25 years after releasing its first digital console, Yamaha has announced the CL series at ProLight + Sound 2012. The line-up comprises three consoles, the CL1 (pictured), CL3 and CL5, founded on the Centralogic user interface first introduced in the M7CL – though rumours circulating on the PL+S show floor suggest that the “CL” designation could also refer to “Compact Live.” The entire series is indeed scalable, ranging from 48 to 72 mono + eight stereo inputs. Up to eight of the two new rack-mountable I/O units, the Rio3224-D and Rio1608-D, can be used in a variety of configurations, communicating via a scalable Audinate Dante digital audio network, while multiple CL series consoles can share control of the same I/O rack unit. Reportedly, the CL consoles are the first to feature built-in Dante networking as a standard feature. Every CL console customer will receive a copy of the new Steinberg Nuendo Live recording software. Available in July, Nuendo Live in combination with a Dante virtual soundcard allows to record up to 64 tracks of live audio to Mac or PC. “Nuendo Live is not only ultra stable and easy to use, but it integrates seamlessly with the latest generation of Yamaha live consoles,” says Steinberg managing director, Andreas Stelling. “This is another successful example of the strong ongoing relationship between Yamaha and Steinberg.” In a related bit of PL+S news, Yamaha have announced a further strengthening of said relationship; from April 1st, Yamaha will become the exclusive European distributor for Steinberg’s Nuendo family of products. In addition to Nuendo Live, onboard EQ and effects have been vastly expanded in the CL series. They include an Effect Rack with VCM analogue circuitry modeling technology, as well as a Premium Rack that includes the Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5033 equalizer and Portico 5043 compressor/limiter, developed in close cooperation with Rupert Neve himself. “The CL series ideally answers today’s needs using today’s technology” says Kazunori Kobayashi, general manager of Yamaha’s Pro Audio Division. “The collaboration between Yamaha, Rupert Neve Designs, Audinate and Steinberg has made it possible to deliver a sublime balance of sound, performance, and features that results in uncompromised overall mixing capability and quality. After a quarter century of evolution, the CL series represents a momentous new chapter in the history of Yamaha digital mixing.” The CL5 and Rio3224-D are scheduled to be released in the spring of 2012, with the CL1, CL3 and Rio1608-D available in the summer. www.yamahacommercialaudio.com
