Editor's Note: We're pleased to bring you this abbreviated, web-only version of Nolan Rossi's Yamaha CL5 review. A more detailed, feature-length version of this review can be found in the up-coming October 2012 issue of Church Production Magazine.
Recently, I've had the pleasure of traveling with one of Yamaha's newest digital console, the CL5, on Kari Jobe's “Where I Find You” tour. Here's a run down on features and then I'll get to my experience using the console.
The CL series, which Yamaha introduced early this year, is a scalable system. All three of the consoles in the CL Series consoles, the CL1, CL3 and CL5, work in the same manner. They can be networked together to share head amps and all use the same Rio I/O rack.
With no specific start-up sequence, setting up this console is very easy. As soon as a working connection is found between a Rio unit and a CL series console, a confirmation window pops up and audio is passed.
Another fantastic feature is the capability of multiple consoles sharing the same Rio I/O. When setting up two consoles in this way, you could typically run into problems when setting head amp control between FOH and monitors. Yamaha solves this problem with a new gain compensation feature.
The look and feel of the CL5 is beautiful. With LCD channel label, new buttons and fader “feel,” the CL5 responds in a very detailed manner that feels solid.
If you use StageMix, Yamaha's iPad-based remote control, there is a shelf to the left of the CL5's touch screen that perfectly cradles your iPad.
The CL5 has 16 user-defined keys, four user-defined knobs and nine user-defined fader banks, allowing the engineer to truly customize the console to their liking. Yamaha continues with the Centralogic user interface navigation package. If you are familiar with the M7 or LS9, you'll feel right at home navigating selected channel strips.
In the CL series there are 16 31-band graphic equalizers (or 32 Flex 15 bands), eight effects racks (home to the Yamaha effects you already know and love), and eight premium racks that include a host of new virtual effects.
The virtual soundcheck that Yamaha offers in the CL series may be the simplest solution offered by any console manufacturer. Using a DAW like Steinberg Nuendo Live (included free with each CL Series console) you can record and play back 64 tracks of audio.
So how does the new Yamaha CL5 sound and work in a show? Amazing. This console has been a dream to work with. It was obvious from my first rehearsal that Yamaha put a lot of thought into making everything about this console shine. The new preamp and word-clock design provide excellent sound quality. I've been running monitors from FOH on the “Where I Find You” tour and all band members have commented on how happy their instruments sound through the CL5.
?--BIO--?Nolan Rossi is a mix engineer and owner of RF Productions. When he's not touring with artists, he is producing records at his studio in East Nashville, Tenn. He can be reached at www.nolantherossi.com.
Company: Yamaha Commercial Audio?Product: CL5 Digital Audio Mixing Console?Phone: (866) 211-9366?URL: www.yamahaca.comList Price: $24,749
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