InfoComm 2018: Yamaha Reveals New Audio Equipment for Home, Business Use; Subsidiary Changes Name

Yamaha has made several announcements at InfoComm 2018 in Las Vegas, including two new NXAMP MK2 NEXO Amplifiers, expanded Dante support for its CL/QL Series of audio consoles, and more. 

Two New NXAMP MK2 NEXO Amplifiers
Two new additions to the NEXO range of NXAMP TD controllers made their debut in Yamaha demo room #N113. The new NXAMP4x1 MK2 and NXAMP4x2 MK2 present NEXO expertise in DSP control in lighter, sleeker 2U packages with front panel touch screen control enabling faster and easier navigation, and giving direct access to all essential parameters including: Array EQ, Mute and Meters, EQ Detail, User EQ, Inputs, Load Monitoring, Log, Scene, Setup, System Headroom, as well as Volume, Gain, and Delays.

A native, dual Ethernet port offers seamless integration with NEXO proprietary NeMo system management software. Amplifiers can be remote-controlled and daisy-chained via a standard Remote Control card with optional Dante, EtherSound and AES/EBU network cards available. Four high-end analog inputs use cascaded converters for low output noise, and four digital inputs are available through the rear panel expansion card slot offering optional AES/EBU, EtherSound, Dante, or AES67 inputs — all with automatic analog fall-back. In addition to the expansion card slot, other rear panel connectivity includes RS232 serial and GPIO ports along with Speakon outputs for each of the four channels.

Yamaha VXL1-16P Speaker, SWR2311P-10G Intelligent L2 Switch
The VXL1-16P is a PoE-powered, Dante-enabled line-source speaker. No power amp is required for the VXL1-16P. By deriving power and network communication over the same cable, the VXL1-16P simplifies wiring and can be remotely monitored for uptime. The VXL1-16P comes with wall brackets for flush mounting and uses the same accessories as the similarly designed VXL1 passive speaker line for angle adjustments or pole mounting.

The Yamaha SWR2311P-10G L2 is a half-rack 10-port, 1Gbit enterprise-grade network switch. Addressing the PoE-hungry needs of installed sound today, the switch offers a massive 240W PoE budget — supplying the maximum possible 30W PoE on all 8 PoE-driven ports simultaneously. The SWR2311P-10G powers from a standard IEC port. Network ports 1-8 capably drive PoE-powered speakers like the new Yamaha VXL1-16P speaker as well as touch panel controls, conference mics, cameras, Dante computer audio interfaces, and WiFi access points. Ports 9-10 are traditional combo ports, using more RJ45s or SFP slots for fiber connection. The SWR2311P-10G is built for speed and offers configuration presets for Dante optimization. It can also be manually configured for changes to VLANs, LAGs, ACLs, and more. Network health can be managed using Yamaha LAN Monitor software or using SNMP for links to existing IT monitor systems.

Expanded Dante Device Support for the Next Yamaha CL/QL Series Update
Regular updates have significantly enhanced the convenience and performance of Yamaha CL and QL Series Digital Audio Consoles since the products’ initial release. As of the next firmware update, Yamaha will begin expanding the number of supported Dante devices.

Expanded Dante device support is planned for products from five manufacturers, in addition to NEXO and Yamaha, covering a total of 10 products: Rupert Neve Designs RMP-D8 8-Channel Remote Control Dante Mic Pres; Sennheiser EM6000 Digital Wireless Receiver; Shure AD4D and AD4Q Axient Digital Wireless Receiver; Sony DWR-R03D DWX Digital Wireless Receiver; Stagetec NEXUS(XDIP) Multichannel I/O Board; NEXO DTD Digital TD Controller and NXAMPMK2 Powered TD Controller; and Yamaha DZR (Dante models) Powered Loudspeakers, MRX7-D, and MTX5-D Matrix Processors.

Next Generation of Loudspeakers and Subwoofers with Dante Integration and Extra Processing Power
The DZR line of powered speakers, along with the DXS-XLF powered subwoofers, use high-performance components and the latest DSP to provide superior audio quality. The digital processing in all powered models – both speakers and subwoofers – is all done at 96kHz. The DZR and DXS series are also available with Dante integration. These “D” models incorporate smart system integration with Yamaha Consoles and other Dante devices via a 2in/2out I/O configuration. Using the Analog I/O and the Dante break-IN and break-OUT capabilities inside these speakers makes flexible routing and system configuration options easy to set up.

The CZR series of passive speakers are ideal for those installations where power amplifiers are used remotely. Adding their companion CXS-XLF subwoofers will extend a sound system’s bottom end dramatically (down to 29Hz) for more bass-heavy applications, and like their powered counterparts, the CZR and CXS-XLF feature best-in-class SPL performance. When paired with Yamaha PX Series amplifiers or other compatible processors, the loudspeakers take full advantage of dedicated speaker processor tuning settings to produce DZR-quality sound. The speakers are housed in a lightweight, durable, 15mm-thick plywood cabinet, coated with military-grade polyurea to withstand the rigors of travel, handling and weather. The cabinets are equipped with plenty of fly-points, suitable for standard eyebolts and specialized U-brackets for convenient flying and hanging installation.

New Rio3224-D2 and Rio1608-D2 Dante Network I/O Racks with Enhanced Sound, Reliability, and Visibility
Two new Dante equipped I/O Rack units for the company’s professional audio lineup are being added: the Rio3224-D2 and Rio1608-D2. Together with the new CSD-R7 control surface to be released simultaneously, the I/O Racks are components of the RIVAGE PM Series, including the new RIVAGE PM7 Digital Mixing System. They can also be used with current CL and QL Series Digital Mixing Consoles.

The Dante network audio protocol was first introduced to the R series I/O Racks in the Rio3224-D and Rio1608-D released simultaneously with the CL Series in 2012. The lineup was then expanded with the input-only Ri8-D, the output-only Ro8-D, the RMio64-D with Dante/MADI conversion capability, and the RSio64-D for connectivity between Dante and the company’s extensive Mini-YGDAI card lineup. The Rio3224-D2 and Rio1608-D2 include dual power supply units to minimize the possibility of power loss during a show. If a problem occurs with one power source, operation will continue unaffected as long as the second power source is active. Internal airflow has been redesigned as well, reducing fan noise for notably quieter operation. The inclusion of character/icon displays rather than the basic LED indicators of the first-generation models allows quick, easy confirmation of Dante settings as well as metering, gain, high-pass filters, and phantom power.

Yamaha RIVAGE PM7 Offers PM10 Experience, Integrated Portability, Flexibility, and High Capacity Cards
The core of the RIVAGE PM7 system includes the CSD-R7 Digital Mixing Console, TWINLANe-based RPio622 and RPio222 I/O Racks, and Dante-based Rio3224-D2 and Rio1608-D2 I/O Racks. The CSD-R7 Digital Mixing Console is the central component of the RIVAGE PM7 system, positioned directly below the current RIVAGE PM10 Digital Mixing System. The CSD-R7 is the same size as the RIVAGE PM10 system CS-R10 control surface, but with the DSP engine built into the console offering enhanced portability and system flexibility while maintaining high operability.

The panel layout of the RIVAGE PM7 is the same as the flagship RIVAGE PM10. With 120 input channels, 60 mix buses, 24 matrices, and a comprehensive selection of 48 top-quality plug-ins, the PM7 provides mixing capacity that is comparable to the RIVAGE PM10 (the latter has 144 input channels, 72 mix buses, 36 matrices, and 50 plug-ins). A Dual Console function also allows the CSD-R7 to be connected to one of the RIVAGE PM10 system control surfaces (CS-R10 or CS-R10-S).

Two new high-capacity cards extend the interface capability of the RIVAGE PM Series. The HY144-D-SRC Dante Audio interface card offers up to 144 channels of integrated Sample Rate Conversion to a wide variety of Dante devices and applications allowing for non-synchronous connectivity. Four modes of operation can be utilized: 144 inputs with SRC, 144 outputs with SRC, 72 I/O with SRC, or 144 I/O with no SRC. The HY128-MD offers up to 128 channels of MADI with Sample Rate conversion using either coaxial or optical interfacing for connection to recording systems or MADI-based infrastructure. The HY144-D-SRC and HY128-MD will be available in the fall.

The YVC-200 for On-the-Go Conferencing
Yamaha has announced the debut of its YVC-200 portable USB + Bluetooth speakerphone designed to provide users with ample, clear sound no matter where they work. Building on the benefits of its market-leading portfolio of conference phones, the YVC-200 portable conferencing unit leverages superior audio technology to boost productivity when meeting remotely.

The compact device fits in the palm of the user’s hand and is integrated with Yamaha’s leading sound processing technologies, including adaptive echo cancellation, Human Voice Activity Detection that focuses the unit on speech rather than background noise. The unit features intelligent microphones that deliver full-duplex conversation without sound dropouts, even when multiple people are speaking at once. In addition, powerful built-in speakers deliver audio that sounds true to life, so it feels as if every remote participant on the call is in the room. Equipped with USB and Bluetooth with fast pairing to NFC-enabled devices, the YVC-200 can connect to a PC, smartphone, or tablet. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of operation. It is operating system agnostic and fully compatible with commonly used OSs and remote conferencing systems.

Complete, Ready-to-Install Conference Solution for Large Conference Rooms and Boardrooms
The ready-to-install professional audio system comprises an eight-channel Executive Elite wireless microphone package, two VXL 1-16 PoE speaker arrays, a preconfigured digital signal processor, a five-port PoE switch, Dante AVIO USB adapter, and cabling. Once set up, the Yamaha YAI-1 Conference Ensemble is ready to connect to an organization’s chosen UC platform through a single USB cable, such as Skype for Business, Cisco Webex, GoToConference, Zoom, BlueJeans, Amazon Chime and many others. Ensuring that every participant can hear and be heard clearly, the bundle includes two 16-element PoE powered line array speakers that deliver high-quality audio throughout the room and a wireless microphone system that enables flexible, superior audio capture and stress-free conversation. The system is available in two microphone options: an eight-gooseneck microphone package for boardrooms, or seven table-top microphones and one wearable microphone for presentation flexibility in conference rooms.

Utilizing Yamaha’s advanced audio engineering expertise, the system features adaptive AEC algorithms and dynamic microphone mixing technology that drives the best-in-class audio experience and allows enterprise IT departments to enhance the AV offering in the room with a professional, easy-to-install system. The company’s YVC-200, YVC-300, YVC-1000, FLX UC 500, FLX UC 1000, and FLX UC 1500 conference phones, along with the CS-700 Video Sound Bar, feature powerful, high-fidelity audio capabilities that combine premium loudspeaker, microphones, and audio technology such as acoustic echo cancellation, ultrawide frequency response, and full duplex support. The result is incredibly clear-sounding audio for video- and audio-conferencing, softphone calls, or webinars with USB ports that make it easy to connect to any PC, Mac, or Chromebook and improve users’ communications experience for whichever collaboration software they use, no matter the room size.

Name of Yamaha U.S. Subsidiary Revolabs Changed
Yamaha Corporation announced that its 100% subsidiary Revolabs has changed its company name to Yamaha Unified Communications. Founded in 2005, Revolabs has developed, manufactured, and marketed remote conferencing systems, wireless microphone systems, and other UC products. Since becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha in 2014, it has played a role in Yamaha’s growing UC business activities.