02/2003
The BBC has recently purchased Yamaha digital mixing desks for two of its regional studios. In the West Country, BBC Bristol now use a Yamaha 02R96 in their studio, producing programmes for Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The studio was refurbished some 4 years ago following a power failure that took out a significant part of the mixing desk then in use, rendering it uneconomical to repair. "Over the last 10 months, we’ve been trying out various digital mixing desks in the studios and while we got some good results we were never quite content with the end sound output," said Ian Hunter of BBC Bristol. "However, about 3 weeks ago a brochure for Yamaha’s 02R96 Digital Mixing desk came my way. I’d used one of the original 02R’s some years ago and had good memories of it."
A call to Pete Knowles at Total Audio Supplies provided an 02R96 for Hunter to try out. "I was immediately impressed with it’s compact size and build quality," said Hunter. Performance wise, the ability to patch input channels to any layer on the desk with comparative ease and the fact that you don’t have to change banks from the digital editor clinched it for Hunter. "I also like the options of the different built-in cards and the fact that no add-ons are needed, everything is contained within the desk," he concluded.
A little further North, BBC Scotland’s Lee McPhail is also using a Yamaha digital desk in the shape of a DM2000 which was purchased last May when the studio moved from Edinburgh to near Glasgow. "When the studio move took place some extra budget was found to buy a digital mixing desk and I took the opportunity to acquire a Yamaha DM2000," said McPhail. "It’s slightly over the top for our present requirements but I know in time the extra capacity will be extremely useful and save further expenditure."
At present, McPhail uses the desk to mix drama productions for Radio 3 and 4. One of the main reasons he purchased the DM2000 was the ability to use it as a Pro Tools mix surface with fading and tape transportation. "I particularly like the routing functionality of the desk," said McPhail, "and the fact that everything I need is already plugged in. It works, it does the job and I like it!"
Clearly the BBC and Yamaha make a good team.
