control system through all the curvatures of the console contributes significantly to the smooth functioning. The unparalleled balance of the entire system, along with all the improvements such as programmable channel names/colors and user-defined knobs, add a lot of comfort to your console.

Not miss any detail of form or function, even the curvature of elegant silencers comfortably adapts to your fingers from any angle. The sliders even have non-slip inserts to ensure perfect friction for smooth shifts, free from any sudden jumps. Transparency is also important, so their edges are contoured to provide a clear view of the entire scale of the silencers from every angle.

The editable channel name is displayed above each silencer and automatically changes to a larger font for short names, also showing panorama values and silencers. Below each of the name screens is a colored bar that is highlighted in any of the eight available colors, the same as in the central touchpad, to ensure that channels and entire groups are identified in one glance. Brightness can be adjusted for optimal visibility in all lighting conditions.

User buttons have long been the standard in digital YAMAHA. The user knobs in the CL series will quickly gain the same status. Virtually any parameter can be assigned to user knobs for direct, immediate access. Another advanced control option is to choose your own silencer bank, allowing you to instantly switch silencers in each section.

The form of CL consoles is not only elegant, but also provides the best possible visibility of all controllers and impressions from the control position. The visual continuity of Centralogic silencers is natural. The palm rest is a real oak in a wonderful ebony finish that visually and physically matches the overall sophistication of the entire structure.

Using CL StageMix, the 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. Cl5 and CL3 panels even have built-in iPad craystones, providing a practical iPad holder that can be used to enhance the functionality of the device. For computers running on Windows or Mac operating systems, there is a CL Editor application, for online operation and for making settings and offline editing. In addition to full control over selected channel and overview screens, CL Editor makes it easy to manage scene data, edit the revision list, edit channel names, and more. You can use CL StageMix and CL Editor at once.

Network capabilities are fast becoming a core and indispensable element in today's dynamic world of digital live audio. CL mixer consoles include a separate console and input/output components to communicate with dante™ network audio protocol, allowing you to quickly, efficiently design and deploy systems from the simplest to the most complex. Lake's ® through expansion slots also add versatility and adaptability to the widest possible range of mixing needs.

The complexity and variety of today's live sound systems make fast, flexible configurations and settings essential. Of course, the highest level of sound quality must be maintained. CL Series consoles use the Dante network protocol developed by Audinate to enable flexible connections of rack input/output units configured and positioned to meet application requirements, while providing excess for greater reliability.

Dante directly supports the network's stellar configuration, so eight devices can be connected to a single CL Series console and deployed virtually wherever they are most needed. To change the network setting to daisy chain, just change a few simple dip switch settings.

The ability to quickly and easily configure even the most complex systems is another advantage of the Dante network. In most cases, devices on the network are recognized and set automatically. Given that fixes typically made with a computer can be made directly from the CL console, changes to the initial configuration are virtually painless.

Dante also helps you maximize system reliability. Star networks allow you to use basic and backup lines for each device to ensure reliability in critical situations. With this type of setting, failure of the cable or other part will not cause the entire system to stop working. The show will continue.

Several CL Series consoles can share control of the same device, allowing for unprecedented system flexibility and efficient use of its resources. The new gain compensation feature gives you the ability to combine front control and listening system over a single network for comprehensive integration of digital live audio.

The obvious disadvantage of connecting several consoles to a single device in a rack is that the gain adjustment made on one console can have an unexpected effect on the gain change on other consoles. The gain compensation feature implemented in CL consoles ensures that when you modify the degree of analog gain on one of the consoles, the corresponding compensation is automatically adjusted at the digital level, so the level sent from the device in the rack to the connected CL consoles remains constant.

Gain compensation, applied after any setting of the analog gain level, is carried out only on a digital level. Digital gain control is another unique feature of the CL series that ensures extremely efficient, efficient operation and integration of the entire system.

The quality and variety of internal effects have become the main factors in choosing a digital console. Studio-quality sound is a must, but it's the same with processors at hand. Cl Series consoles have a selected collection of professional effects that will meet the requirements of any professional. Everything you need for a perfectly polished sound is right here.

As the name suggests, the "virtual racks" included in the CL series consoles allow you to configure the signal processors you need into a single, easily accessible combination, basically such as a traditional analog rack. The new CL Series Premium Rack can hold up to eight positions with six expressive equalizers and dynamic effects, including the Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5033 equalizer and portico 5043 compressor/limiter. Enjoying the world's most prized studio effects in live mixes helps you deliver unsurpassed sound quality anywhere.

In addition to the Premium Racks described above, CL consoles include an effect rack that allows you to simultaneously use up to eight effects from a collection of 46 spatial effects and 8 insert effects, all in excellent quality. Although a separate correction rack is provided, each of the 8 effects in the effect rack can be replaced as needed by the equalizer units.

CL consoles also include a GEQ rack that allows you to connect the equalizer to the output bus, meeting the need for space for correction and other functions. Up to 16 31-band equalizers can be placed in the rack for simultaneous use, each of which can be switched to Flex15GEQ mode, effectively providing two equalizer channels for simultaneous use of 15 bands. With a rack full of GEQ units operating in Flex15GEQ mode, you have a total of 32 equalizer channels for a wide range of corrections.

VCM technology delivers enhanced musical tonality in an incredible lineup of devices included in the Premium Rack and Effect Rack CL Series.

- Portico 5033/5043
These devices immaculately model the full depth and width of the original analog equalizer modules and Rupert Neve compressor/limiter. Not only are they perfect for adding the sound of the highest studio-quality processor, but they're also extremely easy to set up for optimal results. Simply inserting these outstanding models into the signal path can enrich the sound.

- U76
Studio standard, ideal for a wide range of applications. It even includes a RATIO ''ALL'' button that simulates the effect of pressing all ratio buttons on the original.

- Opt-2A
It is one of the most widely used studio optical compressors since the 1960s. The distinctive and highly appreciated compression of the original has been recreated with extraordinary precision.

- EQ-1A
A classic studio equalizer that is still priced and highly appreciated for the musical response of its lamp and equalizer circuit transformer, as well as for its great raise/undercut characteristics.

- DYNAMIC EQ
Original dynamic processor that adds compression/expansion/throtting depending on changes in levels detected on specific frequency bands. The well-designed interface makes achieving the perfect sound a fast, easy process.

- Comp 276
This model consists of several analog compressors, popular in recording studios in the 70's. Anyone who knows the original will immediately recognize its distinctive blow and greasy sound offered by this device.

- Open Deck
The unique modeling effect zaranalog layouts of well-known professional tape recorders and the characteristics of the tape used on them. You simply choose what suits you, or combine types for recording and playback, creating useful variations.

- Comp 260
The compressor/limiter of this device sparked a frenzy in the late 1970s, equipped with a semiconductor RMS and VCA level detection circuit for level control. This model can not be made wrong with any other.

-EQ 601
To get the sound of an analog equalizer, this model reproduces the popular circuit topology from the 1970s.

The CL Series offers two ways to record live: useful 2-track recording directly to a USB stick, and high-quality multi-track recording to a digital audio workstation via Dante. Whether for a simple internet upload, commercial release, or virtual next-day audio rehearsal, all the recording features you need are included in the CL series.

Nuendo Live DAW is specifically designed for live multi-path recordings, providing complete control and overview for smooth operation in the most demanding concert situations. The plug-in extension provides seamless integration with CL console features such as channel names, tags, controllers, etc.

-Dante Virtual Soundcard
Dante Virtual Soundcard control software allows you to directly record multi-track on a DAW based on Windows or Mac, without the need for an audio interface between the mixing console and the computer. A high-quality DAW application such as STEINBERG Nuendo Live can be used to record up to 64 tracks with studio and editable quality.

-Virtual sound test
DAW playback can be instantly connected to cl console input channels, and multi-track recordings can be used for "virtual" sound rehearsals when artists are not on stage. Recordings of the previous day's performance can be used to sample the sound the next day!

Two-way mp3 recording couldn't be easier. Simply plug the USB stick into the USB connector on the front panel of the console and start recording. You don't need any other hardware. Of course, it is also possible to play from a USB stick, creating a useful source of background music or sound effects