Yamaha CL5

The Yamaha CL5 is a professional digital mixing console designed for high-end live sound reinforcement, broadcast, and installation applications. Positioned at the top of the CL series, it offers a balance of flexibility, powerful processing, and an intuitive workflow, making it a staple in touring, theater, and house of worship environments. Featuring 72 mono + 8 stereo mix channels and a maximum Dante network integration, the CL5 is built around Yamaha’s Centralogic™ interface, providing a highly responsive and tactile mixing experience. The three fader banks, each with eight motorized faders, allow for rapid access to different input layers, while the inclusion of a dedicated master fader section enhances efficiency in live mixing scenarios. The console also incorporates a touchscreen interface, streamlining access to EQ, dynamics, and routing configurations, reducing the need for excessive menu diving.

One of the CL5’s standout features is its seamless integration with Dante audio networking, allowing for high-channel, low-latency digital audio transport across multiple devices. This provides unmatched flexibility when interfacing with Yamaha’s R-series I/O racks, such as the Rio3224-D2 or Rio1608-D2, enabling scalable system configurations that can accommodate various venue sizes. The CL5 also boasts high-resolution Rupert Neve Designs (RND) Silk emulation, which adds a rich analog warmth to the digital domain, a feature highly appreciated by engineers aiming to recreate classic studio tones in a live setting. Additionally, the Virtual Soundcheck function, powered by Dante, allows users to record and playback multi-track audio directly through Steinberg’s Nuendo Live software, significantly enhancing pre-show preparation and post-show analysis.

From a processing standpoint, the CL5 offers comprehensive DSP capabilities, including Premium Rack effects such as Yamaha’s renowned VCM (Virtual Circuit Modeling) technology, which emulates analog gear with stunning accuracy. The 16 mix buses, 8 matrix outputs, and 2 stereo buses provide extensive routing flexibility, making it ideal for handling complex productions. The console is also designed with a multi-user workflow in mind, supporting customizable user permissions and recallable scenes, ensuring consistency across different engineers and events. Furthermore, the Yamaha StageMix and MonitorMix apps enable wireless control via iPads and smartphones, adding an extra layer of convenience for both front-of-house and monitor engineers. With its robust construction, extensive networking capabilities, and powerful onboard processing, the Yamaha CL5 remains a premier choice for professionals seeking a reliable, feature-rich digital console for demanding live sound applications.