The right digital controller / soundcard to use next to turntables?

[innersoul]

First, thanks for all your replies!

Intergrating digital decks into your existing vinyl setup is easy peasy m8. Serato and Traktor Scratch Pro were designed for exactly what u want to do, if I've read the thread correctly If u get TSP or Serato u can switch between digi and vinyl the way u want without having to upgrade your DJM300, I should add that there are other DVS available but TSP and Serato are the best imho.
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I'd have a good look at Serato and Traktor Scratch Pro first, then start looking at the controllers available to complement them and utilise the features u think you'll actually use m8 for the best bespoke separates setup.
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Hope this give u some food for thought m8.

It definitely did, thanks for your explanations!
But actually, as I said, my turntables are junk, just my mixer is ok. So timecode vinyl is not really the way I want to go as this would require buying proper turntables first.
I would rather like to rely on a digital controller mainly, and from time to time use my old turntable(s) to mix a vinyl record into my mix.

well, the reloop controllers have one significant disadvantage: the lack of a four channel mixer. if you want to use that many sources it really helps to have full mixer control over them at all time.

That's true, hence the VMS4 sounds intriguing.
On the other hand, I usually mix only 2 sound sources at a time - so switching sources might not be a problem.
(However, I cannot foresee how digital mixing might change these preferences - maybe I also go 'multideck' )

if you had a vci-100 there would be a couple of setup options, but all of them require a soundcard that can handle all your sources (like the native instruments audio 8).
one option would be using a four channel mixer and you route all four audio signals (two coming from the tts two coming from traktor) to this mixer. that way you could assign the vci's mixer section to other features of traktor since you're already doing all the mixing externally.
another option is using the vci to mix internally in traktor and just output the master of traktor to an external mixer. that mixer only needs three channels since you only need to hook up three sources (one master from traktor + two tts). problem is that you have to use two seperate mixer controls to mix all your sources.

Thanks chrismp for explaining in detail!

1. Is this also true if I donot use more than 2 sources at a time (as described above)?
2. I asked Reloop support about this and they gave me this answer:

   Interface Edition: you can also connect ONE turntable - but the signal is looped either directly to the master or through the software - thus mixing with faders is not possible.

   I don't really understand the last part - does that mean in either setup (VCI-100 or Reloop) I wouldn't be able to use line-faders / cross-faders / effects?

So for the more conservative price bracket, the VMS4 will be bringing a lot to the table. The thing about it is that it's not out yet, so we really don't know the set price or how good it will actually be. But it has the potential. 2 turntables and 2 jogwheels for 4 decks at once? That's what has people going crazy about this device.

The four channels are indeed intriguing. However, size-wise it's a completely different baby than a VCI-100 or the Reloop (which are very portable).
Also: I have no experience with this brand and haven't seen it in our local shops. Is the quality good in general?
BTW: Music shops here in Germany estimate a delivery date around the 25th of March for EUR 379 (around USD 510).

[davendiva]

Digitise the records, then sell them and finally buy a xone 4d with the money you make.

[chrismp]

1. Is this also true if I donot use more than 2 sources at a time (as described above)?
2. I asked Reloop support about this and they gave me this answer: I don't really understand the last part - does that mean in either setup (VCI-100 or Reloop) I wouldn't be able to use line-faders / cross-faders / effects?

yep, it's the same...even when only using two sources at a time, you would have to switch the plugs on the back of your mixer to switch sources. way too much hustle.

yep, means you can't use the digital jockeys functions.

the master edition would be the perfect controller for you! you can have your turntables plugged in at all time and just switch each channel of the mixer individually to either control your software or the turntable!

die edith hat auch noch was zu sagen:
the vms4 can do the same things as the reloop master edition...so thats probably the better bang for the buck as you're getting a full blown four channel mixer and some touch controls at a slightly cheaper price. you could even assign two channels just for your turntables and two for your software and forget about the switching. plus it's gonna be availabe sooner.
i guess in the end your decision should be based on the build quality and the soundcard.
i suggest you order the vms4 from some german online store that has a good money back policy like thomann and just return it if you're not completely happy with it and go for the reloop instead

[innersoul]

thanks for the tips.
I haven't touched the AA VMS4 yet, but just from the looks, I don't really like it. It's bulky and looks cheap.
The Reloop is sleek, clean and compact. I really liked the handling of the Interface Edition.

Also, the Master Edition has a 24-bit / 96 kHz soundcard now.

[MaxOne]

If you have a mixer already you just need digital controller and a soundcard.

You could plug one turntable into one phono line of the mixer and then the soundcard into a line (the other side of the crossfader) on the mixer.

I would suggest getting a VC1-100 cause i still think (surprisingly) it's the best bit of kit out there. And an audio 2 dj soundcard.

Slowly you can start to digitise your vinyl and you'll find you won't need the turnatable... or the mixer

[Ciar2001]

Xone 4D would allow you to do everything, I have Traktor and Ableton running through it into my Fostex monitors, and I also have my 1210's linked up to it as well.