Running a Yamaha M7CL board with little digital experience???

[steve42]

I received a call from the music minister at my former church. He is looking for someone to run sound at a small men's conference in a venue that has a Yamaha M7CL board.

By small conference, I mean there will be 3 or 4 speakers and a worship leader with a keyboard.

The reason he called me is that his church (my former church) has the Yamaha 01V96 board, and he knew that my new church bought the same board on my recommendation (because I had helped with the research on the board at the old church). The guy who had the most skill at running their 01V96 (David) could have stepped up to run the M7CL with little lead time because he is an extremely good sound guy and knows the digital equipment. However, David has taken a job overseas and will not be around for the conference.

David trained our sound guy (Thomas) when we bought the board six months ago. The music minister was hoping that Thomas could handle the M7CL since there will be no real mixing or eq-ing to do during the event. Thomas has never seen an M7CL, and neither have I.

The music minister wants me to look at running lights for the event, so he's hoping to get us as a package deal and give us a "love offering" gift to compensate us for our time.

So, my question is, if the board has been professionally set up for the venue, should the 01V96 knowledge translate well enough to allow Thomas to run the board for 3 hours in this scenario?

I'd appreciate any input you have!

Thanks,

Steve

[Mike W]

You should be fine with it. They are easy to use provided the basic patch has been done. It is really easy after that.
I have installed several of them for my clients and have had no issues.
You could also search YouTube ( not me in the videos) just suggestions

Mike W

[Arlin]

If it really is such a 'simple' event, I don't think you or Thomas would have any problem... although, in my experience the promise of a 'simple' event never quite turns out that way

So long as the M7 is pre-set with a decent starter scene, and you can just ride the faders & on/off buttons, it is super easy. If you are familiar with other digital consoles, eq, mix settings, etc. will be easy to use.

If you are not familiar with it, I would advise not using the scene functions... it can be a bit nerve-racking when a scene setting changes something you did not expect.

[waynehoskins]

I agree, it should be an easy enough transition to the M7 from the 01V. Most of the Yamaha digital boards have a similar user interface. If there's time, you can look at the tutorials (on Youtube or wherever) and the manual online. It has virtually all the outboard you'd have in a thorough analog rig, all built-in, The biggest difference, not really a problem coming from another digital console, is that analog "0 dB" is around -18 or -20 on digital.

[Mikey]

One advantage no one has mentioned yet. The M7 has a fader for every channel. Whereas the 01v96 is still running on layers. That makes access to a problem channel faster. You also gain a touch screen which gives fast access to all parameters.

If you can get around an 01v96 you'll be fine on an M7! I had a very similar situation years ago, and than didn't want to go back to the 01v96.

[Mike W]

I would say there are many advantages of the M7 over the 01V96. As Mikey said, you will adapt easily to the the M7. Do some research on the "sends on faders " feature and you will love that when mixing monitors from FoH.

[yeshua]

I've never been on the 01V, but I have seen up close (but not used) the 02R. I just wrote a really long post about my experience about camp this past week hanging out on a LS9 coming from a Soundcraft Gigrac system at my church. Feel free to read it here.

I would say after spending a week playing around on the LS9 (first time actually playing on a digital board), Thomas should have absolutely no problems going from the 01V to the M7CL. Definitely check out the manual and various youtube videos. It can only help. If possible, try to go to the venue and see if Thomas can get some play time on it before the conference to get the general feel to it. Even if its only 30 minutes. You could even check out the computer application for the board to check out some of the options (you might be able to get a USB key made from the M7CL and load it onto the computer to see its settings too).

I know if I was offered today to do some gig on a M7CL, I don't think I would have any problem running it after only a week of being on the LS9 (mainly observing, not too much for FOH work). I know the LS9 is just the baby brother, but its still a new to me digital experience.

Good luck!