Traktor volume/gain levels

[Boxxer]

hello:

I recently had a problem with the audio while I was playing with Traktor. The mixer was a Mixer Pioneer 800, therefore I plugged in my stuff properly and the set up of my volumes were:

Main volume -4db
Deck gain in traktor 0db
channel gain in mixer +2db or +3db
Main volume in mixer 0db
Audio DJ8 sound card from native instruments
I connected my stuff with the traktor cratch pro cables BUT I WAS NOT USING THE PIONEER 1000MK3 AS CONTROLERS, I USED MY X1
KEEP IN MIND THAT I USE QUALITY MUSIC FROM BEATPORT

Someone was playing before with vinyls and when I started the volume and the quality dropped down drastically and even when I was trying to increase the volume in the mixer or in traktor, the volume and quality was not good. I tried to balance everything as much as possible but the final sound was something like having a SIDE CHAIN in place (now I think this latter was because the limiter was on). So I played so and after me started to play another DJ with the same stuff but with a MOTU ultralight sound card, my surprise was that the volume and quality was by far much better than mine. So I don't understand what the hell happened. YOUR INPUT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.

Now I tried to setup my stuff as follow:

Main volume -6db
Autogain ON per Deck volume in traktor
Limiter OFF
channel gain in mixer 0db
Main volume in mixer 0db
Audio DJ8 sound card from native instruments
I connected my stuff WITH SIMPLE RCA CABLES AND I CONTROL EVERYTHING WITH MY X1

1.-what do you think?
2.- what should I do?
3.- is not my sound card of good quality?
4.- would I improve my sound quality if I change my sound card? which one? I wanna sound like a pro
5.- what could happen such day?
6.- what are the crucial points to check before starting to play?
7.- why my sound quality is too bad?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[Jayvee]

I think you plugged into the phono ins.

[Boxxer]

I was connected to line, Im sure

[Calzone]

1. you're plugged into phono ins
2.- plug into line ins and flip the switch to line
3.- yes
4.- no
5.- what could happen such day? (wtf?)
6.- volumes, gains, filters, xfader, and not plugging digital equipment into phono ins
7.- youre plugged into phono

That is all

[loverocket]

i think it's time we have a STICKY on PHONO IN's

This is DJ 101 material.

>

[Boxxer]

I was plugged into line, I am sure, if you connect to phono you will get a smashing noise, which did not happen. However thank you all for your input.

[SirReal]

Did you look at the levels the guy before you was playing at? Maybe he was hitting the line inputs or the Master Out of the mixer much hotter than you. You can have all your gain staging set internally perfect for you but if the guy before you is hitting the mixer too hard or too soft you've got to adjust to keep the energy right between transitioning DJ's.

[Sambo]

Don't play 128 MP3's, perhaps?

[Jester]

He mentioned that he does indeed use HQ tracks. This is a good point though, in my experience once you drop below 256 and especially through a big system, the output will be a lot quieter, the tracks will sound flat and thin (no BEEF to them) and generally bloody awful, just don't do it

[xxlarge]

I'm having the same issue. Playing a gig this past weekend I noticed that I had to turn my levels up much higher than usual. Also whether I was playing music or just using the Mic, the volume level would go in and out drastically. I use an S2 and I recently upgraded to traktor pro 2.63.