As always, the Yamaha booth (room, actually) debuted quite a few notable new products. One of the highlights was their EMX5000 Series of compact powered mixers, two consoles packed with dual 500-watt amps, dual SPX-type effects processors, and 9-band graphic EQ. The EMX5000-20 features 20 inputs, while the EMX5000-12 features 12 inputs. In terms of flexibility, these things are remarkable. The idea behind the EMX5000 Series is to marry high power output and advanced signal processing with reduced setup time and the minimum of outboard gear, and in that these mixers easily hit expectations. A console from the EMX5000 Series would be an excellent choice for anyone who needs a small, flexible sound reinforcement system in a wide range of environments.
Yamaha was also showing off their SW500 Powered Subwoofer, a compact system that delivers 500 Watts of built-in power and a rock solid, punchy low-end sound, without the need for external amplifiers. The internal 500-Watt amplifier utilizes Yamaha’s EEEngine Technology to maintain efficiency, low current draw, low heat and reduced weight. Its small size and easy setup make it a great bass solution for DJ systems, houses of worship, clubs, project studios and any small-to-medium portable or installed speaker system.
“Hey, isn’t this Yamaha? Where are the keyboards?!” We got yer Yamaha keyboards right here. It’s the S08, a remarkably low-priced portable 88-key programmable synthesizer for performance and composition. For the money, the S08’s feature list is pretty impressive: 64-note polyphony. Yamaha’s AWM2 tone generation, over 749 incredible sounding voices and 31 drum kits, full XG and GM2 compatibility, stereo sampled pianos and drums, and more. Once again, the key here is versatility. The S08’s streamlined interface makes it an excellent choice for the gigging keyboardist, while its feature set makes it a great instrument for songwriting and recording. You could describe it as the compact, portable synth for the professional. It’s also compatible with USB-equipped Windows PC platforms (Windows 98 or higher).
More keyboards? Their new DGX portable keyboards, the DGX500 and DGX300, were designed specifically for the piano user, and offer piano-type keys, disk drive, and a Music Database that features over 200 song titles – choose the song, and the DGX gives you the proper effects, accompaniment, tempo and style. There are over 600 voices, as well as Yamaha’s famous stereo-sampled Grand Piano sound, immediately accessible with just the touch of a button. You can also download songs from the internet. The DGX500 has 88 keys, the DGX300 has 76 keys. In addition, they showed an even more affordable and streamlined “beginners” model, the DGX202. And speaking of affordable and easy-to-use/easy-to-learn-with portable keyboards, the PSR292, latest member of the popular PSR line, also made an appearance.
For guitarists, Yamaha unveiled the UD Stomp. This dedicated delay effects unit offers tons of great delay in a single, floor-based package.
Mixing console kings Allen & Heath make an extremely impressive first foray into the DJ mixer field, bringing their expertise to the Xone:02. Designed by pro DJ and Allen & Heath audio engineer Andy Rigby Jones, the Xone:02 combines pro-quality audio and construction with the creative performance features and layout demanded by the serious DJ. DJs will love awesome features such as 45 mm dual-rail, gold contact and deluxe conductive plastic VCA faders, all with contour control and reverse switching that are custom-tooled for Allen & Heath and can be easily replaced by removing the steel faceplate. The console features two dual stereo channels including an input reverse switch for battle mixing, a mic channel, stereo mix outputs and a booth output with level control for booth/link out to additional “daisy-chain” mixers. Three band EQ and FX loop round up the mixer’s features.
Probably more along the lines of what people expect from Allen & Heath is their new ML3000 live sound console. The fully equipped ML3000 brings sophisticated signal imaging within reach for smaller shows. It’s affordable and features Allen & Heath exclusive technology, such as an intelligent P/AFL system that gives the operator efficient PFL and stereo in-place AFL monitoring. The master section contains an “engineer’s toolbox” that provides additional functions such as intercom, oscillator, pink noise generator, headphones and wedge monitor controls.
Aphex gave us a look at their Model 207 preamp, a two-channel tube microphone preamplifier and instrument DI featuring the MicLim mic level limiter, which lets users controls the transient spikes that could ruin that otherwise perfect take. Essentially, the Model 207 is an enhanced version of Aphex award-winning Model 107, with the same circuitry at an affordable price.
Universal Audio premiered their latest hardware creation, the 2108 microphone and instrument preamplifier. The 2108 features a hi-z instrument input as well as a balanced microphone input, utilizes discreet, solid state Class A circuitry based on the amplifier in the legendary 1176LN compressor/limiter. As always, Universal Audio went to great lengths to get everything “just right,” and the 2108 is an excellent example of this. It’s a very versatile piece of gear for any studio, capable of a wide range of tones. New features include switchable input impedance, transformer coupled inputs and outputs, hi-z instrument inputs, phantom power, switchable input and output metering via a 3-stage lamp on the front panel, phase reverse and a front panel power switch.
On the software front, there were two new plug-ins for the UAD-1 DSP card: the Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer and the Nigel Guitar Processor. All of the unique features of the original Pultec Program EQ plug-in captures all the distinctive characteristics that made the original so popular, including the separate boost and attenuation controls, the smooth, sweet top end, and the ability to dial in seemingly dangerous amounts of boost without getting into trouble. All front panel controls are included, and all of the knob tapers are accurately modeled. The “Nigel” Guitar Processor offers the next generation of guitar processing technology integrated into a complete multi-effects plug-in solution. Nigel delivers a complete pallet of guitar tones, along with most every effect a guitar player might need, from the “Clean & Warm” California tube sound to more metal soaked “British” tones.
Last but not least, they also announced Mac support for the UAD-1 DSP card. More details shortly.