MR816 CSX - Advanced Integration DSP Studio
Functioning far beyond the envelope of traditional audio devices, MR816 CSX fuses a fully-featured FireWire interface and inbuilt DSP FX power with next-generation integrative technologies into one breathtakingly powerful production environment. Developed by Steinberg and Yamaha, this Advanced Integration DSP Studio is the hardware centerpiece of a latency-free recording and monitoring environment that fully exploits the flexibility and power of Steinberg 19s renowned Cubase Music Production System.
True Integrated Monitoring with full faderless mixing: no latency, DSP-powered FX and dynamic 1:1 hardware/software mirroring with Cubase
Complete Cubase user interface integration throughout: direct access from Cubase with no additional software mixing application or external windows required
Eight discrete Class A analogue D-Pre mic preamps with combination XLR and TRS analog inputs with advanced new inverted Darlington circuits, hardware gain knob, phantom power and -26dB Pad switch per channel
Quick Connect: next-generation of plug and play as well as on-the-fly routing of inputs to Cubase channels from the hardware with the push of a button
DSP Power for Cubase: VST3 onboard DSP-powered FX with eight Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strips with compressor and EQ and one REV-X reverb: also available within Cubase during mixing
Instant setup: Cubase automatically detects the MR hardware and comes with ready made templates as well as automatic project I/O configuration
Full, flexible connectivity: eight analogue, one ADAT, one S/PDIF and Coaxial I/O and WordClock sync
Extendable system with daisy-chaining of up to three units providing up to 24 analog inputs and outputs
Includes Cubase AI4: hassle-free recording and creating music right out of the box thanks to the fully featured starter version of the world 19s most popular music production software platform
Supports Apple OS X 10.4/10.5 and Windows XP/Vista : includes ASIO and CoreAudio drivers as well as additional external software mixer and plug-in editors for using with 3rd party audio software
True Integrated Monitoring
Offering real-time, independent and most importantly no-latency mixes with FX for several performers is an engineering challenge in itself, and there are only one or two FireWire I/O interfaces on the market that can achieve this. Even these units are functionally isolated from the DAW software forcing the user to use additional mixing applications, in turn hampering workflow and splintering what should be a truly integrated production system.
The answer? Cubase and MR816 CSX. A solution defined by its ease-of-use, flexibility and pure functional elegance. Running with Cubase, MR816 CSX removes any need for additional mixing software between DAW and I/O 13 all aspects of I/O handling, DSP management and independent performer mixes are handled directly from within Cubase itself. With Cubase 4, these performer mixes are realized using the Studio Sends in the Control Room 13 a unique system that is completely integrated into the Cubase 4 mixer.
With the unique True Integrated Monitoring technology, Cubase manages all audio streams with perfect sync. No-latency mixes for performers with DSP FX are managed side-by-side with mixes played back through the Cubase audio engine that combine hard disk audio data and live streams being recorded at the same time 13 all within Cubase. Combined with other unique features, True Integrated Monitoring allows a highly efficient workflow that boosts productivity to new levels. The technological know-how required for this level of integration results directly from the ongoing cooperation between Steinberg software engineers and the hardware experts at Yamaha.
D-Pre Mic Preamps
The MR816 CSX features the latest generation of Yamaha microphone preamps: The D-Pr 19.
Meticulously engineered to the highest standards, these discrete Class A analog mic preamps feature combination XLR and TRS analog inputs for connection of 8 phono jack plugs or standard XLR connectors, supporting both balanced and unbalanced signals. Each D-Pre is fitted with a -26dB Pad selector as well as true 48 volt phantom power per channel. An additional phase inversion capability and High Pass filter are available directly from the Cubase mixer or MR editor software via remote control.
What sets these preamps apart? The audio quality of the eight D-Pres can only be described as stunning. Each utilizes an advanced inverted Darlington circuit design and electronics components specifically designed for the MR816 CSX and MR816 X. The result is a sumptuously smooth and richly detailed sound normally only attained by preamps costing many times more; the outstanding sound of these mic pres obviate the need for all but the rarest vintage preamps.
Just as important as the preamps are, of course, the converters behind them. The MR816 CSX includes first-rate A/D and D/A converters that offer absolutely crystal-clear sound that portrays the sound with astonishing precision and clarity.
Each D-Pre is paired with a useful signal/peak lamp that lights up green when a signal between -40dB and -3dB is connected, warning with a red light if levels reach -3dB. Unlike many other preamps, the red warning light alerts the engineer not just when it 19s already 1ctoo late 1d and a signal has already clipped the converter behind it, but indicates that gain levels should be checked and monitored closely.
DSP Power for Cubase
On top of its excellent I/O capability, the MR816 CSX features an onboard DSP chip that runs up to 8 instances of the highly acclaimed Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip plug-in, featuring the latest compression and EQ technology. The MR816 CSX also features the renowned REV-X reverb, which is also featured on many top Yamaha hardware mixing consoles.
Each independent monitor mix can utilize the DSP capability for an outstanding sound that every performer will feel extremely comfortable performing to. Optionally, the FX can be included in the signal recorded to the input track. The signal can, of course, also be recorded dry with no FX or bypassed completely.
The Advanced Integration of MR816 CSX in Cubase goes even further. The full DSP capability is also available as VST3 plug-ins in Cubase when mixing! With MR816 CSX, up to 8 instances of the Sweet Sport Morphing Channel Strip plug-in can run as an insert plug-in in Cubase, as well as one instance of REV-X. This adds additional first-class FX capability that is available even when the computer 19s CPU is running under a high load.
For Cubase owners, MR816 CSX combines not only outstanding I/O capability, extremely easy handling and no-latency monitor mixing, but also a powerful DSP capability 13 a peerless combination with an almost unbeatable price/performance ratio.
Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip with Compressor and EQ
The innovative Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip is a unique new compression and EQ tool that runs on DSP inside the MR816 CSX. While the first-class algorithms developed by Yamaha deliver sonically excellent equalization and compression, this unique new plug-in has also been designed for convenience, accessibility and simplicity of operation.
The Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip consists of a sidechain-enabled compressor and a 3-band parametric equalizer, which can be applied to up to 8 mono input channels or 4 stereo input channels on the MR816 CSX or on Cubase tracks during mixing. Both EQ and compressor were developed to attain a highly "musical" sound that can not only give audio signals new sparkle and punch or help (re)define their sonic personality, but also work adaptively on audio signals to blend them satisfyingly into a mix.
The first-class sonic qualities of the Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip are not the only aspect that set it apart. It also features a unique new way to set up a great sound for just about any audio signal in next to no time: the Morph knob. Simply turning this knob smoothly morphs through both EQ and compression settings in combination, allowing the user to 'dial in' the ideal sound very quickly just by using one single control element.
Using the Morph knob is especially useful for recording situations where quick setup for EQ and compression is paramount. Newcomers to recording will also find this system very helpful, as presets for many common recording situations are included. The presets were designed by veteran audio engineers using their many years of recording experience, and cover ideal EQ and compression settings for instruments, drums, vocals and many more situations. Each of the parameters can, of course, be edited singly from the interface, and individual setups stored as presets for later recall.
As an additional workflow enhancement, MR816 CSX also features built-in hardware control for the DSP effects, because both the Morph and Drive knobs can be remote controlled from the front panel of the MR816 CSX! The two multifunctional knobs can be assigned to these two settings simply by setting the MR816 CSX to 'MORPH' mode on its front panel. This offers very intuitive hardware control over these two parameters directly from the MR816 CSX.
What is the difference between the MR816 CSX and MR816 X?
Basically the MR816 CSX and MR816 X are the same device. The only but not unimportant difference between those two units are the eight DSP-powered channelstrips that the MR816 CSX provides. The innovative Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip is a unique new compression and EQ tool that runs on DSP inside the MR816 CSX.
All other features of the both units are the same: Both provide best sound quality and outstanding preamps as well as the same quantity of inputs and outputs. Also MR8168 CSX and MR816 X offer one REV-X reverb, a complex reverb algorithm developed by Yamaha which provides a high-density, richly reverberant sound quality, with smooth attenuation, spread and depth that work together to enhance the original sound.
Mac OS X Version 10.4 or 10.5 .x
Power Mac G4 1 GHz or Intel Core Solo 1.5 GHz
512 MB RAM
DVD drive required for installation
FireWire port required for connection of MR unit
Windows XP Professional (SP2), XP Home Edition (SP2) or Vista (32-bit)
