Yamaha 03D
The desktop digital console that put 20-bit mixing in every studio
List price at launch 3,000 GBP as of 1996
Description
Launched in 1996 in the wake of the 02R, the Yamaha 03D brought digital mixing to countless home studios, post rooms and small control rooms. On a compact desktop footprint it packs 26 processed channels, 4-band EQ and dynamics everywhere, two effect processors, scene automation and even surround panning — all at 20-bit. In use I find it dense but logical: once the page navigation clicks, you have a complete digital studio under your hands, and its onboard effects still get you out of trouble today.
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Total inputs | 26 |
|---|---|
| Mic inputs | 16 |
| Line inputs | 16 |
| Total outputs | 10 |
Processing
| Mix buses | 4 |
|---|---|
| Aux sends | 4 |
| Max sample rate | 48 kHz |
| Bit depth | 20 bits |
| Processing resolution | 32 bits |
| Conversion | 20-bit A/D; 20-bit D/A (main out) / 18-bit (buses & aux); 44.1 or 48 kHz |
| Channel processing | 32-bit processing (EQ maths carried on internal 44-bit numbers) |
| EQ | 4-band parametric EQ per channel (bell, high/low shelving) |
| Dynamics | Configurable dynamics processors on inputs, outputs and effect chains |
| Effects and plug-ins | 2 stereo multi-effect processors (reverb, delay, chorus, pitch, amp sim…), 64 presets + 32 user memories |
| Surround and immersive | Surround panning: stereo, quad, matrix LCRS, discrete (3 front / 2 rear / sub) |
| Modularity and expansion | 1 mini-YGDAI slot: ADAT, TDIF, AES-EBU, Yamaha Y2 cards (+8 digital I/O) |
Surface
| Physical faders | 19 |
|---|---|
| Motorized faders | Yes |
| Fader layers | 2 |
| Screens | 1 |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Faders | 19 motorised 60 mm faders, arranged in layers (channels / bus masters) |
| Scenes and recall | 51 scene memories; dynamic automation |
Recording
| Onboard recording | No |
|---|
Networking
| Networking & protocols | ADAT / AES/EBU |
|---|---|
| Redundant PSU | No |
| Redundant networking | No |
Physical
| Width | 460 mm |
|---|---|
| Depth | 516 mm |
| Height | 204 mm |
| Weight | 16 kg |
Other
| Broadcast features | Controllable from a video editing suite via ESAM II (software update) |
|---|
Strip & details
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Software
Other screenshots
Documents
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
The Yamaha 03D is a compact desktop digital mixing console launched in 1996, positioned below the 02R. It offers 16 mono analogue inputs and one stereo analogue input (26 processed channels total) to 4 mix buses, 4 auxes and a main stereo output. The surface has 19 motorised 60 mm faders in layers.
Every channel carries a 4-band parametric EQ and assignable dynamics processors. Two stereo multi-effect processors (reverb, delay, chorus, pitch-shift, amp simulation…) are built in, with 64 presets and 32 user memories. Conversion is 20-bit (18-bit D/A on buses/aux), internal processing 32-bit, at 44.1/48 kHz. It stores 51 scenes and offers several surround panning modes (stereo, quad, LCRS, discrete 5.1). A single mini-YGDAI expansion slot accepts ADAT, TDIF, AES-EBU or Yamaha Y2 cards for eight extra digital I/O. A software update enables control from a video editing suite (ESAM II protocol).
Links
Related consoles
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Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]