Prolight+Sound 2014: Yamaha New QL Console, Version 2.0 of CL Series

The Yamaha CL Series of digital consoles raised the bar in live digital mixing to a new level of refinement with evolved sound quality, operability, and functionality, while maintaining the traditional values that have made Yamaha digital mixers industry standards. Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems announced the worldwide launch of the QL Series inheriting CL features such as all-in-one mixing, processing, and routing capability for small to medium scale live tour sound, house of worship installations, corporate A/V, and speech applications.

QL Series

As with the CL Series, the Yamaha QL Series includes circuitry and components that have been designed and selected with the utmost care, achieving outstanding audio purity from input to output. With a solid, sonic foundation it is possible to take full advantage of built-in premium internal processors such as legendary Yamaha VCM technology and the Portico 5033/5043 created in cooperation with Rupert Neve Designs to shape and create as required. For a wide range of speech applications, built-in Dan Dugan Sound Design automatic mixing provides optimum channel balance while allowing the mix engineer to concentrate fully on the overall sound.

“When Yamaha learned about my process, they thought it would be good for us to get together, states Dan Dugan. We collaborated on making a plug-in card that would go into Yamaha mixing boards, and it has been very successful. Then we decided to go one step further and build Dugan automatic mixing right into the new Yamaha QL. I am very excited about giving more Yamaha customers the opportunity to use my auto mixing.”

Significant features include port to port routing via built-in R Series input/outputs that can patch any input port to any output port so the QL console can function as a remote I/O device for any other QL or CL, touch and turn knob operation, and direct file compatibility between the new QL and CL Series Digital Consoles (no need for Console File Converter to exchange files). Yamaha QL consoles feature large touch-panel displays that make up a remarkably smooth, efficient control interface. In addition to ample analog input and output capacity, the QL Series features the same onboard Dante audio networking protocol that provides broad connectivity in CL consoles.

“The new QL Series brings the powerful features and quality of the CL Series to smaller applications along with additional enhancements not typically found in digital mixers in this price range,” states Marc Lopez, marketing manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. “These new enhancements will enable the engineer to use a sophisticated system that improves the overall operating experience.”

Remote control via an iPad with Yamaha StageMix as well as online/offline QL Editor Software for MAC and PC computers adds even more refinement to an already state-of-the-art operating environment. Yamaha QL 1 and QL5 consoles feature 16/32 built-in Mic/Line Analog Inputs, 18/34 faders, 8/16 built-in Analog Outputs, 32/64 + 8 Stereo input mixing channels capability, and 16 Mix + 8 Matrix (or 24 mix total) + Stereo + Mono Outputs. The built-in Dante interface (Daisy-chain or Redundant modes) provides a 64×64 matrix for the QL5 and 32×32 for the QL1. All consoles feature two MY Card Slots, 8-space Premium Rack, 8-space GEQ Rack, 8-space Effects Rack, and one license of Dante Virtual Soundcard is included.

Yamaha QL consoles are compatible with Nuendo Live (sold separately) and feature Nuendo Live Control, MIDI/GPI Control Ports, and two-track direct to USB and multi-track recording playback capabilities. The QL1 is also rack mountable (RK1 rack mount kit sold separately).

Yamaha also announced Version 2.0 of the Yamaha CL Series of digital audio consoles being introduced today at PL+S in Frankfurt. This major update includes enhancements for sound reinforcement applications as well as mix-minus capabilities for the broadcast market, broadening the range of applications where CL Series performance can be advantageous. Another significant enhancement in V2.0 is discovery and head amp control for the compact QL Series consoles, also launched today, that inherits CL Series features and performance. A QL console can function as both monitor mixer and I/O rack, for example, while a front-of-house CL console can remotely control the head amp gain of the QL console’s I/O.

New features in CL V2.0 include DCA Roll-Out: Channels assigned to DCA groups can be instantly called up to the console faders for enhanced operational flexibility; output DCA enables the Stereo/Mono bus masters, Mix bus masters, and Matrix bus masters to be assigned to DCA groups. Mix Minus, an important feature in broadcast applications is now provided; with one simple operation the signal from a particular channel can be removed from a specified bus.

“CL V2.0 not only adds features that are also included in new the QL Series launched today, but provides additional support for our core sound reinforcement customers with features that were only previously available on PM digital mixers,” states Marc Lopez, marketing manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.  “Future plans include built-in Dugan automatic mixing similar to the new QL Series and additional support for broadcast applications in the CL Series. We will continue to keep a close eye on the market in order to provide features and performance that will maximize our customers’ investment in CL.”

With Read Only Scene Memory, it is now possible to create read-only scene memories. A new Daisy Chain Insert feature allows two devices to be inserted into one channel or bus for enhanced processing freedom. A GR Meter (dynamics meter) Option within the Channel Name Display will show the Dynamics 1 and Dynamics 2 gain reduction meters in the channel name display.