yamaha M7CL vs Roland m-400

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 6:22 pm

I've tried searching the forums for discussion on the m-400, but couldn't seem to find anything. Anyone have opinions about this vs. the yamaha? The digital snake and lower price point make it look pretty attractive...

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:42 pm

It's a Roland product. Name one digital audio mixing product that Roland has launched with success, and continued to support it.

If your Roland mixer fails, or your digital snake fails/is damaged, you have to locate another one locally to make your system work. That will be much easier to do with a Yamaha.

The Yamaha has had some issues. I think that they are getting the bugs worked out. I would go Yamaha myself.

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:25 pm

sheet wrote:

It's a Roland product. Name one digital audio mixing product that Roland has launched with success, and continued to support it.

If your Roland mixer fails, or your digital snake fails/is damaged, you have to locate another one locally to make your system work. That will be much easier to do with a Yamaha.

The Yamaha has had some issues. I think that they are getting the bugs worked out. I would go Yamaha myself.

Amen to that! Besides, if you wait another couple of months, musicians' friend will have the Roland on sale for 80% off list!

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:40 am

I work at a production company that owns both of these. They're completely different animals. It's like comparing a lion and a zebra. If you have the money go with the M7CL. There's tons more power in it, it's easier to use and has those little "extras" like direct outs. Well, that's not an extra but the M-400 doesn't have em. Just an example of the dumb things Roland sometimes does.

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:42 pm

MadTurki wrote:

I work at a production company that owns both of these. They're completely different animals. It's like comparing a lion and a zebra. If you have the money go with the M7CL. There's tons more power in it, it's easier to use and has those little "extras" like direct outs. Well, that's not an extra but the M-400 doesn't have em. Just an example of the dumb things Roland sometimes does.

Wow, you guys already have one? Being so new, I figured there is much of a user base out there yet.

I'm probably what you'd call your typical church volunteer who is feverishly researching and learning all I can about live audio and recording. We will be building later this year and will purchasing a new mixer at that time. I've more or less narrowed down to these two choices, but definitely like the price of the Roland (we don't have the massive budget that some churches have: we're in New England, way north of the Bible belt). We have a traditional style of worship, so no drum kits or bass guitars; just piano, keyboard, small orchestra, choir... We currently record with Cubase Studio 4.1 (this would be a vote towards Yamaha, I suppose). Does the Roland have an Asio driver or do they really ONLY work with Sonar? As far as the lack of direct outs... with the digital snake, can't you just use a standard ethernet switch to split your channel inputs to a DAW and essentially have no need for direct outs?

As an owner of both units, can you give any more specific advice for someone in my shoes... hey, that would be me!

Thanks!

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:24 pm

we are a portable church and just bought the m400 with a 32/8 snake....this thing is AWESOME!!!....i have been using a gl2400 and have no experience with digital boards and it was a breeze....the fact you can connect the stage with the board with only a cat5 wire is amazing.... Very Happy

...the whole system cost us just under 12,000.00....with a case included.....i would diff recommend the m400 so far so good

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:49 pm

It's great that it is working out for you now. Let us know how things go.

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