Version 3.0 updates, available in early 2015, have been announced for Yamaha Commercial Audio CL and QL Series digital consoles, providing increased capabilities in both live sound and broadcast applications.
Note that there won’t be a QL Series version 2.0 so that the CL and QL Series Consoles will be at the same V3.0 level. CL and QL files are interchangeable, making it easy to choose and combine models to accommodate front of house and monitoring as well as broadcast relay and recording, from basic to large-scale applications.
For live sound applications, V3.0 will add the benefit of a new 8-band parametric EQ and real time analyzer. Specifically, an 8-band PEQ in the GEQ Rack and Effect Rack making it possible to select 8-band Parametric EQ in the GEQ RACK and EFFECT RACK.
With the real time analyzer (RTA) to support room tuning and other operations, the frequency spectrum of cued channels can be shown in the new RTA display as well as in the PEQ or GEQ display to provide visual feedback while adjusting EQ.
Also of note for live sound applications, V3.0 will provide four banks of enhanced User Defined Keys, not only reducing the possibility of running out of keys, but also allowing keys to be grouped by function for improved efficiency.
DCA Assignment Selection for Scene Management has been added to the parameters for Recall Safe, Focus Recall, and Global Paste. Rather than only being selectable with all parameters during scene memory management, DCA assignment is now an independent setting. This allows more refined control, such as specifying only Channel Name, Fader, and DCA Assign to be Recall Safe, for example.
For broadcast applications, V3.0 delivers 5.1 panning and monitoring for surround broadcasts and a newly developed bus compressor for insertion in the stereo mix bus.
Pan positioning can be set via the touch panel or knobs. Mix to Matrix can be used for international feed production, and Mix to Stereo can be used for stereo mix down. In addition to surround mixing, V3.0 adds basic surround monitoring. Monitor alignment capability is also provided, with adjustment of relative loudspeaker levels and delays.
Also for broadcast applications, Dan Dugan Sound Design automatic microphone mixers already included in QL Series is now included in CL Series consoles. Gain distribution for up to 16 speech microphone channels is automatically optimized in real time, achieving smooth, natural level control.
Yamaha R&D has created an accurate VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) model of an popular bus compressor utilized in broadcast and recording studios. The new Buss Comp 369 is specifically designed for inserting on the stereo mix bus for increased loudness, more uniform levels, and warm overall sound.
Mix minus, considered important for relay broadcast applications, previously available for CL consoles, is now available in the QL consoles. The signal from a specified channel can be easily omitted from a specific bus, making it easy to quickly create a mix for the location reporter, for example, that may not include his/her own mic feed.
The new Frame Delay capability enables the audio engineer to delay the audio at the console in order to achieve proper synchronization, a necessity in broadcast and in live applications where video is being used. The feature makes it possible to set that delay in frame increments for easy sync with a wide variety of video formats.
“We’re very pleased to brings these additional upgrades that have been requested by our users,” states Marc Lopez, marketing manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems. “Our loyal sound reinforcement engineers will benefit from several great tools whether they are mixing on CL or the new QL Series as well as a whole new set of amazing features for our broadcast users. In addition to the new features in V3.0, we are currently working on a number of additional refinements that will provide even greater operability and stability and will continue to deliver products and updates that contribute to the most efficient and comfortable working environment for our customers.”
CL/QL V3.0 firmware will be available as a free download from the Yamaha Commercial Audio website, www.yamahaca.com, in early 2015.
