Audio Interface for playing in clubs

I have the laptop, Traktor 3, and a few controllers. Now, to play in clubs and such, do I need to get a specific kind of audio interface to connect to the speakers? I see a myriad of options, USB, Firewire, or even controllers like the BCD. If this is a repost (I'm sure it is, but I couldn't find another post similar to it) I'm sorry.

Thanks in advance

 

Most USB devices will do, and everyone has an opinion as to what works best, so it's like asking what kind of cup will I put my coffee in. From personal experience, I've used:

-A 1/8" headphone to RCA (red & white) cable from my headphone output (not advised...)

-M-Audio FastTrack USB interface (works pretty well, but you need to download some specific ASIO software to get it working properly)

-NI Audio Kontrol 1-just purchased about 3 weeks ago and is working like a charm.

What kind of laptop are you using (PC/Mac)?

 

I AGREE NI Audio Kontrol is awsome flawless great sound quality, solid, and easy to work with

 

Since the RCA cables that are present in your home stereo reciever will not be powering the speakers at the club ...

the audio connections on many "pro-sumer" devices consisting of RCA type connectors are not applicable. THis may be the case if you are expecting to plug your audio 8 directly into a soundsystem. Not advisable even with those rca to xlr adapter cords!

....please keep in mind that a club sound system means professional connections. If your interface is to go directly into a stage snake. You will end up with distortion and hum eminating from unbalanced connections at their connection point to balanced connections ... not to mention a type of audio signal that was not meant to travel more than ten feet. It might be a hundred feet to the club sound system FOH sound board. There are devices to translate this signal to balanced signal like a high quality stereo DI box(s) 100-400$ and that is acceptable to most sound system engineers.

there may already be a dj mixer that is at the club. SInce this has been checked out and probably installed by the club sound guy.. it is best to plug your audio 8 or other rca out connections into this mixer and use it to control your output.

There is a distinct difference between mixers with balanced circuits and out puts and and mixers that are comprised of un-balanced circuits. The difference is about five hundred dollars in many cases. And it is an important difference because it gives you xlr/balanced out puts to feed to the xlr systems at the clubs. A professional connection and thats what you want if you plan on using your mixer there.

I think too often these companies are selling people equipment that could 'percievabley' and is often advertised as able to power a professional soundsysytem but in fact due to users naievity on the subject they end up with a piece of equipment that is the weakest link in their system, and they may have to replace once they figure out what they really need!

 

I agree with signaturex. Since I usually spin at small events and private parties, where I have to feed balanced audio signal directly to the amps, the balanced connections was one of the reasons I went for the xone:3D

At clubs it should be usual to plug your audio interface into the club's mixer and in this case the RCAs are just fine.

Getting into your shoes and having already some MIDI controllers, I would go for the Audio Kontrol 1 due to its balanced outputs. (Just looking at the pictures of it on the NI page and I’m wondering if besides the HP output any other unbalanced outputs are available…? :S)
Of course there is also the A8DJ which offers more outputs but lacks of balanced output connection options.

Odysseas

 

It is possible to have the connections of the audio eight reworked by adding transformers or actually having a company such as Black Lion audio rebuild the unit so that it contains balanced circuits straight from the DAs. Or maybe just one pair. But that is a five hundred dollar improvement as well. there is also the option of adding Multile Quality Jenson transformer boxes onto the circuits but this also can cost several hundred dollars. Purchase of the correct equipment to begin with is the best option so do the research. an UNderstanding of balanced vs unabalanced circuits. Connector types. And the signal loads that are in the circuits is a good place to start. If we start expecting more from these companies and do not buy their "pro-sumer devices" they will start supplying us with true professional grade equipment at almost the same price points.

the audio control does have balanced outputs which are easily adapted to xlr with a trs(tip-ring-sleeve) to xlr adapter or cord. The ts type transformer/adapters are NOT what you want for this. there are many types of 1/4 inch plugs even stereo balanced which contains two channels of balanced audio. But the standard for mono balanced "high def recording" type connections is the trs. This is also the connector that drives your head phones but the wiring is different and the un balanced signal is used in this connection to the cans or the adapted RCA connectors.

 

if you are looking for a reasonably priced audio interface with balanced outputs and decent audio quality, i recommend the ECHO Audiofire 2. It goes for around 200 bucks and has everything you need (balanced outputs, seperate headphone output) and and really good drivers for both windows and osx.

 

Thank you all for the comments/suggestions. I'll try and research this some more on my own.

btw scrambled egg81, I have a powerbook G4 laptop.

Are any of you knowledgeable on the PreSonus Firebox? I had someone just mention that one to me.

 

presonus firebox ... i was on a thread here

http://www.native-instruments.com:80/forum/showthread.php?t=58352

with JCO who was deciding between pre-sonus firebox and motu-ultralight. As I am a big motu fan I recommended the ultralight. The motu equipment is quite good and durable and can be used for much more than just traktor. Though it does not have timecode support. If you are expecting to use traktor scratch with the interface YOu may consider a scratch certified mixer. Though I disagree with only certain mixers being certified due to a tiney addition of a codec in the AD section of the soundcard(not sure how it works) it is the reality of Our platform. So that might be your best alternative if you are expecting to use vinyl control. If you are to be using other programs such as ableton a multi-channel soundcard meant for recording that will also allow you to hook up to dj mixer.. = good. The audio control from NI is also an option . DO the research and figure out exactly what your plans are.

 

Hi there:

Signaturex: I was able to contact dbx support, there is indeed a pin 1 lift switch on the back of the DriveRack PA. This solved my hum issue

Now... Since I am anyways purchasing Pioneer's CDJ400s, I will get the DJM800 that has balanced outputs as well as digital inputs, midi capability and fader start feature.

If you don't need timecoded CDs or Vynil hardware, my personal recommendation between Audio8DJ, Kontrol1, FastTrack , Echo Audiofire, Presonus Firebox and Motu ultralite is the Motu hands down. Besides being firewire it has the best AD converters from all of them and has an excellent, pristine (clear) sound. To be honest and no offense/bashing to NI... it sounds way much better. (And I just exchanged my Motu for an AUdio8DJ last week) Besides, you can use the Motu as a stand alone mixer.

To summarize: If Pioneer CDJ400s were available 1 month earlier, I would have bought them and a DJM800, kept my Motu Ultralite.

 

niiiiice.. im glad you got that worked OUT! I haate hum in my speakers.

Oh man .. you gonna run the 800 whooohooo. that series of mixers rocks. I had a 600 at my residency it waaas the bees knees back then(2001)

I don't think you will be all that dissappointed with the a8 especially if it allows you to control the timcode with those cdjs! looping on scratch with the cdjs is something ive been thinking about . just such a pain to set all this stuff up and keep compatible. and set it up every other night!

Dude we are jacking this thread. MOTUs aRE taking over. :-

anyway its too bad there isn't just a straight forward connection to the Scratch's control system. NATIVE HAS LIKE one piece of hardware and 3.3 compatible mixers. Uhm.. whats gonna happen next year when all this stuff starts going wireless? then it will really be rediculous. WHaT. then .... SCRATCH PORT? uuuuughhh. these companies need to focus on software and a proper control language. That goes for all of them. id pay a G for TRAktor four if it did every thing i needed . And I could use any controller. The rest of the music industry sorted this out 25 years ago. with midi! and it still works! OMG Im ranting again sorry ... the audio 8 works good but it might be stupid in a couple of years. thats what I say. ahemmm maybe i should ditch all this bologne and start calling square dances. !id make more money!

FOR THE TIME BEING: A scratch compatible mixer or the A8 is the key to the best DVS and software at this juncture.

@offspring22 hey if you are just starting out with this software. And you just need a multi out for your G4 check out my instructions for setting up your stock sound card as a mains + cue system. It seems kind of lame at first but it takes advantage of the macs superb audio engine and also it doesn't add the increased processing of an external device! My traktor will play three and four decks at under 50% of my processor band-width. When I hook up an external device. It pumps up to eighty percent of the processor. just an FYI there. You might not need to spend any money to have a multi out. ... maybe fifty bucks for DI to have an XLR. Then grab a cheap controller and get your head around traktors controls and programability thats where the power of this software lies. traktor is the original the skills you learn with it are priceless. weather its beat matching or or vinyl or mouse or whatever. Actually Djing is gonna make the software and hardware function better for you..

http://www.native-instruments.com:80/forum/showthread.php?t=60489

 

cant go wrogn with a motu ultralite..i love mine...almost every thread i respond to i say something about it! although i tis a bit pricey...

 

Audio 8 Dj, its the best sounding one to date, its clean as heck, i mean clean, no adjustments on the machine but its very nice, and if you want plug and play, no brainer.

 

have to agree with ya there. its a no brainer. And WHEN you are setting up between two bands in front of dancers who are waiting for you to play.. thats exactly what ya want. The motu and other more developed systems provide some pretty nice features. I mean I love the fact that my traveler has 14 out puts that I can mix any signal too from any source and send any signal to any part of any software I have running and its all quality and it never fails. Its a complete digital mixer in itself. But we are talking about playing a DVS here and thats the deal the audio8 seals it and its the only one that works with traktor and traktor scratch in their current faces. Other options include the scratch compatible mixers one of which Im starting to like more and more in the mackie d.4. It almost succeeds in all the departments that have been keeping me from buying a new dj mixer for the last six years and it also allows me to set up control vinyls without a bunch of cord hassle. Plus MAckies generally have a kick ass warranty!