Yamaha launches the ZG Series gaming mixer, ZG01, the company's first-ever audio mixer designed expressly for gaming. Ideal for gamers who use voice chat and for game streamers, this innovative audio mixer with a USB interface provides full command of game sound, chat and voice levels – plus mic/vocal effects, immersive 3D surround sound and competitive-gaming focus modes.
"Gaming has become more social than ever through voice chat apps and gamers share their experiences more than ever on streaming platforms. In the past, managing the audio for all of this has been a bit complicated," said Alex Sadeghian, director, Consumer Audio, Yamaha Corporation of America. "Now, the ZG Series gaming mixer makes it simple and even fun. It provides the optimal combination of connectivity, control and effects in a super easy-to-use layout – all in a compact form factor that fits perfectly into your gaming command center."
The ZG01 gaming mixer is easy to use for any multi-player gamer, yet powerful enough for eSports pros and live-streaming broadcasters. Intuitive controls let you quickly manage sound levels and effects in real-time. Advanced mic settings and voice effects (including compression, limiter, reverb, pitch, radio voice and more) allow you to fine-tune and personalize your voice. The ZG01 supports gaming headsets with a built-in mic or a dedicated mic via the rear-panel XLR / TRS combo jack.
The ZG01 connects to a Windows or Mac computer via a single USB-C cable, with audio and control managed by a specialized Steinberg USB driver that recognizes your computer as multiple "virtual devices" for the game, voice chat and streaming apps.
For connection to gaming consoles, the mixer accesses game audio via a built-in 2-in/1-out HDMI switcher (with video pass-through up to 4K/60; no video capture). For gamers who prefer to use a game chat app on their smartphone instead of their PC, the ZG01 offers a smartphone aux jack.
Beyond managing your mix and voice effects, the ZG01 also allows you to engage a variety of "ZG game processing" effects, drawing upon decades of Yamaha know-how in the area of Digital Sound-field Processing (DSP):
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With ZG Surround, the mixer accepts up to 7.1-channel surround sound from USB or HDMI inputs. It converts it to 3D surround sound using the company's proprietary ViReal technology, allowing you to experience games in ultra-realistic immersion using any standard stereo gaming headset or headphones.
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Focus Modes allow you to customize your soundscape to suit a variety of game titles, scenes and playing styles, such as suppressing the sound of your own character's voice or emphasizing the game's environmental sounds.
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With 3D Game Chat Space, your buddies' voices get placed where you want them in a virtual space that avoids overlap with the game sound.
For gamers who want to stream their play, the multi-channel game audio is converted and processed by the ZG01 to reproduce a surround sound experience that streams to their entire audience.
