A Hands-On Guide to the n8/n12
Owner’s Manual
28
English
Making Great Mixes

Manipulating compression

The n8/n12 features a high-quality compressor inherited
from Yamaha’s cutting-edge digital mixers, acclaimed
by engineers all over the world.
A compressor is an effect that restrains the peak levels of
an input signal while enhancing the overall loudness of the
signal. Today, compressors are used in virtually every
recording environment as an important effect that
significantly influences the character of the sound.
However, most compressors require specialized knowledge
and experience in order to obtain the optimal results.
The n8/n12 use newly-developed Sweet Spot Morphing
Technology to deliver professional-quality results with
easy operation. The compressors of the n8/n12 contain
preset settings (Sweet Spot data) that were created by
top-class engineers and can be used simply by adjusting
(morphing) the Sweet Spot Data according to your taste.
By accessing the Yamaha website, you can download
to your computer various types of Sweet Spot data
created by famous engineers. The downloaded Sweet
Spot data can then be replaced to the n8/n12 if it is
connected to the computer.

■Which compressor setting

suits you?

Rotate the compressor’s [MORPH] control to select one
of the Sweet Spot settings. These Sweet Spot settings
(A-E) contain different compressor presets (Sweet Spot
data) created by famous sound engineers. Select one
and the corresponding preset data will be recalled.
If you set the [MORPH] control to a position between two
Sweet Spot settings, the compressor will use data from
between those settings. For example, if you set the control
to halfway between Sweet Spots A and B, the compressor
will apply the values that correspond to exactly halfway
between the values for Sweet Spots A and B. As you
rotate the control toward the Sweet Spot B position, the
values will become closer to those of Sweet Spot B.
In this way, you can set the compressor on the n8/n12
more intuitively using Sweet Spot data.
When shipped from the factory, Sweet Spots A-E use
the following settings:
■Want to tweak the compression?
Use the [DRIVE] control to adjust the degree of compression.
As you rotate the control clockwise, additional compression
is applied, and the output level is automatically adjusted
according to the degree of compression. You do not need
to be a high-tech wizard to control this compressor!
At a setting of “0,” no compression is applied.
When an input signal level exceeds a specified level
and the compressor is triggered, the corresponding
input channel [COMP] LED lights up. While listening
carefully, adjust the sound to your taste.
For more information on updating Sweet Spot data,
please refer to page 48.
NOTE
Sweet Spot A
Sweet Spot B
Sweet Spot C
Sweet Spot D
Sweet Spot E
A
B
C
D
EA
B
C
D
EA
B
C
D
EA
B
C
D
EA
B
C
D
E
AB C D
A/B=50%
A=100
%
B=100
%
C=100
%
D=100
%
E=100
%
B/C=50% C/D=50% D/E=50%
E
A
Natural-sounding compression that makes the
sound smoother. We recommend that you use
a fairly low depth setting for the compressor.
BEnriches the decay of the sound.
CEmphasizes the attack of the sound. A good
choice for drums or guitar.
DSlightly squashes the attack, making the attack
more consistent.
E
Squashes the sound to make the volume constant.
Depending on the input signal, the sound may
distort. When applied to drums, this can produce a
sound that is typical of British rock of the 60’s.

How a compressor works

A compressor suppresses the input signal peaks and
raises the overall sound pressure level to increase the
body of the sound. When an input signal level exceeds
a specified threshold, the compressor is triggered and
compresses the signal.
When the signal level falls below the threshold,
compression is removed.
How quickly the signal level changes after the
compressor is triggered or removed depends on the
compressor’s setting. For example, if you select a
setting with a slow response, the level will change
gradually and more naturally. If you select a setting
with a quick response, the level will change quickly.
threshold
input signal
compressed level
compressor triggered compressor removed
TIME
LEVEL