In search of a FireWire/USB 6 analog outputs soundcard

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
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In search of a FireWire/USB 6 analog outputs soundcard

I’m looking for a FireWire 6 analog outputs and maybe inputs soundcard. It’s because I had this routing in my head:

  • Traktor Deck A
  • Traktor Deck B
  • Traktor Deck C
  • Traktor Deck D
  • Maschine
  • Traktor’s FX in SEND-mode/Ableton’s FX
    The Audio 10 only has 5 outputs, so I’m missing one for what I’m planning. Why I want to route FX external? Because I’d like to use the Xone 92’s SEND/RETURN option and can have either pre- or post-fader FX!

I stumbled across these ones:

  • Echo AudioFire 12
  • RME Fireface UFX Obviously way to expensive
  • Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
    Since I won’t be using timecode and never will use that, I don’t want the Audio 10. And for Ableton, a dedicated soundcard is good too :slight_smile:. Maybe you can help me out? Or give me some advice regarding my desired routing? Or am I just not getting it wright…
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Bump.

6 outputs isn’t really that necessary, 5 (10) are also good.

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audiofire 4

4

Try the Saffire Pro 24. That should have enough ins/outs for you.

I can’t vouch for the 24, but I’m using a Saffire Pro 14 at the moment and I’m loving the quality.

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Thanks for your help, Johnv.

But the Saffire Pro 24 only has 6 line outputs, so that means only three channels in Traktor that can be putted out, right?

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Ah, thats true. Why exactly are you routing each of the tractor decks to one channel each? You could always route two channel strips for the decks into a bus thus limiting the about of input/outputs you’d need and still having control of each individual channels volume and FX. You’d basically have 3 software channels (or 2 and a bus).

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I just want to have control over 4 decks. I mostly play monotone techno and stuff, experimental, dub techno and from some tracks I tend to only keep the bassline running and then add percussions, hihats etc. from other tracks in the mix, looping and mainly play just 2 tracks, but I must have 4 external decks with EQ.

I can understand that some people will find it overkill, but then I’d like you to listen to sets of for instance Chris Liebing, Speedy J, Richie Hawtin. By doing it right, it can all sound like a controlled chaos where all the tracks together sound really nice.

So I just want to have a 5/6 outputs soundcard, but no Traktor Audio 8/10, because I want to use it for production also.

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How about a Motu Ultralite mk3?

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Yes, I’ve been searching for that one also! It’s a good FireWire card and definitely another option. But I wanna know if someone has experiences with a FireWire soundcard on Mac OS X with Traktor. How’s latency etc.

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firewire soundcard latency for me is un noticed i use m-audio profire 2626 tho purely as within software routing no external outputs other than h/p and monitors

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The Audiofire 12 is supposed to be awesome. They give good low-latency performance, and they ABX with Apogee. Trained ears can apparently tell that they’re different but tend not to have a preference.

They supposedly have some issues with some firewire chipsets, though I haven’t read reports of having problems with Apple.

gearslutz.com has some information about them if you search for it (does not require registration).

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I have the M-Audio Profire 610 (running on a 2010 MBP). It allows for really tight 8 channel output. Unfortunately for you, I won’t have access to it for maybe two weeks so I can’t provide you any hard figures, but I get low single digit latency output when stress testing in Traktor (2 playing tracks, 8 samples, micro loops and effects on everything playing) without any dropouts. You should consider it a serious contender. A drawback, sadly is that it only has 8 analog outputs, and you will need a DAC (coaxial spdif) for use with the Xone 92 if you want to utilize all 10 channels.

A very solid audio interface for both production and DJing (save for a nasty problem in Ableton where the audio decides to drop out, no matter WHAT my settings are, which I can’t reproduce on other computers or even in other programs), as long as it meets your input/output requirements.

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i have the exact set up you are talking about, ill pm you

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RME Fireface UC? Just enough outputs for you.

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i have been using the motu ultralite, but still unsure if i like the sound from it, i used to have an audio 8 and possibly cos im used to the sound of the audio 8 it may take a bi of getting used to, but everyone says the motu should give better quality sound, i run 3 decks, then one for maschine and one for effects in ableton, what do you guys think of the motu

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Unless you want to run all those things in mono you’re going to want a soundcard with 12 outputs, not 6. :wink:

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So to bump this thread, MrPopinjay is right. I need a soundcard with 12 analog (6 stereo) outputs, does somebody know one? Something like the Echo Audiofire 12. Haven’t found anything similar yet.

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Reloop Contour interface edition
You get 10 channel audio interface (5 stereo ch: 4x rca at the back and double 5th ch small and normal jack on the front side)

  • 4 deck controler
    in one unit.
    Sound is good,but output is way too hot.No problem though in Traktor,just roll the master volume knob down to around -7.
    Hope that helps.
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The Contour interface edition is crazy good value these days. It’s a midi controller + audio interface that’s way cheaper than the competing interfaces!

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I’m in the same boat as you! Been looking for an affordable firewire interface to use both for studio work/dj stuff. I’ve been eyeing the Saffire pro 40 because it seems to be the best bang for your buck. Haven’t really found anything on it regarding traktor performance, so if you do go through with it please let me know!