Meet Richard and Andrew from Florida

Please meet Richard (on the right) and Andrew, they came to our seminar in Orlando last week. As you can see they are running an LS9-32 at Unity Center For Spiritual Living in Merritt Island, FL.
Thank you guys for coming out and thanks for all the questions about the LS9.
We hope we will see you guys soon.

Keep On Truckin!

This is Jack and Jack is the MAN! Jack and his 53 foot trailer hauled our gear from Buena Park to Dallas; Dallas to New York; New York to Atlantic City; Atlantic City to Tyson's Corner, VA; Tyson's Corner to Minneapolis; and Minneapolis and Vegas! By the time we get back to Buena Park, Jack will have driven over 6,324 miles!!!! (and you thought you had a tough commute).

It didn't matter if it was raining, windy, or sunny. Jack was always waiting for us when we arrived, ready to load up when we were, and he never....ever made fun of Jose's Pack. ;) Now you know why he's the man. Thanks for all your help Jack. See you again soon!

YCJ Staff visits the YCATS team in Minneapolis

The picture above shows Jose, Mr. Nao Kohyama, Mr. Hiroshi Hamamatsu and me in front of the M7CL at our seminar in Minneapolis. Posing in front of the M7CL was the perfect choice, as both of these guys were involved in the development of the console. Thats right Minneapolis, the guys who helped build one of your favorite consoles were there and available to answer your questions.

Thanks again to Nao and Hiroshi for joining us in Minneapolis. We'll see you again soon!

Paul from Visual Horizon Communications

On July 9th, the YCATS team had the opportunity to visit with the guys at Visual Horizon Communications in Saint Paul, MN. Paul and Brad were kind enough to show us around the facilities and demonstrate how they have been using their PM5D, DCU5D, and DSP5D at their events. The picture on the right shows Jose, Paul and me in the VHC warehouse along with the PM5D and DSP5D.

The picture below shows the DCU5D in the back of the case. What you don't see is the VHC branded cover that protects the unit...very nice! These guys are definitely ahead of the game.

Thanks again for the hospitality guys. We'll work on hosting a seminar in Hawaii for ya! ;-)

YCATS has left Tyson's Corner, VA

The YCATS team would like to say thanks to the crew at McLean Bible Church (above) for all of your help this past week. You and your teammates have built a top notch facility and every detail is a great reflection of the quality staff. We hope to see you again!

We'd also like to say thanks to Ultimate Events Catering Company. The variety and selection of food was awesome. The crew was very professional and helpful. We look forward to working with you again!

Jeff Thomas Jr. from LA

I just received a few pictures from Jeff. He is from Los Angeles Mission and has attended some of our classes before.
Thank you, Jeff.


"I don’t always like taking pictures when I’m working. So the only way they ketch me is with people. The 1st, I’m sitting in back next to the PC in our main Chapel sound booth. The 2nd, I’m sitting at the little Mackey with my boss standing behind me at one of our street closure events. That’s 2 of our 8 venue locations here at the Los Angeles Mission.

Meet Carlos Poirot...Univision Miami

During our last visit to Miami we had the chance to get together with an old friend, Carlos.
He works for Univision and during our last visit we went to the station an updated a couple of PM5D consoles the have in one of their studios.
From left to right Brian Coviello (DM in Miami), Jose Perez, Carlos Poirot and Joseph Lopez.

Bakersfield First Assembly's Crew

Meet our friends from Bakersfield First Assembly. The came to our seminar last year and sent us a great picture.
Meet the Crew From left to right: Matt Mulgrew, Keith Harris, Paul Rinas, Ernie Plumbley, Dave Taylor and Johnny Garcia.

Thanks guys, hope to see you soon.

John Harrel from Tualatin, OR

This is from John Harrel at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, OR.
PM5D and Nexo GEO T for his Easter set.

Thank you, John.

Joe Byrne from CA

I just received several pictures from Joe.
He just attended our Buena Park session last week.

Pictures: PM5D in Balboa Theater in downtown San Diego, and M7CL in Santa Monica High School’s Barnum Hall

Hey Joe, I think we need a picture with you ;-)


"Unlike most of the other class members, at this point in my career I work for a design and integration firm as a designer and project manager. Because of the fact that I spent some 15 years on the road as a touring FOH and Monitor mixer, a lot of the projects that come our way which have anything to do with live sound get passed to me to manage.

"Although I don’t do much mixing these days, I still need to stay on top of the latest console technology because more and more venues are specifying digital consoles. Most of the time they ask for Yamaha, not only because of the excellent price point and ease of operation but also because so many touring acts carry a 5D or 1D, hence the ability for them to show up, upload their show and GO. As I’m sure you’re well aware, anytime a touring company can leave something on the truck-life is good.

"So, I’ve attached a zip file of one of my latest installations. We put a PM5D V2 into the historic Balboa Theater in downtown San Diego. The venue was originally built in 1924 and has been restored to its original form; they even restored the working water fountains inside the theater on either side of the proscenium opening.


"Back in 2006, I designed and installed a system for Barnum Hall at Santa Monica High School. Now, you may say to yourself “What kind of theater could a high school have?” Well, first of all, SMHS has many children of musicians, actors, etc. that go to school there so their performing arts department is very important to them.

"The hall is very nice, seats about 1200 with a deep balcony. They wanted to also teach production technology there, so I though that a digital console would be the way to go. I chose the M7 because of, once again, the price point and ease of operation. It has a lot of the same features of its bigger brothers, but isn’t quite so overwhelming to the kids. At the very least, it will help them to start thinking in layers.

It is a small world after all...

While in Nashville I had the chance to meet a few new friends.
Finally people as tall as I am came to the class and I had to give them some recognition.
Thank you guys for the support.

PS: Please open the picture!!!

PC lovers...

We had a nice group of people in our class that love to show how much they love PC...
Wait...Did I say PC?
Sorry, sorry, sorry I wanted to say MAC.
Thanks for the good humor guys.

Gary Balduzzi with his dog and FZ1!!

Thank you, Gary!
We very much appreciate those pictures! I've established "Our Pets" tag.


"The classes were great. I am ready now for all festivals!! Bob Mcnamara, and myself are engineers at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, a 14,000 seat amphitheater in Phildelphia. We have a new M7CL, but no photos available yet since everything is in storage for the winter. I will take pictures of the venue, and our new console this next spring, and send them to you. Meanwhile, I will send you photos of my dog, "Paco the chihuahua", and my Yamaha FZ1( I have owned 5 different yamaha motorcycles over the years). Thanks again for a great series of classes.
Gary Balduzzi

Chris Trupe with US Navy Band!

Thank you, Chris!
How are the PM5D and DSP5D working?

"I am the sound engineer for the US Navy Band in Washington DC. I am the engineer for the Country Band. It is a 7 piece band, I am currently using the Yamaha DM2000 for the band, and have had the console for about 5 years now. I am the only engineer, so I am running 7 in ear mixes from FOH, and running about 32 inputs. A lot of my inputs are doubled up since we do country and bluegrass. Going direct with guitars, fiddle, etc, and then miking them for the bluegrass portion of the show. We are using mostly Shure and Neumann products. KMS 105's on vocals, KM184's on fiddle and acoustic guitars, Shure Beta 52, 56, and 98's on the kit with VP88 for overhheads. Shure KSM32's on banjo and mandolins. We are also carrying a Meyer PA, mostly MTS-4A's and UPA's.

"We just got a PM5D, and a DSP5D. Literally, we just got them in and they are still in the cardboard boxes on our loading dock. The DSP5D will be for when we do productions with all of the different Navy Bands. I am excited to get the 5D up and implemented into the country band, one big reason is now we can go to stereo in ears. Being the only engineer, I hope that this will give the mixes some separation as I can't constantly monitor the in ear mixes during the show since I will be mixing FOH for the show.

"The first application we will probably use both units for is our big production in Washington DC at Constitution Hall for our annual Christmas Concert Production. We will use the 5D and the DSP5D. Then after the new year will implement the 5D into the country band.

"First pic (197) is from a gig in York, PA, the second (49) is in Murphy's, CA, and last (35) in Sun City, AZ.

"Here is a link of the bands website - http://www.navyband.navy.mil/countrycurrent.shtml

"Also, I am trying to pass the word that the Navy Band is looking for a FOH engineer for one of their bands.

"Thanks for the seminars guys, and hope to keep in touch and catch one of your next sessions.

Tristan James from Chicago!

Thank you, Tristan with the great pictures!!


"Hi, this is Tristan. I was at one of your classes in Chicago a few months ago. I think I took both of the pm5d classes and an m7cl class or something. Anyway, the classes were fun, food was great, and I learned some great tips for working with the consoles.

"Anyway, I do the audio advancing for a few touring bands and I also do their monitors.

"Here are some pics of me doing monitors on tour with the actor Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band. I'm running 38 inputs and 24 mixes for wedges and in-ears and I couldn't think of an easier way to mix that many channels without this console. It's a breeze to copy my graphs and inserrt basically as much processing as I need, wherever I need it. If only it could tell me what which 19 wireless frequecies I can use with the mics, in-ears, and instruments, haha. Wanna give me an
endorsement? Wouldn't want me to spec a Midas now would ya? Haha, just kidding. Anyway, I love the console and the new OS kicks ass by the way,

Meet the one that drives Jose crazy...Jazz

Jazz is my little puppy that I got from the shelter around 2 months ago.
As you can imagine after spending a lot of time on the road she is always waiting for me at home to play during the short time I spend at home between cities.
She loves to go out for a nice walk or just going to the park.
During the week she likes to sit down on the couch with the sad look as you can see her on the picture, just waiting for me to get home.

Keri from NY

Thank you, Keri, for sending your picture to us. We will send you PM5D sticker.

"I really love the versatily of this console. There are endless features and the preferences allow me to make the console "work for me" instead of me having to work for the console. The 5D is much more compact than the 1D and the preamps sound great. I hope the seminars come back to New York soon!!!"


(I'm sorry for putting this info late. _o_ <-- this is a Japanese apology mark. going down on my knees and begging your pardon... "_" is my hand, and "o" is my head.)

David Friss from Florida

Thank you, Dave!
(He was at the M7CL school in Detroit.)

"Attached is a pic of a few of our team by our new M7 console.


"Left to right...
Mike Corl - One of our camera operators.
(me) Dave Friss - Technical Director
Mike Sampson - Stage Manager
Lee Ann Martin - Lighting Designer
Carla Kelly - Worship Arts Assistant, and sound engineer
Julie Bassett - Lighting Designer (wearing green because she was in a drama today)

"We just moved into our new worship facility 2 months ago. Clark ProMedia (Alpharetta GA) was our design/build firm. We are thrilled with the entire system, and I'm enjoying working with the new digital sound console. The new facility can seat up to 1200, although it is currently set for 780 (big aisles). The day I flew back from the M7 class, the church had it's first outside event. Tim Hawkins, a professional comedian and musician performed to a sold out crowd of over 850 (they had to carry in more chairs). The console performed flawlessly, and because of scene recall, we were able to revert back to our settings for the weekend in seconds.

"Thanks for an awesome seminar, I feel that you guys have confirmed a lot of the stuff I had already picked up in the last two months of working with the console, and also illuminated quite a bit of deeper control techniques that I wasn't aware of yet. It was nice to step through the features at such depth. I would highly recommend your seminars to anyone who mixes on your consoles.

Mike Eiseman from Chicago

Mike, thank you for sending a picture to us. Congratulations! Actually, you are the first guy who will get the sticker! We will send it in a few weeks. Please wait.

"Attached is an old picture of me with a PM5D – it’s a training session we gave to audio students at a local college quite some time ago (January 2005?)

[that’s me in the orange shirt]

I can’t send a current picture of me with our console. it always seems to be out on shows and rentals!

When it comes back and we update the software – I’ll get a new picture."

You ware doing PM5D School before we started!!

By the way, at this moment, this blog doesn't have so much traffic. But we are going to send a newsletter with this info to 4k people in this week. So, if you are planning to send yours, hurry up!

Steve Seable from Hyperion Theater

Steve, thank you for sending a cute picture!

"Here is a photo of my 2 year old daughter mixing on the PM1D at the Hyperion Theater. We have had this console since August of 2000? It has been a long time, and it is still running great!"