SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. will add to its already extensive line of digital audio network solutions for the installation and tour sound markets with the U.S. preview of the SB168-ES Stage Box during the AES Show. The new digital Stage Box will be located in the company's demo room, #120, and will be used as part of two training classes offered throughout the show. The classes will be 60-90 minutes in length and will cover Digital Networks for Sound Reinforcement and an Advanced Class on the Yamaha PM5D-EX console. Check the Yamaha ad on the back cover of the AES Daily each day for specific times.

The cost-effective SB168-ES is a scalable solution offering 16 channels of remote-controlled analog mic/line inputs, each with its own high-quality head amp, combined with eight line outputs, all at 48 kHz. The SB168-ES is a 'perfect companion' to the M7CL and LS9 digital consoles and can also be used and controlled by PM5D, DM1000, DM2000 consoles as well as DME digital mixing engines. Up to four digital Stage Box units can be connected offering a total of 64 inputs and 32 outputs, depending on the number of YGDAI card slots available on the specific console. The inputs and outputs can also be assigned to any of the 64 channels on an AuviTran ES-100 unit for EtherSound connectivity. Easy to set up, the SB168-ES is ultra-noise resistant and ensures that audio quality is maximized by keeping the length of microphone cables as short as possible.

"The SB168-ES was developed from market demand to provide a cost-effective networking solution," states Marc Lopez, marketing manager, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc., "to further enhance the flexibility of our digital console line." The company notes that sales of M7CL and LS9 digital consoles have reached over 21,000 in just three years, and mark this achievement as they enter the 21st year since the launch of the first Yamaha digital mixer.

The M7CL and LS9 have opened up many new markets for Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems by introducing the advantages of professional quality digital audio. The compact size, extensive features, reliability and performance enable the company to recommend these products for a broader range of applications.

The SB168-ES Stage Box has a target availability of first quarter of 2009.

For more information on the new SB168-ES Stage Box, visit Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. at the AES Exhibition, Demo Room 120, Moscone Center; write Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc., 6600 Orangethorpe Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90620; e-mail casales@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamahaca.com.