Looking for a decent external soundcard
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  1. #1
    Tech Convert
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    Oct 2010
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    Default Looking for a decent external soundcard

    There's a real jungle out there and I really want to make sure I buy the right one. I've been with NI Audio 2 DJ for a year and now I'm looking for upgrade since I got my Genelec 8040A-s which work best with balanced inputs.
    I prefer it to be firewire or maybe even USB 3.0, don't know if they exist yet, but USB 2.0 is also ok if it is the best solution. It should have L and R balanced outputs, mic in and line in for analog synth. I'm not sure if soundcards with balanced outputs even exist, either way I need a small mixer also so I could produce with my friend on separate computers.

    I will be using it for home music produciton and DJ-ing with Traktor.
    Price should be about 200-300$

    Thanks ahead guyz

  2. #2
    Tech Wizard
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    Your budget is kind of limiting, but there are a ton of solutions out there that fit your specifications to a tee. Here is an option that's in your budget and has all that you want in it.
    http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro.html
    2x CDJ 900 | DJM 900 Nexus | TSP2 | 2011 15" MacBook Pro 2.2Ghz | KRK RP6 | Sennheiser HD 25-1 mkII

  3. #3
    Tech Student
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    Jan 2011
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    Might wanna try the NI audio 4 or 8? if you can stretch your budget a bit

  4. #4
    DJTT Infectious Moderator photojojo's Avatar
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    If you can find an Traktor Scratch Pro still on sale somewhere that's your best bet since it comes with an Audio 8 for $300. Duo has an Audio 4 for $200 I think.
    Chris Jennings FHP

    Podcast - Soundcloud - Mixcloud - Beatport Charts - x

  5. #5
    Tech Convert
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    Basically you're saying that the NI sound cards are the best I could possibly get?
    I can wait and invest more if it's worth it.

  6. #6
    Tech Wizard
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    It depends what you what your focus on. If you main focus is dj'ing, then an NI card is probably your best bet. If you want to focus more on producing, then there are many more options out there that are much better suited. You really need to decide on a focus, and get a card that supports that. Keep in mind that any card can do both but your focus will determine the style you get.
    2x CDJ 900 | DJM 900 Nexus | TSP2 | 2011 15" MacBook Pro 2.2Ghz | KRK RP6 | Sennheiser HD 25-1 mkII

  7. #7
    DJTT Tankard fullenglishpint's Avatar
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    Can the A4/A8 do balanced outputs? At home I plug mine into my DJM and that creates a balanced signal from the master, but I'm not aware of any DJ soundcards that output balanced. I may be wrong.
    TSP 2 | Serato DJ | Live 8 | MBP (SSD + HDD) | AIAIA TMA-1 Fool's Gold Edition | 1200 Mk2s | MidiFighter | KRK RP5
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  8. #8

    Default

    NI Audio2Dj vs Reloop Play?

    Only for Small bar´s djing and home djing...
    I'm using a Reloop Interface Edition (With soundcard) + Traktor Pro + Akai LPD8

  9. #9
    Tech Wizard
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    Quote Originally Posted by Argos View Post
    Your budget is kind of limiting, but there are a ton of solutions out there that fit your specifications to a tee. Here is an option that's in your budget and has all that you want in it.
    http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro.html
    This card has balanced TRS outputs. Most high-end audio interfaces do have balanced outputs.
    2x CDJ 900 | DJM 900 Nexus | TSP2 | 2011 15" MacBook Pro 2.2Ghz | KRK RP6 | Sennheiser HD 25-1 mkII

  10. #10
    Tech Convert
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    Ok, if I have to choose a focus then I rather the soundcard to be more for producing and yet able to be used for DJ-ing if possible. Since the purchase will be taken somewhere in the future, the price could be 500$ or even more if it's worth it.

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