• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Learning to use a Yamaha O1V

BluesOnBass

BluesOnBass

Dec 17, 2010
552
302
By the Big Lake
#1
Hey Talkbass,

I will start out by saying that I am new to mixing, digital mixing, and to the O1V.

I have the manual, I've read posts, I've watched videos. These have all been good at pointing out what the O1V CAN do, but not so good at describing HOW to do each thing. Like step by step.

I know this is an older (obsolete?) mixer, and there are many better options out there, but I found mine in mint condition for a great price, so I dove in. I've always loved electronics and playing around with stereos, tape decks, etc., so I thought this would be fun too. It is, but I didn't expect such a steep learning curve.

But, I also love a challenge, so I have been taking things a step at a time, trying to figure out on my own how to work this thing. So far, I have been able to get my bass plugged in through a DI box, and route the signal out to my power amp and to a main speaker, and also how to route the signal out to my wireless in-ears system. This felt great to figure out, although I'm sure it's pretty basic to many experienced players out there.

I'm wondering if there are any others who have already gone down this path, who might be able to help me as I continue to learn all the myriad things this mixer can do. Also, if I share what I discover, maybe it can help somebody else out.

So - is there anybody who has a good working knowledge of running the O1V, and/or anyone else interested in learning how to?

If so, I will start posting what I learn/figure out as I go along.

Thanks for reading!
 
#2
My old band used to use one. BL delved in deep and got it to do what he wanted. Worked fine. Nice small footprint. He bought the piece that allowed for another set of channels. If I recall you have to rack mount it. This was over 10 years ago so I'm barely recalling. I'm sure Yamaha sold a ton of these and folks are still using them because I see very few for sale.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass
#3
They are still fine, and many bands use them. But compared to some more modern digital boards the O1V is not exactly easy to use.

When I run FOH I have lately been using the Presonus SL and Behringer X32, but this summer I got a call doing sound for a band whose engineer was ill. They had an O1V with a lot of scenes preprogrammed, so in theory it should have been a walk in the park. But a few things needed some tweaking and I thought I knew the board fairly well, so of course I got lost in the pages and managed to f**k up the monitor feeds really bad. Sounded fine to the audience though...
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass and s0c9
#4
Before we went with the X32 (Producer), we looked at LOT of small-footprint digital consoles - from Behringer, Presonus, QSC, Mackie, Soundcraft and Yamaha - I think there were more, but it was 2+ yrs ago.
We (the BL) found that going to digital from analog the X32 was the simplest and could sit on the stage.
The 01V had great audio but small screen.. and many, many layers to get to adjust compression.
The conclusion was that they all "did the same thing", but the "workflow" was easiest on the X32... and I owned a Presonus 442 when we went thru this exercise.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass
#5
Thank you for the replies everyone :)

We are actually using a different yamaha (analog) mixer for our band right now that does the job fairly well for us, so fortunately no time pressure to learn this thing, but I'm hoping to figure it out well enough to be able to program in settings for different venues that then can be recalled and tweaked as needed "with the push of a button" or two...

If nothing else, it's fun for me to learn and master something like this. I was just struck by the lack of step-by-step directions for HOW to do the basic things with this mixer, despite much talk and display of WHAT it can do.

So as a way to maybe help others, and honestly, to help me remember the steps until I've done things enough to have them memorized, I think I will start posting what I learn and see if there is any interest out there. I think getting all the signals from inputs routed to the right outputs is my next goal, and then maybe on to adding effects to channels.

I hope everybody has a great weekend!
 
#7
the o2r96 version 2 is very similar in function and yamaha is notorious for their story book type manuals example being the outputs can be routed using digital busses, omni outs, or aux outs refer to page (insert page number here) then go to that page it describes it in pieces then refers somewhere else. Similar to those adventure books where you choose your path lol. I was taught on the o2r96 version 2 console when i went to school for audio engineering (they had an o1v in studio E) we used the o2r's for our practical exams because if you can get that thing to route and function for what you need you can pretty much use any other digital console. good luck make that manual your bible i did for my o2r.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass
#10
BluesOnBass said:
I will start out by saying that I am new to mixing, digital mixing, and to the O1V.
Click to expand...
Man, I gotta say it seems like you've chosen an odd mountain to climb, with not much reward at the top. Are you trying to learn mixing or learn programming obsolete computer systems?

A $600 xr18 will do vastly more and be vastly easier to use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass and s0c9
#12
FNHScar17s said:
the o2r96 version 2 is very similar in function and yamaha is notorious for their story book type manuals example being the outputs can be routed using digital busses, omni outs, or aux outs refer to page (insert page number here) then go to that page it describes it in pieces then refers somewhere else. Similar to those adventure books where you choose your path lol. I was taught on the o2r96 version 2 console when i went to school for audio engineering (they had an o1v in studio E) we used the o2r's for our practical exams because if you can get that thing to route and function for what you need you can pretty much use any other digital console. good luck make that manual your bible i did for my o2r.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I am actually having fun figuring it out, once I started making progress with it. I can see why it might be used for exams!! You are so right :)
 
#15
walterw said:
Man, I gotta say it seems like you've chosen an odd mountain to climb, with not much reward at the top. Are you trying to learn mixing or learn programming obsolete computer systems?

A $600 xr18 will do vastly more and be vastly easier to use.
Click to expand...


Yeah :). Well... Digital mixer for $200 in mint condition. Saw some good reviews on it (old ones...) and did not know what I was getting into!

I actually already know how to program obsolete computer systems! Unfortunately not at all helpful with this beast.

But, I do love figuring things out. So far, I can get the inputs to the right place, route to the right outputs, and get sound out into the speakers. I even figured out how to input my iphone (Pandora and Dropbox) and play that through the system. And...I got an output into my R16 Zoom mixer so I can record, and do an output to my wireless in-ears system! Playing with equalization and effects now :)

Thanks again for all the replies so far :)
 
#17
01V is from another millenium , really :)
History | About | Yamaha

When it got out , there was nothing like it but it's been a long time and you also can HEAR it's age :)


It's a good way to learn about digital desk ..... if you know your way around the older Yamaha (Before M7CL) , you'll be OK with whatever is on the market today. The interface is not the simplest but they were Pioneering at that time , they didn't have a lot of competition in that price range.

I've worked A LOT with all of these , particularly DM2000 and PM5D , same Yamaha interface type....
Yamaha digital is very well implanted in this part of the world.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass, popgadget and Geri O
#18
It's been at least 15 years since I used an O1V, so in struggling to remember much about them other than they were amazing for their time. The only thing I didn't like was that it saved absolutely everything EXCEPT the input gain positions on each channel. That sucked, especially when that also controlled the gain on monitor mix.

The eq on the O1V was exceptional. 4 band fully parametric on every input AND every output. I don't know if the modern digital desks do that, but that was just phenomenal at the time. I have very fond memories of the O1V.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BluesOnBass and BassikLee
#19
Petebass said:
The eq on the O1V was exceptional. 4 band fully parametric on every input AND every output. I don't know if the modern digital desks do that
Click to expand...
of course they do, and being controllable by tablet said EQ is far easier to use.

it's like a parametric EQ curve was made for being nudged around with your finger and it just took a while for the right control method to show up for it.
 
#20
I have a yamaha aw4416 recorder. I think they had optional units in common with your o1v. I spent thousands on it and now it's worth nada. :meh:
I took me about a year of using it before I was competent at it! Just fiddling with it as I recorded the various bands I was in.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back