ProAudio Review - December 2008 - (Page 46)

www.proaudioreview.com until I hit a compression ratio setting closest to the console. I moved on and did the same with the Behringer. From this test, I observed that the compressor is set for a light 2:1 compression ratio. This seems to be consistent throughout the oneknob compressor settings, confirming my earlier observation. Rating the three compressors in order of quality, highest would be the dbx 1046, then the IM8 onboard compressor, and lastly, the Behringer. From my experience with a variety of compressors, the IM8 compressors seem to be similar in quality to the original dbx 166. So, I would agree with the Yamaha ad that states you get “a free mixer after you pay for each compressor.” This was not something that I expected in this console’s price range, yet it was the case. As a matter of fact, I think its compressor blows away others of a similar price. The IM8 compressors came in very handy to offset its preamps; when the latter became crunchy, the former smoothed things out and the channel’s audio became more pleasing to the ears. USB to DAW Connectivity The second great feature of the IM8 — the USB interface — is a USB 1.1 B-type connector. In order to interface with the console, a driver from Yamaha can be downloaded from http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/downloads/firm_soft/audi o_driver/usb_osx.html. The driver is also available on a software CD, included with the console. Mac requirements are an Intel processor, at least 10 MB of free space, and at least 512 MB of memory. PC requirements allow XP or Vista; XP requires a 750 MHz Intel processor, 10 MB of hard-disk space, and 128 MB of RAM, and XP must be upgraded to Service Pack 3, the 32-bit version. Vista users require a 2 GHz processor with 10 MB of hard-disk space and at least 1 GB of RAM. Vista must be upgraded to Service Pack 1. The driver installed easily on my MacBook Pro. All I had to do was plug in the console and, from my preferences menu, choose the Yamaha USB for input and/or output on whatever application I was using for playback or record. Some applications actually offered a pop-up asking which input/output device I wanted to use. The USB worked flawlessly, and it was the easiest experience I’ve had with a Yamaha product and my computer. However, I did find that the routing of the USB input through the console was very limited; it can only be routed to the stereo or mono bus. The downside is if you choose to run auxfed subs or aux-fed sends to front fills or another zone, you can’t send this input there. I got around this roadblock by routing the USB to the mono bus, which I wasn’t using for the PA, and then routing it back into an unused channel. It used up a mono channel and it requires an XLR, but it fixed the problem. For recording, I had to do something similar, as I like to Ya m a h a I M 8 - 4 0 have control over the record feed separately from the PA system; I came out of a post-fader aux subgroup (or any output of my choice) and came back into a mono channel, which was routed to the mono bus. In the end, it was easier to use my own USB interface and go into a stereo input and come out of the output I want for the record than to do the routing demonstrated above. I should point out that the console controls for the USB also controls a RCA input and a mini TRS input found on the front edge of the console next to the headphone output. The IM8’s software disk includes a copy of the Steinberg Cubase AI4 workstation, which will work with both Mac and Windows platforms; AI4 is a light version of Cubase 4 and includes features such as being able to record 48 audio tracks and the ability to plug and play with both Yamaha and Steinberg products. I didn’t use AI4, but I personally own a version of Cubase LE and if AI4 is anything like it, I find it very easy to use with virtually no learning curve. A Good Console That’s Great For HOW and Clubs The Yamaha IM8 is a good midrange analog console. It will be great for installation in houses of worship and clubs featuring live performances, where saving money on outboard gear and ease of use for novice engineers are a must. Thanks to having a compressor on each channel, the need to insert one has lessened, since there is one at your fingertips. The IM8’s oneknob compressor takes the guesswork out of attack times, ratios, and makeup gain. Compression is simplified; just turn it until it sounds good. The wide Q of the EQ knobs offers an easy solution for users without well-trained ears. If someone wants a stereo recording of a performance, or has a few songs that they want to play off of their laptop, the IM8 makes it easily possible. There are limitations in the IM8, such as not having the flexibility to route the USB input everywhere and a cumbersome input panel that it awkward for patching inserts or direct outs. The IM8 console is designed for the end-user without a lot of experience in getting a goodsounding mix, but who can figure out the basic routing of a console. 46 ProAudioReview | December 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.proaudioreview.com http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/downloads/firm_soft/audio_driver/usb_osx.html http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/downloads/firm_soft/audio_driver/usb_osx.html http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - December 2008

ProAudio Review - December 2008 Contents Technically Speaking New Studio Products Opinion: Mastering Matters Review: BIAS Peak Pro XT 6 Review: Zaxcom Fusion ENG Mixer and Multitrack Recorder Review: Sound Devices 788T 8-Track Digital Audio Recorder Review: Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo DSP Accelerator Review: Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor Review: RME ADI-8 QS A/D-D/A Converter Feature: Converters and Clocks: Engineers on Their Choices New Live Products Opinion: From the Road Review: Yamaha IM8 Series Mixing Consoles Review: NTI Digirator DR2 Digital Audio Signal Generator Review: Sencore SoundPro SP495 Audio Consultant Test Set Single Slice

ProAudio Review - December 2008

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