Yamaha offers a new audio mixer for gamers and streamers. Nearly three years after the launch of the company's first gaming-specific soundboard, the new ZG02 adds a dedicated USB-C port for gaming consoles, a sleeker profile, and a lower price ($200 compared to the ZG01 $300).
Yamaha wants to establish its ZG line as simpler and more accessible than offerings from competing audio companies, with eyes also set on Twitch and Discord sets (Rolled And Roland also field players and streamers). “While other gaming mixing solutions can be bulky and complex, the ZG02 offers a more tactile, compact and intuitive mixing experience with customizable effects controls,” wrote Alex Sadeghian, Yamaha consumer audio director , in a press release.
In addition to its on-the-fly sound, chat, and voice adjustments, the Yamaha ZG02 includes competitive gaming “focus” modes and 3D surround sound. It has software-based mic and vocal effects settings, including compression, limiter, reverb, pitch, and radio vocal filter. Plus, you can assign your favorite shortcuts to its physical buttons in the (free) companion app for Windows and macOS.
The mixer supports gaming headsets with built-in or dedicated mics via an XLR/TRS combo jack on the rear (and has 48V of phantom power for condenser mics). 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 (e.g. Discord and OBS/Streamlabs). Yamaha also touts compatibility with the Elgato Stream Deck Range. The $200 ZG02 is available starting today in the US from Yamaha website.