CARNEGIE HALL TAKES DELIVERY OF FIRST YAMAHA PM5000

—Console Installed in New Zankel Hall Venue—

BUENA PARK, CA (November 14, 2003)—Yamaha Commercial Audio announces the delivery of the first PM5000 mixing console to New York's Carnegie Hall for use in the newly-opened Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall. Set up in "black box" style and located under the main structure, the 650-seat venue serves as a multi-purpose facility dedicated to non-traditional productions, modern and experimental music, performance arts, private parties and banquets.

Located under the main structure of Carnegie Hall, the new 650-seat Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall serves as a multi-purpose facility for non-traditional productions. Photo Credit: Jeff Goldberg/ESTO

Yamaha also reports that a number of top sound reinforcement companies and contracting dealers have confirmed orders of PM5000 systems for touring and installations, including Draughon Brothers, Inc., Hi-Tech Audio Systems, 8th Day Sound, Sound Image, Masque Sound, Audio West, Clair Brothers, Sound Productions, Harris Broadcast, New Century Productions (through Parsons Audio) and Andrews Audio, who was responsible for the Carnegie Hall installation. According to house sound engineer John Cardinale, the console will complement an existing Yamaha PM1D, which was purchased by Carnegie Hall in 2001.

"Our decision to purchase the PM5000 was based on our positive experience with the PM1D," Cardinale explains. "We also felt that the PM5000 would provide guest engineers with the latest technology and greatest flexibility, along with the familiar PM series configuration." The PM1D is used in both Isaac Stern and Zankel Halls.

"Carnegie Hall was one of the first venues to take delivery of a Yamaha PM1D, and is now one of the first to work with the PM5000," states Larry Italia, general manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems Division. "It's definitely a great compliment to have some of Yamaha's top products represented in such a respected and high-profile venue."

Yamaha PM5000 mixing console combines the best of analog and digital features.

The PM5000 includes many new features based on the needs of the sound reinforcement market by retaining the logical layout and ergonomics of the industry-standard PM4000, while offering the control convenience, recall and versatility of the ground-breaking PM1D. Available in three configurations to meet a range of system requirements—52 channels (48 mono/4 stereo); 36 channels (32 mono/4 stereo); and 28 channels (24 mono/4 stereo)—all versions feature four stereo input modules as standard. Additional stereo modules (replacing mono modules) may be requested by special order.

Top features include comprehensive input channel functions, versatile 35-bus configuration for FOH or monitor applications, 12 VCA groups and a 4 Stereo + 8 Mono matrix, a Variable Sum Gain control and digital scene recall with Recall Safe function.

Elements of sound quality have been taken to the highest level through updated circuit design, grounding and parts selection. Particular attention has been paid to areas that have the greatest influence on the sound—head amplifiers, equalizers and VCAs. The result is clean, well-defined sound quality.

Although the PM5000 handles all audio signals in the analog domain, it also offers advanced digital scene recall capability. Recallable parameters include channel ON/OFF, assignments and fader positions. Up to 990 complete scenes with user-assigned titles can be stored in the onboard memory or external Flash memory cards. Because motorized faders, illuminated switches and LED indicators immediately respond to the recalled parameters, console status can be visually confirmed in an instant. The RECALL SAFE function (inherited from the Yamaha PM1D) has also been included in the PM5000 scene recall system.

Particular attention has been paid to grounding for optimum sound performance, including the use of a solid, seamless 3mm-thick high-purity copper plate, which runs the entire width of the console for the main system and mix buss ground. Ground lines have been located adjacent to audio lines, while analog and digital grounds are separated and isolated for maximum noise cancellation.

Mono input channels on the PM5000 feature phantom power and 26 dB pad switches, continuous 50dB gain trim, a phase switch, variable-frequency 12dB/octave high-pass filters, 4-band fully parametric EQ (HIGH and LOW bands can be switched to shelving operation), and insert I/O (pre/post-EQ switchable). L-C-R panning, which uses the mono bus as the center channel, is also provided as an option to standard L-R panning. CSR (Center-Side Ratio) control is provided for the L-C-R mode. Stereo modules include all of the above functions, with the exception of L-C-R panning, plus an L+R switch.

Whether configured as 12 stereo and 8 mono auxiliary buses for FOH operation, or as 32 (12 stereo + 8 mono) auxiliary buses for monitor applications, the PM5000 offers total convenience, quality, and control. The 35 buses include 12 stereo aux buses, 8 group/aux buses, a stereo buss a and mono (center) bus.

The 8 group/auxiliary buses can be switched for group or aux operation in pairs. When set up as group buses, either the input-channel pre- or post-pan signal may be selected as the source. Stereo aux master sections feature L+R switches, and may be used as mono sends, as required.

The 12 VCA groups may be cascaded with another PM5000 console, or with VCAs 1 through 8 on models PM4000 or PM3500. A 4 stereo + 8 mono matrix mix section is also available for all 35 buses, providing up to 16 possible mono matrix sub-mixes for large system applications.

New SUM GAIN controls are included pre-fader on all master sections, providing variable 0 through 20dB attention immediately prior to the corresponding summing amplifiers.

The control surface ergonomics of the Yamaha PM5000 have been enhanced for easy, efficient operation. Operational details such as knob size, spacing and feel have been refined to maximize control smoothness and efficiency. Horizontally, the left and right sends on each module are separated by blue and white colors, while vertically the division between the EQ and AUX, and AUX and GROUP/AUX sections are clearly indicated in red (EQ controls are green, sends are blue, and red is used as a "cautionary" color).

The traditional PM console color layout has been basically retained, and much of the user interface of the PM5000 will seem familiar to engineers who have previously worked with other PM series consoles.

A dedicated power supply (model PW5000) delivers clean power to the console's analog circuitry via a high-performance transformer-based system. The digital control and switching relay circuitry is powered by a high-efficiency switching power supply system. Operating efficiency and operating temperature range have been dramatically enhanced, and two power supply units can be coupled for failsafe switchover operation without the need of an external switcher.

For more information on the PM5000, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Commercial Audio Systems Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com.