MESSE: Yamaha O2R96 Desk Resets The Standard

US O2R96 gives 96kHz 24-bit throughout and a whole lot more 17/03/02

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Following in the footsteps of their new flagship DM2000 console (the O2R96 shares much of the same technology) this brings Yamaha’s faithful O2R up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution. Far from being a simple 96kHz upgrade to the original 02R, the new console incorporates many new and features including Surround Monitoring, Studio Manger™ for on and off-line editing, and DAW Control. Yamaha claim that: “The 02R96 will have a significant impact on the commercial production market, bringing a multitude of benefits to a much broader range of engineers and facilities.” Set for delivery in June 2002, the 02R96 has a projected price of 13,000 Euro / US$11,000 (SRP ex VAT) including the peak meter bridge and wooden side panels. Press Release
Setting the New Standard
A lot has changed in the world of digital audio production since Yamaha’s 02R sparked the revolution back in 1995. But through it all the 02R became and remained the professional standard. Now, as the industry settles on the 24-bit 96kHz format for the foreseeable future of professional digital audio, and surround sound proves that it is here to stay, the time has come for a change. Meet the new standard: The 02R96. With more than five times the processing power of the original 02R, the 02R96 represents a thorough revision that brings every aspect of the console up to date with today’s most advanced production needs. Unprecedented 24-bit, 96 kHz Performance Throughout
Unlike other consoles, which achieve operation in 96kHz mode with a reduced number of channels, the 02R96 imposes no such limitations and offers full functionality at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz or 96kHz. 96kHz resolution with 32-bit internal processing and 58-bit accumulators is the standard. There are 56 channels of transparent, super-dynamic 24-bit/96 kHz audio plus all the additional effects and processing you’ll ever need for most applications. Yamaha has included a comprehensive selection of 96kHz compatible stereo effects with 32-bit internal processing in the 02R96 -- plus several designed specifically for surround. And you can use as many as four individual effect processors simultaneously. Superlative Analogue Head Amplifiers & Converters
Onboard A/D and D/A conversion is achieved courtesy of Yamaha’s market leading 24-bit/96kHz converters. Coupled to some of the finest analogue mic. pre-amps available – derived from the class leading devices used on the DM2000 – the converters ensure that the warm, transparent output from these remarkable pre-amps is faithfully preserved. I/O capability is also in line with the rest of the console’s performance: Four I/O slots accept a new range of 24-bit/96kHz-capable Mini-YGDAI digital and analogue I/O cards as well as existing types. 56 Channels in 3 Layers, Plus Extraordinary Patching Flexibility
One of the advantages of working with digital is that it allows maximum power and flexibility to be packed into minimum space. On the 02R96 24 precision 100-millimeter motorised channel faders can be instantaneously layer-switched to control any of 56 channels. Having all controls right in front of you at all times not only save space, but it also means that all operations can be carried out without having to move away from the monitoring “sweet spot”. What’s more, all available inputs, outputs, effects, and channel inserts can be assigned to any of the console’s channels or outputs via the 02R96’s remarkably versatile, easy-to-use digital patching system. For example, any of the four effect processors can be assigned to an auxiliary buss for send-type operations, or inserted directly into any input channel as required. A direct out function also allows the signal from any of the 56 input channels to be routed directly to any digital or analogue output. The eight auxiliary busses can also be patched to anywhere in the system. Centralised control means you’ll never have to run around to physically re-patch cables whenever you need to reconfigure the system, and patch set-ups you might want to use again can be stored in the patch library for instant recall at any time. Top-quality Channel Compression, Gating, EQ and Delay
All 56 input channels on the 02R96 feature flexible, independent compression and gating/ducking processors for dynamics control. The 4-band parameter channel equalisers also offer extra versatility with switchable “type I” or “type II” EQ algorithms to deliver the type of EQ response you prefer. Even the channel delay goes beyond the norm, with a maximum delay of 453 milliseconds. Expandable Data Libraries
Setting up EQ, compression, and other parameters for a mix from scratch can be a daunting task, so Yamaha has provided an extensive selection of pre-sets in a range of “libraries” that can simply be selected and used unmodified, or edited to suit specific requirements. Libraries are provided for effects, compression, gating, EQ, I/O patching, and more. Of course, your own set-ups can be added to the libraries for instant recall whenever they are needed. I/O Expandability and Plug-in Capability
The 02R96’s real I/O versatility comes in the form of four Mini-YGDAI expansion slots. The expansion slots are 24-bit/96kHz compatible, so you can select I/O and processing cards to provide the input/output configuration and processing capabilities that are perfect for your needs. Whether you need digital I/O in ADAT, TASCAM, or AES/EBU format, or extra analogue I/O capability, the appropriate Mini-YGDAI cards are available. Apogee’s high-performance A/D and D/A cards are supported, as is the very powerful Waves Y56K effects plug-in card. A Complete Surround Solution
The 02R96 provides everything you need for 5.1 surround processing, panning and monitoring -- including joystick -- without any external equipment or the need to reassign channels for surround use. In addition to graphic monitor configuration displays, the 02R96 also provides multi-channel surround pan/position displays so you can see where multiple channels sit in the surround mix at a glance. The joystick provided for surround panning in the console’s SELECTED CHANNEL control section has high 128 x 128 step resolution for exceptionally smooth control, and a divergence parameter can be used to adjust the hard/phantom centre ratio for each channel. Additional facilities provided by the monitor processing section include individual bus (speaker) muting and attenuation, overall level control for all monitor outputs, stem mix monitoring via independent source selection capability for each expansion slot, bass management for subwoofer delivery, and independent delays for precision speaker tuning. Intuitive Interface Designed for Maximum Productivity
If you’ve used an 02R before, you’ll feel right at home with the 02R96. It even has the same footprint size as the 02R, so replacing existing equipment is easily achieved. You will notice, however, that the control surface and user interface have been expanded and enhanced to allow analogue-style hands-on operation with minimum need to refer to the LCD. 16 user-defined keys, which can be assigned to the functions of your choice, are also provided. Studio Manager Software Supplied
The 02R96 comes complete with Yamaha’s Studio Manager application for both Macintosh® and Windows® platforms, allowing total control and management of all console parameters via a clear and comprehensive graphic interface. Comprehensive Automation and Scene Control
The 02R96 takes automation and scene memory recall to new levels of precision and ease-of-use. While providing full automation of virtually all console parameters, the 02R96 features smooth and quiet touch-sensitive, 100mm motorised faders that make writing and updating automated mixes faster and more intuitive than ever. And all automation data is recorded at 1/4-frame accuracy to ensure excellent precision. Integrated DAW Control
The 02R96 has been designed to integrate tightly with leading digital audio workstations such as Digidesign's Pro Tools® system and Steinberg's Nuendo® to create a complete production and mixing environment. Mixing and processing parameters, as well as transport control and editing functions can be controlled directly from the 02R96 surface. Integration with Emagic's Logic Audio is planned for release in mid-2002. Since the 02R96 employs the same control protocol as Yamaha's flagship DM2000 Digital Production Console, collaboration with software/hardware developers brings the same benefits to both consoles.

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