Yamaha SB168-ES Stage Box

Digital Preamp XLR 16 in. rack, 8 out XLR, insert a EtherSound. It may be noted on the front and one in an out RJ-45, a master and a good big 48v power button (in the purest style yamaha). Sober, a little sad, but it's not what we asked.

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is not simple, in fact, it is a device for insertion into a EtherSound, but now it is more difficult.
Indeed, the preamps are remotely controlled remotely by software developed by Es-monitor Auvitran (inventor of the system) is compatible with a console directly into the console menus.
Here is the compatibility list (shamelessly pumped into the user's manual):

M7CL-48ES 48in / 24out EtherSound connector
M7CL-48 48in / 24out D-sub 9pin
M7CL-32 48in / 24out D-sub 9pin
LS9-32 32in / 16out via MY Card Slot
LS9-16 16in / MY 8OUT via Card Slot
DM1000 32in / 16out D-sub 9pin
DM2000 64in / 32out D-sub 9pin
PM5D/PM5D-RH 64in / 32out D-sub 9pin
DME64N 64in / 32out D-sub 9pin
DME24N 16in / D-sub 9pin 8OUT
DME8i-ES/8o-ES/4io-ES 64in / 32out Not supported
02R96 64in / 32out Not supported
01V96 16in / 8OUT Not supported

The console of my studio is a 02R96, therefore NOT COMPATIBLE! bad luck. But suddenly, I control the preamp (gain, low cut adjustable 48V) by the software Es-Monitor. Software for the moment only PC, but it is still young.
All these factors taken into account, it's not that difficult, but it ressemple most of the config fixed at the ultra-mobility. It seems that in the future, we can control it all with a MIDI control surface, but as Charles Pasqua said so aptly "The promises only bind those who believe." I believe in death, I expect the same iPhone app.
With the latest generation consoles (LS9, M7CL ,...) it will certainly be more convenient, especially in mobile.
The manual is crystal clear, you can even read all the stuff you would never have done if he had read before.

SOUND QUALITY

In terms of sound, the Yamaha, and Yamaha, we know. It is clear, even surgery, is dynamic, fast, bandwidth is well respected, but it stops there. No special warmth, no character, no color, we are left with a typical sound Yamaha 02R96, DM1000, DM2000, later know.
We can therefore say that the sound of microphones is correctly reproduced and the preamps are transparent. If you have good pickups coupled with a nice sound, good for you, otherwise they will not make you a gift. and as Prince Charles said: "Garbage in, garbage out."

OVERALL OPINION

We can say that it's been a year since I use this machine that brings 16in and 8 out XLR rab 'on my console and it is good practice. I have tried no other model before it saw the youth of the EtherSound technology. It must be said that the machine being of the same brand as the console, it feels like a family look at the configuration (except the software Es-Monitor is a third company and under development, but in the common sense).

+ Sound very transparent
+ Network Ethersound (64 pairs in one cable RJ-45, imagine ...)
+ Strong
+ Reliable (not crash)

- Sound (any character)
- The configuration (but we learn lots of stuff
- No knob, it's weird ...
- Kind of expensive

With experience, I will say to the "potential buyers" to carefully consider the investment in such equipment because it is the slippery slope of technology EtherSound (with all the heads taken to install that go with it).
It's expensive, even very expensive, but if you are in a process of investment and technological renewal is the future.