Yamaha's DM2000 24-Bit, 96kHz Production Console Debuts
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LCD Display
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Rear Panel
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November 13, 2001
Yamaha Corporation of America announced the international launch of the DM2000 digital console, making its debut at Japan's InterBEE 2001 Exhibition. The console is set for delivery in April 2002, at a target price of under $20,000 MSRP. The DM2000 will make its official US debut in early spring, 2002.
As a manufacturer of breakthrough digital console technology with products that include the DMC1000, ProMix01, 02R, 03D, 01V digital mixers--and most recently the Yamaha PM1D digital console--Yamaha has developed the DM2000, a multi-platform mixing system for the commercial production market. The Yamaha DM2000 is a comprehensive system, with a multitude of benefits that will be appreciated by the most discerning production engineer.
The high performance digital console offers 96 input channels, extensive surround production features, integrated digital audio workstation and ProTools control, providing more than nine times the processing power of the Yamaha 02R. Imagine 96 channels of clean, superior dynamic control; 24-bit/96kHz audio, and more effects and processing than one will probably ever need for most applications. While in 96k mode, there is no loss of any inputs or outputs. This has been made possible by utilizing the newly developed DSP7 LSIs with 32-bit (accumulative 58-bit) internal processing.
"The DM2000 is set to make a significant impact on the commercial production market," states Larry Italia, National Sales & Marketing Manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio. "The engineers at Yamaha did an outstanding job in combining significant features from our highly reputable digital products with those that have been requested by commercial production engineers worldwide, while keeping the price point extremely affordable."
Yamaha has included a comprehensive range of 96kHz-compatible stereo effects, many that are specifically designed for surround mixing. The user can manipulate up to eight internal multi-effects processors [32-bit/96kHz] simultaneously, which can be assigned to an auxiliary buss for sends, or inserted directly into any input channel.
The Yamaha DM2000 provides full automation of virtually all console parameters, and features 24 smooth, quiet touch-sensitive 100 mm motorized faders, which can instantly be layer-switched to control the 96 channels. All automation data is recorded at 1/4-frame accuracy.
The console includes extensive surround features such as panning, joystick, monitoring, bass management, and downmix matrix which enables LCRS and stereo mix monitoring ideal for 5.1 surround mixing to DVD. Multiple 5.1 stem mixes can easily be handled.
The DM2000 work surface houses 16 user-defined keys available for assignable functions, so the user can individually mute surround monitor speakers, directly recall scene memories, and the like. All available inputs, outputs, effects and channel inserts can be assigned to any console channel or output via a versatile patching system. A direct out function enables signal from any of the 96 input channels to be routed directly to any other digital or analog output within the system.
"The work surface of the Yamaha DM2000 will offer a familiarity to those who have experienced the 02R, yet the user interface has been greatly enhanced and provides analog-style knobs for hands-on channel operation," states Dan Craik, product manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio, hardware products.
A 22 x 8 (4-stereo) matrix system can be used to provide cue monitor mixes, downmix monitoring for surround or zone level control for sound reinforcement applications. A fully functional patching system enables 24 busses (eight record/subgroup busses, 12 auxiliary sends, L/R stereo buss, and SOLO stereo busses) assignable to any output connector. The Yamaha DM2000 provides six mini-YGDAI slots which accept a wide range of I/O and effects plug-in cards. Dedicated cascade ports enable two DM2000s to function in tandem, providing a maximum of 192 input channels. The channel name display, developed for the groundbreaking Yamaha PM1D, enables the user to identify channels at a quick glance, a widely-used feature when switching between mix layers.
The unit's FADER mode keys allow the console faders to be switched between fader and aux/ matrix level control. ENCODER mode keys assign the rotary encoders for pan, send level, and other assignable functions. DISPLAY ACCESS keys determine the type of data to be shown on the LCD panel such as digital I/O's, channel parameters, and utility functions, for a total of 12 selected categories. These keys are positioned over and above the DISPLAY keys provided for each control section. The EFFECTS/PLUG-IN keys are used to instantly access the parameters for any of the eight assignable effects. Since users spend significant time setting up EQs, dynamics, panning, surround position, and matrix send levels, the SELECTED CHANNEL controls form the largest single control group on the DM2000 panel.
For monitor routing, SOLO CONTRAST separates multiple source selectors for studio and control room sends, for solo control and level control for surround monitoring. MONO, DIMMER, and TALKBACK capabilities are provided. The SCENE MEMORY section enables storage of all console parameters as a new scene, or for recall of previously stored scenes. With AUTOMIX, the DM2000's automated mixdown feature, the user can write and enable automation of faders, channel on/off, panning, surround positioning, aux levels, on/off switching, and EQ.
The Yamaha DM2000 is designed to integrate effectively with leading digital audio workstations and computer automated recording systems. The unit provides extensive support for ProTools, and additional support for Steinberg's Nuendo is currently under development. The console comes equipped with Yamaha Studio Manager Software, compatible for both Macintosh and Windows platforms, enabling total control of all DM2000 parameters via a comprehensive graphic interface.
"Software plays a very important role in audio production," states Marc Lopez, product manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio, software products. "Designing the DM2000 for compatibility with popular products like ProTools and Nuendo will provide the end user with more options than traditional analog and digital mixing desks."
A full range of new Mini YGDAI digital and analog I/O cards also provide full 24-bit/96kHz capability. Mini YGDAI cards are available in ADAT, TASCAM, AES/EBU formats, or for extra analog I/O capability. The DM2000 supports Apogee's high performance A/D and D/A cards, and the very powerful Waves Y56K effects plug-in card, designed for the Yamaha AW4416 and AW2816 digital audio workstations. SmartMedia memory cards save Automix and scene data for transfer or archive purposes.
All onboard A/D and D/A conversions make use of true 24-bit/96kHz converters. The DM2000 offers some of the finest analog mic preamps, and these onboard converters
provide excellent digital representation of warm, transparent output from the mic pre-amps.
The peak meter bridge (MB2000) supply 48 12-segment level meters that can be used individually or in pairs to display pre-EQ, pre-fader or post-fader signal levels. The same meters can also display levels of the console's eight busses, 12 aux sends, and four stereo matrix busses. Timecode display is also featured on the MB2000 peak meter bridge.
Four-band parametric EQ on every channel, independent channel gates and compressors on every channel, 24 high-performance head amps for mic or line input, and six 31-band graphic equalizers are also included. The Yamaha DM2000 use balanced XLR and TRS connectors for all 24 inputs. Balanced and unbalanced analog two-track inputs as well as two-track digital inputs featuring both AES/EBU and coaxial connectors are also provided. Onboard sample rate conversion with a wide range of synchronization and control options, and standard word clock inputs and outputs are available.
For more information, visit their web site at www.yamaha.com/proaudio. |
