Yamaha 02R
The digital recording console that brought the project studio into the digital age (1995)
Description
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Expansion cards | Plug-in open-format digital I/O cards (AES/EBU, ADAT, TDIF and more) |
|---|
Processing
| Mix buses | 8 |
|---|---|
| DSP engine | 32-bit internal digital processing |
| Max sample rate | 48 kHz |
| Bit depth | 20 bits |
| Processing resolution | 32 bits |
| Architecture | 8-bus digital recording console; 20-bit conversion, 32-bit internal processing |
| Modularity and expansion | Two 02R units cascadable in the digital domain |
| Channels | 40 input channels + 2 analog stereo effects returns (44 mix channels) |
| EQ | Four-band parametric equalizer on every channel |
| Dynamics | Dynamics processing on every channel; input delays |
| Effects and plug-ins | Two built-in effects processors |
Surface
| Motorized faders | Yes |
|---|---|
| Touchscreen | No |
| Automation | Timecode-based automation; mix data in non-volatile memory (512 KB, expandable to 2.5 MB); full recall |
Networking
| Networking & protocols | ADAT / AES/EBU |
|---|
Other
| Applications | A pivotal console of the modular digital recording era; brought digital mixing to the pro project studio |
|---|---|
| Lineage | Followed by the 03D (1997), 01V (1998) and 02R96 (2002) |
| Year / dates | World launch on 20 June 1995 (Air Lyndhurst Studios, London) |
| Price | Over GBP 7,000 per Sound on Sound (1997); exact launch price to be confirmed |
Strip & details
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
Launched worldwide on 20 June 1995 at Air Lyndhurst Studios in London, the Yamaha 02R is an 8-bus digital recording console that defined the modular digital recording era. It offers 40 input channels plus two analog stereo effects returns, for 44 channels in all, with 20-bit conversion and 32-bit internal processing.
Every channel has a four-band parametric equalizer, dynamics processing and input delays; two effects processors are built in. Its timecode-based automation keeps mix data in non-volatile memory (512 KB, expandable to 2.5 MB) and allows full recall of the setup. The faders are motorized.
Its strength lay in its "open system" digital compatibility: plug-in I/O cards added AES/EBU, ADAT, TDIF and other formats, slotting it straight into the modular recorders of the day. Two 02R units could be cascaded in the digital domain. It opened a prolific lineage: 03D (1997), 01V (1998), then 02R96 (2002).
Links
Related consoles
Some merchant links are affiliate links. Purchases may support Digital Mixing at no extra cost.
Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]