CPL takes delivery of its first CL5

10 August 2012

UK - UK-based video and AV specialist Central Presentations (CPL) continues its investment in premium brand technology and is one of the first UK rental companies to take delivery of the latest Yamaha CL5 digital mixing console.

CPL already has a large stock of Yamaha LS9 and other desks. One reason the CL5 was chosen is that it runs on the same operating principals as these, so all their engineers who are used to working with Yamaha digital consoles will be able to use the CL5 immediately, and quickly familiarise themselves with its many advanced features.

The CL5 system was supplied to CPL by the Birmingham office of LMC Audio Systems.

CPL managing director Matthew Boyse explains that they were keen to be among the first AV rental operations in the UK able to offer their clients all of the benefits offered by the new CL series.

"The compact size and weight for 72 channels is a 'no brainer'," says Boyse, "It is a truly multi-purpose console that will fit neatly into any space and transport very easily," he states.

Developed in close collaboration with audio console guru Rupert Neve, the CL Series includes a Premium Rack with a Rupert Neve Designs five band Portico 5033 equaliser and a Portico 5043 compressor/limiter. Up to eight Premium Rack devices can be assigned, including VCM technology emulations of other classic analogue devices.

Via Dante, the console is also optimised for very straightforward live multitrack recording at the touch of a button utilising Steinberg Nuendo Live, which is supplied with the system and runs on Mac or PC, or any other Digital Audio Workstation.

Nigel Griffiths says, "You can set the system up to minimise the need to run analogue multicores and the multitrack record and playback facility, without needing additional sound cards or having to stray back into an analogue domain, is brilliant. I can't wait to get my hands on it."

CPL has arranged with LMC to provide training days for both their full time and regular freelance engineers and technicians enabling them to maximise their experience with the console.

James Lawford, sales manager at LMC Audio Systems, comments, "The CL5 is the largest in Yamaha's new family of consoles titled 'CL'. With the CL3 and CL1 differing only in the size of work surface and number of input channels, CPL will be able to leverage the capabilities of the CL series across the broad range of work that they carry out, with the exact same processing features, detailed work surface layout and ease of use in the smaller consoles as in the CL5.

"The availability of the RIO-1608-D stage-box, and the move towards Dante by other third party manufacturers, will allow CPL to harness the power of a fully integrated digital audio network, working across standard Cat5e cabling and Ethernet switches, future-proofed with the move towards AVB, and with the reliability, ease of use and wide industry acceptance of a Yamaha console."

(Jim Evans)