Yamaha has launched its new "CL Series" digital mixing consoles at Prolight + Sound 2012.

Retaining essential features and functionality that have become standards over the past quarter of a century, Yamaha's new CL series digital mixing consoles offer an evolved experience in accessible mixing plus sonic purity and advanced sound shaping capabilities.

The line-up comprises three consoles, the CL1, CL3 and CL5, ranging in capacity from 48 to 72 mono + eight stereo inputs. All feature 16 DCAs and 24 mix / eight matrix output busses.

Yamaha's Centralogic user interface has already proven its value as a user-friendly digital operating environment. The now-standard Selected Channel interface is also integrated into this advanced system, with a number of refinements for enhanced operation. User Defined Knobs are another notable addition, allowing variable parameters to be assigned to the four knobs for direct, instant access.

The CL Series EQ and effects have been vastly expanded. They include an Effect Rack that features VCM analog circuitry modeling technology, as well as a Premium Rack that includes the Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5033 equalizer and Portico 5043 compressor/limiter, developed in close cooperation with Rupert Neve himself. Yamaha began working with Rupert Neve Designs in 2010, developing devices based on Yamaha's VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) technology. Rupert Neve had this to say about the outstanding quality of the VCM models of the Portico 5033 Equalizer and Portico 5043 Compressor: "This is a very exciting time, because for the first time we have the capability of bringing Rupert Neve sound into the live sound field. This is entirely due to the Yamaha VCM technology. I do believe that it is indistinguishable from the original analog sound." Dr. K (Mr. Toshifumi Kunimoto) of the Yamaha Corporate Research & Development Center, developer of VCM technology, is pleased with the results as well: "We have applied VCM technology in a wide variety of audio effects for digital consoles, and now though a fruitful alliance with Rupert Neve Designs, VCM has become the foundation for some truly valuable Portico models."

Two new rack-mountable I/O units, the Rio3224-D and Rio1608-D, can be used in a variety of combinations and configurations, communicating via a scalable Audinate Dante digital audio network. Up to eight I/O rack units can be connected to a CL series console, while multiple CL series consoles can share control of the same I/O rack unit. A new Gain Compensation function adds the ability to combine FOH and monitor control via a single network, for comprehensive digital live sound integration. The Dante module used in the CL series was developed in cooperation with Audinate. Audinate's CEO, Lee Ellison comments: "We are extremely excited to be collaborating with Yamaha on their extraordinary new CL series of digital mixing consoles and I/O racks. 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 enable an unsurpassed digital experience."

The CL consoles are supplied with Steinberg "Nuendo Live" software for state-of-the-art live multitrack recording and virtual sound check capabilities. Nuendo Live delivers features and performance that have been fine tuned for live recording tasks, with many capabilities directly accessible from the CL consoles. The Extension plug-in, a software adapter that facilitates communication between the console and Nuendo Live, makes CL features such as channel name copy, marker set, and transport control available from within the console interface. Steinbergs's Managing Director, Andreas Stelling says: "Nuendo Live is not only ultra stable and easy to use, but it integrates seamlessly with the latest generation of Yamaha live consoles. This is another successful example of the strong ongoing relationship between Yamaha and Steinberg."

Extra flexibility is provided by the CL StageMix application for iPad, providing wireless remote control capability for setting up and operating CL consoles from anywhere on stage or in the audience seating area. The Yamaha Console File Converter is another useful computer application, allowing data to be shared between CL series, PM5D, M7CL, and LS9 consoles, so data from one show doesn't have to be completely reprogrammed from scratch for the next, even if different consoles are used.

"The CL series mixing consoles ideally answer 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."

CL Series Lineup

The Consoles
All specifications other than fader layout and input channel capacity are consistent throughout the lineup.

• CL5: three-section fader layout (16 + 8 + 8) for 72 mono and 8 stereo input channels.
• CL3: two fader sections (16 + 8) in a mid-size console with 64 mono and 8 stereo channels.
• CL1: dual 8-fader sections in a space-saving design, handling 48 mono and 8 stereo input channels.

CL5 scheduled to be released in spring 2012, CL3 and CL1 in summer 2012.

The I/O Rack Units
Both types connect to the console via Dante network protocol for low-jitter, low-latency digital audio.

• Rio3224-D: 5U size, with 32 ins, 16 outs, and four AES/EBU outputs.
• Rio1608-D: 3U size, with 16 ins and 8 outs.

Rio3224-D scheduled to be released in spring 2012, Rio1608-D in summer 2012.