I’m starting to feel like I’m taking crazy pills! The setup that I’m looking for seems to simple and commonplace, but yet no one seems to have fun into this issue or has no idea what I’m talking about. So here’s the deal..
I currently have the Traktor S4 (with Midi Fighter Spectra) but I am looking to take my DJ setup to the next level. I want to maintain the controllerism that I currently have but be able to utilize an analog mixer so if i take my setup to a club or other event I can use the house mixer, not to mention the ability for out-board effects. I was planning on switching to a pair of X1’s to be able to control decks A, B, C and D independently.. but regardless of what controllers I use I have to be able to come out of my laptop with 4 separate analog outputs. In the past Native Instruments had this covered with their Audio 8 soundcard that provided 4 stereo outputs. Now that is discontinued and the closest thing is the new Audio 6 which has 6 TRS outputs (3 channels with left and right separate). I supposed I can get cables that cross between TRS and RCA but even then I only have 3 channels which means I can only utilize 3 decks. I’ve looked at tons of soundcards now and it seems like this is the setup that they are all going for.. So what does that mean for controllerism DJs? is the only option to use the midi controlled software mixer in Traktor (or Serato) and feed your whole mix to one channel on the house mixer? or would I need to purchase 2 soundcards just to get the 4 outputs I need?
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Tascam US-16x08 - $300
M-Audio MTrack Eight - $400
NI A10 - $500
Rane SL4 - $900
RME has a selection of more expensive interfaces.
If you want to go crazy, so do Apogee, Echo, Metric Halo, Avid…probably Steinberg…and a bunch of other people.
So, there are some options.
There are also a lot of mixers that have this functionality on their own (Rane mp25, mp26, sixty-four, sixty-eight, most of the Pioneers, at least one denon, etc.) if you happen to like one. But, that doesn’t solve your issue of wanting to use the house mixer.
This is also exactly how my setup works, with an old M-Audio FW410, which I’m going to “upgrade” to an A10 soon.
I did the same thing as you. Started with an S4, then moved to analogue mixer and two X1’s. I like it a lot more. The S4 is great for home mixing & house parties, but small modular controllers are way more suitable for a club setup. The X1’s easily fit in your bag, just plug your sound card into the house mixer and you’re good to go.
You’re looking at the Komplete Audio 6. It’s NI’s interface for production, that’s why it has XLR / TRS inputs and outputs. NI still makes sound cards for DJing. They discontinued the Audio 8, but replaced it with the Audio 10. It has 5 stereo RCA inputs / 5 stereo RCA outputs. This is the one you should check out.
I use the A10 and I love it. But, as mostapha said, there are plenty of cheaper / more expensive sound cards on the market with 4 outputs. All depends on how much you’re willing to spend.
the big advantage to using the native instrument cards - they’re scratch certified. So if you ever desire to use CDJs or vinyl with your setup you can.
IMO, Audio 6 and 2 x1’s … unless you ABSOUTELY need four decks running at the same time this is the way to go…
You can run 2 external decks + 2 remix decks (both remix decks running to one channel) .. So you would need 3 channels on the mixer, assuming you are allowed access to swap cables over (take this into consideration, some places do not allow this) ..
Otherwise just run your master out from the S4 into a spare channel and go nuts.
P.S all of you, pls do not discuss using Non-NI soundcards for use with TSP, this is not allowed, k
Mostapha is on to it with going the modular route. I myself have certified mixer but use the A6 instead of the mixers soundcard. When we do gigs, depending on how many of us there are etc, i have the option of leaving some if not most of the gear at home, and booth real estate is also a consideration (sometimes i just take 1 x1, A6 and MIDIfghter for example)
Awesome, Man I really appreciate all the feedback and help! I was confused about the Audio10 because it seems to be impossible to get it with out the Scratch Pro gear as well which I have no desire to do, and I didn’t want to spend a bunch of extra money for something I wasn’t going to use.. as well as I thought the Audio 10 was somehow specific to Scratch Pro. This definately is exactly what I was looking for, and I’m so glad to hear that you’ve used this setup and had so much success with it. Im going to pick up my X1’s this weekend and probably the soundcard next paycheck. I’m planning on picking up a Behringer Nox606 (yah I know.. i said the B word..) as it mimics the setup of the Xone 92 and it’s only $300. I figure I can upgrade to a better mixer later on. Does anyone have any other suggestions for a 4 channel mixer that will be better for around the same price point? (could be a little higher if the quality justifies it)
