M7CL
Encyclopedia
Yamaha Pro Audio
Yamaha Pro Audio, Inc. is a company that offers a complete line of professional audio products for the live sound and sound reinforcement markets...
. Two models with onboard analog input currently exist: the M7CL-32 and M7CL-48. These models have 40 (32 microphone and 4 stereo line)- and 56 (48 microphone and 4 stereo line)-input channels respectively, counting mono channels. Mixes, masters, groups, DCAs and individual channels can then be output via any number of the board's 16 configurable output XLR ports. The mixer does prioritize the use of "layers" as other digital mixers may (for example the Yamaha PM5D) but it also provides a dedicated fader for each channel. The board features Yamaha's "Selected Channel" technology, and Centralogic, unique to the M7CL. It can be augmented with more inputs or outputs via expansion cards, and can be fitted with third-party cards such as ones made by Aviom
Aviom
Aviom is a pro audio equipment manufacturer of personal monitoring systems. Headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Aviom produces distributed audio networking gear which uses a proprietary digital audio transport system called A-Net, based on the physical layer of Ethernet and carried over...
(A-Net), AuviTran (EtherSound
EtherSound
EtherSound is one of several audio over Ethernet technologies currently used in audio engineering and broadcast engineering applications. EtherSound is developed and licensed by Digigram....
), Audinate (Dante
Dante (networking)
Dante is a combination of software, hardware and network protocols designed to deliver uncompressed, multi-channel, low-latency digital audio over a standard Ethernet network...
networking), AudioService (MADI
MADI
Multichannel Audio Digital Interface, MADI or AES10 is an industry-standard electronic communications protocol that defines the data format and electrical characteristics of an interface carrying multiple channels of digital audio. The Audio Engineering Society standard for MADI was originally...
), Dan Dugan
Dan Dugan (audio engineer)
Dan Dugan is an American audio engineer, inventor, and nature sounds recordist. He was the first person to be called a sound designer, and he developed the first effective automatic microphone mixer: the automixer.-Early career:...
(automixer
Automixer
An automixer, or automatic microphone mixer, is a live sound mixing device that automatically attenuates the strength of a microphone's audio signal when it is not being used. Automixers reduce the hiss, rumble, reverberation and noise that occur when several microphones operate simultaneously...
), Riedel Communications (RockNet), Waves Audio
Waves Audio
Waves Audio Ltd. is a developer and supplier of professional audio signal processing technologies and audio effects, used in recording, mixing, mastering, post production, surround, live, and broadcast sound...
(SoundGrid interface, DSP
Digital signal processing
Digital signal processing is concerned with the representation of discrete time signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing of these signals. Digital signal processing and analog signal processing are subfields of signal processing...
plugins), and Optocore (optical network). The M7CL-48ES recently joined the line-up with built-in EtherSound
EtherSound
EtherSound is one of several audio over Ethernet technologies currently used in audio engineering and broadcast engineering applications. EtherSound is developed and licensed by Digigram....
for digital networking using EtherSound stage boxes.
Selected Channel
The selected channel interface allows for quick and easy access to every parameter of any channel on the board quickly and easily. Selecting a channel will pull up all available parameters into the Centralogic section for adjustment.Centralogic
Centralogic is a technology new and unique to the M7CL. It employs a touch screen, rotary encoders, and faders that dynamically map to whatever function or parameter is selected for adjustment. The control software has only 3 main screens, Overview, Selected Channel, and Effects Rack views. There are no additional layers to navigate through. It is possible to control the mixer from the Centralogic section only and is designed to keep the user at the center section."Rack" Equipment
The M7CL features a virtual signal processing "rack" which allows for the use of many different effects or Graphic EQs. Effects are from Yamaha's library of digital effects developed for other digital mixers. Of note is Graphic EQ operation, where the individual bands of EQ can be mapped to faders for precision control.
Popularity
The M7CL is becoming popular in both broadcasting and live sound reinforcement applications. Broadcast companies like the console primarily for parameter recall, which is useful in daily news broadcasts. Live sound companies often use the mixer for stage monitoring purposes, but have also used it for Front of HouseFront of House
Front of house is primarily a theatrical term, referring to the portion of the building that is open to the public. In theatre and live music venues, it typically refers to the auditorium and foyer, as opposed to the stage and backstage areas...
environments.