MW12C 12-Channel USB Mixer with Compression

With Yamaha's MW12C USB Mixing Studio mixer, making great music is easier than ever before. Combined with the powerful Cubase AI4 audio/MIDI sequencing software, the MW12C provides a comprehensive tabletop studio setup for the solo recording musician and for the traveling producer/arranger. Connect the MW12C to a USB terminal on your laptop or desktop computer, and you've got an instant, high-quality audio recording studio at your command. The MW series mixers deliver true plug-and-play USB audio input/output interfacing--without the need for special software drivers--and lets you easily record mono inputs or two-track stereo mixes of multiple sources to your computer.

MW12C 8-Channel USB Mixer:

The Yamaha MW12C audio mixer gives you a total of twelve inputs, including four mono microphone/line inputs and four stereo line inputs. Two of the stereo line inputs can also function as mono microphone inputs, providing up to six simultaneous microphone inputs if you need them. The high-performance ultra-low-noise balanced microphone inputs also have a phantom power switch, allowing you to take advantage of the superior sonic quality of professional-level condenser microphones.

Easy-to-use 1-knob compression

Compression--the taming of wildly varying levels in vocals, bass and guitar--is one of the most important effects used in recording and mixing. It is also one of the most subtle and difficult to use. Not with the MW12C USB mixer, however. The innovative 1-knob analog compressor (on the mono input channels) lets you dial in just the amount of compression you need in recording, without having to set multiple parameters like threshold, ratio and makeup gain. One knob does it all for you--instantly giving you great, punchy sound.

Monitor mix

This convenient feature on the Yamaha MW12C gives you simple control over the balance between the signals being recorded and the playback signals being monitored. This is particularly helpful when recording several sources at the same time, letting you use a single knob to adjust the balance of the playback and recording signals for monitoring purposes. Naturally, this doesn't affect the recording level; it simply allows you to control what you want to hear.

Easy-access panel and high-quality parts

Top-mounted input and output connectors make setting up and re-patching your system quick and easy. Both models feature high-quality Neutrik balanced XLR connectors for the microphone inputs. Long-throw, smooth-action faders give you precise and tactile control over signal levels. The mixer also has a bright and large 12-segment LED meter for visual signal indication.

Channel on switches

Dedicated On switches for each channel let you enable or disable (mute) individual input channels as desired, while the lamps on the switches give you instant visual indication about which channels are on.

Cubase AI4 music production software

The Yamaha's MW10C USB Mixing Studio mixer gives you absolutely everything you need to turn your computer into a complete home recording studio--and that includes Steinberg's full-featured Cubase AI4 software. Cubase AI4 is a comprehensive music production software based on the flagship Cubase 4 program that has been specially bundled with the new MW. It gives you up to 48 simultaneous audio tracks and 64 MIDI tracks, plus a variety of VST plug-in software synths and effects, as well as full VSTi compatibility.

The 'AI' in Cubase AI4 stands for Advanced Integration, and this new software delivers sophisticated functions and a level of hardware/software integration that other programs can't match. Thanks to the built-in Studio Connections system, Cubase AI4 lets you use compatible hardware instruments (such as Yamaha's MOTIF XS synthesizer) directly and seamlessly within your computer-based environment. Check out the example applications below to see how you can use the MW in creating and recording your own music--and look at the section on Cubase AI4 later in the brochure for details on this powerful program.

Cubase 4 sound engine

At the heart of Cubase AI4 is the same high-quality audio engine used in the top-of-the-line Cubase 4 system. Record and mix your tracks with professional quality 32- bit/96kHz resolution, and enjoy the clearest, most accurate and most pristine digital sound throughout the entire signal chain.

HALion ONE software sampler

Cubase AI4 comes loaded with the powerful HALion ONE software sampler. This sample playback plug-in perfectly integrates with the sequencer and is optimized for use with the SoundFrame features. It features brand-new ready-to-play sounds using high-quality samples from Yamaha's renowned MOTIF series instruments--covering acoustic and electronic instruments, as well as synth timbres and drums.

Comprehensive plug-in effects

Other important Cubase AI4 features include a comprehensive set of VST3 plug-ins, including 15 new and dynamic effect types. Use them to process your recorded tracks within your computer--without the need for external processors.

Soundframe ” universal sound management

SoundFrame is a new powerful system built into Cubase AI4 that manages all of your sounds, samples, presets and loops in one centralized database. It puts all of your music materials in one easy-to-access, easy-to-organize location, and makes recording and song creation more efficient than ever before. SoundFrame--when used with the included HALion ONE software sampler (see below)--can help you easily and quickly find any sound, not only by instrument but also by category, type, style, character or other attributes. You can even instantly preview sounds before loading. SoundFrame also allows you to manage your VST effects plug-in presets, organizing and categorizing them to form one big effects library.

Extensive editing features:

Cubase AI4 gives you a number of sophisticated, useful tools for controlling and rearranging your recordings. You can use the main Project window to record and do basic cut-and-paste work on your tracks, and use the other editing windows for more detailed changes. The Sample Editor, for example, lets you easily manipulate your audio recordings. For MIDI recordings, there are a variety of options--the Key Editor (in piano roll form), the Drum Editor (with convenient event and drum mapping indications), the Score Editor (for notation based editing), and the detailed List Editor (showing all MIDI events).

Wide variety of sample loops included:

A sample set of 480 different drum and rhythm loops has been included, as well as 20 types of MIDI Style files (for backing tracks) so that you can get started making quality music right out of the box.