The Yahama LS9-16 and LS9-32 make immense digital processing power and control flexibility available via an interface that will quickly become comfortable and convenient for the first-time user. Anyone who has ever used a Yamaha digital console before will feel right at home. Fader levels are directly controlled via precision 100-millimeter motor faders for instant hands-on access. Corresponding illuminated switches are provided for channel on/off switching and cueing, and independent LED level meters let you keep an eye on channel signal levels. Yamaha's acclaimed Selected Channel interface provides efficient access to other channel functions via an ingenious integration of physical controllers and a large color LCD panel. Deeper functions and system settings can be efficiently accessed via the console's "Display Access" keys and programmed via the LCD display and data entry controls. A "Home" key brings you right back to the main operating mode no matter where you are, so you need never be lost in menus.

One of the reasons the Yahama LS9 consoles are so compact – and another reason you'll want to go digital – is that a total of 17 physical faders on the Yahama LS9-16, or a total of 33 on the Yahama LS9-32, give you fast, easy access to all input channel, mix bus, matrix, and master levels. On both consoles the input channels are available in two fully patchable layers: 1~;16 and 17~;32 on the Yahama LS9-16, or 1~;32 and 33~;64 on the Yahama LS9-32. And you can switch between layers instantly by tapping a single dedicated button. You can organize your inputs so that channels you'll want to operate most of the time are in the "top" layer, or you can "vertically" link input channels across the two layers for stereo operation. Of course you can link channels "horizontally" in the same layer if you like, but pairing vertically keeps controls you don't need to operate out of the way. You can even "Y-split" channels to appear in both layers and have a monitor and a FOH layer. There's also a "Master" layer button that brings all 16 mix bus levels to the console's faders on the Yahama LS9-16, and additionally the matrix levels and mono bus level on the 33-fader Yahama LS9-32. In addition to the two input channel layers and master layer, the Yahama LS9 consoles feature a "Custom Fader" layer to which you can assign any combination of input and output channel faders your application requires. Stereo inputs are handled in a similar way on the Yahama LS9-16, with two stereo inputs on each of the input layers. The Yahama LS9-32 provides panel controls for all four stereo inputs. The Yahama LS9-16 provides 16 analog inputs built-in, while the Yahama LS9-32 has 32 internal analog inputs. Additional inputs can be provided via the LS-9-16's single rear-panel Mini-YGDAI expansion slot, or the dual expansion slots provided on the Yahama LS9-32.

The 16 mix buses can function as any combination of 16 auxiliary sends or sub-groups. That's a lot of AUX knobs and/or faders. However on the Yahama LS9 consoles the mix bus levels are controlled via the "1-16, 17-32 or 1-32, 33-64" fader layer with the simple Sends on Fader function. Just touch the "Master" button and faders 1 through 16 directly control the mix bus levels. Each of the mix buses can be easily assigned for mono or stereo operation. You can also choose the send point to be pre or post fader, and when it's pre-fader you can even select the send point to be pre or post EQ and dynamics. But don't worry about the choices because Yamaha provides an easily recalled default setup scene that lets you get mixing straight out of the box. The Yahama LS9 also features an 8-bus matrix that can be used to provide additional outputs whenever they are needed. The matrix can receive signals from output groups so it can be used to create extra monitor mixes or used for different level and EQ setting in a distributed PA system. And for main output both models have a stereo bus and a mono bus that can either be used independently or in LCR mode with proper LCR pan control. Outputs can be patched to any of eight analog "Omni" outputs on the Yahama LS9-16, or 16 omni outputs on the Yahama LS9-32. Additional outputs can be provided via the rear-panel Mini-YGDAI expansion slots – one slot on the Yahama LS9-16, and two slots on the Yahama LS9-32.