Yamaha has a new audio mixer for players and broadcasters. Nearly three years after the company launched its first dedicated gaming soundboard, the company’s new ZG02 adds a dedicated USB-C port for game consoles, a more streamlined profile and a lower price ($200 by comparison). ZG01 $300).
Yamaha wants to make its ZG line simpler and more accessible than rival audio companies’ offerings, with visions similar to Twitch and Discord sets (Rode and Roland as well as court players and broadcasters). “While other gaming mixing solutions can be cumbersome and complex, the ZG02 offers a more tactile, compact and intuitive mixing experience with customizable effects controls,” said Alex Sadeghian, director of consumer audio at Yamaha, in a press release.
The Yamaha ZG02 includes competitive gaming ‘focus’ modes and 3D surround sound, in addition to instant voice, chat and volume adjustments. It has software-based microphone settings and sound effects, including compression, limiter, reverb, pitch, and radio sound filter. Additionally, you can assign your favorite shortcuts to its physical keys in a (free) utility for Windows and macOS.
Mixer supports gaming headphones with internal or dedicated microphones via the XLR / TRS combo jack on the back (and has 48V phantom power for condenser microphones). It includes a “versatile USB interface” for Windows and macOS computers, and its console-specific USB-C port works with PS5 / PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
The ZG01 includes a USB driver that allows you to route audio to two different applications (such as Discord and OBS / Streamlabs). Yamaha also emphasizes compatibility with Elgato Stream Deck lineup. The $200 ZG02 goes on sale in the US starting today Yamaha website.
