Yamaha Audiogram3 USB Audio Interface (Mac and Windows)

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Bundled with Cubase music production software, this two-channel USB interface is the perfect low-cost introduction to recording.

The Audiogram Series has been carefully designed to make setting up your computer-based recording environment an absolute breeze. Coming as a complete kit, the Audiogram6 and Audiogram3 each bundle together a hardware interface that adds audio inputs and outputs to your computer, software for recording and producing music, and a USB cable for connecting the audio interface.

As such, either package will instantly turn your computer into a powerful yet intuitive tool for recording and editing audio from virtually any microphone or audio input device. What's more, setup is as easy as installing the bundled music-production application, Cubase AI, on your computer and connecting the audio interface using the USB cable provided! You're then ready to connect instruments, microphones, CD players, MP3 players, and even old record or tape players for recording straight into Cubase AI.

Audiogram3
With a focus on simplicity and ease-of-use, the Audiogram3 delivers a compact audio interface complete with both a mono and stereo input channel. Providing maximum flexibility for recording from almost any audio source, the mono input channel features a combo-type connector that can be set for microphone or line level input, while the stereo channel has both phone and RCA connectors. Of course, as this interface is USB bus-powered, it needs no external power supply and is an ideal solution for mobile applications.

High-Quality Microphone Preamp
Also supporting microphone-level input, the Audiogram3 read more mono channel features a microphone preamp offering excellent audio quality. And should you want to connect a condenser microphone for higher-quality recordings, this channel can even be phantom powered. Regardless of what type of microphone you choose, however, the professional mixer technologies integrated into this preamp will deliver perfect recordings every time.

Direct Connection Of Electric Guitars And Basses
With one touch of the Mic/Inst select button, you can set the sensitivity of the Audiogram3 mono channel for direct connection of either microphones or instruments. When set to instrument-level sensitivity, for example, you can directly record electric guitars, basses, and many other input devices. And all audio recorded using either of the Mic/Inst settings can then be processed to give professional-sounding results using Cubase AI's built-in effects.

Stereo Channel For Practically All Sound Input Devices
With the Audiogram3, you also get a stereo input channel with both phone and RCA pin connectors that can be used to conveniently connect not only synthesizers, portable keyboards, and electronic pianos, but also a diversity of other sound sources such as CD players, MD players, portable audio players, and even old record and tape players. Providing maximum flexibility for many different recording situations, the Audiogram3 even supports simultaneous recording of the instrument or vocal on the mono channel with the audio being input via the stereo channel. For example, you could easily use this feature to record yourself playing along to a CD or MD backing track or singing to a karaoke track created on a portable keyboard.
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System Requirements
Windows Vista:
- Computer: Windows-based computer with built-in USB interface
- OS: Windows Vista
- CPU: 1 GHz or better Intel Core / Pentium / Celeron processor
- Memory: More than 1 GB

Windows XP:
- Computer: Windows-based computer with built-in USB interface
- OS: Windows XP Professional / XP Home Edition
- CPU: 750 MHz or better Intel Core / Pentium / Celeron processor
- Memory: More than 128 MB

Macintosh:
- Computer: Macintosh computer with built-in USB interface
- OS: Mac OS X 10.3.3 or higher
- CPU: Intel CPU / Macintosh G3 processor 300 MHz or better
- Memory: More than 128 MB

Included: Cubase AI DVD, Owner's Manual, USB Cable

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (10 ratings)
Submitted December 24, 2009 by a customer from spamex.com

"I think Yamaha has a winner"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
As a longtime user of Firewire audio interfaces, I decided to go back to the USB world after running into problems with Firewire connectivity. I have been less than pleased with the quality and latency of USB interfaces in the past. This time, I am pleasantly surpised. The Audiogram 3 is inexpensive, easy to setup, sounds great and has no latency issues. It has few controls--but the necessary feature set for most home recording afficionados. If you are in the market for an audio interface in the $100 - $200 range, you should definitely give this model a close look

Sound
Very clean sound with dynamic/condenser mics, as well as instruments plugged in.

Features
For a bargain unit, it has the essentials I need for everyday recording needs: such as two channels, on/off phantom power, impedance switch, XLR/1-4 in/RCA inputs, headphone jacks & input/output level controls. The fact that Yamaha simplified the controls is a feature in itself. The only thing missing are more LEDs for input levels...currently for each channel, there is one level for signal and one for peak...but this is by no means a showstopper.

Ease of Use
This is truly a plug and play unit, which CAN use the built-in USB drivers (if on WinXP and above). However, you'll want to install the latest driver from the Yamaha site to take advantage of it as an ASIO device. Other than that, you don't need the manual...there are read more so few controls that you will easily figure it out.

Quality
This is your typical plastic unit, but the buttons and body feel sturdy.

Value
Clean sound, easy setup, easy to use, very good price...nothing else need be said.

The Wow Factor
The sexiest thing about this unit is that it works.

Musical Background:
Frustrated recording engineer

Musical Style:
Rock
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