So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

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Matt Vivlamore

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Jan 11, 2011
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I am looking to update/upgrade my Yamaha 01v96 from 12 XLRs to at least a 16x8 XLR digital console.

Should I spend a little more money and get the LS9-16? It'll allow me to bounce show files between the 2 consoles without any problems (hardly ever use 33-64 layer on my LS9-32).

I haven't done much research yet.... but I was looking at the Allen Heath Qu-16, Behringer x32 Producer, Mackie DL1608+iPad and/or Soundcraft Expression 16 (in that order).
 
Matt Vivlamore said:
I am looking to update/upgrade my Yamaha 01v96 from 12 XLRs to at least a 16x8 XLR digital console.

Should I spend a little more money and get the LS9-16? It'll allow me to bounce show files between the 2 consoles without any problems (hardly ever use 33-64 layer on my LS9-32).

I haven't done much research yet.... but I was looking at the Allen Heath Qu-16, Behringer x32 Producer, Mackie DL1608+iPad and/or Soundcraft Expression 16 (in that order).
Click to expand...

I presume you would be looking at a used LS9?

If the price is right then having 2 desks with the same operation flow is a feature.
One thing about the LS9 is that there are only the XLR inputs so you have to use some for playback.



Sent from my iPad HD
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Matt Vivlamore said:
I am looking to update/upgrade my Yamaha 01v96 from 12 XLRs to at least a 16x8 XLR digital console.

Should I spend a little more money and get the LS9-16? It'll allow me to bounce show files between the 2 consoles without any problems (hardly ever use 33-64 layer on my LS9-32).

I haven't done much research yet.... but I was looking at the Allen Heath Qu-16, Behringer x32 Producer, Mackie DL1608+iPad and/or Soundcraft Expression 16 (in that order).
Click to expand...

I say go with the Soundcraft Expression 16, Behringer X32 Rack, Mackie's DL1608 or the Allen and Heath Au16 not necessarily in that order. I would pass on the older Yamaha digital mixer unless you have a compelling reason (other than show file swapping). To me this situation is kind of like wireless mics. I am hoping to wait until we find out what the spectrum allocation policy of our government is going to be before buying more. In the same vein I want to see what Yamaha and all the other manufacturers do to respond to the success and innovation in the X32.

Good luck with your decision!
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

I love my 01v96. I have mine fully outfitted for 28 ins and 20 outs, full recording via firewire, and I can remote mix on a tablet or ipad/iphone. I can do things with the 01v96 that not even the M7 will do. The one thing I can NOT do with it is give it to a guest engineer and have them be competent with it. For that reason alone I would look into the LS9.


FWIW, there has been nothing out there that would touch the 01v96 feature for feature until the x32 came out. Even then the 01v96 has Yamaha written on the front, and that means a lot. I don't think I'll be giving mine up any time soon.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Everybody has an opinion so I will give mine. It really depends on what is important to you. The LS9 is compatible with what you currently own, is more road worthy than the other units you mentioned, and is somewhat more rider friendly (although I don't often see only 16 channels on a rider). The fact that it is still a useable console is something to be said for Yamaha. I would not consider the DL1608 in the running but the other consoles sound an order of magnitude better than the LS9 and are a lot more intuitive in my opinion. The A to D and D to A converters and clocking are at least one if not 2 generations newer on the other consoles and the feature set is much more advanced as well as the actual hardware and computer technology. I personally like the X32 series the best but that is just my personal preference. What would you rather mix on? I would guess any engineer that would accept an LS9-16 would be comfortable on the A&H, X32, and Soundcraft, I know I would. The DL1608 is cool for what it is but is not remotely in the same league as the rest sound or feature wise.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Eric has it pretty much down cold. I will also leave the DL1608 out since I don't think it is in the same league as the others.

All of these mixers sound fantastic. Some information that may help you decide....

Qu16 - Best built in multi-track recording (no computer needed, just an external USB hard drive). Can not be expanded beyond 16 channels. No DCA's, no Matrix mixes. OK iPad app, but not as complete as others.

Expression Si - up to 66 channel mixing (the most in this class of mixer). No built in multi-track recording (can get it with a 1K MADI card expansion though).

X32 Producer - Most feature rich of the bunch. Expandable to 32 XLR inputs (40 input total). Most complete iPad app. The only one in the bunch which supports Android apps. Up to 10 remote controls at one time. Without the LCD scribble strips, the 8 fader layers would be quite a handful if you had more than 16 channels. Even with only 2 layers, I don't care for the workflow needing 2 layers of tape to see what you are controlling. It is possible that the V2 firmware will address this and allow all 16 faders (17 including the main output) to be used for individual channels all at once.... but it doesn't right now. The 5" screen is smaller than the bigger brothers (7") which makes using the rotary knobs under the soft menus very confusing to use since they don't line up under the soft menus.

Hope this helps.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Yamaha is offering dealers significant discounts on LS9's through the end of the year, and any I/O cards purchased on the same PO (up to the quantity that will fit inside the desk on the PO). I would expect local dealers to pass on the savings.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

I had the 01v96VCM until September last year.
I sold it and got an X32 (full size; ironically you can still only access 16 channels at a time on the front panel, like the 01v96).
Way more functionality and flexibility (the digital snake and Ultranet personal monitoring were the big selling points fro me).

Also, I found that the Yamaha desks I'd owned and used (01v96, LS9) had a 'sound' to them.
Gig recordings made with the 01v96 didn't sound as good as when I'd use non-Yamaha desks (e.g. A&H, Soundcraft, etc).
The X32 sounds a lot cleaner to my ears.

I'd say that you're looking at the right range of desks.
The LS9, good as it was at the time, is yesterdays news.

Karl.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Scott Bolt said:
Qu16 - Best built in multi-track recording (no computer needed, just an external USB hard drive). Can not be expanded beyond 16 channels. No DCA's, no Matrix mixes. OK iPad app, but not as complete as others.
Click to expand...

Most probably you can record with the X32 and just an external drive, with the new installed XUSB card (Included, so not the older with USB and firewire) and the new firmware which is on the way...
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Antoon van den Oetelaar said:
Most probably you can record with the X32 and just an external drive, with the new installed XUSB card (Included, so not the older with USB and firewire) and the new firmware which is on the way...
Click to expand...
Will need a computer, only the still being developed direct to disc recording card will allow this
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Antoon van den Oetelaar said:
Most probably you can record with the X32 and just an external drive, with the new installed XUSB card (Included, so not the older with USB and firewire) and the new firmware which is on the way...
Click to expand...
a bit misleading statement - If this were to be the case a lot of early purchaser of the x32 would be v peeved to say the least - Daniel is right it will require a new card. But having a Laptop to record to is no real hassle allows recording straight to the DAW and xedit can run along side it - well with no problems on my lap top anyway

(what is up with this editor? keeps failing to recognise key presses!)
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

David Sturzenbecher said:
Yamaha is offering dealers significant discounts on LS9's through the end of the year, and any I/O cards purchased on the same PO (up to the quantity that will fit inside the desk on the PO). I would expect local dealers to pass on the savings.
Click to expand...

The cost on the board didn't drop much... the more of the saving comes into play because they put together a Kit Package on the digital snake (stage box, card & cable).
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Nick Davis said:
a bit misleading statement - If this were to be the case a lot of early purchaser of the x32 would be v peeved to say the least - Daniel is right it will require a new card.
Click to expand...

Misleading? I didn't say it is for sure. We will see in future. :razz:
You are right it does need a new card. 8O~8-O~:shock:
But which card?
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

We must be talking about two seperate promotons. This one had no mention of a digital snake package. I do remember previous promotions with dante cards and Rio's.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Hi Matt,

Like you, I have the LS9-32. As you know, I also have the Presonus mixers. I just bought the Expression 2 a little over a week ago and will be selling my SL16. I haven't used the E2 on a gig yet, just in the check out mode right now. So far, I love it. The first gig for my E2 is the first weekend in January. Give me a holler if you've got any questions. One of the many things I like about the Expression is all three frame sizes have 16 outs and four FX processors.


Garry
98.6 Sound
 
Matt Vivlamore said:
I am looking to update/upgrade my Yamaha 01v96 from 12 XLRs to at least a 16x8 XLR digital console.

Should I spend a little more money and get the LS9-16? It'll allow me to bounce show files between the 2 consoles without any problems (hardly ever use 33-64 layer on my LS9-32).

I haven't done much research yet.... but I was looking at the Allen Heath Qu-16, Behringer x32 Producer, Mackie DL1608+iPad and/or Soundcraft Expression 16 (in that order).
Click to expand...

Matt -

I say LS9, assuming you don't need a digital snake (and it is rare that you would for a 16ch mixer.)

You already know the work flow, which is the single most important feature when mixing. Feeling comfortable and moving fast.

Great app as you know.

My opinion is that LS9s sound great when used by someone who knows how to use them :)

They are sturdy work horses and the rest of the options haven't been out long enough to have proven themselves.

And having a spare that can share show files in case there is a problem is worth a lot to me. Just don't be lazy about saving to your USB stick.

Jason

Sent from some device, using some software, probably inconveniently. Apologies for any mistakes of grammar, spelling, or meaning.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

When I gaze in my crystal ball, one channel keeps coming that shows an "LS-10" debuting at some trade show in the near future.

This is pure speculation on my part, but it sure seems likely, given the new competition appearing on the market in the last two years, and the life cycle of the LS-9 model.

Best regards,

John
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

John Halliburton said:
When I gaze in my crystal ball, one channel keeps coming that shows an "LS-10" debuting at some trade show in the near future.

This is pure speculation on my part, but it sure seems likely, given the new competition appearing on the market in the last two years, and the life cycle of the LS-9 model.

Best regards,

John
Click to expand...

Anyone who thinks Yamaha is doing nothing is mistaken. The only questions are when and where they will introduce products.
 
Re: So should I buy a Yamaha LS9-16 or another >$2500 digital mixer?

Tim McCulloch said:
Anyone who thinks Yamaha is doing nothing is mistaken. The only questions are when and where they will introduce products.
Click to expand...

And thus, we lay in wait...

Matt, I think it really depends on what kind of gig you're expecting to use this console on. If you need a more feature rich workflow, the X32 Producer might be your choice, but if you don't need that, maybe the build and sound quality of the A&H is a better bet. The LS9 is a fine, sturdy console, but it's near it's end of life, though it is more rider compatible and ignoring the preamps, sounds good. The Si Expression is going to sound fine, last a while, and just in general be a jack of all trades type of unit in comparison to the others.

Also, consider ROI in this case. Is it going to make you more money to have an LS9 over a different kind of console? Are you going to get it mostly through long years of use or are you going to end up selling it off for a more modern or larger model later? The A&H is probably not as easy to resell, and the X32 Producer... well it's plastic, which bothers me.

I think we need more information on why you're interested in upgrading to really get you the advice you want.
 
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