Yamaha debuted the company’s new TF Series digital mixing consoles at Prolight+Sound 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The TF5 (MSRP: $4,200), TF3 (MSRP: $3,500) and TF1 (MSRP: $2,950) are scheduled to begin shipping in May 2015. The Tio1608-D and NY64-D (MSRP: TBD) are scheduled to ship in Spring 2016.
Aimed at new users and experienced professionals looking to work faster than ever, the TF Series (“TF” stands for “TouchFlow Operation”) brings time saving performance capabilities, such as fast, accurate gain setup, single step compression and EQ, and microphone specific presets to sound reinforcement applications.
The TF Series comprises three compact digital mixing consoles: the TF5, with 33 motor faders and 32 rear panel analog inputs; TF3, with 25 motor faders and 24 rear panel analog inputs; and TF1, which features 17 motor faders along with 16 rear panel analog inputs. Each console includes recallable Yamaha D-PRE preamplifiers for the first time in a digital console, which facilitates support for live music and events where full setup changes need to be made on the fly.
There are a total of 48 inputs on the TF5 and TF3, with 40 on the TF1, including dual stereo analog/USB digital inputs and dual returns. Advanced live recording features include up to 34×34 channel recordingand playback via USB 2 and 2×2 with a USB storage device. All of this, plus seamless operation with high-performance I/O racks, makes the TF Series an outstanding choice for a wide range of applications.
Yamaha TF3 digital mixing console
TouchFlow Operation is a new approach to console control that combines elements of Yamaha’s well-regarded user interfaces with an advanced touch panel system, allowing sound engineers to respond to the music and artists on stage with unprecedented speed and freedom.
Single-knob COMP and 1-knob EQ features make it easy to dial in the ideal sound via a single rotary control on inputs for adjusting individual sources and on outputs for overall sound control. The GainFinder feature facilitates optimum gain setup for individual input signals for overall signal quality.
The TF mixers also provide input and output channel presets created in cooperation and consultation with leading microphone manufacturers such as Shure, Sennheiser and Audio-Technica, as well as accomplished engineers. The input channel presets are made to match a span of musical instruments and voices, covering parameters such as head amp gain, EQ, dynamics and more, including details such as channel name and color. Output channel presets include parameters optimized for in-ear monitors and Yamaha powered speakers, with variations to match different environments and room sizes.
Augmenting the consoles, separate software applications allow for wireless mixing, personal monitor mixing and offline setup with TF Series consoles. The TF Editor, TF StageMix and MonitorMix applications feature user interfaces that seamlessly extend the consoles’ own capabilities on any compatible device.
The TF Series also features powerful processing and effects for which Yamaha is famous. In addition to parametric EQ and dynamics processors on each channel, TF consoles offer eight powerful processors for wide-ranging sonic control. Two of these are globally accessible and feature the same type of Yamaha SPX processors that have become an industry standard in recording and live sound applications. The remaining six processors are available in the AUX 9/10–19/20 master channels. The AUX 1–8 buses and main output channels include the same four-band parametric EQ as provided on the input channels, plus 31-band Flex12 GEQ.
All TF models include a slot for an optional NY64-D I/O expansion card that allows transmission and reception of up to 128 channels (64 in/64 out) via a Dante audio network. Used in conjunction with Yamaha’s new Tio1608-D I/O Rack, it becomes possible to create an exceptionally versatile and expandable stage box system with up to 48 inputs and 24 outputs.
An optional RK5014 Rack Mount Kit will also be available for mounting the TF1 console in a standard 19-inch EIA equipment rack.
Find more information at usa.yamaha.com/products/live_sound/mixers.
Watch Yamaha’s video on YouTube, ‘Yamaha TF Series Digital Mixing Consoles – Design Meets Intuition’.
