At the 2015 NAMM Show, Yamaha introduced the AG series of multi-purpose, high-resolution (192kHz/24bit) mixer and USB audio interfaces.
The AG series is designed for small setups that need both high-resolution audio support and modern connectivity, to support tasks like streaming live performances, recording podcast interviews and mobile recording.
The AG mixer available in two models, the 3-channel AG03, and 6-channel AG06, above.
Features:
- Both AG models come equipped with D-PRE mic preamps with the ‘flawless fidelity’ of the AG’s high-resolution 192kHz/24bit sound.
- The AG also features an intelligent LOOPBACK function that allows users to broadcast content live online, along with backing tracks or additional audio from PC or Mac computers or an iPad.
- With flexible connectivity, phantom power and a Hi-Z switchable input, users can connect a wide range of instruments and microphones such as guitars, bass, synthesizers, high-quality condenser mics and headsets, directly into the AG.
- Onboard 1-TOUCH DSP adds optimally set COMP/EQ and EFFECT * and, for more precise control of these settings, the multi-platform AG DSP Controller software (download) allows users to access and edit the compressor, EQ, high-pass filter, reverb, and amp simulator parameters.
- The AG also comes bundled with CUBASE AI music production software (download) for Mac and Windows computers, or for iPad applications, an optional CUBASIS DAW app is available.
- USB bus power allows users to instantly configure a compact yet powerful studio setup with a single connection to their computer, or using a mobile battery with an iPad.
- The AG06 also features built-in tube amp simulation.
The Yamaha AG03 has a street price of about US $150 and the AG06 has a street price of about US $200.
so this is a Digital mixer…..I suspect most budget mixers from the last 10 years were also digital…..I noticed this specificity with my alesis Mix 6 (non USB) wich produced typical digital noises when pushed hard on the mic inputs….The Soundcraft compact 4 I tested during 1 week also had a “too clean” and sterile sound……
Budget mixers made in the last decade are not digital! Including your Alexis mix 6!!! A USB interface built into an analogue mixer is common but a digital mixer like the Yamaha in this review is not…read your manual next time so you know your gear.
Not sure how you’d expect to do most of the things this is designed for with a purely analog mixer.
Also, if you don’t have enough headroom at 96k, you’re doing it wrong.
Compact4 digital?
It has eq that do nothing, but decent headroom. I use it as a return for artists, sending direct monitoring from souncard on one channel and the rest of the track on an other one. What do you expect from a mixer costing £50?????
Nice to see 24 bit USB audio at the entry level. It was always a pet peeve of mine. And to the person that commented before and thinks these mixers plus all other budget ones are digital, do you even know what you are talking about? All budget mixers have been, and still are, analog in all aspects of the signal path, except the USB interface for the computer and the global effects. The first makes sense, since the computer is by definition a digital device. The later, well, are there even mixers with its own reverb springs or delay lines? Not budget mixers, that’s for sure.
no pan pots or eq, this seems to be an audio interface rather than a mixer, spec and price seem cool tho but I wouldnt really class it as a mixer
Those D-Pre preamps sound great, I have them in my Steinberg UR44.
This mixer is bus powered, so it’s designed for recording to your computer, where you can pan it in your daw. You’d never pan on this – you’d record mono to mono and pan the mono track.
Might get the 6 channel one to try it out and compare the sound to my ageing Apogee Duet Firewire interface, it’s cheap enough anyway, not big loss if it doesn’t pan out and I can always utilise it as iPad only interface anyway… 😉
Will I always need a mobile battery for use with an iPad? Isn’t it just enough with the 5 V adapter?
Thank you
I too would like to know if the unit can be powered with a standard iPhone/iPad charger.
Thanks!
I got one of these the other day. I’m using it to bring together several synths and guitar to record directly into an iPad. It’s not really a mixer. The eq/compression/amp sim on 1 & 2 are perfectly ok. It powers with a small type b USB charger (the Nokia 5v type) I had half a dozen laying round the house. Or you can get a battery charger if you’re using it on the bus (?!!). Output sounds pristine and works faultlessly with iPad or iPhone via the camera connection kit. I recorded a couple of tracks into GarageBand on the iPhone and was very pleased with results. Very well made with metal casing. Class compliant for OS X/ iOS. For a £100 very impressed.