Yamaha QL Series User manual

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The Quintessential Compact
The acclaimed CL series raised live digital mixing console performance to an unprecedented level of renement
with evolved sound quality, operability, and functionality, while maintaining the traditional values that have made
Yamaha digital mixers industry standards. Core features and performance inherited directly from the CL series,
including natural sound supported by sonically superb internal processing capabilities, operation that easily adapts
to the demands of just about any working environment, and built-in Dante networking that facilitates exible
system conguration, have now been condensed and concentrated into the compact QL series digital mixing
consoles. QL series consoles oer all-in-one mixing, processing, and routing capability for small to medium scale
live sound, corporate speech events, installations, and much more.
Refined Control
for Smooth Operation
Expandable All-in-One Support
for Any Application
Pure, Natural Sound Plus
Powerful Built-in Processing for
Broad Creative Control
The ability to respond swiftly and surely to multiple,
rapidly changing demands is essential for eective
live sound support. QL series consoles feature large
touch-panel displays as well as “Touch and Turn” knobs
that make up a remarkably smooth, ecient control
interface. Attention has also been paid to details such
as fader feel and channel name display visibility in order
to deliver a sophisticated overall operating experience.
Remote control and oine setup capability via an iPad
or computer adds even more renement to an already
state-of-the-art operating environment.
In addition to ample analog input and output capacity,
QL series consoles feature the same Dante audio
networking protocol that provides broad connectivity
in the CL consoles. There’s also an innovative “Port
to Port” feature that can patch any input port to any
output port so the QL console can function as a remote
I/O device for any other QL or CL series console, for
example. Other exibility enhancing features such as
2-track and multitrack recording capability, and dual MY
expansion slots that allow processing capability or I/O
to be added as required, make the QL consoles suitable
for use as central components in an extensive variety of
sound applications.
The Yamaha sound begins with reproduction that
is faithful to the source. QL series consoles feature
circuitry and components that have been designed and
selected with the utmost care, achieving outstanding
audio purity from input to output. With that solid sonic
foundation it becomes possible to take full advantage
of built-in premium internal processors such as the
Portico 5033/5043 created in cooperation with Rupert
Neve, to shape and create as required. For a wide
range of speech applications built-in automatic mixing
functionality from Dan Dugan Sound Design provides
optimum channel balance while allowing the operator
to concentrate fully on optimizing the overall sound.

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DIGITAL MIXING CONSOLE QL5 / QL1

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QL1QL5
32 + 2 fader configuration adapts to a
wide range of channel layouts. The QL5
is a compact console with large-scale
capabilities.
• Mix channels: 64 mono, 8 stereo.
• Busses: 16 mix, 8 matrix (Input to Matrix supported).
• Local I/O: 32 in, 16 out.
• Fader conguration: 32 + 2 (Master).
• Stainless steel iPad support stays.
Common QL Features
Rear Panel
All basic specications other than numbers of inputs/outputs
and faders are the same for both models, so you get full QL
performance and capability regardless of system size. Well-
integrated operation is ensured throughout systems that use
multiple QL consoles.

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I/O RACK
I/O RACK INPUT RACK
OUTPUT RACK
Rio3224-D
Rio1608-D Ri8-D
Ro8-D
16 + 2 fader configuration in a compact,
rack mountable unit.
• Mix channels: 32 mono, 8 stereo.
• Busses: 16 mix, 8 matrix (Input to Matrix supported).
• Local I/O: 16 in, 8 out.
• Fader conguration: 16 + 2 (Master).
• Rack mountable with optional RK1 Rack Mount Kit.
I/O Racks for Any Application and Scale
Four I/O rack models with Dante networking capability provide
exible input and output setup for a wide range of applications.
The 5U size Rio3224-D has 32 inputs and 16 outputs as well as
four AES/EBU outputs. The 3U size Rio1608-D oers 16 inputs
and 8 outputs. And for situations where you just need inputs or
outputs, the compact 1U size Ri8-D and Ro8-D oer 8 inputs or
outputs, respectively. All of the above connect to the console via
Dante for low-jitter, low-latency audio transfer performance.

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It All Begins with Natural Sound
Full creative freedom can only be achieved when the
sonic foundation is accurate, uncolored, and faithful
to the source. The same pure, natural sound that is a
highly regarded feature of the CL series is achieved in
the compact QL series consoles as well. Every detail,
from mechanical construction through port location,
power supply, grounding, and individual components
Every Component Contributes to
Superior Sonic Precision
has been painstakingly analyzed and brought together
in a system that aords extraordinary audio quality.
Noise that can aect digital mixer performance in a
number of ways has also been thoroughly scrutinized
and eectively eliminated. Because it can aect AD/
DA converter performance, system clock jitter has been
subject to detailed analysis and optimized by revising the
internal FPGA layout and rerouting the clock signal. All
of these details combine to realize performance that not
only passes the strictest scientic tests, but also satises
the critical ears of some of the most demanding sound
engineers in the business.
In order to take maximum advantage of evolved processing potential to sculpt
creative new soundscapes, the engineer must have uncolored, natural sound as a
starting point. Yamaha’s unwavering natural sound philosophy is fully implemented in
the QL series, resulting in accurate reproduction that is faithful to the source.

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When it’s time to build creatively on the uncolored sonic foundation provided by the QL consoles, a selection of
powerful processors is ready to rene your sound. Yamaha digital technology accurately reproduces the quality and
performance of time-honored analog devices that are renowned for their musical sound, as well as speech mixing
technology that revolutionized the industry with unprecedented consistency and clarity. The technology that
achieves all of this reects Yamaha’s respect for the legacy of masters who have given us some of our most valued
audio capabilities. It also gives today’s sound engineers the support they need to create for the future.
Keeping the Legacy Alive
All of the processing capability that was packed into the CL series consoles is provided in the
QL consoles as well. Most of those processors are based on Virtual Circuit Modeling (VCM)
technology developed by “Dr. K” (Toshifumi Kunimoto) and his team at “K’s lab,” Yamaha’s state-
of-the-art digital technology research facility. VCM technology precisely models the circuitry
and performance of analog audio devices, right down to the characteristics of individual
components such as resistors and capacitors. VCM simulations are so realistic and musical that
even the legendary Rupert Neve, a master who built his reputation on analog sound, has given
it his approval and collaborated in developing VCM versions of his Portico 5033 and 5043 EQ
and compressor, both provided as on-board processors in the QL consoles.
Thanks to in-depth collaboration with Dan Dugan Sound Design, renowned Dan Dugan
automatic microphone mixing with its advanced algorithms is built into the QL series
consoles. Setup is easy: just insert the processor into up to 16 channels for automatically
optimized microphone gain distribution. Gain control is smooth and natural, as though
experienced human operators were doing the mix. The system also
eectively reduces feedback and comb lter issues. For speech
applications, especially non-scripted situations, this allows the operator
to concentrate on details other than fader operation for consistently
high-quality mixes.
VCM Technology and Rupert Neve
Revolutionary Dan Dugan Automatic Mixer Built In
Toshifumi Kunimoto
Engineering Manager,
Research & Development Division

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Refined Interface for Intuitive Control
Straightforward
“Touch and Turn” Operation
The Yamaha Selected
Channel System
Touch and Turn operation, introduced in the CL series,
has been enthusiastically adopted by sound engineers
everywhere. The QL series oers the same operational
advantage: touch the parameter you want to control
on the screen, then rotate the Touch and Turn knob
that is below and to the right of the screen to adjust
as required. The color displayed below the knob
changes to match that of the selected parameter, for
quick conrmation and error-free control. It’s simple,
responsive, and very intuitive.
The Yamaha Selected Channel interface provides
a comprehensive overview of available channel
parameters with direct selection capability via its
large touch-panel display. The display is the same
type that was provided on the CL series consoles,
oering high visibility and smooth response for
stress free operation. Hands-on control via dedicated
physical controllers as well as an innovative Touch
and Turn knob provides speedy access to essential QL
console parameters for a fast, ecient workow.
Operators coming from analog or digital consoles will quickly become comfortable with
the QL consoles. Years of accumulated knowhow and feedback from users worldwide have
been applied in creating an interface that is simple while providing rened operation that
responds fully to the demands of a broad spectrum of real-world applications.

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Advanced Features Backed by
Efficient Design
You can have features galore, but if they’re not well integrated into a smoothly
operating system that provides easy access, their value will be greatly reduced.
Design of the QL series faders and knobs extends to the nest details of form and
materials. High visibility channel name displays and colors add to overall operation
ease and eciency as well. The interface is the vital connection between console and
engineer, and we have treated it with appropriate care and respect.
Faders Designed for Fit,
Feel, and Visual Feedback
Selected Channel Controls
for Direct, Instant Access
Comprehensive
Fader Bank Section
High Visibility
Channel Names and Colors
The operator’s sonic intent is conveyed
to the console primarily through the
faders. Inheriting the sports car bucket
seat styling of the CL series faders, the
QL faders provide comfortable, sure
operation regardless of where you
nger rests on the knob. Even the fader
knob materials have been selected for
optimum feel. The sides of the knobs
are specially sculpted to allow the fader
scale on the panel to be easily seen from
just about any angle.
The main Selected Channel parameters
are assigned to the knobs located to
the right of the display for immediate
access at any time. In addition to User
Dened Keys to which parameters can
be freely assigned, another traditional
Yamaha digital mixing console feature,
the QL consoles also have on-screen
User Dened Knobs that provide the
same assignable freedom for variable
parameters. In combination, the User
Dened Knobs and User Dened Keys
can signicantly enhance operation
speed and eciency.
All analog inputs are assigned to
one Fader Bank, while other input
and output channels are accessed by
switching banks. Four Custom Fader
Banks are also provided, and these allow
the user to set up any combination
of channels required for maximum
eciency in any application. Custom
Fader setups can also be stored with
scenes and instantly recalled when
needed.
Miniature display panels above each
channel fader show the channel name
as well as fader setting. There’s also
a color bar that glows in eight colors,
matching the channel colors shown in
the main touch-panel display for easy
visual identication. The eight colors
plus “black” provide a total of nine color
groupings. These high-visibility displays
oer excellent legibility in bright
outdoor lighting as well in dim indoor
settings.

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An expandable all-in-one solution
for small to medium scale live sound and corporate speech events

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Primary Switch Secondary Switch
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Flexible Network Capability
in an All-in-one Console
One Console May Be All You Need Superior Dante Networking Built In Redundancy for Reliability
Each QL series console provides extensive built-in
input and output capacity that can handle a variety of
applications without the need for stage boxes or other
external equipment (32 inputs and 16 outputs on the
QL5, and 16 ins and 8 outs on the QL1). For many jobs all
you need is one console, and that means vastly superior
portability as well as speedy setup.
Precision synchronization technology achieves low
latency and low jitter as well as high sample accuracy
in a network that is fast and simple to set up. Individual
IDs assigned to each device on a Dante network allow
automatic device detection as well as easy patching.
Speedy setup leaves more time for the all-important job
of setting up the mix.
Cables and switches can malfunction, but with Dante’s
support for redundant connections a problem on the
network won’t stop the show. Redundant primary and
secondary connections can be set up in a star network
configuration so that problems in any part of the
network won’t interrupt the signal flow or bring the
entire network down.
Network capability is essential in today’s live sound applications,
and the QL series oers all you need. In addition to their all-in-one
capabilities, QL series consoles come with the widely implemented
Dante digital audio networking protocol, developed by Audinate, as a
standard feature. That means the QL consoles can be combined with
other Dante capable devices, such as CL series consoles and R series
I/O rack units, to exibly create systems for applications of just about
any scale or complexity.

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“Port to Port” Enhances System Versatility
Capable Systems with Fewer Devices I/O Rack Sharing without Gain Complications
The ability to directly connect input ports to output ports without going through mixing
channels provides unprecedented freedom for routing signals between the analog, Dante,
and MY slot inputs and outputs. For example, a QL console could be used as an I/O device
for another QL or CL series console while simultaneously functioning as a monitor console.
Not only is just one QL console required for both monitor and I/O use, but analog gains
can be remotely controlled from the front-of-house QL or CL console. It’s also possible to
mix analog signals received at the console while directly transmitting them to a multitrack
recording system via Dante, for example. The possibilities are vast.
When sharing inputs between multiple consoles using Dante networking and Port to
Port capability, gain adjustments made from one console could potentially disrupt the
mix balance at another. The Gain Compensation function prevents such problems from
occurring. Gain compensation is automatically applied at the digital stage so that the total
gain sent out via the network remains constant.
“Port to Port” is a new Yamaha feature that allows QL series console inputs and outputs to be put to use as
elements of a larger system, providing unprecedented capabilities for interconnecting front-of-house and monitor
consoles, and much more. Gain Compensation enhances the versatility of this feature even more.

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Everything You Need for
Creative Engineering
QL series console include a virtual processing rack that lets the operator approach
selecting and patching internal processors in a way that’s similar to working with
external rack-mounted devices. All of the high-quality processors that received rave
reviews in the CL series are provided in the QL series consoles as well. Top-quality
sound-shaping tools for creative engineering are ready and accessible whenever
they’re needed.
Premium Rack Effect Rack GEQ Rack
Up to eight VCM processors, including the Portico
processors developed in cooperation with Rupert Neve
Designs that are standards in leading recording studios
throughout the world, can be mounted in the virtual rack
and used to deliver the kind of performance that only
high-end analog outboard processors have previously
been capable of. More importantly, that studio quality and
musical tonality are available for live sound applications.
Up to eight of the 46 available ambience eects and 8
available insert eects can be mounted in the QL virtual
rack. That selection includes a number of high-end Yamaha
REV-X reverb processors for sophisticated sonic control.
Any of the mounted eects can be individually switched to
graphic EQ operation as required.
The GEQ rack is ideal for inserting graphic EQ into the output
and other busses. Up to eight 31-band graphic equalizers
can be mounted, and any of those can be switched for use
as dual 15-band “Flex15GEQ” equalizers that can control any
15 bands selected from the 31 bands available. With eight
rack slots, that allows for a maximum of 16 simultaneous
EQ processors. Dan Dugan Automixer units can be inserted
in the input channels via the GEQ rack, providing up to 16
channels of automix for speech applications.

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2-track/Multitrack Recording
and Playback
Whether you want basic 2-track recording and playback, or full-blown multitrack
recording and playback capability, the QL series consoles make it easy. There’s direct
2-track recording to standard USB ash drives, or serious multitrack recording to a DAW
via Dante. Multitrack playback is handy for “virtual sound checks” when the musicians
aren’t available, and 2-track playback is for background music, and sound eects.
Convenient 2-track Recording to
USB Flash Drive
Smooth Support for
Multitrack Recording
A standard USB ash drive plugged into the
front-panel USB port serves as media for direct
2-track recording in mp3 format. There’s no need
to carry external recording equipment around,
and the recording can be handed to performers
as soon as the show is nished, for example.
Sound les in mp3, AAC, or WMA format saved
on the ash drive from a computer or other
source can be played back too, for convenient
BGM or sound eects without the need for extra
playback equipment.
The QL series consoles even make live
multitrack recording easy. With Dante Virtual
Soundcard software it becomes possible to
transfer audio directly to a Windows or Mac
computer connected to the Dante network.
With an appropriate DAW such as Steinberg
Nuendo Live (sold separately) running on the
computer, up to 64 tracks can be recorded
simultaneously. In addition to being the best way
to create professional quality recordings of live
performances, this capability is ideal for creating
the tracks needed for virtual sound checks.

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* QL StageMix can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store at no charge.
* Apple, the Apple logo, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered
in the U.S. and other countries.
Tight iPad and Computer Integration Today’s Mix Data for Tomorrow’s Show
With the “QL StageMix” app for iPad it is possible to mix remotely from audience seating or
the performer’s positions in front of oor monitors, for example. The QL5 even includes stays
that will support an iPad on the left side of its panel, sleekly integrating of the iPad into the QL
interface. There’s also the “QL Editor” application for Windows and Mac computers, allowing
console parameters to be set up via the computer, on or o line. The QL Editor is a great way to
manage scene and patch list data, for example, and keyboard entry capability can be a time-
saving advantage for typing channel names, etc. QL StageMix and QL Editor are great time
savers, and they can be used simultaneously.
Since QL and CL series mix data are compatible, data created on either type of console can
be directly read and used by the other. The time and eort spent setting up mix data for
one job can be carried over to other jobs. Moreover, the Yamaha Console File Converter
application provides compatibility with PM5D, M7CL, and LS9 consoles as well. All the data
you have carefully crafted can be put to good use in future situations.
QL StageMix QL Editor

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Lake ProcessingCascade for Large Systems
Lake processing has become a standard for speaker processing in live sound
applications, and it can easily be added to QL consoles via the MY card slots.
The MY8-LAKE expansion card, developed through technical cooperation
between Yamaha and Lab.gruppen, oers Mesa EQ, Ideal Graphic EQ, Linear
Phase EQ, and other processing features that are capable of achieving ideal tuning in a wide
variety of environments regardless of size, acoustic characteristics, or the types of speakers
used. Mesa EQ with its symmetrical curve can be inserted into input channels and used for
creative sound shaping as well as speaker processing. The possibilities are endless. The Lake
Controller computer application can be used for central management and control of all
Lake devices in the system, and it works well with Smaart acoustic measurement tools for
eective overall speaker tuning.
Multiple QL consoles can be cascade connected via I/O cards such as the MY16-AE to create
systems that oer the high channel capacities required by larger applications. QL consoles
can also be cascaded to the other Yamaha digital consoles such as CL series for broad system
exibility.
Expandable Capacity and Functionality
Console I/O and functions can be customized simply by inserting appropriate
Yamaha or third-party expansion cards into the Mini-YGDAI expansion slots provided.
QL series consoles feature dual Mini-YGDAI slots that can accept expansion cards
selected from a lineup of more than 30 types.
Mesa EQ Ideal Graphic EQ Linear Phase Crossover
For details about the available Mini-YGDAI cards visit the Yamaha Pro Audio website at:
http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/

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