Soundcards?
I was hoping to get some Ableton users opinions on the following.
What are peoples suggestions for a well rounded recording interface/soundcard? One that would be good for recording vinyl samples, voice, guitar, etc.
Now that takes care of getting the sound into Ableton. When playing live, what is everyones preference for “soundcards” like a Numark DJIO or Audio 2 DJ?
Last question, is there any device out there that integrates both into one package?
Thanks in advance!
diabeatnik
if you got a firewire connection, go for a presonus firebox.. got mine pretty cheap off from ebay..
it got everything you’re looking for.. a good card for production and djing at the same time.. 2 line in, 2 xlr, midi, 6 outs, headphone out, …
weltraumpapst,
so you can do all your recording of live instruments with low latency into Ableton with the presonus firebox and then turn it around and use it for output when playing a live set?
yes and you dont even have to turn it around.. 
just google the device and read a little bit about it..
The Presonus firebox inputs are actually really nice, the outputs are really nice too. I wouldnt say its the best card out there but its pretty good for how much it costs.
good thing about the firebox right now is that they’re discontinuing it soon (word from a local music store) so it’s gonna be cheap.
good thing about it later, it’ll still be working properly. it can take a slew of rough gigs. i imagine if you had cables long enough you could put it in the middle of the dance floor and pick it up at the end of the night and still have it work perfectly. tank.
i record with it a lot and love the inputs.
I dont believe anything music stores about gear getting discontinued - most of the time it doesnt turn out to be true. Would be interesting to get this confirmed from presonus though.
i thought the same thing as i wrote it.. didn’t give it a second thought until then 
probably spitting some game at me to validate giving me rock bottom dollar for it.
you might want to consider the novation nio 2/4 as well. It’s cheap, portable and has all the features you asked for previously.
Ultra-low latency effects allow hassle-free, real time jamming and recording.
Unique, flexible, and tactile monitoring control beyond anything in its class
professional effects from the experts in the field of accurate Guitar Amp modeling.
Novation effects from the Supernova II and signal processing from Focusrite.
Microphone, instrument or line-level sources. nio 2 | 4 is ready for anything, be it guitar, mic, synth, or MP3/CD player.
Simultaneous headphone mix for the artist and the engineer. Ideal for home recording and the classroom environment.
Combined with two streams of stereo digital audio via USB, nio is the ideal interface for the laptop DJ performing live
More info here : http://www.novationmusic.com/products/audio_interface/nio_2_4
Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 is a great all round package. It even had MIDI controls on the top of it! Also, if Native Instruments are giving away a free synth with it these days. Think you can pick from Massive, Absynth, Pro-53… FM-8 as well I think.
It’s a good investment.
Would the Presonus firebox have a latency advantage over the Audio Kontrol 1 when linked up to MIDI devices (e.g. Faderfox DJ2/DX2) with it being firewire as opposed to USB?
Has anyone who’s tried both noticed a speed difference?
i don’t think you’d be able to tell any difference if you are just talking about midi latency between the two.
I would check out what firewire chipset your computer has and if it is one that works good with the presonus products then i’d grab a firebox as well.
like mentioned, it is a great sounding, LOUD, and a very durable product.
I wouldn’t trade mine for another card.