Digital Mixing Console Yamaha QL5

The acclaimed CL series raised live digital mixing console performance to an unprecedented level of refinement with evolved sound quality, operability, and functionality, while maintaining the traditional values that have made Yamaha digital mixers industry standards. Core features and performance inherited directly from the CL series, including natural sound supported by sonically superb internal processing capabilities, operation that easily adapts to the demands of just about any working environment, and built-in Dante networking that facilitates flexible system configuration, have now been condensed and concentrated into the compact QL series digital mixing consoles. QL series consoles offer all-in-one mixing, processing, and routing capability for small to medium scale live sound, corporate speech events, installations, and much more.

Pure, Natural Sound Plus Powerful Built-in Processing for Broad Creative Control

The Yamaha sound begins with reproduction that is faithful to the source. QL series consoles feature circuitry and components that have been designed and selected with the utmost care, achieving outstanding audio purity from input to output. With that solid sonic foundation it becomes possible to take full advantage of built-in premium internal processors such as the Portico 5033/5043 created in cooperation with Rupert Neve, to shape and create as required. For a wide range of speech applications built-in automatic mixing functionality from Dan Dugan Sound Design provides optimum channel balance while allowing the operator to concentrate fully on optimizing the overall sound.

In order to take maximum advantage of evolved processing potential to sculpt creative new soundscapes, the engineer must have uncolored, natural sound as a starting point. Yamaha’s unwavering natural sound philosophy is fully implemented in the QL series, resulting in accurate reproduction that is faithful to the source.

Full creative freedom can only be achieved when the sonic foundation is accurate, uncolored, and faithful to the source. The same pure, natural sound that is a highly regarded feature of the CL series is achieved in the compact QL series consoles as well. Every detail, from mechanical construction through port location, power supply, grounding, and individual components has been painstakingly analyzed and brought together in a system that affords extraordinary audio quality. Noise that can affect digital mixer performance in a number of ways has also been thoroughly scrutinized and effectively eliminated. Because it can affect AD/DA converter performance, system clock jitter has been subject to detailed analysis and optimized by revising the internal FPGA layout and rerouting the clock signal. All of these details combine to realize performance that not only passes the strictest scientific tests, but also satisfies the critical ears of some of the most demanding sound engineers in the business.

Refined Control for Smooth Operation

The ability to respond swiftly and surely to multiple, rapidly changing demands is essential for effective live sound support. QL series consoles feature large touch-panel displays as well as “Touch and Turn” knobs that make up a remarkably smooth, efficient control interface. Attention has also been paid to details such as fader feel and channel name display visibility in order to deliver a sophisticated overall operating experience. Remote control and offline setup capability via an iPad or computer adds even more refinement to an already state-of-the-art operating environment.

Operators coming from analog or digital consoles will quickly become comfortable with the QL consoles. Years of accumulated knowhow and feedback from users worldwide have been applied in creating an interface that is simple while providing refined operation that responds fully to the demands of a broad spectrum of real-world applications.

The Yamaha Selected Channel interface provides a comprehensive overview of available channel parameters with direct selection capability via its large touch-panel display. The display is the same type that was provided on the CL series consoles, offering high visibility and smooth response for stress free operation. Hands-on control via dedicated physical controllers as well as an innovative Touch and Turn knob provides speedy access to essential QL console parameters for a fast, efficient workflow.

The main Selected Channel parameters are assigned to the knobs located to the right of the display for immediate access at any time. In addition to User Defined Keys to which parameters can be freely assigned, another traditional Yamaha digital mixing console feature, the QL consoles also have on-screen User Defined Knobs that provide the same assignable freedom for variable parameters. In combination, the User Defined Knobs and User Defined Keys can significantly enhance operation speed and efficiency.

Faders were designed for Fit, Feel, and Visual Feedback. The operator’s sonic intent is conveyed to the console primarily through the faders. Inheriting the sports car bucket seat styling of the CL series faders, the QL faders provide comfortable, sure operation regardless of where you finger rests on the knob. Even the fader knob materials have been selected for optimum feel. The sides of the knobs are specially sculpted to allow the fader scale on the panel to be easily seen from just about any angle.

Expandable All-in-One Support for Any Application

In addition to ample analog input and output capacity, QL series consoles feature the same Dante audio networking protocol that provides broad connectivity in the CL consoles. There's also an innovative “Port to Port” feature that can patch any input port to any output port so the QL console can function as a remote I/O device for any other QL or CL series console, for example. Other flexibility enhancing features such as 2-track and multitrack recording capability, and dual MY expansion slots that allow processing capability or I/O to be added as required, make the QL consoles suitable for use as central components in an extensive variety of sound applications.

Network capability is essential in today’s live sound applications, and the QL series offers all you need. In addition to their all-in-one capabilities, QL series consoles come with the widely implemented Dante digital audio networking protocol, developed by Audinate, as a standard feature. That means the QL consoles can be combined with other Dante capable devices, such as CL series consoles and R series I/O rack units, to flexibly create systems for applications of just about any scale or complexity.

Each QL series console provides extensive built-in input and output capacity that can handle a variety of applications without the need for stage boxes or other external equipment (32 inputs and 16 outputs on the QL5, and 16 ins and 8 outs on the QL1). For many jobs all you need is one console, and that means vastly superior portability as well as speedy setup.

Precision synchronization technology achieves low latency and low jitter as well as high sample accuracy in a network that is fast and simple to set up. Individual IDs assigned to each device on a Dante network allow automatic device detection as well as easy patching. Speedy setup leaves more time for the all-important job of setting up the mix.

Cables and switches can malfunction, but with Dante’s support for redundant connections a problem on the network won’t stop the show. Redundant primary and secondary connections can be set up in a star network configuration so that problems in any part of the network won’t interrupt the signal flow or bring the entire network down.

Capable Systems with Fewer Devices

The ability to directly connect input ports to output ports without going through mixing channels provides unprecedented freedom for routing signals between the analog, Dante, and MY slot inputs and outputs. For example, a QL console could be used as an I/O device for another QL or CL series console while simultaneously functioning as a monitor console. Not only is just one QL console required for both monitor and I/O use, but analog gains can be remotely controlled from the front-of-house QL or CL console. It’s also possible to mix analog signals received at the console while directly transmitting them to a multitrack recording system via Dante, for example. The possibilities are vast.

QL series console include a virtual processing rack that lets the operator approach selecting and patching internal processors in a way that’s similar to working with external rack-mounted devices. All of the high-quality processors that received rave reviews in the CL series are provided in the QL series consoles as well. Top-quality sound-shaping tools for creative engineering are ready and accessible whenever they’re needed.

2-track/Multitrack Recording and Playback

Whether you want basic 2-track recording and playback, or full-blown multitrack recording and playback capability, the QL series consoles make it easy. There’s direct 2-track recording to standard USB flash drives, or serious multitrack recording to a DAW via Dante. Multitrack playback is handy for “virtual sound checks” when the musicians aren’t available, and 2-track playback is for background music, and sound effects.

Convenient 2-track Recording to USB Flash Drive

A standard USB flash drive plugged into the front-panel USB port serves as media for direct 2-track recording in mp3 format. There’s no need to carry external recording equipment around, and the recording can be handed to performers as soon as the show is finished, for example. Sound files in mp3, AAC, or WMA format saved on the flash drive from a computer or other source can be played back too, for convenient BGM or sound effects without the need for extra playback equipment.

Nuendo Live multi-track live recording software is bundled

The QL series consoles even make live multitrack recording easy. With Dante Virtual Soundcard software it becomes possible to transfer audio directly to a Windows or Mac computer connected to the Dante network. With an appropriate DAW such as Steinberg Nuendo Live (bundled) running on the computer, up to 64 tracks can be recorded simultaneously. In addition to being the best way to create professional quality recordings of live performances, this capability is ideal for creating the tracks needed for virtual sound checks.

Console I/O and functions can be customized simply by inserting appropriate Yamaha or third-party expansion cards into the Mini-YGDAI expansion slots provided. QL series consoles feature dual Mini-YGDAI slots that can accept expansion cardsselected from a lineup of more than 30 types.

Features Optimized for Live Sound

• Up to 300 complete console setups can be stored as “scenes” and instantly recalled whenever needed. Scene Preview is also supported, and scenes can be individually loaded from or saved to a USB flash drive
• Up to 1000 ms delay on input channels facilitates precise microphone phase compensation, while up to 1000 ms delay on the output ports is useful for speaker distance compensation and room tuning
• All channels feature 4-band parametric EQ and two dynamics processors (one dynamic processor on outputs). De-esser can also be selected for band pass type EQ
• 16 DCA groups allow flexible grouping of multiple input channels for simultaneous control
• Multiple channels can be assigned to any of 8 mute groups for instant muting or un-muting, with a new Dimmer Level function
• A large number of console functions including Sends on Fader, Tap Tempo, and Set by Sel can be assigned to 12 User Defined Keys for instant hands-on access
• Limited access to CL console functions can be provided for less experienced operators and accident prevention via multiple User Key sets that can be stored in the console itself as well as on USB memory
• A 5-input/5-output GPI interface allows the CL consoles to respond to input from external switches, as well as to transmit on/off status to external devices

Features

• Number of channels for mixing: 64 mono, 8 stereo
• Fader Configuration: 32+2
• Multi-channel recording
• Recording or reading audio from a USB flash drive
• Built-in Dante network port
• Touchscreen display
• Effects Processor (DSP)
• Management through mobile devices
• The possibility of expanding the functionality with the help of additional card slots and peripheral devices
• Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz/48 kHz
• Signal delay: <2.5ms

User manual