YAMAHA 02R96 READY TO SET NEW STANDARDS

—Features 24-bit 96 kHz Format and Surround Sound Capabilities—

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 5, 2002)—Building on the success of breakthrough digital console technology that include the DMC1000, ProMix01, 02R, 03D, 01V digital mixers, the PM1D Digital Mixing System and the DM2000 Digital Production Console, Yamaha Corporation of America, Professional Audio, announces the AES debut of the 02R96 Digital Mixing Console, the long-awaited successor of the revolutionary 02R.

With more than five times the processing power of the original 02R, the 02R96 represents a thorough revision that brings every aspect of the console up to date for any installed or live application.

The 02R96 inherits the key features of the DM2000—24-bit 96kHz audio, Surround Monitoring, Studio Manager and DAW Control—in a compact footprint, similar to the original 02R. Both the control surface and user interface have been enhanced to allow analog-style hands-on operation, and 16 user-defined keys are available for assignable functions.

"Despite the fact that digital audio has advanced since the original 02R was introduced, it has remained a standard for recording, touring and fixed applications," states Wayne Hrabak, marketing manager, Professional Audio, Yamaha Corporation of America. "The 02R96 is ready to set new standards and augment new technologies such as 24-bit 96 kHz format, surround sound and computer-based recording."

The Yamaha 02R96 provides 56 channels of transparent, full resolution 24-bit/96 kHz audio, with 32-bit internal processing and 58-bit accumulators. Yamaha has also included a comprehensive range of 96 kHz compatible stereo effects in the Yamaha 02R96, plus several designed specifically for surround. Up to four individual effect processors may be used simultaneously.

All onboard A/D and D/A conversions utilize true 24-bit/96kHz converters. The 02R96 also offers newly refined analog mic preamps, which provide warm, transparent sound. I/O capability is also in line with the rest of the console's performance: four I/O slots accept a new range of 24-bit/96kHz-capable Mini-YGDAI digital and analog I/O cards. Cards are available in ADAT®, TASCAM, AES/EBU formats, or for extra analog I/O capability. The 02R96 also supports Apogee's high performance A/D and D/A cards, and the Waves Y56K effects plug-in card, originally designed for the Yamaha AW4416 and AW2816 digital audio workstations.

The 24 precision 100-millimeter motorized faders can be instantaneously layer-switched to control any of 56 channels. In addition, all available inputs, outputs, effects, and channel inserts can be routed to any of the console's channels or outputs via the versatile, easy-to-use digital patching system (for example, any of the four effects processors may be assigned to an aux buss for send-type operation, or inserted directly into any input channel as required). A direct out function also allows the signal from any of the 56 input channels to be routed directly to any digital or analog output. The eight aux busses can also be patched to anywhere in the system. Patch setups may be stored in the patch library for instant recall at any time.

All 56 input channels of the Yamaha 02R96 feature flexible, independent compression and gating/ducking processors for dynamics control. The 4-band parameter channel EQ offers extra versatility with switchable "type I" or "type II" EQ algorithms. Channel delay is also available, and includes mix and feedback controls, allowing use an effect.

"Libraries" are provided for effects, compression, gating, EQ, I/O patching, and more; an extensive selection of presets in these libraries may be used unmodified, or edited to suit specific requirements, and user setups can be added for instant recall.

Surround features include panning, joystick, monitoring, bass management, and stereo mix monitoring ideal for 5.1. A multi-channel surround pan/position display locates the position of multiple channels in the surround mix. The joystick provided for surround panning in the console's SELECTED CHANNEL control section has high 128 x 128 step resolution for exceptionally smooth control, and a divergence parameter can be used to adjust the hard/phantom center ratio for each channel.

The monitor processing section also includes individual bus (speaker) muting and attenuation, overall level control for all monitor outputs, stem mix monitoring via independent source selection capability for each expansion slot, bass management for subwoofer delivery, and independent delays for precision speaker tuning.

The 02R96 provides full automation of virtually all console parameters, with 24 smooth, quiet touch-sensitive 100 mm motorized faders which can instantly be layer-switched to control the 56 channels. All automation data is recorded at 1/4-frame accuracy.

Designed to integrate with leading digital audio workstations and computer-based recording systems, the 02R96 provides extensive support for DigiDesign ProTools®, Steinberg's Nuendo®, and additional support for Emagic's Logic Audio is also under development. The consoles ships with Yamaha Studio Manager Software, compatible for both Macintosh and Windows platforms, enabling total control and management of all console parameters via a comprehensive graphic interface.

For more information on the 02R96, visit Yamaha at the 113th Audio Engineering Society (AES) Convention, Los Angeles Convention Center, Booth 1401; write Yamaha Corporation of America, Professional Audio, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/proaudio.