ProAudio Review - May 2008 - (Page 24) LIVE | REVIEW YAMAHA Continued From Page 22 ® multi-effects selection area, and a 12 segment LED meter. The main outputs are on balanced XLR connections. TRS connectors comprise the rest of the I/O’S other than the record and playback inputs and the two stereo line input channels, which have RCA inputs in tandem with the TRS inputs. | IN USE It is interesting how preconceptions can subtly influence ones reactions to products or experiences. In this case Yamaha’s excellent track record somewhat blunted my expectations concerning the sound of what can rightfully be considered a very inexpensive console. That said, I wasn’t expecting all that much from the MG124cx when it came to audio quality. Well, I was wrong; I was very pleasantly surprised by the overall refinement of the little Yamaha console. Drum overheads are generally a good test of consoles and preamps. Using the Yamaha with a pair of Microtech Gefell M71K’s on a Premier birch drum kit, I was generally impressed by the way the Yamaha handled the transients and gave a good rendition of the acoustic space of the room. The included compressors (while not 1176 quality, of course) sounded quite good, and enhanced the sound of the overheads quite nicely. PRODUCTPOINTS • Very good sonics • Four analog compressors • Easy to use layout • Effects quality isn’t the greatest • Lightweight construction FOH Engineer Jim Ebdon Kyle Cook Guitars Guitars SCORE The MG124cx redefines expectations for sonic quality in an inexpensive console. Royers On The Road With MATCHBOXTWENTY “Live guitars sound amazing with R-121 Live mics on the cabinets, and they stand out well in the mix. Royers are warm, natural, present and uncolored - not at all harsh like several of the other mics we auditioned, and the band loves the natural sound they get in their in-ear monitors. “I've used Royers on Aerosmith for a few years and currently on Matchbox Twenty and they've been among my most reliable microphones. These are amazing ribbons.” FOH Engineer - Matchbox Twenty, Aerosmith, Annie Lennox I put an Audix D6 on the kick drum, and a newer Shure SM57 on the snare drum and also liked what I heard. If I didn’t know better, I would have easily believed that I was listening to a much more costly console. in Yamaha’s more ambitious consoles. I had similar good results with the MG124cx on vocals with microphones ranging from the Audio-Technica 4060, beyerdynamic m88tg, to the aforementioned SM57. The included compressor once again was a useful addition. The equalization section on the main channels sounds good, although it’s a little easy to overdo it with the +/- 15dB of travel available from the pots. A light touch does well in this application. Overall though, the EQ is more than respectable. The included digital effects are acceptable for live sound use, but I wouldn’t plan on using them for recording projects. That said, they’re certainly no worse than what you’d find on competing products. If you don’t really need the onboard effects, then the MG124c (which still includes the four analog compressors) might be an even better choice. | SUMMARY It really seems like Yamaha has the live sound console market just about sewn up. From the large frame digital PM1D and analog PM5000 to the small frame LS9 digital consoles, Yamaha has been a market leader for some time. Now it appears that the MG124cx will extend Yamaha’s reach into the low-end of the live sound console market as well. The MG124cx has redefined my expectations for sonic quality in an inexpensive console. Richard Alan Salz is owner of Vermont Audio Labs. Jim Ebdon Royer Ribbons 818.847.0121 Burbank, CA. www.royerlabs.com I put an Audix D6 on the kick drum, and a newer Shure SM57 on the (Ayotte 4” maple) snare drum and also liked what I heard. If I didn’t know better, I would have easily believed that I was listening to a much more costly console. I think that the microphone preamps are probably they key to this console’s excellent sound. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find that they were related to the preamps 24 | ProAudio Review | May 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.royerlabs.com http://www.royerlabs.com http://www.royerlabs.com http://www.proaudioreview.com
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