Yamaha MG206C Stereo Mixer

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Perfect for live recording, the MG206C offers a full contingent of features and EQing options at an unbeatable price.

The rack-mountable Yamaha MG206C mixer packs serious functionality into a small footprint, with 16 XLR microphone inputs, 4 stereo line inputs, 6 busses, and 4 aux sends. With 3-band sweepable-mid EQ on 12 channels, 8 on-board one-knob channel compressors, illuminated Channel On buttons and 12-segment LED metering, this compact mixer is perfect for mid-sized performance venues and more.

Yamaha's MG series mixers give you the capacity, control, and performance you deserve. All models are remarkably compact and lightweight for superior handling and portability, but absolutely no compromises have been made in terms of features, performance, or durability. The MG mixers offer an extraordinary blend of technology: some inherited from professional Yamaha mixing consoles you're likely to see in distinguished halls throughout the world, and some developed specifically to deliver optimum performance in the MG-console format. In either case, these performance-packed mixers are founded on a world-spanning network of human and technological resources that crystallize to deliver features that really matter, and sound that is undeniably superior.

Features:

- 20 input channels
- Input gain trim
- 16 Mics + 4 Stereo line inputs
- High Quality mic preamp
- 12 insert I/O
- HPF
- Phantom power switch (+ 48V)
- 8 compressors
- 3 band Mid-sweep EQ (Ch 1-12)
- Illuminated CH ON switches
- 3 band EQ (Ch 13/14-19/20)
- 60 mm Super smooth fader
- 6 busses (Stereo + 4 groups)
- Monitor mix
- 4 Aux read more sends
- Light weight (6.0 kg)
- 2 Stereo Aux return
- 12-seg LED level meter
- Neutrik XLR Connectors
- Rack Mountable

Lightweight, Portable Designs

Designing a lightweight mixer is not too difficult, but designing a lightweight, compact mixer that delivers serious performance is another matter. The Yamaha design team went to extraordinary lengths in the MG series, including in-depth material and structural analysis, to bring you maximum manageability and maximum performance in the same packages. The result is that you can easily pop the smallest models into your briefcase or shoulder bag and take with you anywhere. Even the larger models can be tucked under an arm and carried around quite easily. But the performance you'll get at the studio, club, hall, or anywhere you choose to use these fine mixers is far from lightweight. Every one of the MGseries mixers provides significant space savings along with huge performance benefits.

Versatile Connectivity and Pro-class Connectors

Top-mounted input and output connectors make setting up and re-patching your system quick and easy. All models feature high-quality Neutrik balanced XLR connectors on mono microphone/line channels and XLR-equipped stereo channels. These professional-class connectors were subjected to extensive testing by the Yamaha design team, and were chosen for the MG mixers for their superior reliability and sonic qualities. The XLR-equipped stereo channels can accept mono microphone input either via the XLR or phone jack connectors. The remaining stereo channels provide phone jack and pin jack connectors for compatibility with a wide range of sources. Mono input channels also feature insert I/O connectors that let you patch external signal processing gear into those channels as required. Separate pinjack 2TR inputs are provided to accept the output from a CD player or similar stereo source.

Built-in Channel Compressors

This advanced feature can be a tremendous advantage in achieving great vocal sound, as well as to refine the sound of bass, guitar, and other sources. You won't find built-in channel compression on too many other mixers in this class, but in the MG mixers you have Yamaha's innovative one-knob compression feature on several of the mono input channels. Conventional audio compressors with their threshold, ratio, knee, makeup gain and other controls can be complex and time consuming to set appropriately for a given source. Yamaha's one-knob compressor eliminates the need for an engineering degree with a single control that lets you simply dial in the amount of compression you want.

High-performance Mic Preamps

Microphone preamplifiers are critical in any mixer, and a performance bottleneck in many. That's why pros often spend thousands of dollars on just a single channel of microphone pre-amplification. The microphone preamps built into the MG mixers inherit technology from Yamaha's top-line professional consoles, and have been painstakingly designed to deliver superior sonic performance with any dynamic or condenser microphone. Gain trim covers a wide -60dB ~ -16dB range for microphones (-34dB ~ +10dB for line input), so you'll be able to achieve optimum level matching with just about any source. All microphone preamps also feature switchable phantom power so you can take advantage of the natural, extended response of high-quality condenser microphones.

3-band Channel EQ and High-pass Filters

Building a truly useful, musical-sounding channel equalizer is no easy task, but Yamaha has decades of experience in building pro consoles to draw on. You reap the benefits in the MG series mixers: all mono channels feature 3-band equalizers with Low, Mid, and High controls. Depending on the model some of all of the stereo channels have 2-band EQ for smooth equalization of stereo sources. Although not directly related to the equalizer circuitry, all inputs also feature 80 Hz low-pass filters that can be used to eliminate subsonic noise that is outside the equalizers' range.

Aux/Effect Send

All models except the MG82CX have from one to three Aux sends for convenient to processing and monitor systems. Master send controls are also provided, as are Return level controls for the Aux and Stereo busses. "CX" models have Effect send controls on all channels that adjust the level of the signal sent from the corresponding channel to the mixer's internal multi-effect system. The same signal can also be sent to external effect processors via the mixer's Effect Send jack.

6 Busses: 2 Stereo Groups + 1 Stereo Master

The MG206C features two stereo group buses and outputs that can be used for convenient channel grouping. Assign switches for the stereo and group buses are located next to each channel fader.

60-millimeter Faders & Channel On Switches

For all channels, busses and master, the MG206 mixer has reliable, high performance 60-millimeter linear faders for smooth, noise-free operation. When you have more than a few channels, the direct visual indication of relative level settings can be an important advantage. Models with linear faders also feature illuminated channel On switches that can be used to individually add or remove channels from the mix without having to change the positions of the channel faders.

Bright Meters for Visual Level Monitoring

MG Series LED Multi-segment Meter Accurate visual level monitoring can help you achieve maximum signal-to-noise ratio without distortion. The MG mixer's bright, easy-to-read multi-segment LED meters make it easy to control system levels for optimum overall performance.

Easy Operation

All switches, controls, and displays have been designed and laid out for intuitive access and smooth, reliable operation with positive tactile and visual feedback.
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For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (9 ratings)
Submitted August 4, 2008 by a customer from hotmail.com

"I have been running live sound since 1972. Own a recording studio and do location recording and am a travelling engineer for a t"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I hope to be using this mixer in my live sound rack for many years.

Sound
I own Soundcraft, Mackie, Behringer and a smaller MG series Yamaha mixer. The Yamaha is as clean and quiet as the Soundcraft and better than the Mackie and much better than the Behringers.

Features
I needed a mixer in a hurry because my Mackie died. I was looking at an Allen & Heath Mizwizard or a Soundcraft FX 16, but the price of the Yamaha made the difference. The built in compression is a very cool feature and eight channels of compression would cost as much as the mixer in most cases. I would prefer four band EQ, but having sweep mids really helps. Everything else is very well laid out.

Ease of Use
The signal routing could not be more simple. It is a snap to run three monitor mixes and an efx send and bring the efx back to a stereo return that also routes the effect to monitor mix (aux) one and two if the musicians want to hear the efx.. very cool. Having four channels of stereo line inputs is pretty neat too and something Allen & Heath and Soundcraft don't offer. If you have a rack of keyboard modules or multiple keys this is the perfect solution without taking up two channels for a stereo mix.

Quality
So far so good.. although I have only had it a week and used it on one all day live sound event, my other MG series mixer has been in the family for nearly two years read more and works flawlessly.

Value
Again, it's four hundred bucks cheaper than an Allen & Heath Mizwizard or the Soundcraft fx16 and has features they don't offer. So...yeah, it's well worth the money.

Manufacturer Support
I have never had to deal with Yamaha support since none of their equipment has ever failed until ten years past the warranty expiration date.. Let's hope I never need them.

The Wow Factor
Well.. I bought it so I obviously want it. Again, the built in compression is a very neat addition and makes this mixer a stand out deal.

Musical Background:
Active musician, recording engineer, producer, live sound

Musical Style:
classic rock, new age.
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