Digital Mixing Console Yamaha RIVAGE PM5 CS-R5

The ideal starting point for creative audio engineering is transparent, uncolored sound. All Yamaha mixers are built on that philosophy, with the goal of allowing engineers to capture the on-stage sound accurately, without coloration, and then adding creative touches as required. The merits of unwavering adherence to this concept by Yamaha are evident throughout the RIVAGE PM series.

Bricasti Reverb

Bricasti Design is known as the world's premier manufacturer of hand crafted, hardware digital reverbs.

The Y7 is specifically designed for use in the Yamaha RIVAGE PM mixing systems, bringing to the live market a Bricasti product, one that is integrated in the console for simple, fast, and familiar operation, and to bring the renowned “Bricasti Sound” to users of Yamaha products.

RND Portico Plug-ins

Although the SILK processing simulation created in cooperation with RND is an important part of the RIVAGE PM system, it is by no means the only product of that fruitful relationship. In addition to the well-known and highly acclaimed Portico 5033 EQ and 5043 compressor, RIVAGE PM systems include the easy-operation Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5045 Primary Source Enhancer that effectively suppresses background noise at microphone inputs for enhanced clarity while significantly increasing the feedback margin, making it a valuable tool for live sound in houses of worship, stadiums, halls, and other environments where feedback can be problem.

Dan Dugan Automatic Mixer

Through in-depth collaboration with Dan Dugan Sound Design, renowned Dan Dugan automatic microphone mixing with its advanced algorithms is built into the RIVAGE PM series digital mixing systems. Setup is easy: just insert the processor into up to 64 channels for automatically optimized microphone gain distribution. Gain control is smooth and natural, as though experienced human operators were doing the mix. The system also effectively reduces feedback and comb filter issues. For speech applications, especially non-scripted situations, this allows the operator to concentrate on details other than fader operation for consistently high quality mixes.

Eventide Effects

The Eventide name is legendary in the effects field. The acclaimed H3000 Ultra-Harmonizer and a new SP2016 Reverb plugin added in version 4.0 are available throughout the RIVAGE PM series. In addition to a full range of parameters that can be edited to precisely tailor the effects for any need, the SP2016 features a large selection of presets that make it quick and easy to call up an ideal reverb sound.

Yamaha DaNSe Noise Suppression

The RIVAGE PM series includes a range of original Yamaha plug-ins that are extremely powerful too, including the DaNSe Noise Suppressor. The “DaNSe” plugin analyzes noise frequency characteristics and employs a learn function to automatically achieve the most effective noise suppression without the need for any complex setup or programming by the user. Effective noise suppression can be a huge advantage for plays and musicals, significantly enhancing audio clarity. DaNSe can suppress air conditioning noise and noise produced by cooling fans in on-stage moving lights. It can reduce monitor bleed to on-stage instrument mics, and suppress crowd noise during announcements and sports events. It is a highly effective and widely applicable noise suppression tool.

Yamaha has always focused on operability in digital live sound consoles, sparing no effort in providing an interface that engineers coming from analog consoles can operate intuitively, while at the same time maximizing the benefits of digital technology and features. RIVAGE PM systems take that concept to a new level, extending an already familiar and highly rated interface for even greater efficiency and ease in achieving the ultimate sound.

Refined Interface

A key element of the RIVAGE PM interface is the industry-standard Yamaha Selected Channel concept, providing direct access to parameters of any channel selected via its SEL key. The Selected Channel section provides direct, fast access to all channel parameters. Encoders, buttons, and indicators are provided in a comprehensive layout that makes maximum use of the available panel space, for comfortable operation in any environment or mixing situation. RIVAGE PM series control surfaces feature three groups of 12 faders to which channels can be assigned as required. Depending on the console, some or all of the fader groups work with large touch-sensitive displays in the top panel, providing an evolved version of the Centralogic operating environment. The channel strips extend vertically and virtually seamlessly into the touch panel displays, for lucid, logical control. In addition to allowing channels to be conveniently managed in 12 channel groups, this configuration also facilitates 2-man operation with different operators handling separate groups.

Updated Send Operation

Setting up sends is an important part of just about any live mixing workflow. In addition to the familiar Sends on Fader function, send levels can be controlled from the Send/User Defined Knobs. Send levels shown on the display panels where they can also be adjusted via touch control. This expanded range of control choices greatly enhances convenience and versatility when setting up and tweaking sends.

Easy-reach Layout and Improved Sight Line

RIVAGE PM console are designed with touch panel displays and Selected Channel section on a prominently raised upper panel that offers optimum visibility from the engineer’s position as well as easy access to all controls. This evolved console design also provides a closer connection to the performers on stage with improved sight lines that give the engineer a broader, more comprehensive view of the action.

High-visibility Fader Meters

Clear visual feedback is also provided by the meters associated with each fader. The fader meters can display mono or stereo levels, or gain reduction when you want to keep an eye on channel dynamics. The fader meters can contribute to smooth, accurate control by providing direct feedback of how fader operation is affecting the signal.

Because evolving applications continually raise new challenges and needs, Yamaha provides continuing support in the form of firmware updates that keep our digital mixers, RIVAGE PM systems included, up to date and often ahead of the curve.

Overlay Filter for Rapid Response

The Overlay filter can notably enhance the usefulness of the console’s scene memory. It can be “overlaid” on a current mix to apply offsets to the fader levels and mix/matrix send levels independently from scene recall. This can be useful when an unplanned performer change occurs, for example, facilitating a temporary, relative level adjustment that can be instantly returned to the original level. The Overlay filter will prove its value in situations that require sudden changes plus the ability to easily revert to the original settings.

Theatre Mode

Theatre Mode facilitates scene and costume changes with four banks that can be used to store different EQ and dynamics settings for individual performers. In Theatre Mode, rather than storing EQ and dynamics settings in the console’s “scenes,” only the bank number is stored so that any adjustments made will apply to all scenes that use the same bank.

This can be used when multiple actors are cast in the same role or when a substitute must be used, allowing faster, more flexible mix changes to accommodate different casts, for example.

DSP Mirroring for Failsafe Redundancy

DSP Mirroring allows two DSP-RX or DSP-RX-EX engines to be used for failsafe redundancy with RIVAGE PM10, PM5, and PM3 systems.* If a problem occurs in the main DSP engine, the second DSP engine can take over without disrupting the program.

Lightweight for Easy Setup and Transportation

Although it offers heavy-duty performance and features, plus a comfortably spacious interface, the RIVAGE PM5/3 weighs surprisingly little. The CS-R5 weighs 92.6 pounds/42 kilograms and CS-R3 weighs 83.8 pounds/ 38 kilograms and can be easily carried and positioned by just two people. This impressive weight reduction has been achieved through state-of-the-art mechanical design and the use of a lightweight but extremely durable material.

Two Convenient Approaches to Live Recording

Professional quality live recording capability is becoming an essential feature in live sound consoles. In addition to convenient 2-track recording to a USB flash drive, the RIVAGE PM series supports multitrack recording via a Dante audio network to meet the widest possible range of serious recording requirements.

The 2-track USB flash drive recorder function directly records the output of the STEREO or MIX bus to the flash drive. Background music or sound effects recorded on the flash drive can also be assigned to any input channel for playback. Sample rate conversion is provided for both input and output, so the recorder function can be used without having to think about the system sampling rate. Data can be recorded to or played back from WAV or MP3 files, as required.

Multitrack recordings can be made to a computer based DAW via a Dante audio network. High-resolution recording of up to 128 channels (input and output) at 96 kHz is possible if the computer is equipped with a DANTE ACCELETATOR PCIe card (AIC128-D). With Dante Virtual Soundcard the maximum in/out track count is 64.

Multitrack recordings of rehearsals made in this way can be used for “virtual sound checks” when the performers aren’t available. Input patching for all required channels can be switched in one operation for both recording and virtual sound checks. Recorder playback and stage input can even be smoothly combined when needed.

User manual