My week at The Dorset Steam Fair with an LS9 and some EAW.

[VTypeV4]

I worked the Micheal Oliver stage at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. It was very interesting and nice to do something different.

A great bit of kit as it pretty much provides everything you're ever likely to need in 90% of situations. Flying faders, Automation, built in Graphic EQs, Multi FX units, Save and re-call facilities, Comprehensive dynamics on everyin in / out etc..

Facilities:

An almost overwhelming array of options allowing a completely custom setup if required. The 'standard channel' has a four-band fully parametric EQ plus a variable hi-pass filter. There's two dynamics 'slots' which can be assigned differently for every channel but for my setup I simply chose and normal gate and a normal compressor although there's options for a de-esser, an expander amongst others. 14(?) Auxes can be be pre / post fade and the outputs of each can be routed via the 'Rack' which is a virtual rack of any of the internal processors if required. I used the 31 band graphic EQs on my monitor (Aux 1-4 - Rack 1 - 4) and three multi FX units for Short reverb, Long reverb and tap Delay. A maximum of 4 units accross 2 racks can be used. My final slot was the Flex 15 EQ for FOH which is a 31 band EQ but you can only use 15 of the bands. Sounds wierd but is actually ok to use. I'd be worried if I needed more than 15 bands. The Graphic EQs can be assigned to the faders allowing adjustments of the frequency bands per fader. Very clever! Input gain is metered in the usual way with use of the 'cue' button showing the level on the main meter although there are channel meters in LEDs on each as a peak meters fo quick reference. I could go on but I'd be here for days! One last thing to mention is lack of groups as everything is routed on 'omni-out' 15-16 which is what we'd call LR master out. Custom fader layers could be used to emulate groups but in the end I didn't bother as it added uneeded complications.

Sound integrity:

Not bad but not quite as 'transparent' as i might have expected from such a console. The FX and dynamics have very comprehensive controls with more than you're likely to need and work very well as does the EQ. Maybe it's the LR buss but I felt like it was all a bit 'contained' so to speak. From a sonic perspective I believe my Soundcraft to be superior.

User interface:

Isn't bad but simply cannot keep up with the massive facilities that the desk offers. It's often too slow to get to where's needed quickly requiring many button presses and menu flicks to get from one page area to another. The direction keys and jog-wheel next to the display are the main way around the desk. The shortcut buttons help but even so, it's still not good enough as you can choose which button goes where. This was a real ball ache to setup but helped once it was. The lack of touch screen and small display are what limit the desk and it's abilities although I understand they can be remotely setup so can be used at a distance via an Ipad which would be much better probably. The 'home' button is very handy for taking you back to which ever 'layer' (1-32, 33-64, master or custom). A stripped down M7 is the best way to compare the LS9.

Conclusion:

I tried all week to find some love for the Yamaha but I simply couldn't muster any. I did nearly 40 shows in 6 days but I found the interface too fiddly to get to some things, usually when I needed them! As such, I wouldn't buy one insspite of the many facilities.

Anyone else used one and wishes to share?

[kkip]

I've been using an LS9 regularly for a couple of years. Most of my experience prior to the LS9 was on analog boards. So really this is the first digital board that i have used enough to understand. I agree with your review especially the difficulty and slowness of getting to some of the needed features. Also, I wish the the UI did a better job of indicating layer and mode changes. Can't tell you how many times I've had someone ask me a question while I was adjusting an Aux mix or the main layer. Then forget where I was and change something I didn't mean to change.

I've used the Sound Stage iPad app with the LS9 quite a bit. It is pretty well done and does make certain functions like adjusting the parametric EQ a bit easier. But it has limits and I typically have to go back to the console to make any serious adjustments. All in all I like using the board, but I think I would take a close look at the Presonus StudioLive and the Behringer x32 if I were shopping for a new digital board today.

[BrentEvans]

I have to agree that it's a slow interface. It would be worlds better if it had a touch screen, which would make it operate a bit more like the (much better) M7.

For the price and feature set the A&H GLD-80 is much better, and I am of the opinion that the Si Expression and Studiolive are easier to use and sound better than the LS9 also (and at a much lower price point).

[Benj Ross]

I have not used the LS9 but I have the soundcraft si and use the presonus boards regularly. The soundcraft has all the features you mentioned above as well. And I have found that the soundcraft Is the most intuitive setup I have used. I had a sound guy who had never used one before, running through it like a pro in 30 minutes. He and his band are now buying the 32 channel version. For the price, I don't think it can be beat. I also had a guy who has worked extensively with the presonus, si, ls9, and x32 say he thought the si was a head and shoulders above the others in sound quality. One unexpected thing is that every single band that has been on my stage since getting the si has been super stoked on the stage sound. Don't know if its the sound quality or the different format that lends itself to a good mix, but they were all happy.

Just my .02.

Benj

[VTypeV4]

Looks like the Soundcraft is coming out on top. I have looked at them a number of times and thought they looked a great mixer. When my XD dies (which I hope won't be for a long time as I find it a great sounding and easy to operate digi desk) it will probably be replaced with a an SI series as Soundcraft seem to have had the formula for building proper sounding boards of thiss type for a while.

With regards to the Allen & Heath desks, both the Qu 16 and the GLD look way better than the iLive attempt from a couple of years back. I haven't read any bad reviewss for either and the Qu is at a great price point. I'd love to have a go on both although i haven't seen or used either in the flesh yet.

I think I'd much rather have a go on the above mentioned desks before I ran with an LS9 again although I expect an M7 would be a different story.

[VTypeV4]

[Chris_Allen]

The only thing that looks like it needs an upgrade is the chair! Nice looking setup.

[VTypeV4]

The only thing that looks like it needs an upgrade is the chair! Nice looking setup.

As it was, I had to steal it from the band!

The Lab Gruppens performed without fault or hesitation despite all the dust. They're a lovely amplifier which sound great but are mighty expensive! I'll stick to my Crown and JBL amps whilst I can still lift 'em!

The EAW top boxes also work really well giving a very accurate vocal sound which is amongst the best I've used. The KF650s are three way with a direct radiating 15 a ten on a horn and a (I think) 2" on a horn. They've been 'Sia Smaarted' so all the time and phase relationships are spot on which helps. The subs on the other hand (6 x SB600 and two SB625 which are direct radiating 2 x 15) were found a little lacking given that I had so many of them. I was hoping for a little more SPL and range but they were just about enough for the job afterall it was a folk stage not a dance setup!

[88h88]

Convertible power amplifier? For sunny day speaker power?

[VTypeV4]

Convertible power amplifier? For sunny day speaker power?

Excellent! A nice alternative for hard-top only Crowns