Panel Assistance with LED brightness setting

Do you look for a switch or a knob in a dark?
We work in a dark many times.

The Panel Assistance function glows all LEDs on the panel just a little to give you a hint of their locations. It was introduced with PM5D many years ago. And it is now available on TF series too.

PM5D:
Go to Preference 2 and turn "Panel Assistance" on to use this function. Only when brightness value is 5 or less, panel LEDs are dimly lit.

TF series:
Go to User Setup and open Brightness page. When Panel brightness is set to 9 or less, Panel Assistance is automatically turned on like the one in the picture.
Because of its LCD touch panel, OLED channel name screen, and keys with glowing function name, TF is easier to operate in a dark room.


Shaun

Fader calibration

Faders on my console have chattering (vibrate when they are moved with a scene recall). Do they need to be serviced?

Usually, friction of a slider will be changed after running the console for several months, which depends on usage, environment, frequency of scene recalling, etc. Or the faders might have much dust inside. These may cause overshooting of fader position control. Please try Fader Calibration function of the console before contacting Yamaha service.

Please don't use any contact cleaner. It will remove special contact grease in a fader and make the situation worse.

(CL series and M7CL) While holding down the SCENE MEMORY [STORE] key of the panel, turn on the power. Press the FADER CALIBRATION button and follow the instruction in the screen.

(QL series) While holding down [SEL] key of master B, turn on the power. Press the FADER CALIBRATION button and follow the instruction in the screen.

(TF series) While holding down [Home] key under the LCD touch panel, turn on the power. Press the Fader Calibration button and follow the instruction in the screen.

(PM5D) While holding down the [ENTER] key of the panel, turn on the power of the PW800W power supply. Select "CALIBRATE FADER POSITION" and follow the instruction in the screen.

(LS9) While holding down the [SCENE MEMORY] key of the DISPLAY ACCESS section, turn on the power. Move the cursor to the FADER CALIBRATION button and press the [ENTER] key.

Updated on April 20, 2015 with QL and TF series.

New PM5D and DSP5D Firmware Available Now

Yamaha recently released new versions of firmware for our PM5D and DSP5D digital mixing systems.  The new firmware brings the PM5D up to Version 2.27 and the DSP5D to Version 1.27. 

Your current versions of Studio Manager (2.3.1, 2.3.0) and Editors (2.2.5) will still work with your PM5D and DSP5D unless you're upgrading from firmware Version/s 2.22/1.22 and lower.

Instructions and information on properly upgrading your unit can be found online via the links below.  Be sure that you've backed up your PM5D and DSP5D before loading the new firmware as your current data will be intilized during the firmware update process.

PM5D Firmware 2.2.7:
http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/downloads/firmware_software/pm5dv2/pm5dv2_frm227.jsp

DSP5D Firmware 1.2.7:
http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/downloads/firmware_software/dsp5d/dsp5d_frm127.jsp

Console Lab Returns to Buena Park, CA

On February 8th and 9th, our Console Lab sessions will return to Buena Park, CA. Console Lab gives experienced audio engineers the opportunity to reserve a PM5D, M7CL, or LS9 console for a couple hours to work on their mixing skills. This is not a typical class where the instructors guide you through the board. It's just you, the console, and a multi-track recording of a show. Need a little help figuring something out? No problem! A training staff member will be there to answer any questions.

So, if you've ever thought to yourself, "Man, if I could just get my hands on that console for a couple hours". Now you'll have the chance... Sign up today!

PM5D Seminars in Buena Park, CA

Hello,

Registration for the PM5D seminars in Buena Park, CA is now available. Please click on the link below for more details and to apply.

PM5D Seminars

See you there!

Audioversity 2011 -- Las Vegas

Audioversity 2011 is on the way! If you missed the event last year in Nashville, you definitely don't want to miss this one. We'll have plenty of Yamaha and NEXO staff members on hand to train you on almost every piece of equipment we offer. In addition, we're giving away a LS9-16 digital mixing console on each day of the event! For more details, please visit www.audioversityexpo.com.

Audioversity 2010 Photos

Audioversity 2010 Class Schedule

Console File Converter released

We have just released the utility software. Now you can move your console file between PM5D, M7CL, and LS9.
Please note that some parameters will be changed with a optimizing rule for the most compatibility, or not converted. Please check the owner's manual for details.

Waves Audio announces WSG-Y16 mini-YGDAI SoundGrid I/O card

Have you checked this release note from Waves?
It was announced at the NAMM show too.

It is an interface card for MY-slot connected to a PC via Ethernet. The PC will be a dedicated server for plugins.
At this time, I don't have so much detailed information yet. But When it is released, your Yamaha digital console may have the latest Waves plugins inserted.
I'm very excited with this product because I have been told about plugins at our classes many times and this is going to be a realistic solution for them, finally.
What do you think?

Studio Manager for Windows 7 and Snow Leopard Released

A new version of Studio Manager, which is compatible with Windows 7 and Mac Snow Leopard was recently released. You can download the new versions of the software here. Also, please be sure to download the latest versions of the USB-Midi Driver and DME-N Network Driver if you do not have them already.

Live Recording Guide Now Available

A live recording guide was recently posted to the Yamahaproaudio.com website. The guide instructs users how to setup their PM5D or M7CL console, to record to Steinberg Cubase or Nuendo, over an EtherSound or MADI network. In addition to the guide, template files with the patching for your PM5D, M7CL, Cubase, Nuendo, and/or EtherSound network setup, are also provided.

Signal Level Management on Digital Consoles -- Part 2

The Search for Agent 0

There is a big difference between the meters on most analog and digital consoles. The meters on most digital consoles are dBFS (Full Scale) and represent how much headroom you have left in the signal path. When you reach the "Over" (red) point on your digital meters, you have no headroom left in the signal path and the signal will clip. On the other hand, when you reach the "Peak" (red) point on your analog meters, you still have about 3dB's of headroom remaining before the signal begins to clip.

So where is the unity point on my digital meters?

The unity point on your digital console will vary by manufacturer. However, on almost all of the newer Yamaha digital consoles, the unity point is found at -20dBFS. The only exceptions are the DM1000, DM2000, and 02R. On these units, the unity point is found at -18dBFS -14dBFS.

Signal Level Management on Digital Consoles -- Part 1

One of the most common problems that we encounter during our seminars is lack of proper signal level between the input and output stages. Some engineers don't provide enough head amp level at the input stage and as a result, there is not enough level sent to the various monitor mixes and effects. Others provide too much gain at the inputs and end up clipping the signal before it hits the output stage. In the days of analog consoles, it was OK to push the meters into the red. In fact, some consoles sounded BETTER that way. But in the digital world, red on the meters is usually really bad. Why? Well, digital distortion isn't all warm and fuzzy like the good ole' analog distortion we love to hear. Digital distortion is really degrade the quality of the output signal and it usually sounds bad…very bad!

Over the next few weeks, we will have some short posts regarding signal flow on digital consoles. Please feel free to comment.

How can I get my fader flip and GEQ to open at the same time on my PM5D

When people are navigating the system they are always looking for the one button that will change multiple things at the same time. In a lot of cases that button will be your User Define Keys.
In this case will be the "Layer snapshot" option.
This will memorize the layer settings for the input channel faders, MIX encoders,
ENCODER MODE, DCA faders and METERS. First assign LAYER SNAPSHOT to
a USER DEFINED key, then configure all the layers in the desired way, and hold the
USER DEFINED key for 2 seconds until it lights up. Now every time that button is
pressed, it returns the layers to the chosen configuration.
If you want to be able to open your GEQ at the same time just have a group of freq from that GEQ assigned to your DCA faders at the moment you create the layer snapshot.

+48V doesn't work?

"+48V" of the input channel is turned on but its phantom power is not provided to my condenser microphone.

Please make sure Phantom Master switch is turned on.
(PM1D)

Front panel of AI8

(PM5D-RH)

Rear panel of PM5D-RH
* PM5D doesn't have master switch

(DSP5D)

Mixer Setup screen

(M7CL)

Setup screen

(LS9)

System Setup screen

Why is my console locked to 96kHz?

My PM5D is receiving digital audio via MY-slot and locking its word clock to the slot. The incoming digital audio is 48k but the console is locked to 96k. How do I change it to 48k?

Please go to Word Clock screen and select the MY-slot as a clock source. Then, change its Input/Output Format of the slot from "DOUBLE CHANNEL" to "DOUBLE SPEED". In a few seconds, the console will be locked to 48k.

All 96k capable products, such as DM/0 series, DME series, and PM5D, may have this issue.

Try REV-X reverb

New REV-X algorithms are available on your PM1DV2, PM5D, M7CL, LS9, DM/0 VCM series and some consoles with Yamaha add-on program installed.
Try different characteristics of those reverb programs.


The following is from our "Add-on Effect" brochure:
"These reverb Add-on Effects employ the latest “REV-X” algorithms first introduced in Yamaha’s SPX2000 Professional Multi Effect Processor. The REV-X programs feature the richest reverberation and smoothest decay available, based on years of dedicated research and development.
REV-X Hall, REV-X Room, and REV-X Plate programs are provided, with new parameters such as room size and decay envelopes that offer unprecedented definition and finer nuance control. The REV-X Hall and REV-X Room programs have a very open sound, while REV-X Plate delivers a brighter tonality that is ideal for vocals. All models deliver dense, warm reverb that does not interfere with the natural timbre of the source."

DCA fader mode key doesn't work! - PM5D

I pressed the DCA key for the fader mode, but it stayed with the current fader bank and the DCA LED is blinking. How do I select DCA mode?

Please make sure that the "DCA ASSIGN" mode switch is turned off.

ExpressCard slot? PCMCIA slot?

Where is a PCMCIA slot on my computer?

PCMCIA slot is now being replaced by ExpressCard slot and your computer might not have it.
If your computer does not have a PCMCIA slot and you are using a CF and a PCMCIA adapter for your PM1D/PM5D, please find USB CF Reader/Writer for your CF memory card.

Difficult to find PCMCIA memory card?

I could not find a PCMCIA memory card. Where can I buy it?

You might find some PCMCIA ATA FLASH cards online. But they are usually relatively expensive.
Please use a CF (Compact Flash, up to 2GB) memory card with a PCMCIA adapter.
"Type I CF" to "Type II PCMCIA" adapter is the one you will need.

Please format the CF memory card in FAT16 with your PC. PM1D or PM5D does not support FAT32.

SIGNAL FLOW screen - PM5D

What is the first screen to do troubleshooting on my PM5D?

Open SIGNAL FLOW screen by pressing the VIEW key in OUTPUT or INPUT section.

Select a channel to check its status.