[Kinetic Spirit]

[quote=Geosync;1584895]1st: Warmth with air (if you know what I mean) none of our digital mixers have had that character.

My first post in Gearslutz but I've been around a long time in the recording/music business.
Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to get my hands on a N12 and I'm amazed at the sound that I get from this board. Like George said, "Warmth with air". Spot on.

I'm finding myself going back to the N12 for just about everything that I want to do because it sounds...well, analog-like and it sure as heck feels like I'm working with an analog board but getting all the benefits of some pretty cool new digital tricks that Yamaha has tossed in.

The mic-pre's, to my ears are extremely smooth, plenty of head-room, warm and they definitely induce a nice airy quality when you want it.

One of the first things that I do when working on a different console is take mics that I'm very familiar with and actually listen to the board pre's I'll be using. Mic-pre's aren't exactly rocket science but I'm always amazed at how much they often vary in sound... So, I try to determine if any glaring spikes or actual tonal emphasis "hot spots" are part of the "sound" of the mic-pre's. Nothing like that happening on the N12 mic-pres. Just accurate, solid amplification that really brings out the best in all my mics. It's as close to pristine sound as I've ever gotten including back to my beloved Neotek Series III, (long gone but not forgotten).

At $1499, it is one amazing console IMHO.