MX12/4

The highest gain in any mixing console is in the "head amplifiers" (the first-stage amps that amplify the received microphone or line signal to workable levels). Unless they're designed with extra care, head amplifiers can be a major source of noise and distortion. Then there's inter-stage matching, internal impedance, circuit layout, grounding, component selection, and a veritable plethora of other factors that affect performance and the mixer's overall "sound".

Here's where Yamaha technology makes a real difference. Whether you're using microphone or line input, Yamaha's high-performance head amplifiers give you an exceptionally clean, quiet signal to start with. Then you can equalize, route, adjust and mix the individual sources to your heart's content and still have a clean, precise signal at the outputs.

A good mixer must do more than just mix. Signal-routing and patching flexibility is essential. The MX12/4's four independent group busses are a big plus. So are the flexibility of its monitoring and effects send/return systems. Little extras like insertion patch points also help. A really good mixer will let you do everything you need to do in just about any situation. That's asking a lot, but the Yamaha MX12/4 responds with ease and grace that are rare in this class.

RF (Radio Frequency) noise can make the cleanest, quietest circuitry virtually worthless. Radio frequencies aren't only generated by radio stations, either; motors, video monitors, and digital equipment of almost any kind are just a few common sources. The MX12/4 boasts outstanding RF noise rejection, so you can use it just about anywhere without picking up unwanted interference that can degrade your signal.

Yamaha's broad background in the sound reinforcement, musical instrument, professional audio, and related fields usually leads to innovative features that significantly enhance performance and/or versatility. The MX12/4's built-in digital reverb system or the 7-band graphic equalizer, are examples. Neither feature is common in this class, but both give the MX12/4 an important advantage in terms of controllability and convenience.

From connectors to controls to chassis, the MX12/4 is built to last. "Portable" is really a synonym for "will probably be thrown around" (although we don't recommend it), so extra care was taken to ensure that the MX12/4 will stand up to even the roughest conditions on the road. Your sound depends on it.

Yamaha never has "tweaked" specifications. Never will. It's amazing how mediocre specs can be made to look impressive by simply optimizing test conditions. The electrical specifications we publish are all brutally honest, measured under the stated and/or industry-standard conditions. When in doubt, we urge you to use the most sensitive sound measurement devices available; your own ears. They'll tell you who you can trust.

Gain trim controls with a 44-dB range and LED peak indicators on all mono and stereo inputs facilitate optimum level matching with a wide range of sources.

3-band equalization on each input channel can be used to bring out the best in the sound of individual instruments of voices, emphasize a channel in relation to others, blend the sound of several channels, create special effects, reduce noise, and much more.

Independent monitor and effect send controls on each channel provide considerable signal-routing flexibility. The effect send output can be switched to function as a second distributed monitor output while the effect send controls feed the MX12/4's internal digital signal processor system.

Smooth, noise-free linear faders make it easy to set up the optimum balance between channels, while odd/even bus assign switches with pan controls allow the input channel signals to be assigned to any or all of the mixer's four group busses. Each group buss has its own linear fader and group output.

The MX12/4 has 8 mono input channels with both balanced XLR-type microphone inputs and balanced/unbalanced TRS phone jack line inputs. Switchable phantom power for all balanced inputs provides direct compatability with high-performance phantom-powered condenser microphones. Stereo line sources can be directly connected to either of 2 stereo channels to be used for mono signals.

Insert send/return patch points are included on channels 1 through 4 for convenient insertion of compressor/limiters (a must for top quality vocal sound), equalizers, or any other outboard equipment you might need to apply to individual channels.

Yamaha is a major name in professional digital signal processing. The same type of technology is packed into the MX12/4 for fuss-free convenience. An internal digital signal processor provides a choice of three high-quality reverb effects – VOCAL, LARGE HALL, and SMALL HALL – so no outboard signal processing equipment is required if all you need is basic reverb.

A feature that will be particularly appreciated in sound-reinforcement applications is 7-band graphic equalization on the stereo outputs. Not only does this allow detailed overall response shaping, but it also makes it easy to identify and cut feedback frequencies for effective feedback control.

Rec outputs provide a line-level stereo output for convenient recording of the main program, while tape inputs with a level control allow the output from a recorder or other line-level source to be added to the console's stereo signal.

A separate stereo fader and balanced stereo outputs can be switched to receive signal either from the odd/even groups or groups 3 and 4 only, according to individual grouping and signal routing requirements.

The master control section includes master monitor and effect send and return level controls. Stereo external effect return inputs are provided for compatibility with stereo-output effect units. The external effect send and returns can be used at the same time as the internal digital reverb system. In fact, the internal reverb has its own return level controls; one feeding the stereo line and one feeding the monitor bus for "wet" monitoring.

Convenient monitoring is provided by control-room monitor and phone output jacks, with an independent level control, which can be switched to monitor the signal from the stereo outputs, the monitor1 and effect/monitor2 outputs, or the tape inputs. 12-segment peak-reading level meters provide accurate visual monitoring of the signal appearing at the CR monitor and phones outputs.