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 Yamaha 01V At a Glance  
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arrowReleased: Summer 1998  arrowVersion: 0.00
arrowRated: 5.8/10arrow User reviews: (91)
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Mixer Matosis writes:
I've had this machine for a month now, after using a Spirit Folio SX for mixing. Moving from analogue to digital was far smoother than I anicipated, as the 01v is an extremely well designed bit of kit, and I could work things out straightaway without referring to the manual.

Sound-wise, the 01v impresses immediately, thanks to the digital signal path and 32 bit processing. The dynamic range is a massive 105 dB, which goes some way towards the quietness of this desk. It has 20 bit, 128 times oversampling ADCs and 20 bit, 8 times oversampling DACs. EQ is processed at 44 bits, more on this later.

The amount of control on offer is staggering, you can fine-tune every facet of your mix quickly and easily using the 4 band parametric EQ. Graphics help enormously here, as does the dedicated EQ section on the top panel. You just select the channel you want to modify, press the EQ mode button (or just tweak a knob, if your preference is set up like that) and use the band select buttons and frequency/gain knobs to adjust the EQ curve. In the EQ section on the panel there is a pan knob which looks SO out of place, it would be much better if it were a dedicated Q control. As it is, you just have to make do with Q assigned to the parameter wheel. Pressing Enter has the effect of switching the EQ on and off, which is very handy for A/B comparison.

As for the sound of the EQ, it can be savage or subtle depending on how you set it up. There's a lot of ill-founded negativity towards digital EQ, but I am very pleased with it. I was used to the 'legendary' 'British' EQ of the Folio SX, but the EQ on the 01v is no worse and yields far better results due to the enhanced control. You'll do well if you can find 4 band fully parametric EQ on any analogue mixer many times the price of the 01v.

In addition to the EQ, the other mix tools are the 22 dynamics processors, one for each input, aux sends and output. They are easy to set up due to the neat screen which shows the transfer curve, threshold/ratio/attack/release/gain/knee/hold settings and level meters for gain reduction and channel level. The processors sound fairly transparent with no real character, but this is not really an issue with me. Also, it's very easy to key gates from other channels due to the digital nature of the system, just highlight 'key in' and select the appropriate channel. Simplicity itself.

The other advantage of being digital is the EQ/dynamics library function. There are 40 preset EQ templates for a variety of applications and 40 dynamics templates. All very handy as starting points if you're in need of a quick fix.

Then there's the dual effects processors. All great and highly usable, and very easy to set send return levels. All effects are fully editable and there's plenty of locations to store your own.

The other big advantage of digital is full automation of every mix parameter. This is the main reason I bought mine. All EQ controls, pan settings, fader levels, mutes and so on can be assigned to Control Change numbers for recording/playback from a sequencer via MIDI. All mix parameters can be saved into a scene memory for instant recall, program change numbers can be assigned to the scenes for recall via MIDI. Bulk dumps of the 01v's settings can be made via MIDI also. A second 01v can be controlled remotely using the To Host port. As the faders are motorised, adjacent mono channels can be paired for stereo use, faders can be grouped together, and mutes can be grouped together. There is also a wealth of pan/routing options, and the monitor setup page is very detailed. Output dither can be switched in and out for word lengths of 16-24 bits, on the stereo digital out and the option outs.

As for the options, 8 addition digital inputs and outputs can be easily installed in the form of a slot-in card. Unlike most other expansion boards, you don't have to dismantle the unit to get the board in, just take of a small panel round the back and slide the card in along a guide until it engages, screw in place and you're done. Sadly, on these extra inputs you only have 2 band parametric EQ and no dynamics. The option channels can be swapped with the standard channels though, so if you're desparate for 4 band EQ and Dynamics on the digital inputs you can have it, at the expense of the other channels of course. Formats supported include AES/EBU, ADAT optical and TDIF, obviously intended for multitrack recording. If you don't use multitrack (which I don't) you can have 8 extra analogue inputs as balanced jacks (which I will) or 4 more analogue balanced outs on XLR.

Other features include separate delay lines on inputs/outputs, gain trim pots on the inputs (these aren't included in the scene memory, neither are the 26dB pads on the 12 mono inputs).

Gripes include the lack of aux returns, which have to be made down main mix channels, and the lack of insert points seems as though it will be a problem, but really the on-board dynamics eliminate the need. Last of all, I have to mention that this console is incredible value for money. You can pick one up for £1100 new (less if you part-ex your old mixer). When you consider all the features and power it offers and what it can do for your music, it is possibly the best investment you can make for the same money. The 01v is essentially an 03D with fewer channels, no mix sequencer and a few less bells and whistles. After working with this for just a month, no way could I go back to analogue.

Good Points
Pristine, transparent sound. Fantastically intuitive to use. 4 band parametric on every channel. Very useful dynamics processing, easy to set up. Revealing on-screen metering, loads of metering/monitoring options.
Bad Points
No aux returns (input channels have to be used) The 'Pan' knob should really be a dedicated Q control.
 

 Yamaha 01V Specifications:

Digital IOs:
Stereo i/o on S/PDIF coax
Analog IOs:
12 mono (XLR/bal. jack) 2 stereo (bal. jack) 4 omni out (bal. jack) mix out (2x male XLR)
Midi IOs:
in/out/thru
Other IOs:
2-track i/o (RCA phono), monitor out (bal. jack), headphones (1/4
Busses/Subgroups: 4
Aux sends: 4 aux sends
Maximum Resolution:44.1kHz sampling rate, 32 bit processing (internal
EQ:
4 band fully parametric on inputs 1-16, fx returns, aux sends and stereo out
Dynamics:
22 processors (compressor, gate, expander, ducker, compander)
FX:
2 separate processors
Software supported:
-
Upgrades/Extras:
8 digi i/o as AES/EBU, ADAT optical, TDIF, 4 extra outs (XLR) or 8 extra analogue ins (balanced jack)

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