THE NEW EMX5000 SERIES expands Yamaha's EMX line of powered mixers with two new console-style models featuring more channels and greater flexibility. The EMX5000 series comprises 12- and 20-channel versions, each incorporating a 500W-per-channel multimode amplifier, two banks of onboard effects, and enough outputs and options to handle most any small to midsize gig. Connect speakers to the EMX5000, and you're set to rock. I tested the 20-channel version (EMX5000-20) for this review. The console is quite portable, even with its wealth of channels and features.
GOT YOU COVERED
The EMX5000-20 is a sharp-looking midsize mixer housed in a charcoal gray and black metal chassis. A sturdy metal handle built in to the chassis makes transporting the mixer easy. The unit's side panels are made of plastic, which raises some concern about road worthiness, but at least the plastic seems sturdy.
The EMX5000-20 provides 16 mono channels, each offering an XLR mic, a ¼-inch line input (the mic and line inputs are not available simultaneously), and a TRS insert jack. To the right of the mono channels are two stereo channels, each providing left and right ¼-inch (+4 dBu) and RCA (-10 dBV) inputs.
The master I/O section provides 17 ¼-inch jacks — two sets of stereo sub inputs, Effects Sends 1 and 2, Aux Sends 1 and 2, main stereo output jacks, Power-Amp Inputs A and B (these permit insertion of outboard EQs or other processors), Stereo Sub Outputs Left and Right (which allow submix cascading to a second mixer), a mono output (featuring a switchable lowpass filter, continuously variable from 80 to 120 Hz, for driving a subwoofer), a stereo headphone jack (with independent level control), and a footswitch jack (for tapping in the tempo for the tempo-delay effect and for turning Effect 2 on or off). The master I/O section also provides four -10 dBV RCA jacks: one pair for input of a 2-track source, and another pair for outputting to an external recorder. A lamp socket is provided to the right of the master section.
The stereo outputs from the mixer's internal amplifier show up on the rear panel, which features two channels (A and B) providing both Speakon and ¼-inch speaker jacks (Inputs 1 and 2, respectively). Also on the rear panel are the power button and AC power-cord receptacle.
DOWN THE STRIP
Each EMX5000 mono channel has a 26 dB attenuation pad, an input trim pot, and an 80 Hz low-cut switch. The 3-band EQ section includes high-frequency shelving, low-frequency shelving, and a sweepable, peaking-type midrange EQ. Frequencies for the low- and high-shelving EQs are printed in the manual but not on the console itself. Likewise, though the sweepable midrange EQ specifies the total frequency range, no intervening frequencies are indicated around the pots.
Continuing down the strip, next are two aux buses (with post-/prefader select switches), two effects buses, a stereo pan pot, the channel on switch (with indicator LED), peak and signal indicators, a PFL (prefader listen) select button, and the channel fader. Two 48V phantom-power switches, located above channels 9 and 16, send phantom power to channels 1 through 8 and 9 through 16, respectively.
Unlike the mono channels, the two stereo channels do not provide a pad or low cut, and their midrange EQ is nonsweepable. In lieu of a pan function, a balance control is provided to set the balance between left and right channels.
MISSION CONTROL
The EMX5000 master section features a selectable 9-band graphic equalizer and two SPX digital multi-effects processors with 24-bit A/D/A converters and 32-bit processing. The effects section has two separate processors containing 16 effects each. Included are reverbs, delays, phaser, flanger, doubler, distortion, tremolo, and others.
Effects channels 1 and 2 provide on/off buttons and dedicated effects-return level controls. A PFL switch allows for monitoring through the phone jack. Effects returns can also be assigned to the aux buses (it would help were this made clear, perhaps with a label reading “FX to Aux 1”). Aux 1 and Aux 2 output controls appear on dedicated faders in the master section and feature an AFL monitoring option.
A Stereo Sub Input section controls input levels from equipment, such as another mixer, connected to the ST SUB IN jacks. You can also assign these inputs to the two aux buses and to the stereo bus using rotary level controls, and you can monitor them PFL. Additionally, the master section features level controls for the 2-track input, stereo sub outputs, headphone send, mono out, and master fader.
A convenient standby button permits you to mute channels 1 through 16 during 2-track playback, which is handy for between-set CD music. A green LED lights up when the system is on, and a 13-LED stereo meter indicates stereo bus levels.
GETTING AMPED
According to the Yamaha, the proprietary EEEngine (Energy Efficient Engine) technology used in the company's amplifier design not only optimizes efficiency and reduces AC consumption and heat generation, but it also helps reduce the mixer's size and weight. The two internal power amps can be switched to one of three output settings — 100, 300, or 500W per channel (each setting at 4ž) — to accommodate different speakers and rooms. Also helpful is a built-in limiter (with a red indicator LED) for handling signal overloads.
Source signals sent to speaker jacks A and B can be selected with a 4-position switch. Choices are L/R stereo bus, Aux 1 and Mono, Aux 1 and Aux 2, and mono bridge (which takes a monaural mix of the stereo bus and sends it only to the speaker A1 jack). That last selection will output a maximum of 1,000W at 8ž. A Yamaha Speaker Processing switch allows the user to balance the low-frequency range for the speakers, if desired.
UNDER THE 'SCOPE
I tested the EMX5000-20 in Ex'pression Center for New Media's performance hall (with the assistance of live-sound instructor Hani Gadallah), as well as in my home studio. Sources included singers, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion, and recorded material.
Overall I was favorably impressed with this powerful powered mixer. Its mic preamps provide plenty of clean gain, and its dual aux and effects sends, stereo sub ins and outs, mixer-cascade feature, and power options (including switchable wattage and the ability to supplement the onboard amplifier with outboard amps) make for extreme flexibility. The onboard effects (which are recognizably SPX) are quite good, and having two processors ensures sufficient sweetening options. Stereo operation makes the mixer even more appealing. The semiparametric EQ is also an asset, though I wasn't particularly impressed with the feel or sensitivity of the EQ knobs. Also, engaging the 80 Hz low-cut buttons produced an audible click when signal was flowing through the channel.
Gadallah, a seasoned live-sound veteran, also liked the console. However, he was a bit vexed that PFL levels are not sent to the console meter (meaning you can't visually monitor them), and he wished for a greater degree of control over the sub sends — specifically, for channel assigns. But the sub option worked well, even without channel assigns. Furthermore, engaging the Yamaha Speaker Processing option added presence to the lows.
HARD TO BEAT
The EMX5000-20 is a well-designed, easy-to-use powered mixer with a professional look, appealing features, and a competitive price. Its integrated 2-channel amplifier is powerful enough to satisfy almost any band or small-club engineer, and its many routing and power options make it flexible enough to handle a range of rooms and applications. In addition, this mixer offers powerful and clean-sounding mic preamps, quality digital effects, sweepable midrange and shelving EQs, a 9-band graphic EQ, two effects buses, two aux buses, and a respectable amount of I/O. If you're looking to set up a system for a small venue or need a dedicated P.A. for your band, the 20-channel EMX5000-20 (or the 12-channel EMX5000-12) could well be your ticket to easy street.
EMX5000-20 SPECS
Inputs (16) XLR mic; (16) ¼"balanced TRS line; (16) ¼"TRS insert; (4) ¼"line (2 stereo pairs); (4) RCA line (2 stereo pairs); (2) ¼"stereo sub; (2) RCA 2-track; (2) ¼"power amp
Outputs (2) ¼"stereo; (2) ¼"stereo sub; (1) ¼"mono; (2) ¼"aux send; (2) ¼"effects send; (2) RCA record; (16) ¼"TRS insert; (1) ¼"TRS headphone; (2) Speakon speaker; (2) ¼"speaker
Buses (2)
Sends (2) aux (pre/post); (2) effect
Mono Channel EQ (±15 dB) 10 kHz shelving; 250 Hz-5 kHz peaking; 100 Hz shelving
Stereo Channel EQ (±15 dB) 10 kHz shelving, 2.5 kHz peaking, 100 Hz shelving
Graphic Equalizer 9 band (63 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, 8 kHz, 16 kHz)
Digital Effects Dual SPX digital multi-effects (24-bit A/D/A, 32-bit internal processing)
Meters (2) 13-segment LED ladders
Phantom Power +48V
Maximum Output Power (@ 0.5% THD @ 1 kHz) 500W + 500W/4ž; 325W + 325W/8ž; 1,000W/8ž bridge
Power Amp Modes (4): Stereo L/R ; Aux 1 + Mono; Aux 1 + Aux 2; mono bridge
Dimensions 18.81"(W) × 6.25"(H) × 21.19"(D)
Weight 33.1 lb.
