Equipment advice for 2 performers. Looking at the S2 and Maschine, open to options.

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Originally Posted by mor4sso

Hmm, it seems like the lack of inputs on the S2 is going to hold us back a bit. I've been debating just simply getting an S4, but as this is my first controller, I don't know if the extra cost is worth the features that the S4 provides.

Or maybe I'm over thinking everything. :P

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If you're mixing internally on one laptop you should be able to set the Maschine's audio to just output on the master channel of the S2 so that both programs use the S2's soundcard - that way you don't need external inputs on your S2 or another soundcard for Maschine. I'm not sure if that's possible or desirable though, maybe someone else on the forum knows?

I guess alternatively you could route Maschine's output into a Traktor deck internally using a program like Virtual Audio Cable but that might overcomplicate things...

Either way let us know what gear you decide on. :D

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Originally Posted by humanafterall

If you're mixing internally on one laptop you should be able to set the Maschine's audio to just output on the master channel of the S2 so that both programs use the S2's soundcard - that way you don't need external inputs on your S2 or another soundcard for Maschine. I'm not sure if that's possible or desirable though, maybe someone else on the forum knows?

I guess alternatively you could route Maschine's output into a Traktor deck internally using a program like Virtual Audio Cable but that might overcomplicate things...

Either way let us know what gear you decide on. :D

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Good Idea! We're more than likely going with the S2 and Maschine, I just have to decide whether or not the drop the cash on an S4 or not.

Do you NEED jogs?

A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.

I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...

If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over €1000,- and even cheaper second hand...

If you'd ever get a second laptop, you can use Maschine's effects through the mixer's send and return!

A lot of bias here, but I just love to use mine that way...

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Originally Posted by boarderbas

Do you NEED jogs?

A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.

I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...

If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over €1000,- and even cheaper second hand...

If you'd ever get a second laptop, you can use Maschine's effects through the mixer's send and return!

A lot of bias here, but I just love to use mine that way...

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Wayyyyyyyyy out of budget :P

I'm open to other options though. Don't necessarily need jogs, but I like the mapping for them that Ean did with making them effects wheels.

I feel like the S2/S4 is probably the best bet for us. I like Traktor (although I haven't really used anything else) and I like how well it integrates with the software.

We've both decided we want to go the controllerist direction. Just trying to figure out how to get started is all.

@Humanafterall not to go off topic but how do you guys have maschine running into just a single deck in traktor? I use and S4 and Machine but its just added to the Master and I can't cue in headphones without running maschine out of the laptop running into channel C but I feel like it loses some sound quality. But to the OP, something that might be useful is grabbing a small monitor that you can attach to the laptop so your friend on the maschine can see what he's doing if he needs to. But i feel like an MPC would be perfect for what you guys need because before the newest ones you didn't need a comp. You could use the laptop to DJ and he could use the MPC and sync them up some how, just an opinion.

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Originally Posted by Otacon

@Humanafterall not to go off topic but how do you guys have maschine running into just a single deck in traktor?

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I have a second audio card (which I assume you might not have), an Audio 6, which is connected to the laptop running Maschine. We route audio from the Audio 6 into an input on the S4 and set Deck C in Traktor to live input - so we get easy level control, Traktor's effects etc on the Maschine channel. If you don't have a second audio card and you're running one laptop you should be able to aggregate your S4 sound card with a virtual audio output/input. I've used Asio4All on windows for this but I found it led to latency and glitches.

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Originally Posted by Otacon

But i feel like an MPC would be perfect for what you guys need because before the newest ones you didn't need a comp. You could use the laptop to DJ and he could use the MPC and sync them up some how, just an opinion

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Good point, he would need more than an s2 though because he'd need inputs to plug the MPC into (can you use the mic input for this stuff?)

Wouldn't a second soundcard be a solution in that case? Just don't use the built-in one from the S2.

I also run an S2 and a Maschine, but mostly in Midi-mode since I play by myself. I still have to figure out how the syncing & such works, though. Would be interesting to 'jam' a little on the pads with a friend mixing. But as humanafterall said, a deck for easy volume in Traktor is useful. I just like faders for volume over the knobs on the Maschine. I have to be way more careful. Especially cause they're endless rotaries. And there's many solution, budget just is a problem for many of us.