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> Yamaha AW1600

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Yamaha AW1600 (No Longer Available)

Item ID: AW1600

16-track Digital Recorder with 8 Mic/Line Inputs, Built-in Effects, and CD Burner

Sorry, the Yamaha AW1600 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

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From Our Research Team:

16 Tracks of Quality Yamaha Recording

If you're a musician on the move - or with limited "studio" space - you'll want maximum audio workstation performance and functionality with minimum size, weight, and setup hassles. The Yamaha AW1600 provides extraordinary music production power in a remarkably compact, all-in-one unit that can take you all the way from inspiration to finished CD. The AW1600 is the grown-up descendant of the groundbreaking Yamaha AW16G, with added enhancements that make the recording process even more intuitive.

Yamaha AW1600 Digital Audio Workstation at a Glance:
  • Affordable digital recorder with enhanced features
  • Eight inputs and up to 16 tracks, plus virtual tracks
  • Built-in Yamaha effects for mixing
  • 4-band EQ and dynamics on every track
  • Easy to use, with clear interface and large controls
  • Pitch Fix for tuning vocal tracks
  • Works as a musical memo pad to capture your ideas
  • Very computer-friendly with USB 2.0

Affordable digital recorder with enhanced features
The Yamaha AW1600 adds many features to the award winning AW16G while maintaining the same affordability. These new features include 8 combo inputs (all with phantom power), USB 2.0 drag-and-drop capabilities for moving files onto your computer, 24-bit recording and a new Pitch Fix algorithm for correcting the pitch of vocal tracks.

Eight inputs and up to 16 tracks, plus virtual tracks
The AW1600 mixer supports up to 8 simultaneous inputs. Eight balanced mic/line XLR type connectors as well as eight balanced or unbalanced TRS phone jacks are provided in "combo connectors" on the rear panel for direct input. You can even record 8 tracks simultaneously for convenient one-take ensemble recording. For 16-bit recording and playback the AW1600 recorder section offers a total of 16 tracks, or 8 tracks for 24-bit recording and playback. You also have 8 virtual tracks per physical track - thats 18 (16 + stereo) x 8 in 16-bit mode (or 10 x 8 in 24-bit mode) - that provide plenty of capacity for alternate takes or arrangements. Any of the mixers inputs can be easily patched to any of the recorders tracks for maximum recording flexibility.

Built-in Yamaha effects for mixing
You'll find Yamaha digital signal processing gear in most of the best studios around the world... and you'll also find it in the AW1600. There's no need for external effects processors when you have a stunning range of top-class effects built right in! In fact the AW1600 has two independent effect processors with corresponding sends and returns so you'll have enough processing power on hand for just about any situation. In addition to a large selection of reverb, delay, modulation, and pitch type effects, the AW1600 includes an outstanding range of effects designed specifically for instruments and vocals. There are amp-simulator guitar effects complete with speaker simulation that let you get great guitar sound without having to actually mic a guitar amplifier. Acoustic guitar hasn't been forgotten, either. You also have effects designed specifically to give you superior bass and vocal sound by simply recalling and tweaking the appropriate preset.

4-band EQ and dynamics on every track
Even with the advanced functionality of todays integrated audio workstations, compression and gating facilities on every channel is still somewhat of a luxury. Even channel EQ tends to be rather limited in some cases. The AW1600 makes no compromises when it comes to equalization or dynamics processing: in addition to extremely versatile 4-band equalization, you have independent compression and gating capability on every single input channel and recorder track for total dynamics control over your AW1600 mixes.

Easy to use, with clear interface and large controls
A thoughtful interface built around a 240 x 64 dot backlit LCD display panel makes recording and mixing with the AW1600 a smooth, efficient operation. Quick navigation keys take you to the functions and displays you need immediately, and a comprehensive complement of control keys and encoders gives you the immediacy of hands-on control where you need it most. The same Selected Channel concept that is at heart of Yamaha's industry-leading digital live mixers and production consoles makes the AW1600 easy to learn and intuitive to use. The interface also includes large transport keys for sure transport operation, and a data entry section that includes a jog/data dial for fast, efficient data entry.

Pitch Fix for pitch-perfect vocal tracks
If a song has vocals, the vocals are the song. You'll undoubtedly want the vocal track to sound as good as it can possibly be. The AW1600 Pitch Fix function means that the occasional off note wont mean you'll have to discard an otherwise excellent track. Pitch Fix can effectively "repair" notes that are a bit sharp or flat without adding any telltale digital artifacts.

Quick loop sampler
The AW1600 has a built-in pad-type sampler that delivers the same high audio quality as the recorder section. You can assign sixteen stereo waveforms to the four pads using the sample banks, or load audio tracks from the hard disk or WAV files from a CD-ROM. The timing at which each pad is played can be recorded on a dedicated "pad SAMPLE - LIBRARY track," and later edited for fine control. The AW1600 comes with a library of over 250 SAMPLE - SET UP megabytes of prerecorded drum phrases and sound effects that can be assigned to pads - a fast, easy way to create rhythm and backing tracks for practice or as a basis for original arrangements. The Quick Loop Sampler also features an improved grid-record interface for fast, easy step recording.

Works as a musical memo pad to capture your ideas
Whenever musical inspiration strikes you can quickly record musical "memos" or samples for later use using the AW1600 Sound Clip function. Sound clips are an ideal way to quickly capture ideas for a song or arrangement, or to create simple accompaniment parts for practice.

Very computer-friendly with USB 2.0
Standard WAV files can be rapidly and reliably transferred back and forth between the AW1600 and a USB-equipped personal computer using the AW1600's fast USB 2.0 interface. You can back up audio data from the AW1600 directly to computer and import audio files into the AW1600 from the computer. In addition to the advanced file management capabilities that this provides you could, for example, move files to the computer for processing in a computer-based audio application and then move them back to the AW1600 for final mastering.

The AW1600 integrates easily with MIDI gear, too. It allows full parameter control via MIDI commands, so you can record scene changes as well as control changes from the AW1600 to a MIDI sequencer, for example, and then reproduce the recorded operations precisely when the sequence is played back. If you'll be using the AW1600 with MIDI gear such as a Yamaha MOTIF ES series synthesizer, the AW1600 includes a number of control "templates" that instantly set it up for convenient remote controls from the synthesizer's keys and encoders.

Switchable phantom power is provided for the XLR inputs so you can use studio-grade phantom-powered condenser microphones in order to capture superior sound right from the source. A hi-Z mono phone plug input lets guitarists plug directly into the AW1600 in order to record directly via the superb amp simulator effects provided. Direct digital stereo input and output capability is provided via coaxial S/PDIF input and output connectors. Independent monitor and phones output are also provided in addition to the main stereo outs.

Scene memory and multiple mixes for each song
With the AW1600 you can easily set up multiple mixes for each song and recall them as required. Up to 99 "scenes" containing all mix, effect, and other parameters for all channels can be stored for each song. Stored scenes can be recalled at any time via the panel controls or MIDI program change commands.


Yamaha AW1600 Digital Audio Workstation Features:
  • Records top-quality uncompressed 16-bit or 24-bit audio at 44.1kHz
  • 16 tracks at 16-bit resolution; 8 tracks when recording 24 bit audio
  • 8 virtual tracks per physical track (18 x 8 in 16-bit mode) provide plenty of capacity for alternate takes
  • Substantial 40GB high-speed hard disk provides plenty of internal storage and fast, reliable recording and playback performance.
  • Built-in CD-RW drive lets you burn original audio CDs that can be played on any standard CD player, as well as make reliable CD data backups
  • High-performance 24-bit A/D and D/A converters guarantee outstanding audio quality
  • 4-band EQ and versatile dynamics processing on all mixer inputs and recorder tracks
  • Eight combo XLR/TRS microphone/line inputs, with switchable phantom power for all connectors
  • Hi-Z mono phone jack on input 8 for direct guitar input
  • Quick loop sampler with preset rhythm phrases
  • Sound Clip function makes it simple to record short audio samples or memos
  • Two high-performance assignable effect processors provide a range of ambience, modulation, mastering, and even guitar effects
  • Pitch Fix function allows precise vocal pitch correction
  • USB 2.0 interface provides fast data transfer between the AW1600 and a computer for effective data management
  • Data compatibility with the Yamaha AW4416, AW2816, and AW16G audio workstations

Take your music on the road with the compact, easy-to-use Yamaha AW1600!

AW1600 Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number WE23000

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Reviews

ONLY YAMAHA COULD MAKE 'EM LIKE THIS...

by MIKE WOERZ AUTHOR OF "A PERFECT WORLD" from Gloucester City, New Jersey
October 27, 2007
Music Background: MUSICIAN, COMPOSER, ENGINEER, PRODUCER
I'VE OWNED AN AW16G FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS NOW...WHAT A MACHINE! I USED IT TO CUT AND RELEASE A CD-THE SOUND QUALITY IS EXCELLENT, THE EDITING FEATURES ARE INCREDIBLE, THE DURABILITY IS UNBELIEVEABLE...AND... read more [+] NOW THEY COME OUT WITH THE AW1600 WITH UPGRADED FEATURES? I'M KEEPING MY AW16G "AND" GETTING AN AW1600. ONLY YAMAHA COULD MAKE THE BEST BETTER...LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. close [-]

Solid.

by joshua conti from FL
November 19, 2008
Music Background: Producer, Recording Engineer, Musician, Media Creator
I purchased the prior version of the aw1600 known as the aw16g from sweetwater back in 2002. 6 years later it is still working as well as it was when i first pulled it from the box. pretty much every ... read more [+]review here is the straight up truth- however- this machine WILL work for you and work overtime at that if you use it for what it was meant for: a digital multitrack recorder. its not protools and its not a pro grade studio. its a tool that will take you where you need to go.
i purchased tube preamps to avoid the marginal pres onboard and i use good condenser mics. the artists i have tracked with this machine have all had good instruments as well as practiced and trained voices that insured i would not need pitch correction or over-emphasized eq.
that said i have recorded a solo electronic album as well as numerous bands and artists with the aw16g and have had consistent and solid results. this machine is meant to create a demo or basic ep and not meant to replace a protools setup or local recording studio and thats what i have used it for. i made demos for bands and artists using the aw16g and made sure to let them know thats what they were getting and by doing so they have all been more than satisfied with the results! dont lie about what you think you cna do with a 1000 dollar machine. KNOW what you can do with a 1000 dollar machine and you will never go wrong.
this is a solid multitrack. i have traveled with it on 8 airplane trips and many vehicle trips and it still turns on and records everytime. the aw16g has never locked up, frozen or lost files on me at anytime. to repeat- i would trust this machine with my music before trusting my computer! it has yet to crash after 6 years of continual use. its made mostly of metal and as a result sound much better than all the other plastic multitracks out there - believe me i researched multitracks for a year before deciding on the aw!
this thing is solid. its a meat and butter machine and not designed to do everything for you. but if you work with it- you'll make a great team. trust me. close [-]

Very professional

by Mike from Newark, NJ.
May 10, 2007
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Musician.
I traded in a new Korg D3200 for the Yamaha AW1600 and I feel I made the right choice. Sure, I lost a lot of tracks, but the Yamaha just seems much more professional to me. I've only had to read a few... read more [+] pages of the manual so far. The interface is very easy to understand. Sound quality is excellent, MUCH better than the Korg. I also had MIDI clock sync issues with the Korg, but not so with the Yamaha. Everything locks up flawlessly. I do miss having 32 tracks, but 16 working tracks beats 32 non-working tracks anyday! close [-]

Ditto knelt (top review)

by Iggy from Lansing, MI
February 26, 2008
Music Background: Semi-pro songwriter/musician, recordist, producer
Just wanted to agree with everything knelt (the first reviewer) said -- he's right on the money with both his good and bad points. (btw, props to knelt -- you should be writing for EM, man!).
... read more [+]r />I use the AW as a recorder, at 24-bit, with good preamps. Then I upload everything to PC for editing. In this capacity the AW really shines -- the recording quality, A/D conversion, user-interface, portability, and dependability are all very good.

For editing, mixing, mastering, it's a bit of a letdown -- first and foremost, because of the 8-track limitation (I record a live kit and bass guitar and I'm at 8 tracks!), as well as the effects.

So, in conclusion: If you're looking for a unit to make good-quality demos, the AW is all you need, truly a "studio in a box." If you're looking to make pro-quality recordings, invest in the AW, plus a good preamp, a couple great mics, and some editing software (and a PC, obviously). close [-]

Sweetwater Advice

Brian Cravens
Yamaha builds a great all-in-one unit. This setup allows you to get into recording without breaking the bank. It's a great step into the future of your music and creativity.
Read more reviews
See Also: Multitrack Recorders , Yamaha , Yamaha Digital Multitrack Recorders

Yamaha AW1600

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