Yamaha AG03 Review – Is The Sound Quality Any Good

Audio mixers aren’t just a must-have for musicians. If you’re breaking into the world of streaming, you’ll need a good audio mixer by your side to help mix, balance, and combine different audio sources.

This is especially true if you use more than one mic or broadcast gameplay or other audio sources. If you’re starting to explore your options, we’re here to throw one quality recommendation into your list: the Yamaha AG03.

Yamaha is celebrated for its nifty instrument selection, and the AG03 mixing console is fast becoming another popular choice. Here’s our honest Yamaha AG03 Review and whether we think it’s worth the investment.

Key Takeaways

• 🎼 Superior Audio Quality: Delivers high-resolution audio with precision and clarity.
• 🔧 Easy Setup: User-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and professionals.
• 🔄 Feature-Rich: Includes advanced options like loopback function and DSP effects for enhanced control.
• 📱 Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with various devices, including iPads, enhancing its versatility.
• 👍 Overall Great: Offers excellent value and performance, making it a top choice for audio mixing needs.

What Is The Yamaha AG03 3-Channel Mixer?

The Yamaha AG03 is part of the AG mixer series.

This compact 3-channel mixing console is a versatile, multipurpose, high-res mixer that’s favored by gamers, podcasters, webcasters, and even mobile musicians!

The AG03 supports most dynamic mics, can be connected to condenser mics, and has an impressive range of features, which we’ll explore in depth later on.

As part of the AG mixer series, the AG03 goes head-to-head on the market with the AG06. So, what’s the difference between the two?

AG03 Vs AG06

The AG03 and AG06 are dynamic, compact mixers offering the same basic features.

The main difference between these mixers is alluded to in their names.

The Yamaha AG03 is a three-channel mixer, and the AG06 is, you guessed it, a six-channel mixer.

The AG06 also has an extra ¼”-XLR-combo input for a guitar or a microphone and an extra RCA input.

Thanks to its built-in amp simulator, this extra combo also comes with a few extra options, such as compression, EQ, and reverb.

Let’s take a closer look at the key features of the AG03, and see if it’s a good fit for you.

AG03 Key Features

This hybrid mixing console is a powerful, all-purpose tool for gamers, music producers, vloggers, and more.

Here are some of the standout features that make the AG03 such a popular choice.

1-Touch DSP Tech

With the 1-Touch DSP Comp/EQ processor, you can guarantee a clean sound with every mix.

With the AG03 1-touch effects, you can create your own unique sounds with artificial reverb and edit the individual parameters of your sound with the DSP modules.

The AG03 will even let you choose between ‘easy’ and ‘expert’ modes so you can find a mode to suit your skills.

The DSP controller is also compatible with Windows and Mac, making it a versatile choice for most mixers.

Different Connections And Controls

The AG03 has plenty of different controls and connections that you can use to mix, stream, or listen.

You can input with phantom or headset input, and you can use professional mics or even computer headsets – this is what makes the AG03 popular for gamers and streamers.

You’ll also have two volume controls to choose from, plus a 60mm volume fader so you can balance background music, your voice, and other signals to find the perfect audio quality.

Loopback Function/D-PRE Mic Preamp

With this feature, you can store or mix all of your instruments, mics, and other signals into live broadcasts and performances with the Loopback function.

The microphone preamps in the AG03 can capture even the faintest noises and details of your source, such as your voice or instrument, giving you crystal clear quality every time.

Cubase AI Workstation

When you purchase the AG03, you’ll get the Cubase AI Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) included.

This powerful production tool will allow you to use the AG03 to create high-quality recordings in just a few clicks.

Compatible With iPad

The AG03 works with iPads 2nd Gen or later.

This means that you can connect your iPad to your AG03 and use apps such as Cubasis to create quality recordings and play back your audio.

High Res Recording And Playback

The AG03’s high-quality design lets you record and playback in 192kHz/24bit sound.

If you pair up with the ASIO playback software (compatible with the AG), you can bypass the internal mixer and reproduce the original audio.

This high-quality audio capture is ideal for reproducing older recordings and capturing new ones in great detail.

Here are a few other important things to note about the AG03:

• Can be USB or battery-powered
• Tough metal body that’s durable and portable
• Weighs 800g
• 2.5 Watts
• 5 inches wide by 7 inches long

The AG03: What We Loved?

When we put the AG03 to the test, there were a few notable features that we loved.

We loved how solid AG03 felt – straight out of the box, you can tell this is a dynamic, robust piece of equipment that’s built to last – I mean, it’s not like we expected anything less from Yamaha!

Its channels are just as dynamic, and the AG03 is easy to connect to just about anything, from CD players and phonographs to 8-tracks.

It’s also incredibly easy to add a bit of ‘oomph’ to your audios with Yamaha’s built-in effects, such as the built-in echo effect.

This effect is just-right: it’s not too intense but just enough to add another dynamic edge to your audio.

We found the built-in loopback exceptional for such a little device.

With the built-in loopback, you can use your AG03 as an input AND output device, and it does an exceptional job at eliminating any feedback or delay.

This is something that can be tough to pull off, especially if you’re using your mixer as an input AND an output device, but this mixer does a great job.

Thanks to its versatility, the AG03 can be used with pretty much any audio software.

However, if you want to get the most bang for your buck, you’ll probably end up using the Cubase AI Workstation that comes with the AG03.

Cubase is great software, and when paired with the AG03, creating exceptional audio is a breeze.

The AG03: Is It Worth It?

You can think of the Yamaha AG03 as a whole recording studio in your backpack.

With this incredible piece of kit, you can produce high-quality audio for your broadcasts or podcasts with impressive audio every time.

You can add sound effects and background music to your podcasts or live streams, and you’ll automatically achieve a sound quality that your traditional computer and headset setup can’t match.

Let’s also not forget that Yamaha developed the ‘D-pre’ preamps installed in the AG03 to mimic studio-quality sounds—and they definitely do the trick.

This gives you a high-end recording experience in your hands and will allow you to create the most detailed audio tracks imaginable.

It also has a pretty simple setup, and with its two volume knobs, you can easily control your audio content and effects.

With its digital signal sensor, you can add extra focus and clarity to your recordings and add reverb, should you need it.

For such a small device, the AG03 is loaded with features and can be used for just about any audio need.

Although it comes with the Cubase software, you can use the AG03 with just about any recording software imaginable (on your mobile, iPad, or desktop), giving you complete control over your audio wherever you are!

Either USB or a battery can also power it, and thanks to its simple layout, it’s easy to control and create professional sound.

The AG03 can produce high-quality audio, whether creating a podcast, recording a new song, gaming, or streaming.

It’s portable, versatile, and great for anyone on a budget – what’s not to love?

AG03: Pros And Cons

Honestly, it’s tough to find anything not to love about the AG03.

However, to give you more insight into its capabilities, we’ve put together a short list of its pros and cons.

Pros

• ✅ Great mic pre-amp
• ✅ Can control USB input
• ✅ Loopback computer audio
• ✅ Can be used with almost any recording software
• ✅ Cubase included

Cons

• ❌ Larger footprint than some other USB interfaces

FAQs

The Bottom Line

Considering the AG03? Yamaha never fails to disappoint, and once again, they’ve done a fantastic job with this model.

Whatever your audio recording needs, the AG03 is ready to get the job done and make your life easier.

We loved the AG03, and we’re confident you will too!