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YAMAHA AW16G |
YAMAHA AW16G
The Yamaha AW16G Professional Audio Workstation utilises state-of-the-art digital recording technology incorporating 8 channel inputs with 24-bit A/D conversion, 32-bit internal processing and a sampling frequency of 44.1 kHz, that allows for a total of 16-tracks of audio.
Eight tracks may be recorded simultaneously, with alternate takes having a storage point on an additional 144 virtual tracks (the unit having 8 virtual tracks per track). Dynamics processing (compression, expansion, gate and ducking) and 4-band parametric EQ on all channels are available, as well as two blocks of high quality multi-effects (taken from the popular AW4416 Professional Audio Workstation) that include the Input Library (for electric and acoustic guitar, bass, vocal, speaker simulator) and the Mastering Library (13 types of studio-quality mastering effects such as reverb, delay, modulation, distortion, dynamics, multi, etc). The design also features a Quick Loop Sampler with 4 stereo sample pads for recording drums and sound effects offering 4 voices of stereo playback polyphony and 44 seconds of stereo recording time. And to assist in the sound department, the workstation provides a sample library containing 250MB of audio samples that may be assigned to the 16 flash memory locations.
A Sound Clip function allows you to record up to 180 seconds (or 3 minutes) of looped recording time (with separate memory allocation), ideal for use as a sketchpad for song ideas, and configured so that successful licks or melodies are transferable to your track.
There is a built-in 20GB hard disk, as well as an optional CD-RW drive for CD-burns and general backup. So essentially, a CD of your entire project can be produced directly within the workstation. Balanced XLR and TRS phone mic/line inputs, unbalanced phone mic/line inputs, unbalanced phone stereo/aux outputs and an optical S/PDIF digital input and output are all available, with two out of the 8 mic/line inputs phantom-powered and one being a
HI-Z guitar input. Synchronization with external devices is also possible via Midi in, out and thru jacks. You can further use the AW16G as a MIDI Remote Control, turning it into a virtual mixing console to be used in conjunction with software packages such as Cubase, Logic and Sonar — a Scene Memory function providing touch of a button recall of current fader levels, pan position, muting and effects routing.
The generous screen and the user-friendly nature of the workstation was a definite positive for me. There was an almost inexistent learning curve, with most basic operations easily negotiated — the layout of buttons and knobs making lots of sense. It was quite easy to isolate tracks and enhance a selected channel with the built-in effects, edit parameters, and so on. The handy Quick Loop Sampler a very cool add-on. Of course, in order to make the most of any equipment a certain amount of time needs to be invested, but who needs complicated gear that’s impossible to work out. The capabilities of the Yamaha AW16G Professional Audio Workstation are quite impressive, with results that sound crisp, clean and dynamic, thanks to the 16-bit linear ‘uncompressed’ recording resolution. A great product from Yamaha.
The RRP of the AW16G is $2,495, although Yamaha is currently offering a package (RRP is $2,595) that contains the AW16G along with an Audio Technica AT3035 condenser microphone, AT33A condenser microphone, ATH-M20 headphones and a free training session with Yamaha Product Specialist, Chris Steller.