Sound card clarification and iPad charging

Ok, so from reading through this forum over the past couple of days since Tratkor DJ was released, I have learned the following things regarding sound cards made for the iPad...

1. Sound card must be "class compliant" in order for it to work with your iPad and Traktor DJ.
2. Traktor Audio 2 is not class compliant as it does not have a means to be powered externally.
3. So far the only sound card that I know of that is class compliant AND is able to charge the iPad while connected is Apogee One and Duet.

That said, other than Apogee's offerings, does anyone know of any other sound card for the iPad that can charge it too? I find this pretty important for any serious DJing. Wouldn't want to run out of juice in the middle of a set. Am I correct that neither of NI's Traktor Audio devices charge the iPad?

I think it would be really great if NI updated the Audio 2 (new hardware) to be class compliant and to be able to charge the iPad. As it stands, I think both the Audio 6 and the Duet are way overkill options right now. Hopefully, with the introduction of Traktor DJ, we'll start to see an influx of iPad audio interface options hit the market.

 

Firstly, as I have been testing Traktor DJ for some time now this exact issue has been my biggest problem. I have literally driven myself nuts in the hunt for information and then hardware that can both charge and throughput audio.

It has been a bloody nitemare

The Apogee Duet 2 (iPad/Mac) is set to come out in the next 2 months and Thomann have it at 589euros which, despite the undoubted quality is prohibitively expensive.

On the point of the Audio 2. It ain't gonna happen, it physically cannot be changed so NI would have to make a whole new soundcard for the job which will probably be as expensive as the TA6 anyway.

A good splitter cable works fine. Mine is sturdy and it works and you can split the channels to a hardware mixer if you want. My latest hunt is for a small 2 channel mixer because I'd rather have a crossfader and knobs. But thats another story.

I agree totally that we will probably see a lot of new soundcards, splitters and gizmos that can be used with Traktor DJ but if they don't charge the iPad they won't be a step forward.

We need power and we need audio. Somebody get on it.

 

Well you have seem to be pretty helpful with information around these forums so keep it up.

This is new tech so we're going to continue hitting roadblocks until it matures. Will definitely be frustrating at first, but I'm always very excited to jump in and play with new tools.

Yea that's what I meant when I put "new hardware" in parenthesis. I'd like NI to do a complete hardware refresh of the Audio 2 with a brand new SKU. It probably would be as much as an Audio 6, but I also noticed that NI is now discontinuing the Traktor Audio 6/10 in exchange for Traktor Scratch A6/A10? It also looks like these new cards come with a higher price tag too, which sucks for me because I have no need for the vinyl and CDs. I also don't need all the inputs that the Audio 6 has to offer, or any inputs at all, which is why I think it's a bit overkill for a minimalist DJ. But if NI could pull out a sub $200 (preferably $150!), brand new Audio 2 that charges iPad, I'll be pretty happy about that.

Right now though, I've been looking at the Focusrite iTrack Solo, which is a nice little 2in/2out card at a fairly cheap $159 US, but again, the drag is no iPad charging

The hunt continues indefinitely...

I've been looking at that Griffin cable that was mentioned here, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I guess I have to read some more but after being trained all my life that a stereo headphone cable is just that, a stereo cable, still not sure how the end result works. If we get 2 mono channels in the end, that I understand, but I still don't know how 1 stereo in, 2 stereo out works.

But anyway, the price is crazy. Amazon sells it for just $11. Stereo or not, sure beats an Apogee Duet 2 for $599.....

My budget for an ideal DJ sound card is well below that of what Apogee's asking prices, so they aren't even an option for me, even if they do provide iPad charging.

NI of all companies, should definitely be at the forefront of iOS audio hardware since they themselves came out with a pro DJ iOS app. I think they need to take their Traktor hardware/software integration philosophy on the Mac/PC and push the same idea aggressively for iOS with more affordable and supported audio interface options.

Oh and I'd love to also see NI update Traktor DJ to support for their hardware midi controllers too, like X1, F1, Z2, etc.

 

There's actually one more Apogee interface named One I didn't mention. It also charges the iPad and is about $246 cheaper than the Duet. I didn't consider the One because it only has a single stereo out but then I remembered that IOS 6 provides multi-route audio (DJay has support for this right now) so that effectively gives apps an additional stereo pair. That sets up cueing through the iPad headphone jack with the mains coming out of the Apogee. Much better price point and you get a quality microphone to go with it. Much better value and again, iPad stays charged.

$350 ain't bad and of course, Guitar Center always has a sale going.

Link -> http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/one.php

(No, I don't work for Apogee. I went to the AES conference in San Francisco and talked to a rep who hinted at iPad support).

 

I looked at the One and discounted it on the fact that it has just one output like you say.

I dont think the Headphone output/USB combination will work on Traktor DJ though..?

 

That would make Apogee ONE an aggregate sound card, working together with iPad's onboard audio. Is it possible on iOS?

I'm not sure if Traktor DJ is able to do this either. And if it isn't, I wonder if it's possible for NI to enable this in a future app update.

 

Entirely possible. DJay supports this. I just hooked up my original Apogee One to verify. Indeed, TDJ doesn't support this ATM - hope it makes it in the next update or two. Right now, it's one of two things that DJay has over TDJ with the other being controller support.

 

I think Traktor DJ (iPad) will be a big hit, and introduce NI to a huge new audience. If NI doesn't produce an iPad-centric audio interface, they'll be leaving money on the table. I don't think they'll leave money on the table.

PS- why the name "Traktor DJ"? It's so similar to other products that it's quite confusing. I assume that NI feels that new users won't be confused. But it makes googling for info a complete nightmare- which is a non-trivial issue. Why not "Traktor Touch DJ" or something like that?

 

Awesome news! Very exciting hear that it's possible. Controller support would be welcome too. Just a matter of time then. Come on, NI, let's see some updates!

Also, you mentioned the original Apogee One. I didn't know that model supported iOS. But it doesn't charge the iPad right? Would be nice, since its $100 cheaper than the newer model.
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I totally agree. The mobile space is such a huge oppurtunity for NI. New hardware interface to compliment Traktor DJ would be perfect.

Also agree with the naming. A bit confusing and too broad. You wouldn't know it was for iPad until you read deeper into it.

 

an option for a mixer, capable of proper iPad audio out is the Denon DNX-600, btw. Nice 2 channel mixer with build in FX.

So are the other Denons, BTW. They are all class complaint as both Audio & MIDI, when switched in "Mac mode".

But to use it, the app needs to enable external mixing support first. That's coming, according to the rumors.

 

Yes, as long as you have a powered hub, it works great. Even the main volume knob controls the iPad's volume as if you were using the side buttons. Sound quality is what you would expect - very good.

The drawbacks of using the first version of the One are the lack of charging capability that you pointed out (as it is USB powered vs. the new model which uses external power) and of course, as a result of not having external power, the fact that you have to use a powered hub (the new version connects directly to the 30-pin connector).

 

Back on the Apogee Duet topic.
I have read the product page for the 20th time and I have a habit of not being able to see what is plainly in front of me.
It says 4 outputs, Independent speaker and headphone outs. I cannot work out if this is one stereo output plus headphone out or 2 stereo outputs plus headphone out.

The reason I wonder this is 'if' NI were to implement external mixing from Traktor DJ you could have 2 stereo channels out of the Duet to go into a hardware mixer (cue on the mixer).
Im less interested in a high end audio interface if it does not give me the option to mix externally as well as internally.

As the Duet has headphone cue buttons on the interface I guess you could use that output as the second channel but still...

 

According to the descriptions they give, it seems like the second stereo output is the headphones out. This fancy cable they describe seems to have only two balanced outputs, which I understand is just a single stereo output.

It doesn't sound to be the perfect match for the external mixer mode of use. It's probably usable, but the second channel will pass through the HP's amp. Not perfect.

Impressive price they've set. And it still lacks for this type of use.

Oh well ...

 

Yeah I totally agree. I feel that they have set the price based solely on the fact that it can charge the iPad.

I know it will be a great interface, it's Apogee, the standard will be high but it should have more output options for that kind of money.
Fancy OLED's are of little interest to me.

"Oh well" is precisely what I think.

 

How p*ssed off must Behringer be. This isn't even out yet and Apple have changed the the connector on the iPad 4.
At least Alesis will have sold some of there iDocks by now.

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/iS202.aspx

 

it would be great if one could route the monitor to the headphone output and then use a super cheap stereo usb card for the mains, cause there are like $35 options for that, ie UCA202

 

which ios 6 totally Supports only NI needs to implementier into tdj

 

I actually do this with djay and an old iMic stereo interface connected via Cammera Connection Kit. Works wonders, hope NI listens cause I like Traktor better in some ways.

 

Hi,

I'm new to all of this, I started messing around with the app on my ipad (4th Gen - lightening connector) and the sound quality when I use it at parties isn't exactly fantastic compared to the line out on my ipad if I was to use iTunes instead.

All I want to be able to do is boost the sound quality from the app.

If I was to purchase a pure i20 and an lightening to 30 pin connection cable, would that boost the sound quality of the app to run through my home speakers?

If I wanted to connect my ipad to more than 1 speaker and still retain the sound quality is waiting for a decent soundcard a better option?

Thanks for your time!

JB

 

Didn't someone post saying this one worked?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/tascam-iu2-audio--midi-interface-for-ios-devices
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EDIT: Found the PDF manual and it looks to me like it would work great! Check it out here:
http://www.fullcompass.com/common/files/16332-e_iu2_om_va.pdf
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