Yamaha IM8-40 Channel Mixing Console

YAMAHA IM8 Details ^top

Solid performance and superior sound for professional applications

The Yamaha IM8 series brings experience and know-how accumulated over 35 years in the production of industry-leading mixing consoles to bear in three mid-size consoles that cut no corners when it comes to overall performance and sonic quality. In addition to no-compromise design and development aimed at delivering the finest performance and most useful feature set available in this class, production and assembly are carried out at Yamaha's own domestic facilities — the same factories where the legendary Yamaha PM series consoles are produced — to ensure unrelenting quality control throughout. Every inch of these extraordinary consoles is well thought out and built for a purpose. There are no unnecessary features, and nothing is out of place. The IM8 series consoles deliver a basic but plentiful complement of features plus truly transparent, high-resolution sound with tireless reliability.

These are consoles for serious sound applications, and will provide eminently professional performance, sound, and control in permanent installations or on the road.

* Professional build, features, and performance for serious live sound applications.
* Unique Yamaha one-knob compressor on all mono input channels - Input section.
* Comprehensive master section provides extensive signal routing and control versatility - Master section.
* Output matrix affords extra output flexibility, particularly for installations.
* USB audio I/O allows direct digital recording and playback with the supplied Cubase AI4 audio workstation software.

Professional build, features, and performance for serious live sound applications.

Microphone preamplifiers are one of the most critical sound-defining circuits in any mixer. That's why professional who are serious about their sound often spend thousands of dollars on just a single channel of microphone pre-amplification. The microphone preamps built into the IM8 series consoles inherit technology from Yamaha's top-line professional consoles, and have been painstakingly designed to deliver superior sonic performance with any source. They offer low-noise, transparent amplification with the widest possible range of dynamic and condenser microphones as well as line-level signals, which means cleaner, better sounding mixes overall.

Input Channels

Precision Mic/Line Preamplifiers
Microphone preamplifiers are one of the most critical sound-defining circuits in any mixer. Thats why professional who are serious about their sound often spend thousands of dollars on just a single channel of microphone pre-amplification. The microphone preamps built into the IM8 series consoles inherit technology from Yamahas top-line professional consoles, and have been painstakingly designed to deliver superior sonic performance with any source. They offer low-noise, transparent amplification with the widest possible range of dynamic and condenser microphones as well as line-level signals, which means cleaner, better sounding mixes overall.

Input Section
All mono input channels have both balanced XLR type and TRS phone jacks for versatile input connectivity. Individual +48V phantom power switches on each mono channel provide phantom power for condenser microphones, and input levels can be optimally matched over a broad -60 dB through +10 dB range with a 26-dB pad switch and gain control. Other input section facilities on mono channels are a phase switch and 80 Hz high-pass filter switch. Stereo input channels provide L and R phone jack inputs as well as pin jack stereo pairs. A gain control allows matching to stereo input signal levels from -34 dB to +10 dB.

One-knob Compressor on All Mono Channels
This advanced Yamaha feature can be a tremendous advantage in achieving great sound with a variety of sources. It is ideal for compressing vocal channels, and can also be used to refine the sound of bass, guitar, and other instruments. Built-in channel compression is a premium feature usually only found on the most expensive consoles, but in the IM8 consoles you have Yamahas innovative one-knob compression feature on all mono input channels. Conventional audio compressors with their threshold, ratio, knee, makeup gain and other controls can be complex and time-consuming to set appropriately for a given source. Yamahas one-knob compressor eliminates the need for an engineering degree with a single control that lets you simply dial in the amount of compression you want.

IM-8 Series

4-band Equalizer
Designing a smooth, musical-sounding equalizer is an extremely difficult task that Yamaha engineers have perfected through years of refinement based of feedback from some of the most renowned engineers and artists in the field. The IM8 series equalizers apply this specialized know-how to the fullest degree. All stereo and mono channels have four-band equalizers featuring HIGH, HI-MID, LO-MID, and LOW controls as well as an EQ ON switch that can be used to instantaneously switch the EQ in or out of circuit. Mono channels have sweepable HI-MID and LO-MID controls that allow pinpointing specific frequencies for precise response tailoring or feedback control. The stereo channel HI-MID and LO-MID controls are fixed-frequency peaking types.

8 AUX Sends
The IM8 series consoles provide plenty of auxiliary routing capacity for monitoring and handling external effects. All mono and stereo channels feature eight individual AUX send controls that can be switched for pre-fader or post-fader operation in pairs (i.e. AUX sends 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8). You could, for example, set three of the AUX pairs for pre-fader operation so you have six individual monitor sends, while the remaining pair is set to post-fader for use as two effect sends or any other combination that suits your needs.

Channel Output Control and Routing
IM-8 SeriesAll channels feature smooth, noiseless full-length faders for level control as well as 3-segment input level metersthat provide a valuable visual reference to channel signal levels. The three segments correspond to -20 dB, 0 dB, and Peak levels. The peak indicator lights when the channel signal reaches 3-dB below clipping to warn the operator of impeding clipping distortion. Bus assign switches assign the channel signal to group bus pairs 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 as well as the stereo and mono buses. Pan controls on the mono channels pan the assigned signal between the assigned odd/even groups as well as between L and R on the stereo bus. Stereo channels have balance controls rather than pan controls. Another extremely useful feature of these consoles is mute groups. Each channel has four mute switches that assign channel muting to the corresponding mute master switches in the consoles master section. You can specify up to four different mute configurations that can be instantaneously engaged or disengaged via the mute master switches. Theres also a channel ON switch with indicator, and a PFL switch with indicator for convenient pre-fader monitoring of the channel signal.

Additional Channel I/O
All mono input channels feature insert I/O patch points so you can insert compressors, EQ, or other extra signal-processing gear into the channel signal path as required. Direct out jacks are also provided, and these can be internally jumpered to deliver the pre-EQ, pre-fader, or post-fader channel signal as required.

Master Control Section

AUX Send Masters

IM-8 Series The IM8 console master section provides individual linear AUX send master faders for each of the eight AUX buses. These smooth linear faders make the IM8 consoles ideal choices for monitor mixing as well as front-of-house operation, affording precise fader positioning with visual feedback for perfectly balanced monitor mixes. Each AUX send master fader has a 3-segment level meter for visual level confirmation, and an AFL switch with indicator for convenient AUX signal monitoring. Insert patch points are provided before the AUX send faders, and the AUX send outputs on the rear panel are balanced XLR types.

Four Stereo AUX Returns
Four stereo AUX returns are ideal for returning signals from external effects such as reverb and delay to the console. In addition to assign switches that allow the returned signals to be assigned to group bus pairs 1-2 through 7-8, rotary AUX 1 through AUX 4 controls can be used to send the retuned signals to the corresponding AUX buses at the specified level. Of course theres a master return level control for each of the four stereo returns, as well as PFL switches with indicators for easy pre-fader monitoring.

Matrix Out
IM-8 SeriesThe IM8 series consoles feature four matrix outputs that can be fed signals from all eight of the group busses as well as the stereo and mono bus. Individual level controls for each source bus are provided for each of the four matrix outputs, along with a master matrix level control and AFL switch for local signal monitoring. The matrix is a convenient and configurable system for providing additional output mixes for any number of utility applications: extra monitors, dressing room feeds, lobby sound, and more.

Mute Masters
These four switches instantly mute or un-mute all channels on which the correspondingly numbered MUTE switches are engaged. This allows you to set up as many as four different channel mute configurations and engage or disengage them instantly as required.. This is a great way to handle multiple bands, for example, or to shut down specific groups of microphones when theyre not being used.

Talkback Section
In addition to a rear-panel mounted microphone connector and the standard ON switch and level control in the master section, the IM8 series consoles offer versatile talkback routing with eight switches that assign the talkback signal to individual AUX bus pairs (1-2, 3-4. 5-6, and 7-8), all group buses, the stereo and mono buses, or any of two matrix output pairs (1-2, 3-4).

Monitor Section

IM-8 SeriesAny time you press an AFL (after-fader listen) or PFL (pre-fader listen) switch anywhere on the console the corresponding signal is sent to the rear-panel monitor outputs as well as the headphone output. At the same time the PFL or AFL indicator in the monitor section will light to indicate that one or more AFL/PFL switches are active. The indicators associated with each AFL and PFL switch let you see which ones are active at a glance. The monitor section also features level controls for the monitor and headphone outputs, and a precise 12-segment level meter.

Stereo and Mono Masters
Balanced XLR type output jacks on the rear panel deliver the console’s stereo output, and the level of the signal appearing at these outputs is controlled via the L and R stereo master faders. An ON switch turns stereo output on or of, and a precise 12-segment level meter with peak indicators shows stereo signal levels. The stereo master faders have PFL as well as AFL switches, allowing both pre-fader and aer-fader monitoring of the stereo bus signal. The mono bus output is also delivered via a balanced rear-panel XLR type connector, and the level is adjusted via an independent master mono fader with ON switch, 3-segment level indicator, and AFL switch/indicator. Both the stereo and mono buses also feature pre-fader insert patch points on the rear panel.

Group Outputs
All eight group buses feature full-length faders for precise level control, as well as 3-segment level indicators for convenient visual level monitoring. In addition to being output from the corresponding balanced TRS phone jacks on the real panel, the group bus signals can be assigned to the consoles stereo and/or mono buses via assign switches located next to the faders. A pan control provides panning capability when a group bus signal is assigned to the stereo bus. AFL switches and indicators are also provided for each group fader. Group jacks provided on the rear panel provide pre-fader insert access to the group signal path.

2TR IN/USB and REC OUT/USB Sections
The IM8 consoles feature 2-track input and stereo record output facilities in both analog and digital formats. Analog 2-track input can be connected to the console via the rear-panel stereo pin jacks or a stereo mini-phone jack on the front panel. Assign switches allow the received 2-track signal to be sent to the stereo and/or mono buses, while a rotary control adjusts the signal level. A PFL switch and indicator are also provided for easy monitoring of the 2-track signal. Conversely, the signal from the stereo and/or mono buses can be assigned to a pair of pin-jack record outputs on the rear panel for connection to an external 2-track recording or similar device. The functions of the 2-track inputs and record outputs are duplicated by a USB terminal that can be used to transfer the corresponding digital audio signals to and/or from a computer running the supplied Cubase AI4 audio workstation soware for direct digital recording from the console or playback via the console.

Front-panel Stereo Mini Phone Jack Input
A stereo mini phone jack on the console’s front panel provides a conveniently located input for a portable audio player or similar device used to supply BGM, sound effects, or any other audio signal to be fed to the consoles 2TR IN channel.

YAMAHA IM8 Specs ^top

Specifications

* 24/32/40-channel frame size (IM8-24/32/40)
* Low-noise Mic/Line Preamplifiers
* 80Hz channel high pass filters
* Switchable 48v Phantom Power
* 26dB Pad
* One-knob compressor on all mono channels
* 4-Band EQ (HF shelving, HF-MID peaking
* LF-MID peaking, and LF shelving) with EQ ON switch
* 8 group buses
* 8 AUX Sends pre/post
* 4 Stereo AUX Returns
* Fully featured 11x4 Matrix
* 4 Mute groups
* Direct Outs in each mono channel
* Channel/groups/stereo/mono-Inserts
* 100mm fader (mono channels)
* 60mm AUX Send fader
* 2-track monitoring
* Sophisticated Talkback section
* 4x12 points LED meter
* External redundancy power supply (PW8) and power supply link cable (PSL1010) optional,
* Cubase AI4 Included
* USB In/Out

General specifications

Input characteristics

0dBu = 0.775Vrms, 0dBV = 1Vrms
*: balanced, **: unbalanced
Sensitivity is the lowest level that will produce an output of +4dBu, or the nominal output level when the unit is set to maximum level.

Output characteristics

0dBu = 0.775Vrms, 0dBV = 1Vrms
*: Balanced, **: Unbalanced, Impedance balanced

Digital Audio I/O characteristics

YAMAHA IM8 CubaseAi4 ^top

Cubase AI4

Cubase AI4 is a special, compact version of Steinberg’s famed music production system that is included as part of selected Yamaha audio hardware. Based on the same technology as Cubase 4, Cubase AI4 offers powerful yet easy-to-use software tools for audio recording, editing, MIDI sequencing and mixing – exclusive to customers of selected Yamaha hardware. The unique integrative features meld Yamaha hardware and Steinberg software to one completely integrated production system. This includes Studio Connections “Recall” technology that saves and recalls all studio settings with a single mouse click within Cubase. But Cubase AI4 also features the new AI technology which takes the integration to a new level. The full Plug&Play support means that settings for connected hardware such as driver selection, input and output routing setup as well as remote configuration are all completely automated.

AI technology is also included in the latest generation of Cubase, offering the same advantages for Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 customers integrating with the selected Yamaha audio hardware.

* Cubase 4 audio engine
* 48 audio tracks and up to 64 MIDI tracks
* HALion One software sample player with selected Motif sounds
* Plug&Play VST/MIDI setup with Yamaha products such as Motif XS Music Production Synthesizer and n-series Digital Mixing Studio
* Studio Connections “Recall” as well as special product-specific functions for perfect software-hardware integration
* 25 VST effects, including 15 VST3 plug-ins
* 20 MIDI styles and 480 drum loops included

Review of YAMAHA IM8

RATING:

Sound Quality	10
Features	10
Ease Of Use	10
Value	10
Reliability	10
Overall	10

This console sounds great. The built in compressors rock! Really easy to set. EQ is super flexible. There's even a jack for an Ipod right on the front panel. Very cool... It's easy to get around on, and to show volunteers. Great value. I just found out it is made in Japan. That explains the quality!

-Greekgerm
-So California, 09/30/08

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