I’m going to need to get a soundcard to rotate between the occasion I want timecode support (while the db4 still isn’t certified), playing out, and for my production desktop.
So I’m kind of torn between finding a used audio 8 or just grabbing a new audio 6. I can probably get an audio 6 for around $220 and an audio 8 for about $200.
I was never a fan of multicore cables so it’s nice they added a thru function with optional power supply- so I’m guessing it works like a serato box where you can unplug usb and if the power supply is connected it will automatically go to thru so you can play a cd/usb/vinyl or whatever without hitting any buttons on the box or anything.
I’m not sure how much the extra channel on the audio 8 matters with traktor routing. The odds of being able to hook into all four channels on a mixer are small and 3 is already a lot. With traktor routing you can just set decks a and b to channel 1 and 2 and then run both sample decks through the third channel on the mixer (and still have full volume control of each sample deck with the sample slot volume knobs).
I wonder if it would still be nice to have the 4th channel option on the audio 8 though in case I want to route maschine or something or had the option to use all 4 channels of a mixer if I was playing somewhere.
I know you dont need to use multicore cables with an audio 8 but the way the connectors are set up with red, yellow, black, and white for 1,2,3,4 is much more confusing than having two red and white stereo rcas for the left and right input and output.
The 6 comes with traktor pro 2 which doesn’t really mean much since you can’t transfer it and it’s not scratch.
Honestly, I’d personally wait and pony up for the Audio 10. That way, you don’t really have to think about ports, you can have everything setup fully, and you won’t ever say, man, I wish I could connect this “other thing” in.
That’s just me though. If I can’t have what I want in the end, I wait until I can (saving in the meantime).
Honestly between the 6 and 8, I really don’t see much of a difference other than if you want to get something brand new, or something used. Just go with whatever you can get cheaper honestly.
the more routing options the better i’d say. if it’s not now, it might be in the future. Unless the thru option is really something you’re gonna use I would recommend the audio 8 over the 6.
from my experience the drivers seem to be more stable for the 4 and 8, than the 6 and 10. the issues with the 6 and 10 seem to be with certain processors on windows 7, vista seems to run fine. Been trouble shooting for a few friends
I wish NI made cards with actual physical switches rather than relying on software. Why can’t we turn on the pass through with a button? Or turn on/off the pre amps with a switch?
It provided just enough ins and outs for what I needed (2 decks + FX loop).
It has direct thru and the ability to be bus powered. Two features which I really like. For direct thru I just set it in the control panel and then close the laptop lid. Not having an external adapter means one less thing I need to plug in underneath my friend’s setups when I want to use timecode. Also I can use the sound card potentially on the move at random outside locations where there is no power.
Its also small and light, space is a premium in my bag.
Can someone explain how direct thru works on the a6/10?
You have to set something in a software panel?
I remember when I had my SL3 when you had the power supply plugged in if it wasn’t connected via usb it automatically went to pass thru mode. So you could yank the usb cable out and it would switch to pass thru. At least that’s how I remember it, those days are a little foggy.
I bought an A6 in June for the inputs to record out of the mixer back into Traktor. I actually use Traktor Pro 2 in external mode and did exactly what you said. Decks A & B each go to a channel on the mixer and C&D as sample decks go together to another channel. In August I bought a Xone DX that has a 20 channel sound card so I do have the ability to have each deck separate on its own channel but I just don’t really need it. The A6 is just back up gear now but if I ever want to get turntables and upgrade to scratch pro, I can do that. It just sucks that it would still cost $340 even with owning the A6. You would think NI would cut a break since I have TP2 but no, its like you have to buy it all over again.
