Confusion
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Confusion

  1. #1
    Tech Student
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default Confusion

    Ok....

    So I'm a little confused.

    I'm getting a VCI-100, and I have a MacBook Pro, which will run Traktor.

    I know the VCI-100 doesn't have a sound card, but the system I will be running on for most of my gigs has a power amp with a set of speakers and subwoofers.

    I need a mixer to plug into the sound system, so I'm buying the Numark DM950.

    Do I need to buy an external soundcard, if I have the mixer?

    What cables do I need to connect everything?

    I connect USB to VCI, can I connect (1/8 to RCA) for Lappy to Mixer, and then 1/4 to RCA from mixer to Amp? Please help me out!!

    Thanks

    LykeMic

  2. #2
    Tech Mentor
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Brooklyn NY
    Posts
    307

    Default

    I would think so, but Im not a mac head, so I wouldnt know for sure.
    Silly DJ loops are for kids!

  3. #3
    RGAS Guru Xonetacular's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    4,088

    Default

    You need a soundcard to get the sound out of your computer to the mixer.... You will only need an RCA cable or two depending on how many output channels you are inputing into their mixer. It sounds like just one. You will need a soundcard like the Audio 2 DJ. There are mixers with built in soundcards but most DJ mixers do not have a soundcard and that Numark certainly doesn't... Also, most clubs have their own mixers.
    Last edited by Xonetacular; 11-12-2009 at 10:13 PM.

  4. #4
    Tech Student
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Really? Before I had the VCI, I was just using my laptop, and I was able to connect to the mixer using just a 1/8 to RCA and then with a 1/4--RCA from the mixer to the amp...

  5. #5
    Retired DJTT Moderator DvlsAdvct's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    New Jersey/NYC
    Posts
    4,854

    Default

    You CAN do that. I stress can because, well, you really really shouldn't.

    Buying a cheap audio interface is a better and more reliable idea than using your internal soundcard.

    And with the cost of the Audio2, you can't really justify not making the expenditure
    It's the FAQ. Read it.

    My Mixes, Mashups and Rants

    Divided we stand
    United we fall

  6. #6
    RGAS Guru Xonetacular's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    4,088

    Default

    Exactly, any laptop integrated soundcard is going to be unreliable and poor quality since it lacks the processing power DJ apps demand, you really should invest in an external soundcard and for your purposes the Audio 2 is a great choice. I've tried using my laptop soundcard and with some tweaks like using the asio4all driver it was passable for practicing, but it really wouldn't fly in a club. Even if the macbook pro soundcard is better, any cheap external will be in another league.

  7. #7
    Dr. Bento BentoSan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Perth, Australia
    Posts
    6,383

    Default Re: Confusion

    Quote Originally Posted by Xonetacular
    Exactly, any laptop integrated soundcard is going to be unreliable and poor quality since it lacks the processing power DJ apps demand, you really should invest in an external soundcard and for your purposes the Audio 2 is a great choice. I've tried using my laptop soundcard and with some tweaks like using the asio4all driver it was passable for practicing, but it really wouldn't fly in a club. Even if the macbook pro soundcard is better, any cheap external will be in another league.
    The soundcard doesn't really do much processing other than decoding the audio stream from the pc. The processing of the audio ap is done by the CPU. The quality of a decent soundcard is what's imprtant, and the fact they have multiple outs and high quality low latency drivers.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •