Hey guys, I’ve been thinking about upgrading to a 4 channel mixer…running with the DJM400 at the moment. While most of the time I play with Traktor, sometimes I don’t use software at all.
By far one of my favorite FX to use is Filter. Works great within Traktor but when using the DJM alone, it sucks…it bounces to the BPM even after adjusting the FX size. I see that the Xones seem to keep the filter running as long as it is enabled. Can the DJM do this, or is this their drawback or am I just retarded?
Seems silly but if this is the case, I may be selling the 400 just to get a decent filter that I can actually manipulate as with the Xone series. The FX I can always use from Traktor.
Second Part: Using an Audio2 as an audio card, must I upgrade cards in order to use all 4 decks mixing externally in Traktor? Wanted to control decks C and D with an X1…
Depends on what mixer you get. I had an extra Audio 8 when I had a DJM-800. 1 USB cable to the laptop (internal mixer), 1 USB cable to the sound card. DJM-800 acts like a midi controller… most nobs send MIDI messages. Bob’s your uncle. I believe you can do some other routing but yes, you’d need something bigger than the Audio 2, and at that point there’s (very slight) signal loss. I’m weird like that.
I can’t speak for the A&H Xone:92 b/c I’ve not used it, but the 4D on which it is built is Traktor compliant. USB to the laptop and you’re done. All the music is routed digitally, and you use external mixer mode. Most (if not all) of the knobs (on the Xone:92, assuming it works like the 4D) send no MIDI messages. It takes a bit of getting used to b/c Traktor will auto gain your tracks for you, while you have your own gain knob which acts independently, etc. But, I’m glad I made the switch. (I was using 2 CDJs, and Audio 8, and a 1D… I wound up selling it all for the same price as a used 4D).
The only problem w/ the A&H gear is run a risk of ejaculating all over it b/c it’s so fucking awesome.
Thanks mate, I’m looking at either the 92 or 42. I want to use my CDJs still on decks A and B and an X1 on C and D, but externally like you said.
How is it that the Xone did not require a soundcard like the Pioneer? Built in?
Edit: I guess my question is how would I incorporate a 4 channel mixer into my setup? X1 is coming soon and I am so confused what difference a 4 channel would make vs a 2 channel but while using 4 decks or the sample decks…
The Xone series, other than the 1D, do have sound cards built in. The X1 only sends midi commands, right? It is, for all intents and purposes, decoupled from the mixer, whatever mixer that may be. It will only load tracks, sync, jump, etc. You won’t really do any mixing with it… that’s all done w/ your mixer (either internally (via MIDI) or externally…depending on your mixer).
if you want to record your mix, you just use the record output of the 92 and one input of the soundcard and configure traktor accordingly in the input options.
for dvs use please take a look at the traktor homepage, you’ll find useful pictures about connecting the interfaces to a mixer.
Thank you for the replies so far. You have answered most of my questions already.
My ultimate question then is this: How would I incorporate a 4 channel mixer into Traktor 2 using 2 cdjs? Is there any point in using a 4 channel mixer at all vs a 2? I want to use the sample decks, but can still use them using my 2 channel I have now…any good reasons for the upgrade to a 4 channel?
If you have an audio 2 and want to have 4 stereo outputs you can buy another audio 2 and use the ASIO drivers to combine them together. Much much cheaper than buying a sound card with 4 stereo outputs and you lose absolutely nothing.
If your proactive in getting gigs in your area then its a good idea to use the club standard gear imo. If you want to use 4 channels then you will need to have/use a sound card with 4 outputs, pretty simple right there lol
I love the Xone 92. I wish they were the club standard here in Aus.
Personnally speaking I think it’s a way of what are the most important aspects for you: for example, I prefer A&H’s sound but I prefer Pioneer’s build quality and components. If you like filters, you should probably go with the Xone series, if you prefer to stay with clubs standards, may be you should go with Pioneer. There are quite a lot of parameters to be taken into account.
Yes I think so, I do have most of the time the need for a third audio channel (just for the sake of bringing an acapella for example) and from time to time a 4th (mainly because of the sample slots in traktor now). So having dedicated audio channels makes things so much smoother and easier. Think also about the next step(s) you may take, you may need those extra channels in the middle or long term so…
If you’re going to play out, USB slots can be an issue. Go w/ a sound card w/ the 4 channel’s instead of 2 cards w/ 2 channels. Easier to lug around too. The Audio8 is a small unit.
I didn’t even think of purchasing another Audio2, that would seem like a much better idea, since I use ASIO already, way way cheaper too. And already have a powered USB hub too.
So by combining both Audio 2s I can finally use 4 channels?
So purchase list would be: Xone 92 or 42, and one more Audio2…then I’m set?
Yep. Download the generic ASIO drivers from the ASIO website, open the settings program and select both Audio 2s and then select ASIO as the sound card in traktor.
It definitely is. I’m just saying, it’s not that big relative to crap you might carry out. Also, you can get an Audio 8 used for substantially cheaper (I bought one before the Audio 10 came out for $250). I know it’s not the cheapest solution but cheapest is not always the best. Surely if a Xone:92 is in the budget, splurging a bit more for an Audio 8 is not a stretch.
I’d also cringe at taking 2 sound cards out, but hey, that’s me. At home… not much of an issue.