AudioMedia - July 2008 - (Page 70)

07|08 AM t was during one of the Yamaha YCATS (Yamaha Commercial Audio Training Seminars) events earlier this year that I came across the AD HR microphone preamplifier/AD convertor. I had been looking for some time for an -channel pre with AES/EBU out to interface with the AES inputs in my Pyramix system, but this was not as easy as it seems: lots of Firewire, ADAT, and USB interfaces, but no AES – unless you have more budget. The AD HR was timely, even though it has been out for over a year but kept wellhidden, and looked a likely candidate for review. The Yamaha AD HR is an -channel microphone preamplifier in a U package featuring x AES/EBU outputs, kHz/ -bit linear AD conversion, -times oversampling, and a dynamic range of dB. The unit can be remote controlled from Yamaha consoles such as the PM D or DM , and multiple preamps can be connected together. TERRY NELSON spent a long time looking for the perfect pre; has he found what he’s been looking for in the AD8HR? I buttons in the master section and the corresponding LED in the selected channel will light up (or extinguish). The high pass filter is dB/octave and adjustable between Hz. As with most functions, setting the cut-off frequency is via the Select button All channel settings (apart from gain trim) can be copied by holding down the Select button of the source channel and then pressing the Select button of the destination channel(s). Though this feature is very useful, it would be nice to have a ‘link’ function for use with stereo sources. A software update, perhaps? Remaining functions include adjusting the LED brightness and panel operation lockout. All settings are retained in memory. However, the AD HR can easily be re-initialised to the default values. So, most importantly, how does the preamp perform? The unit was tested in a studio with voices, and in a rehearsal room with a group using close and ambience YAMAHA AD8HR Microphone Preamplifier A look at the front panel photo shows the layout with word clock selection; eight microphone channels, master control section with pushbuttons for + V and HPF, a large -digit, -segment display, followed by an equally large gain knob, a small Off/On slide switch for + V master, and large power On/Off push switch. The rear panel is devoted to the I/O connectors and includes two Dsub- connectors for remote control and stacking, two Dsub- connectors for the digital outputs A and B, two BNC connectors for word clock in and out, and eight XLR- M connectors for the microphone channels. The digital A and B outputs can be used in two modes for the AES/EBU format, these being double speed (AE ), and double channel (AE ). The first provides x -channel distribution, and the second transmits data as mono signals with channels - on digital out A, and - on digital out B. This is handy when the destination equipment can only run at .l/ kHz. However, I can mention that I selected double speed and clock source of kHz from the Pyramix, and Digital Out A quite happily output -channels. Operation of the unit proved to be very straightforward. The first thing to do was to set the word clock, and this was achieved by pressing the word clock pushbutton to cycle round to select the desired source, the unit being locked when the associated LED was illuminated. The AD HR uses the microphone preamplifier from the top-of-the-line PManalogue console and an impressive user-list of classical music recording organisations was another spur to test the AD HR. Pressing the desired Channel Select button accesses the gain, + V and HPF functions. Gain is adjustable in dB steps from – dB to + dB (the output is temporarily muted during adjustment) and the display shows the gain setting. The individual channel outputs are factorycalibrated but a gain-trim function allows fine-tuning in . dB steps from - . dB to +l. dB. The + V and HPF functions are enabled by the microphones. The immediate impression was that the sounds were very natural and uncoloured, also, that the ambience microphones had a lot of ‘reach’ (or depth, if you prefer). The HPF function performed very smoothly and was particularly effective on the vocal mics. A small niggle concerns the slide switch for master On/ Off phantom power. The fact that it is very discreet and easily moved, means that phantom could be off when you think it is on, as indicated by the + V LED! Here I would strongly suggest the LED in the + V button flash to indicate an off status and attract attention. The top Dsub- connector has an associated slide switch marked ‘PC-RS ’. RS is for Yamaha control, and PC for computer control. Though the latter is mentioned in the user manual, there is, in fact, no control program available from Yamaha. I am led to believe, though, that some studios are using control software produced by Audio Service GmbH of Hamburg, Germany. In conclusion, the AD HR does a simple job requirement very well at an economic price and can be integrated into larger systems. The multiple sampling frequency output options also add to the versatility. This said, the points raised should be fairly easy to implement and a possible added extra could be an ADAT output. This is still standard on a lot of equipment. As a final suggestion to Yamaha, please supply an AES/ EBU breakout cable with the unit – people do not always have one to hand! Thank you. ∫ I N F O R MAT I O N THE REVIEWER TERRY NELSON has been involved in pro audio and music for more years than he cares to remember with specialist subjects including live recordings, sound reinforcement, plus acoustic and systems design. He is currently Vice President of the Swiss Section of AES, and heads up Swiss-based Studio Equipment. £ GB£1,359.00 (exc.VAT) A Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK) Ltd., Sherbourne Drive, Tilbrook, Milton Keynes, MK7 8BL T +44 (0) 1908 366700 F +44 (0) 1908 368872 W www.yamahacommercialaudio.com 70 AUDIO MEDIA JULY 2008 http://www.yamahacommercialaudio.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AudioMedia - July 2008

AudioMedia - July 2008 Contents Recording Post Broadcast What's Up UK Geofocus: France For the Record Special Report: Develop Preview SE Electronics 4400 Sennheiser MKH800 Twin Tubetech Club Final Cut: Wanted Smart AV Tango Doctor Who Made in America DSP Roundup Product Sampler: Summer Hits Edirol R44 Video Guide AMSR Fame - Le Musical Waves MaxxBCL Yamaha AD8HR Special Supplement

AudioMedia - July 2008

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