True Integrated Monitoring

Offering real-time, independent and most importantly no-latency mixes with FX for several performers is an engineering challenge in itself, and there are only one or two FireWire I/O interfaces on the market that can achieve this. Even these units are functionally isolated from the DAW software forcing the user to use additional mixing applications, in turn hampering workflow and splintering what should be a truly integrated production system.

With the unique True Integrated Monitoring technology, Cubase manages all audio streams with perfect sync. No-latency mixes for performers with DSP FX (compressor, EQ und reverb effects for MR816 CSX and reverb effects for MR816 X) are managed side-by-side with mixes played back through the Cubase audio engine that combine hard disk audio data and live streams being recorded at the same time — all within Cubase. Combined with other unique features, True Integrated Monitoring allows a highly efficient workflow that boosts productivity to new levels. The technological know-how required for this level of integration results directly from the ongoing cooperation between Steinberg software engineers and the hardware experts at Yamaha.

Flexible I/O

The MR816 interfaces provide all the audio I/O connectivity needed for any audio recording situation:

• Eight "D-Pre" XLR/TRS combo connectors with Class A discrete preamps with +48 V and -26 dB pad switch per channel
• Eight analog balanced TRS outputs for separate studio performer mixes and a variety of different monitoring setups
• One Hi-Z input for electric guitar or bass
• Optical input and output port for ADAT digital audio streams or S/PDIF optical
• S/PDIF coaxial input and output
• WordClock port
• Two independent headphone outputs with individual level control from the front panel
• Two inserts for integration of additional hardware FX

D-Pre Mic Preamps

Both MR816 interfaces feature the latest generation of Yamaha microphone preamps: the "D-Pre". Meticulously engineered to the highest standards, these discrete Class A analog mic preamps feature combination XLR and TRS analog inputs for connection of 8 ¼" jack plugs or standard XLR connectors, supporting both balanced and unbalanced signals. Each D-Pre is fitted with a -26 dB Pad selector as well as true 48 volt phantom power per channel. An additional phase inversion capability and high pass filter are available directly from the Cubase mixer or MR Editor software via remote control.

What sets these preamps apart? The audio quality of the eight D-Pres can only be described as stunning. Each utilizes an advanced inverted Darlington circuit design and electronics components specifically designed for the MR816 CSX and MR816 X. The result is a sumptuously smooth and richly detailed sound normally only attained by preamps costing many times more; the outstanding sound of these mic pres obviate the need for all but the rarest vintage preamps.
Just as important as the preamps are, of course, the converters behind them. The MR816s include first-rate A/D and D/A converters that offer absolutely crystal-clear sound that portrays the sound with astonishing precision and clarity.

Each D-Pre is paired with a useful signal/peak lamp that lights up green when a signal between -40 dB and -3 dB is connected, warning with a red light if levels reach -3 dB. Unlike many other preamps, the red warning light alerts the engineer not just when it’s already “too late” and a signal has already clipped the converter behind it, but indicates that gain levels should be checked and monitored closely.

DSP Power for Cubase

On top of the excellent I/O capability, the MR816 CSX features an onboard DSP chip that runs up to 8 instances of the highly acclaimed Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip plug-in, featuring the latest compression and EQ technology. The Both MRs feature the renowned REV-X reverb, which is also featured on many top Yamaha hardware mixing consoles.

Each independent monitor mix can utilize the DSP capability for an outstanding sound that every performer will feel extremely comfortable performing to. Optionally, the FX can be included in the signal recorded to the input track. The signal can, of course, also be recorded dry with no FX or bypassed completely.
The Advanced Integration of MR816 in Cubase goes even further. The full DSP capability is also available as VST3 plug-ins in Cubase when mixing! Wit the MR816, up to 8 instances of the Sweet Sport Morphing Channel Strip plug-in can run as an insert plug-in in Cubase (MR816 CSX only), as well as one instance of REV-X. This adds additional first-class FX capability that is available even when the computer’s CPU is running under a high load.

For Cubase owners, MR816 combines not only outstanding I/O capability, extremely easy handling and no-latency monitor mixing, but also a powerful DSP capability — a peerless combination with an almost unbeatable price/performance ratio. 

Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip with Compressor and EQ (MR816 CSX only)

The innovative Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip is a unique new compression and EQ tool that runs on DSP inside the MR816 CSX. While the first-class algorithms developed by Yamaha deliver sonically excellent equalization and compression, this unique new plug-in has also been designed for convenience, accessibility and simplicity of operation.

The Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip consists of a sidechain-enabled compressor and a 3-band parametric equalizer, which can be applied to up to 8 mono input channels or 4 stereo input channels on the MR816 CSX or on Cubase tracks during mixing. Both EQ and compressor were developed to attain a highly “musical” sound that can not only give audio signals new sparkle and punch or help (re)define their sonic personality, but also work adaptively on audio signals to blend them satisfyingly into a mix.

The first-class sonic qualities of the Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip are not the only aspect that set it apart. It also features a unique new way to set up a great sound for just about any audio signal in next to no time: the Morph knob. Simply turning this knob smoothly morphs through both EQ and compression settings in combination, allowing the user to ‘dial in’ the ideal sound very quickly just by using one single control element.

As an additional workflow enhancement, MR816 CSX also features built-in hardware control for the DSP effects, because both the Morph and Drive knobs can be remote controlled from the front panel of the MR816 CSX! The two multifunctional knobs can be assigned to these two settings simply by setting the MR816 CSX to MORPH mode on its front panel. This offers very intuitive hardware control over these two parameters directly from the MR816 CSX.

Using the Morph knob is especially useful for recording situations where quick setup for EQ and compression is paramount. Newcomers to recording will also find this system very helpful, as presets for many common recording situations are included. The presets were designed by veteran audio engineers using their many years of recording experience, and cover ideal EQ and compression settings for instruments, drums, vocals and many more situations. Each of the parameters can, of course, be edited singly from the interface, and individual setups stored as presets for later recall.

The REV-X built into both MR816 interfaces is a complex reverb algorithm developed by Yamaha. It provides a high density, richly reverberant sound quality, with smooth attenuation, spread and depth that work together to enhance the original sound. Yamaha's REV-X digital reverb algorithm is renowned for its high resolution and extraordinarily natural sound.

Each MR816 features three types of reverb effects: Hall, Room and Plate simulations with reverb time and level control. Reverb Time and Level can be controlled either through Cubase or from the front panel of the MR816. This superlative reverb processor also featured on Yamaha’s premiere digital consoles is ideal for monitoring mixes for performers, but also adds a further excellent reverb to your available VST plug-ins on mixdown.

MR816 interfaces feature direct integration into Cubase through unique windows and views within Cubase that appear only when they are connected. These interface elements allow full control of the hardware’s functionality from within Cubase itself. This includes not only the Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip (MR816 CSX only) and REV-X reverb DSP effects, but almost all hardware functionality in the MR816s including performer mixes and their levels, phantom power selection, -26 dB pad, high pass filters and phase inversion switch per input channel.

The benefits are an extremely fast and intuitive workflow that handles software and hardware effectively as one system! Attention is focused on Cubase at all times without creative flow being broken off by having to open or edit in other applications. And because the features are all embedded in the Cubase graphic environment, they’re very intuitive to use for anyone who is already used to Cubase — no need to adjust to another graphic environment to adjust levels for performer mix, for example. This is only one of the many Advanced Integration features between MR816 intefaces and Cubase, which effectively meld hardware and software together into perhaps the most sophisticated production system available today.

Setting up a project with MR816 interfaces is extremely easy and intuitive. Templates offer pre-made setups with routing and I/O configurations already set up, automatically creating and assigning inputs and outputs for connected devices. Additionally, if no input busses have yet been created within the project, selecting a Cubase track and pushing the button of the desired channel on the front panel not only routes that input to that track, but automatically creates either a mono or stereo bus as desired.

The bottom line? No need to manually create buses or reassign I/Os in the VST Connections window, with obvious benefits for project workflow. No other combination of FireWire hardware and software offers such flexible and intuitive I/O handling within a software DAW. As one of the unique Advanced Integration features, Quick Connect helps MR816 interfaces integrate completely into Cubase to form a next-generation software and hardware system that discards traditional boundaries between these two previously separate worlds.

Quick Connect: next-generation of plug and play and instant setup

Extendable system

Developed using advanced technologies to offer seamless scalability, this mixing and recording system offers many options to increase the number of available inputs, preamps, outputs and DSP capability — all on the same FireWire port. Up to three MR816s can be used simultaneously by connecting them in daisy-chain fashion to a computer via IEEE1394 cables. The number of available channels for input and output across the system can be easily expanded simply by adding up to two more MR816s. The MR816 supports up to 48 input and output channels — using only one FireWire port on the computer. All connected I/Os are recognized by Cubase simultaneously, with no additional setup required. Cubase also automatically assigns the correct I/O port configuration for one, two or three units, depending on how many are connected. Even when multiple MR816s are connected, parameters such as those for digital audio input/output, Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip (MR816 CSX only) and REV-X are available for each device individually.

Because of the highly flexible driver architecture, both MR816 CSX and MR816 X models are fully compatible with each other and run daisy-chained together on the same system, allowing full flexibility in creating a customized system that offers the needed number of inputs, outputs and DSP capability.

New and enhanced features with update version 1.5

• Output level metering of each audio stream and additional control of MR816 Master volume levels from within Cubase
• Expanded and enhanced Audio Hardware Setting dialog for controlling master levels of analog and digital outputs from within Cubase
• Enhanced MR Editor

Cubase AI included

Cubase AI is a special, compact version of Steinberg’s famed music production system. Based on the same technology as Cubase, Cubase AI offers powerful yet easy-to-use software tools for audio recording, editing, MIDI sequencing and mixing — exclusive to customers of selected Steinberg or Yamaha hardware.