Do I need to add to monitors?

Performance & Techniques Music Production
1

Do I need to add to monitors?

Hey forum, I recently purchases some Mackie mr8’s (that are due to arrive next week) and was curious as to whether or not I needed to buy a soundcard for them or a better amp (they are active so they have an amp built in). Bearing in mind I’m on a budget, would a soundcard/amp really make that much of a quality difference in comparison to my laptop’s soundcard (which is extremely basic)? I have no real idea about amps but if I was going to buy a soundcard, it would probably be the audio 4 dj as it seems the best for my budget. I am using these monitors exclusively for producing (EDM; dubstep, house, dnb, electronica etc.).
So, what do? :confused:

2

You don’t need an amp if the speakers are active. Can’t really offer much advice on production sound cards.

3

you should get a decent audio interface… look in the for sale section here… or on amazon. I suggest looking for an older model Presonus Firebox. You should be able to find something under $200.

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so that would suit me more so than the audio 4 dj soundcard?

5

maybe. firebox has firewire, more ins and outs

6

ok, but if i did buy firebox or audio 4dj, my sound quality from the mr8’s would improve drastically? :confused:

7

you really dont want to connect your monitors to the audio out of your internal soundcard.. :wink:

8

Yes the audio will probably improve, I don’t know how drastic it would be though since I don’t know anything about your internal sound card.

9

like I say in the OP, it is extremely basic; It’s just a built in ‘‘HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO’’ soundcard, made by Acer. Seriously considering the audio 4 dj; any reason I should choose something else forum?

10

If you are just running 2 active speakers an Audio2 will do fine

11

Thats true, the Audio 4 is overkill if your not planning on hooking up extra turntable’s or CDJ’s. It does have on board volume control for the cue though.

12

the only reason i would buy the audio 4 as opposed to the audio 2 is that 4 has better sound quality.

13

says who? :confused:

14

NI’s website under specifications of the 4 and the 2; I compared both

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in the comparison chart? i thought there was no sound quality differences between the 2, 4 and 8..

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I’m pretty sure 8 and 4 have the exact same specs, only 8 has more ports. 2 has less quality than the 4 and 8 though.

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According to the cpmparison chart all of the NI cards have the exact same specs, [quote]Max. audio resolution* 24 bit / 96 KHz[/quote]

That said I have heard some say the 4 and 8 sound a little louder than the 2. That’s on big club systems though so for your monitors I highly doubt you’ll be able to tell a difference.

18

Are you planning on recording any acoustic material? Even if it’s just a shaker or you recording your own vocal samples, get something with decent converters and a pre-amp. Something like this.
If you’re just wanting something to connect your monitors to your computer an audio 2 should be fine.

19

thanks man, would you still recommend that if im going to be recording a synthesizer? (probably roland sh201)

20

Definitely, just for the sake of having an i/o that is capable of 192 kHz as opposed to the dj series 96 kHz. Plus it supplies phantom power, so if you ever pick up a condenser mic that will come in handy. Plus it’s a MIDI interface on top of that which could be helpful with external synths. You would just have to buy a DJ 4 if you ever wanted to go the DVS route, but for strictly production, this is one of the more underrated products especially at the price.