I have technics 1200s, DJM 800, novation dicers, SL1, NI Maschine, MPK 61, APC 40, novation launchpad, KRK Rokits and MacBook Pro. Oh and a Denon DN HC1000.
So here’s the thing. I’ve got a crappy little UCA 222 but need to upgrade as it’s crap.
But I want to future proof myself somewhat. I use ableton and was thinking of looking at a USB mixing desk as it has the interface built in. Probably a beringher xenyx.
BUT, I don’t have a great need for lots of inputs as my instruments are MIDI. I mainly think it’s the outputs I’d need more. Does a Usb Mixing desk allow you to put sound on to one of the channels so you can use the faders and EQ etc on individual channels, so I can then just use the output to go into a channel on my DJM?
I also want to use it for recording my DJ sets on, but I’m quite happy using my iPad and the UCA 222.
Also seen control surfaces but I really don’t know what it is I need to buy here?
I’ll also be getting a novation launchkey mini soon too as I love my novation iPad apps.
I’d just appreciate some direction here as I want to have everything I need and want to try and make it as easy as possible to make some tracks and do some remixes. Already done mashups but that is really easy. Want to try and stretch myself now and make some tunes.
Also running Ableton 9 if it makes a difference.
I look forward to hearing from someone that can help
For audio interface with a lot of outs, you can get a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 (Or if you have a huge amount of outputs, the 18i20). If you want to mix internally in Ableton, get the Akai APC40/20 and an Audio Interface.
If you don’t use external hardware, having an interface with many ins/outs makes absolutely no sense, the same ist true for an external mixing desk.
Just get an interface and a midi controller. What midi-controller really depends on what you want to do.
The APC 40 and especially 20 are quite limited when it comes to controlling channels for mixing. They have faders, but their main purpose is performing live, triggering clips and scenes with their button matrix.
I guess something like the UC33e is about the best controller for mixing, though it’s been discontinued some time ago (but can still be found on ebay), or the new Livid Instruments DS1, which hasn’t been released yet.
Both units offer faders in combination with enough knobs per channel to give you all the control (EQ, sends, EFX) you need for mixing.
Thanks guys for your help thus far.
I’m considering and M-Audio firewire 410? Mainly because I can get it for $150AUD with an evolution 25 (which I’ll probably sell)
But yeah I already have the APC40 and I see what it does, but it’s not really the control I’m after. TCMuc I’ll look into those two you recommended and see where I go from here.
Absolutely loving Ableton 9 BTW, if anyone reading hasn’t upgraded yet, do so!
Ah yes I read about this recently, so with either of these, if I had a multi input/output AI I can route, say vox or gat back into the DS1 or UC33 and mix that way?
Both are midi controllers, so you can’t route audio to/from them. You use them to control the faders/knobs inside your DAW when mixing.
And once again: unless you want to integrate a number of hardware synths/effects into your setup, there’s no reason to have a multiple i/o interface or mix externally.
You can do everything “in the box”, and just get a controller that let’s gives you control over the parameters you need most when mixing.
An additional APC 20 would give you 8 more faders, but no knobs or encoders, so if an APC 40 doesn’t give you the control you’re after, adding an APC 20 probably won’t help either.
