Yamaha TF-3 Digital Mixer - Returned Item (Condition: Very Good)

Intuitive user interface optimized for touchpanel operation

When Yamaha's engineers developed the TF series they started from the highly optimized user interfaces of existing 'pro' consoles and focused especially on touchpanel operation, which has proven itself in countless situations. Because most tasks can be executed exclusively via the touchpanel, the interface becomes second nature for most users very quickly. It doesn't matter whether you already have experience with Yamaha digital consoles, have worked on other digital or analog boards, or are a newcomer: the TF consoles guide you to the desired result quickly and effortlessly thanks to a smooth and efficient workflow. And because the screen is surrounded by physical, 'real' controls, operation becomes even more precise and easier.

Operate In No Time With The 'Touch & Turn' Controls

If, for example, you want to fine-tune an EQ parameter, the physical 'Touch & Turn' control — always immediately accessible alongside the touchpanel — is ideal. In addition there are four user-defined controls that can be assigned to other parameters you need quick access to, such as compressor threshold or EQ gain. The controls always affect the currently selected channel.

Proven 'Overview' And 'Selected Channel' Views

As with the CL-series consoles, the 'Overview' and 'Selected Channel' views form the foundation of operation. The 'Overview' display shows parameters of eight channels simultaneously, while the 'Touch & Turn' control provides direct access to parameters like gain, 1-knob EQ, 1-knob comp, gate threshold, effect send level, pan and other general mixer parameters. Tap the highlighted parameter a second time and you'll reach the 'Selected Channel' view, where you get more detailed access to the channel's parameters.

New Features For Effortless, Accelerated Setup

Correctly setting levels, EQs and compressors requires experience and deep knowledge. Even seasoned engineers need time for basic adjustments. In addition to the intuitive interface, TF consoles offer many features that simplify and speed up the setup of these essential parameters.

Get To The Ideal Sound Fast: '1-Knob COMP' & '1-Knob EQ'

An experienced engineer can do a lot with a compressor: add breath to a guitar, give a bass more punch, tighten a snare or push vocals forward. The '1-Knob COMP' lets you achieve all this quickly and effortlessly without juggling many confusing parameters. The '1-Knob COMP' was first introduced on Yamaha's analog mixers and proved valuable and popular. In the digital version the compressor was refined further, making the TF consoles easy and time-saving to set up. The same concept applies to the '1-Knob EQ', allowing simple adjustment with a single control. Yamaha's development team tuned the '1-Knob EQ' in collaboration with seasoned engineers so you can achieve great results with minimal effort. The 'Vocal Mode' helps get a clear, defined vocal sound, while the 'Intensity' mode can boost or cut EQ curves that you can select from presets or create yourself. But that's not all: the '1-Knob EQ' and '1-Knob COMP' are also available on output channels, so you can adapt the overall mix easily to audience size and room. The output '1-Knob EQ' features a Loudness mode instead of Vocal Mode: turning the control to the right increases perceived loudness while keeping an optimal sound. From both the '1-Knob Comp' and '1-Knob EQ' you can jump directly to the full compressor and EQ views for fine tuning.

Reliable Leveling With 'GainFinder'

The input signal first passes through the gain stage, where the input sensitivity of the preamp is set. If the preamp is set incorrectly, not only does sound quality suffer, but downstream parameters behave differently. Yamaha found a way to make this important base parameter easier than ever to set. With the new GainFinder function, individual signals can be leveled perfectly to achieve optimal signal quality. The user simply adjusts the channel gain until the green lamp in the middle of the level meter stays lit as continuously as possible. Of course, the meters also work in the traditional way if you prefer to set preamps manually.

Pro Sound: The QuickPro Presets

After intensive collaboration with renowned engineers, microphone manufacturers such as Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and Shure, and long testing with many microphones, instruments, speakers and in-ear systems, Yamaha's team focused on creating typical starting points suitable for many event types. Equipped with these practical presets, even novices can get very close to an ideal sound, while experienced users will appreciate not having to adjust much and gaining time for other tasks. The QuickPro Presets are sorted by instrument type and available instantly. They store parameters for HA, EQ and Comp modules as well as channel names and colors. The 1-Knob processors EQ and COMP are included in the QuickPro presets, speeding up and simplifying sound setup. The output channel library includes parameter sets optimized for Yamaha active speakers, with variations for different environments and room sizes. Presets for in-ear monitoring are included as well. These settings can be used immediately when time is short or serve as excellent starting points for manual fine-tuning. All your own settings can of course be saved to additional memory locations.

Two Banks Full Of Mix Scenes

The scene memory consists of banks A and B, each holding up to 100 mix scenes — that's 200 scenes total, ready to be recalled at any time. Many scenes are preprogrammed to give users a head start: there are scenes optimized for the 1-Knob-COMP and 1-Knob-EQ for easy operation and scenes for experienced engineers who prefer the conventional approach with the 1-Knob functions disabled. The two banks are ideal for organizing different scene types — for example, one bank for music scenes and the other for event-specific scenes.

Efficient Workflow Thanks To Optimized Console Layout

A careful analysis of workflows preferred by many renowned engineers led to a perfectly optimized arrangement of controls on the surface, enabling highly efficient operation. The TF series does not include a random list of every modern feature — you will find only functions that make sense. These are logically arranged for visibility and ease of use within a well-thought-out overall concept.

Comprehensive Fader Bank Section

There are two 'INPUT' banks and one 'OUTPUT' bank. Pressing both 'INPUT' bank buttons at once activates a 'GROUP' bank. Here the levels of several channel faders belonging to a group can be controlled by a single DCA fader. There's also a 'CUSTOM' fader bank where you can assign any input, output or DCA group to any fader.

DCA 'Roll-out' Simplifies Access To Group Channels

When the 'GROUP' fader bank is selected, all faders except DCA buses 1 to 8 act as 'roll-out' faders. That means when you select a DCA group, the input channels that belong to that group are rolled out to a dedicated set of faders. This feature provides quick access to the levels and other parameters of individual group channels while the eight DCA faders can be used for the overall mix.

Channel Names And Color

A display above each channel fader shows the assigned channel name or ID, the connection name and the current fader position. Phantom power status and compressor/gate activity can also be shown. A color bar indicating the channel color makes navigation simple and prevents mistakes when recalling scenes or switching fader banks.

Faders Provide Clear Overview And Direct Access To All Inputs

The TF5 has 33 motor faders, the TF3 has 25 and the TF1 has 17. All inputs on the rear panel have their own fader so their settings can be seen at a glance and accessed directly at any time.

SENDS ON FADER Section

The 'SENDS ON FADER' buttons assign the faders to AUX or FX bus levels, so they can be read and adjusted conveniently. When 'SENDS ON FADER' is active, the master fader functions as the bus master for the selected bus. AUX levels can be checked and adjusted without switching fader banks.

Upper Console Area And Ergonomics

The top area of the console is shaped to serve as a rest for an iPad, a setlist, notes or other small items. The control surface consists of three cleverly angled sections to maximize visibility and provide perfect access to all controls.

'TF Editor' Enables Offline Editing And Real-Time Control

The 'TF Editor' software for Windows and Mac provides a full interface to set up and edit the console offline. Presets and scenes can be managed, channel names entered via a virtual keyboard. The 'TF Editor' can also be used online simultaneously with 'TF StageMix' and 'MonitorMix'. The gestures used on the console display work with a Windows-8 touch screen. A PC can be used as a convenient remote control of the mixer via Wi-Fi. Up to three devices running 'TF Editor' or 'TF StageMix' can be used at the same time.

TF StageMix For Mixing Over Wi-Fi

'TF StageMix' is an iPad app that turns the tablet into a wireless controller for the TF series. You can mix remotely from the audience area, from in front of stage monitors, or from any listening position. The app also extends the console's interface. StageMix operates as smoothly as the console, so fine-tuning a mix from any location is straightforward.

Independent Monitor Mixes With MonitorMix

The MonitorMix software for the TF series allows independent AUX monitor mixes from up to ten Apple devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch) simultaneously. Each performer has comprehensive control over their assigned Aux buses without dealing with complex parameters. Group presets simplify operation further — all levels of a monitor mix, for example, can be controlled from a single fader. Up to three devices with 'TF Editor' or StageMix and up to 10 devices with MonitorMix can be connected simultaneously. This lets large bands provide performers with their own monitor mix control, greatly easing the workload of the front-of-house engineer.

Recallable D-PRE Microphone Preamps

TF-series consoles are equipped with new versions of Yamaha's popular D-PRE microphone preamps. Because preamps have a significant impact on final sound, Yamaha's engineers spared no effort in developing and refining them to ensure no nuance of the original signal is lost. The preamp is based on a discrete inverted Darlington pair design, providing clear, precise gain with consistently low noise and distortion at all levels. While some preamps intentionally color the sound, D-PRE preamps were painstakingly tuned for a very neutral sound and wide frequency range so the artist's character and every detail of their performance are preserved.

Powerful Processors And Effects

In addition to one EQ and two dynamics processors in each channel, the TF series offers eight powerful processors and effects for comprehensive signal processing. FX modules 1 and 2 are technically equivalent to Yamaha's renowned SPX processors, standard tools in live and studio work. The 17 programs range from reverbs and delays to modulation effects like flanger and chorus and even 3-band multiband compression. Pressing EDIT opens the effect parameter view so you can access parameters like reverb time or delay feedback. The remaining six processors are available on mix channels AUX 9/10 through 19/20. They include all effects except reverb.* The multiband compressor is ideal for level control in in-ear monitoring, while delay can be used for speaker time alignment. Because AUX buses can be routed cleverly to the stereo bus, effects can also be used on input channels if FX 1 and 2 are insufficient. AUX buses 1-8 and the main outputs share the same parametric 4-band EQ as the inputs and additionally offer a 31-band Flex12 graphic EQ. Both EQ types are essential for speaker tuning and feedback suppression. *Reverb is available on AUX 9/10 and AUX 11/12.

Versatile Live Recording And Playback For Any Application

The ability to perform live recordings is increasingly important. The TF series supports simple 2-track recording/playback via USB storage as well as multitrack recording with a DAW. The console ships with Steinberg's Cubase AI, allowing up to 16 tracks to be recorded to a computer via USB 2.0. For more complex setups, optional Steinberg Nuendo Live supports simultaneous recording of up to 34 tracks. USB storage devices can play MP3 and WAV files. iPhones and iPads can be connected digitally for playback. When playing from a DAW, either the analog or DAW input can be selected per channel, enabling pre-prepared audio to be mixed with live inputs for virtual soundchecks or rehearsals. Background music and sound effects can of course also be played back.