ANAHEIM, Calif. — To help small and medium-sized venues and touring productions get the most from their live sound mixing boards at a reasonable price, Yamaha introduces its new IM8 series of analog consoles.

IM8-40 Analog Mixing Console

The eight-bus IM8 series, which fill a large gap in the analog console market, includes the same build-quality and rigorous testing procedures as the wildly successful PM series mixing consoles and will be available in three models with 24 (IM8-24), 32 (IM8-32) and 40 (IM8-40) channels, respectively. All three models inherit technology from Yamaha's professional consoles and deliver low-noise, intuitive operation. With Yamaha's innovative single-knob compression feature, operators can dial in the right amount of compression simply and quickly.

"We've gotten many requests from sound engineers looking for smaller format consoles with advanced features and a competitive price," said Wayne Hrabak, marketing manager, Live Sound, Yamaha Pro Audio & Combo Division. "These new mixers offer all the tone-shaping features that just about any sound pro would want, but they are simple to operate."

All mono input channels feature both balanced XLR and TRS phone jacks, with individually switchable +48v phantom power, 26-dB pad switch, gain control, pan pot and four-band EQ with sweepable mids. Each mono input channel also includes a polarity switch and 80 Hz high-pass filter switch. Four stereo input channels provide L and R phone jack inputs, phono jack stereo pairs, input gain control, balance control and four-band EQ.

All inputs feature eight individual AUX send controls that can be switched in pairs for pre-fader or post-fader operation, and can be set pre- or post-EQ via internal jumpers. The noiseless faders are 100mm long to allow for greater control over the levels. A comprehensive master section provides extensive signal routing and control versatility, while an output matrix affords extra output flexibility, particularly for installations. In addition to offering direct outs on all mono channels, the boards include a USB port to accommodate direct digital recording and playback with the supplied Cubase AI4 audio workstation software.

The IM8-24, IM8-32 and IM8-40 are currently shipping.

For more information, visit Yamaha at Winter NAMM 2009 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel Marquis Ballroom; write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Live Sound, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/livesound.