to be able to cue into headphones with ableton you will need a soundcard that has 2 stereo outs (audio2 or audio4 for example)…without it, you wouldnt be able to cue in headphones. But if your using ableton you shouldnt think of using it in a traditional DJing way, you really dont have to cue unless you are trying to beatmatch with someone using cdjs or turntables.
+1 to the post above. However, I DJ with ableton/apc 40 as well and sometimes it is helpful to cue a track for a quick preview or to find the right place to launch it.
Thats true as well, i guess its all in how you prepare your set. My ableton set has a bunch of songs already warped and split into different clips (intro, breakdown, etc) so i just have to start triggering clips and away we go!
You will need a channel or pair (for stereo) available for cueing. You can reroute the “Solo” (blue button) for many different types of cue such as:
-Pre/post (virtual) fader
-Single / multiple solos
-Control volume with APC
Some break out boxes allow for monitoring via headphone, or in other words, you can use the headphone jack as a configurable out.
Choose wisely - do not go cheap.
I use a Rane TTM 56s in my ableton rig (monitoring incl) with a TC Electronics Konnnekt 24. Very solid rig (on a mac). My signal path, scratching, post ableton processing, and overall control is an order of magnitude beyond anything else I have ever used.
For the record - Tascam produces some of the most solid breakout boxes on the market. They are not sexy, only stable and well supported. I have owned, broke, sold, or used damn near every type of break out box. My 5 tascam units over the years were all great.