PM1D at Pre-Inauguration Concert

BUENA PARK, Calif. — A defining moment in history as 44 takes the oath of office making Burack Obama the first African–American President of the United States, and Yamaha consoles were there to share the sound mix with the world for many of the events held in DC, LA and NY. With over 1.5 million jamming the National Mall to witness history, the Inaugural began with Aretha Franklins version of 'America the Beautiful' followed by a performance by Cellist Yo–Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill. The Swearing-In Ceremony and all the events taking place on the Capitol steps were mixed on a pair of Yamaha PM5D digital audio consoles. Audio production for the ceremony was provided by MSI (Baltimore, MD).


As people watched in public viewing areas in Los Angeles

Yamaha PM5D at Inauguration

and in New York at Times Square and Rockefeller Center, Yamaha consoles wereresponsible for the local mix as Obama took the oath of office. From the open-to-the-public Neighborhood Ball to the Youth Ball, President Obama and the First Lady danced to several versions of the Etta James classic 'At Last' sung Beyoncé at the Neighborhood Ball. Firehouse (NY) provided two Yamaha PM1Ds for the Icon Awards (BET), three PM1Ds for music and one PM5D for production for the Youth Ball featuring Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, and a PM1D for front of house at the "Yes We Will" Ball (BET).


The mega pre–Inaugural concert held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Sunday afternoon featured performances by U2, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder among others, using a Yamaha PM1D digital audio console provided by Clair Bros. (Littiz, PA).