I just opened my Yamaha Audiogram 6 I got as a gift 2 years ago. (I’ve been busy).
I cannot get any sound via keyboard amplifier or headphones.
I hooked it up to my MO8 and PC with Windows 7 following the setup instructions. I downloaded the recommended Yamaha driver. I’ve installed and registered the Cubase AI4 that came with it.
Still no sound. What else do I need to do to get sound?

Did you go through the AI “Getting Started Guide” and set up your device inside AI, including Devices and “VST connections”?? That would be the first step in addition to ensuring that your o/s is recognizing the device and there are no hardware or driver conflicts....................frank

Yes I have. I worked through the Getting Started document up to pg 31, Tutorial 2: Editing Audio. I am still not able to get any sound from the MO8 through the AudioGram 6. The only sound I get is whatever seems to be built into the tutorials. I’ve followed the Audiogram instructions for hooking up the cables etc. Any other suggestions?

If AI is playing back audio that means it is working correctly and outputting audio through your interface. But what do you mean by your statement that you aren’t getting any sound from your MO8 and the interface? You don’t need Cubase to connect a synth to an audio interface and produce sound, and questions re. your interface should be directed to the manufacturer’s support or your sales person. Please clarify what you are trying to do. Are you trying to send audio from the MO into AI to record it or are you sending MIDI into AI and hoping to hear sound? The more details you provide re. your routing etc., the better the chance that someone will be able to help.....................frank

For starters, I’m trying to do the basics. Use a piano voice on the MO8 and record myself playing piano. But at this point I’m unable to monitor my playing. I have the computer, the audio interface, the MO8, and my keyboard amp all hooked up according to the instructions that came with the interface. No sound from the amp or through headphones plugged in the interface. If I unplug the two cables from the MO8 output to the interface, and go direct to the amp, I get sound. When I have the interface between the mo8 and the monitor (amp), no sound. Same thing with the head phones. So, I know the
Mo8 and amp work. I believe the problem lies with either the interface or cubase. Does that help? Any suggestions?

Taken from the article on the AudioGram 6 here on Motifator: (and although it is speaking about recording a finished Sequence to Cubase as an audio file - it will apply if you are playing a piano VOICE “live” while recording to Cubase:
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The AudioGram6 USB Audio interface features two Neutrik combination XLR/¼” jacks on channels 1 and 2, channels 3 and 4 are a stereo ¼” inputs as are channels 5 and 6. Channels 1 and 2 feature Yamaha’s new one knob compressor – excellent for vocals or whatever signal you bring in. Additionally the AudioGram6 can provide +48V phantom power for condenser microphones (via channel 1). The AudioGram6 not only has additional channels, it also has a separate control for DAW monitoring (critical if you are planning on using your AudioGram unit to overdub in the computer-based sequencer).

[It] provide(s) signal/peak overload lights.

Recording from Synthesizer to computer

Setting up the AudioGram for recording
· Connect the AudioGram to a computer via USB.
· Use two audio cables to connect your synthesizer main L&R;Outputs to the stereo Input channel of the AudioGram.
· Set the SELECT switch to “INST.”
· Connect the Outputs of the AudioGram to a quality sound system.

Computer
Although you can use standard audio drivers, we highly recommend that you go online and download the Yamaha USB ASIO driver. This will ensure low latency if you are planning on working extensively with your AudioGram. Latency is the delay caused by signal being run to and back from the computer – this will be an issue when you are attempting to play live to signal on the computer while recording (overdubbing).

http://download.yamaha.com
Select your Country so instructions are in your language
Type in your Product Model: AudioGram6
When the SEARCH RESULTS appear confirm AUDIOGRAM 6
A list of available items will appear, find the Yamaha USB AUDIO driver for your computer type (it comes with its own instructions about installation - be sure you read them carefully).

Since this article is going to mainly deal with transferring sequences you recorded in your synthesizer, latency will not be an issue. We are using the AudioGram simply to transfer our analog signal to Cubase. So no driver download is necessary in this case. We only call your attention to the YAMAHA USB ASIO driver because it will reduce latency tremendously when and if you plan on expanding your use of the AudioGram unit.

Starting Cubase AI
· Launch Cubase AI on the computer.
· Go to FILE and select NEW PROJECT
· Select NEW PROJECT > EMPTY Template > Click [OK]
· Select a destination folder or create one on the hard disk, then click [OK].
· Click on DEVICES > DEVICE SETUP…
· Under the VST AUDIO SYSTEM heading select “YAMAHA USB AUDIO” as the ASIO DRIVER
· Once selected you can then move the cursor down to the YAMAHA USB AUDIO option and open the CONTROL PANEL… set the unit for LOW LATENCY. Click OK
· On the main Track View screen right click and ADD TRACK (or go to PROJECT and then select ADD TRACK)… create a STEREO AUDIO TRACK
· Make sure the RED record and the TAN speaker icon are selected.

Recording into the Cubase AI program is very straight-ahead.

Press the red RECORD button on the Cubase transport, start playback of your sequence and sit back and relax. When recording is complete press STOP – the program will draw the waveform. You may want to test a portion of the data to ensure good record level. Once you are sure you have a decent record level go ahead and transfer your audio.

In general, you will see a green and red LED on the AudioGram unit to indicate signal. While it is okay to see the red indicator flash occasionally, it is not good to see it red steadily.

Trimming the wave to size is very intuitive using your mouse to define regions. In the time line just above the first track you can hold the [CTRL] key and click to set the LEFT marker. Then hold [ALT] and click to set the RIGHT marker. You will be able to export as a .wav all the data between the LEFT and RIGHT markers.

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

FrankE posted; “You don’t need Cubase to connect a synth to an audio interface and produce sound,”
So, if I run the mo8 through the audiogram6, to my amplifier (wired as directed on BadMisters attachment) I should be able to hear the mo8 out of the amp, Right? Well, I don’t. So that leads me to believe the audiogram6 is faulty. Am I right?
Side question; I’m assuming the audiogram6’s only power source is from the laptop through the USB cable. So even though it’s plugged into the computer, the sound from the mo8 can pass right through the audiogram6 to the amplifier and still produce sound, right? Even if cubase is not open?
If all this is correct, I must have a faulty audiogram6. Is that your conclusion?

Freslanta - 15 June 2012 05:58 PM

FrankE posted; “You don’t need Cubase to connect a synth to an audio interface and produce sound,”
So, if I run the mo8 through the audiogram6, to my amplifier (wired as directed on BadMisters attachment) I should be able to hear the mo8 out of the amp, Right? Well, I don’t. So that leads me to believe the audiogram6 is faulty. Am I right?
Side question; I’m assuming the audiogram6’s only power source is from the laptop through the USB cable. So even though it’s plugged into the computer, the sound from the mo8 can pass right through the audiogram6 to the amplifier and still produce sound, right? Even if cubase is not open?
If all this is correct, I must have a faulty audiogram6. Is that your conclusion?

My role here is to assist with Cubase and AI problems and leave comments on Yamaha hardware to Yamaha.:) Bad Mister has given you a very detailed post on how to set up your device with Cubase and if that works as he has described then Yamaha can handle the rest of your questions re. the device itself. If it were me, I’d try that first, and not worry about not using the computer for the present. Try using the computer and AI first. That will be a good test of the Audiogram. If it works, THEN move on to see if you can run the powered device and obtain sound without going through the computer. Note I specifically said “an audio interface”. With nearly all audio interfaces that (not going through the computer) is entirely doable, BUT I am no expert on the Audiogram. Yamaha can help with that.

No, it is not my conclusion that the device is faulty, because I would never conclude that without first testing it myself. :) However your setup diagram clearly shows how to connect speakers and a synth to the device, and if all the switches and knobs are correctly set, then yes, one would expect that one could hear audio without going through the computer. It would be strange to me if a device didn’t allow that.

Re. recording in the computer, please note that the Audiogram specs mention XP and Vista, and that AI4 has been replaced by AI 5 and AI 6, so your product, as you mentioned, does go back a few years. Any AI problems, I’ll be pleased to try and help. Cheers.............frank

Thanks much FrankE and Bad Mister for your guidance and prompt replies to my questions. I appreciate the service you provide. I’m confident I have everything cabled correctly, etc. So I think I’ll take that interface back to the store for a test run. I suspect I’ll be leaning on the forum again in the future, but hopefully for a new quandary. :-)
Thanks again gentlemen.

Before you take your unit back to the store (and risk possible embarrassment) here are simple things you can test to KNOW whether your unit is working or not - using the LED indicators:

When the AudioGram6 is connected to a computer it will light up - does yours?
If yes, it is most likely working. The GREEN POWER indicator must be ON in order for the unit to pass signal.

You are correct, the AudioGram6 gets power via the USB bus. So it must be connected to a computer or other USB source to gain power. You never mention the lights - so we have to just point that out (least we miss something simple). Forgive this please if it is overly simplistic but to systematically test this - we will use the LEDs to check the signal flow through the unit. Here’s how:

Start by turning the MASTER LEVEL all the way down (very important) We will know when signal arrives there by the LED meters (not by blasting our own ears when signal does arrive). So the very last thing we’ll do is turn up the Master level. Also turn down your amplifier at the end of the chain - it is the very last thing you will turn up.

When you plug your keyboard into the AudioGram - there are LEDs for each INPUT channel that will light in response to incoming signal (Use a drum groove or arpeggio as your test signal) These lights will help you determine if the unit is receivng and ultimately, sending signal - even if you cannot hear it.

If you are not seeing any PEAK indication: Try increasing the GAIN control at the TOP of the channel (or channels) you are using. The GAIN must be increased -

_ Increase the GAIN until you see the Channel’s INPUT Peak indicator flash on/off with the loudest passages.
_ Set the Channel’s LEVEL to about 2 o’clock. (This will be subjective monitoring volume.)

Do not under-estimate the importance of the GAIN control setting - set improperly it can make your unit seem as if there is no signal - the gain control can accommodate a wide variety of signals from weak signals (like microphones) through to LINE levels. You may need to set your GAIN somewhere in the middle or higher to make sure you are seeing incoming signal. Keep increasing until you see the Peak LED for the channel start to flicker (you do not want it ON all the time, but flashing on and off with the loudest peaks is fine)

With the Channel’s LEVEL knob at about 2 o’clock:
Turn the MASTER LEVEL up until you see steady GREEN on the SIGNAL OUTPUT indicators.
Finally turn up your amplification system to a reasonable listening volume.

Use a set of headphones - and test the signal at the AudioGram6:
If you do hear sound in the PHONES of the AudioGram6 but not in your speakers - we have narrowed the problem to the cables connected to the STEREO OUTs of the AudioGram6.

Check the cables that presumably are connected directly to your speakers (right?)

Slightly troubling to us (upon re-reading this thread) is the “keyboard amp” at the end of this chain. How are you connecting the AudioGram6 to a “keyboard amp”? Keyboard amps, to me, always say ‘mono’ (guess I’m getting old school here) but hopefully you are not summing the STEREO OUT of the AudioGram6 to a mono input on a keyboard amp… ??? Please do not do that.

If you do not have a set of powered Studio Monitors to connect to the AudioGram6’s left and right Stereo Out, then only use one channel OUT of the AudioGram6 (Just saying - however, you did say you tested the unit with headphones so I’m probably make much about nothing… but Y-ing a stereo signal into mono can cause phase cancellation.

At least this way you can tell them what you did and how you tested it.

The LED lights are like your meters - they will be a clear indicator of the unit’s ability to pass signal properly. You seem to be following signal flow properly but since you never mention the LED lights - and since it would be among the very first things we (personally) would check could we see the unit, we mentioned it here.

Final Test
Just so you know… the DAW Level knob control should be used to control the volume of audio coming from your computer. It allows you to control audio playing back from your computer separately from the inputs connected directly to the AudioGram6’s Input Channels.
Turn up the DAW Level knob ...
When you play audio on your computer (from Cubase) the AudioGram6 sends that signal to your STEREO OUT via the DAW LEVEL control. Find an audio track in Cubase, make sure it is routed to the Yamaha USB AUDIO driver OUT - you mentioned you can hear it from the Cubase tutorials through the AudioGram6. Changing the DAW Level control will change the volume of playback - so you can adjust it independent of your mixer input channels.

But I think if you check the LEDs, we will find the issue.
(My money is on the GAIN knob)

Let us know. Hope that helps.