The Yamaha LS9-16 is a compact digital mixing console that brought professional-grade live sound reinforcement and installation capabilities to small and medium-scale applications. Following the distinguished lineage of Yamaha's PM1D, PM5D, and M7CL consoles, the LS9-16 delivers field-proven features and outstanding sonic quality in a remarkably portable package weighing only 12.0 kilograms—light enough for a single technician to move and set up without assistance. The console provides 16 recallable mono mic/line inputs with individual +48V phantom power switching, plus four stereo input channels, expandable to handle up to 32 input channels across two fader layers. The comprehensive mixing architecture includes 16 mix buses configurable as groups or auxiliaries, eight matrix buses, plus stereo and mono master buses with LCR mode support.

Processing power on the LS9-16 is extensive for its class, featuring 32-bit internal processing with 58-bit accumulator precision. Each input channel includes a high-pass filter, attenuator, 4-band parametric equalizer, and two independent dynamics processors (gate and compressor). Output channels add additional 4-band EQ and dynamics. The Virtual Rack houses four 31-band graphic equalizers, plus four additional GEQ/SPX slots offering either graphic EQ or Yamaha's renowned SPX digital effects including reverb, delay, modulation, and pitch processing. A built-in USB memory recorder and player allows direct recording of stereo program material to USB storage devices or playback of background music without external equipment. The console also features 100mm motorized faders across 17 physical channels, scene memory for instant recall of complete console states, and full remote control capability via Ethernet and MIDI. An expansion slot accepts Mini-YGDAI cards for digital I/O including ADAT, AES/EBU, or CobraNet protocols, as well as remote control of optional stage boxes.