Yamaha GO46 FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface (Mac and Windows)

4-in/6-out multi-channel audio. Includes Steinberg Cubase LE, Groove Agent SE, and HALion SE.

This product is no longer available at zZounds.

Shop our website for related products:

(In most cases, a product is unavailable because it has been discontinued by its manufacturer.)

related accessories

Main

KRK RP5G2 Rokit G2

from $134.95

Main

Shure SM57

from $99.00

Main

Audio-Technica AT2020

from $99.95

Yamaha GO46 FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface (Mac and Windows) reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

40 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

6 People wrote reviews

Read all Yamaha GO46 FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface (Mac and Windows) reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

"The underdog take the lead!"

Feature:
Okay, for the price of the GO46 being $100 less than the firebox ($200 less than when I bought my firebox 4 years ago), it has essentially all of the same ins/outs/digital etc. that the more expensive competetors have. One thing I was pleasently surprised to find (and something I was concerned about before purchasing this unit) when installing the software for the GO46 was that there is indeed a software mixer for all input/output channels (which they don't advertise in the features for this unit, not sure why?) of this device, allowing you to mute, pan, and level all of your inputs...which makes this a great live tool as well for a small electronic act or duo, etc.

Quality:
I have to say, while very well made for bedroom use, the presonus firebox I owned was much tougher and heavier-duty in the construction department. The GO46 uses plastic (painted to look metal) knobs and has plastic rear inputs/outputs compared to the firebox's all metal construction front and rear (earlier models of the firebox did however use plastic like this unit but switched over to metal later down the line.

Value:
GREAT VALUE! For $199 it has all the same features and great sound of my previous unit with just a tiny trade-off on the build quality...which doesn't effect me personally since this is used in the home.

Desirability:
Not that beautiful of a unit, but it matches the black and silver theme of my whole home studio so it works for me! The small LEDs are nice too.

Sound:
I used to own a presonus firebox before this and I feel like this unit is essentially the same in clarity and sound quality. Its just a carrier for whatever you put into it essentially, but I'm happy with the clarity and punch from this little guy.

Ease of Use:
I'm giving it a 7 here only due to the fact that you have to noodle your way around when setting up this box to actually get sound out of it. After about an hour of fiddling with it and hearing nothing after the drivers were installed, I realized that (on the input channels of the software mixer) you need to have "digital mixer" selected on all 3 options to get playback from both phones and main outputs at the same time. Took a while to figure out, but now that I know its been a snap every time.

Support:
Haven't needed it yet.

Overall:
I expect I will hang onto this unit for years to come. Since owning it for a couple months I've been inspired to keep creating, which is all one can ask from a simple piece of hardware like this. Great buy!

Submitted: 5/9/2008


4 of 4 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

 
 
Thanks for your opinion!
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"I'm glad I bought this"

Feature:
Came with a good length 6-pin firewire cable, and a 6-pin to 4-pin adapter. Also included a power adapter. Package included a ton of software that I won't use. I was only concerned with installing the driver and being on my way (the same driver was on their website). It has easy to find knobs, the layout is simple and elegant, and the footprint is small. No noticeable latency issues (MacBook Pro, 2.2 GHz, 2GB RAM). For the price, this actually comes with anything you might need. I might play around with the optical in/outs soon.

Quality:
Top notch. I've been a Yamaha fan for years. Their products hold up extremely well, and I expect no less from this little guy. Metal casing, solid knobs, and the craftsmanship around the in/outs is very tidy. After jamming with this thing for almost 4 hours, there was very little heat dissipating from the case either.

Value:
For a wicked fast fw interface, I feel that I received a good value for my buck.

Desirability:
Blue LED's! The black and silver theme is nice. I really appreciate the low profile of the case, and that it won't stick out like a sore thumb.

Sound:
Amazing sound. The first thing I noticed was that my music had more punch. The resolution settings were at 44.1, so it must be those awesome Yamaha ADConverters. Great sound, no hiss, no crackling.

Ease of Use:
Extremely easy to use. The input gain knobs were turned down all the way so my head didn't explode when I starting throwing sound at it. Connected the GO46, installed the drivers, rebooted, BAM - worked. After tweaking the knobs for a couple of seconds I had just the right levels.

Support:
N/A

Overall:
I think I'll be keeping this bad boy until firewire is obsolete. So basically I'll be satisfied for a very very long time.

Submitted: 3/21/2008

Style of Music: Electronic


6 of 7 people (85.71%) found this review helpful. Did you?

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

 
 
Thanks for your opinion!

Read all Yamaha GO46 FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface (Mac and Windows) reviews...

Additional Images:

Main
Main
Front
Front
Rear
Rear

30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Applies On This Item - Buy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!

About This Product!
Description
Docs
From Our Catalog
On the move or at home, you're good to GO!
The Yamaha GO46 is a mobile audio solution that features high quality mic preamps and world-class MIDI and audio recording software enabling professional quality recording to a computer in a compact package that can be carried and used virtually anywhere.

Strong, Compact and Highly Portable
The GO46 was designed from the outset to be portable. The body is made from diecast aluminum, which is light yet exceptionally rugged. Recording can be done virtually anywhere -- all you need is a laptop computer and the GO46.

Pro-Quality Recording with up to 24-bit/192kHz Resolution
The GO46 boasts up to 24-bit/192kHz* resolution on the analog inputs/outputs -- the best in its class -- and 24-bit/96kHz on the digital I/O. This pro-level quality makes the GO46 perfect for any type of recording, and allows you to capture the full details and nuances of the original source -- from the breathiness of a vocal to the delicate finger slides of an acoustic guitar performance.

* Simultaneous playback of audio and input/output of MIDI is not possible when recording at 24-bit/192kHz.

Multi-channel output/input with FireWire (IEEE1394)
The GO46 delivers 4-in/6-out multi-channel audio by simple 1-cable FireWire (IEEE1394) connection to a computer. Analog input is handled by 2 combo mic/line terminals (for both XLR and phone jack) with high-quality mic preamps on the front panel and two phone jack input terminals and four phone jack output terminals on the rear panel. The unit also has digital input/output with S/P DIF optical connectors, providing exceptional flexibility and allowing use in virtually any application, including mobile recording. Moreover, built-in MIDI IN/OUT terminals allow connection of a MIDI keyboard and external MIDI synthesizers and tone generators.

Bus-Powered Operation
When the GO46 is connected to a computer equipped with a 6-pin FireWire (IEEE1394) terminal, power can be supplied from the computer without having to use the AC adaptor. This lets you record anywhere you want on your laptop's battery power, and actively use the device in places having few, or even no electrical outlets.

ASIO 2.0 Compatible Driver for Ultra-Low Latency
Included with the device is an ASIO driver for near-zero audio delay (latency). This makes for efficient recording and mixing, by letting you apply VST plug-in effects and play your VST instruments with a MIDI keyboard in real time.

Bundled Software Lets You Get Started Recording Right Out of the Box
In addition to Steinberg's Cubase LE audio/MIDI sequencer, the GO46 package includes the VST plug-in instruments Groove Agent SE, which generates drum patterns, and HALion SE, a virtual sampler that can be played via MIDI keyboard. With your computer, all you need for complete MIDI and audio recording to hard disk is right in this box. This is a full-featured yet exceptionally easy-to-use professional music/sound production system, with up to 48 tracks of audio and MIDI, compatible with VST, and featuring a host of preset effectsall in one compact package.

Mic/Line Input Combo Terminals with Independent Phantom Power
The GO46 features combo mic/line terminals (for both XLR and phone jack) on the front panel. Phantom power is also available and independently switchable for each input channel. In other words, you can use a condenser microphone on channel 1 with phantom power switched on to capture the delicate sounds of a vocal while simultaneously recording an electric/acoustic guitar plugged into channel 2.

Separate Insert Terminals for Connecting External Effects
The GO46 has 2 rear-panel insert terminals for 2 channels of analog input. This lets you use external effects such as reverb and chorus, and apply your favorite compressors and limiters to the microphone signal while recording.

Compatible with Surround Playback Systems Such as AC-3 and DTS
The digital outputs on the GO46 are compatible with the AC-3 and DTS surround sound formats. Simply connect a surround compatible amplifier/speaker setup, and enjoy the powerful sonic experience of surround sound.

Technical Info

System Requirements
The system requirements below are necessary for using the GO46 and the included software.

* The system requirements below may differ slightly depending on the particular operating system.

* For details on minimum requirements for each DAW software, refer to the respective owners manual.

Windows
OS: Windows XP Professional/XP Home Edition (SP1 or SP2) and Vista

Computer: Pentium3/800MHz or higher (Pentium4/2.8GHz or higher recommended)

Available Memory: 384MB or more (512MB or more, recommended)

Free Disk Space: 1GB or moreover

*The computer must have an IEEE 1394 (FireWIre) terminal installed. If there is no such terminal, install an IEEE 1394 interface card (PCI or PCMCIA)

Macintosh
OS: Mac OS X 10.3.6 or higher (Mac OS X 10.3.8 or higher, recommended)

Computer: G4/867MHz or higher (G5/Dual 1.8GHz or higher, recommended)

Available Memory: 384MB or more (512MB or more, recommended)

Free Disk Space: 1GB or more
This 4x6 FireWire interface contains high-quality preamps for recording at up to 24-bit/96kHz. Strong, light aluminum chassis and bus-power operation for go-anywhere portability. Includes Cubase recording software, plus Groove Agent and HALion SE virtual instruments. AC-3/DTS surround sound playback compatible.

what our customers say about zZounds

"Great shopping experience - I look forward to buying here again!" - customer on November 21, 2008

Free Catalog

First Name Last Name
Address 1 Address 2
City State
Zip Email

Would you like to receive periodic email notices of new items, special buys, and promotions? WE WILL NOT SHARE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH ANYONE ELSE. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Tell us

Is there something you want to tell us? How can we serve you better? Want to see different products? Is this shirt ugly? Let us know!