Using a Laptop to DJ - Soundcard Output Qs

Hmmm... If you don't consider a PCMCIA sound-card to be "super-portable" then what is???
And do you really need to be that "super-portable"? So you play at a couple of places...
But is it really that big of deal to add a decent sound-card to your set-up?

I'm an International dj and as such travel here and there across the world to play (I actually play more often in other countries than the one where I live ;-) so I know the importance of being mobile. But even though I sometimes spend more times at airports than I spend at home, I still don't consider it a big hassle to carry around the sound-card with me.

Personally I think that the 1st priority should be sound-quality and I find it really strange that someone is sooo preoccupied with size alone...

(But if you reeeeeeally want to use two different sound-cards with Traktor at the same time then just get a Mac! ;-D )

 

Alphageek - please don't take the guy's comments as flaming.
I think the point that they are trying to make is that Traktor is a piece of Pro-Audio softwear and as such supports the sound quality needs of a pro customer base. (For example you don't see the likes of Pro-Tools, Logic, Cubase etc supporting use of two soundcards). Some of the other apps you talk about are aimed at the "bedroom DJ" market and what may be an acceptable "feature" at that level doesn't apply in a club situation.
I think I can speak for all of us in saying that any investment you make in a multichannel card will not be a waste of money!

 

Hi Sean. Thanks for your help. I have a newer one with an ExpressCard slot. it looks to me that product is exactly what I'm looking for. Too bad they haven't upgraded their product to an ExpressCard though. I hope they do!

Maybe someone knows of an ExpressCard-based card similar to the Echno Indigo DJ?

 

Oh, and by the way - I really don't care about how much this costs me. The money isn't an issue. I'm good for that luckily

I really do care about what the best sound option is, and stuff like latency matters too. I tried out a USB based soundcard (didn't like it much), and while it worked fine with Traktor, Tracktion, and Reason (the programs I was using) it would mess up on almost anything either than those. Dunno why.

But yeah, the AUDIO KONTROL 1 option is looking better to me now. I get "Traktor" lite with it too? That's cool. I just downloaded the Ableton Live Demo and quite like that proggie too, will buy it soon I think, so am hoping AUDIO KONTROL 1 is compatilble with that... (it must be compatible, right?).

 

If the cash is not a huge deal then in the ultra portable realm the only real quality product that will deliver what you need is the Echo Indigo, I had a creative PC Card (2 actually), They were crap! So scratch that idea. I do have an Indigo DJ now but since its a PC card it won't work on my McBook Pro. Echo's official stance is that they won't produce an Expresscard version of the card. That has not stopped rumors floating of plans to do so. What was interesting was that when asked directly I got a no comment reply from an Echo rep, so go figure. For now though no multichannel expresscard sound option exists.

I've had a Firewire 410 since right after they released and while its not in the ultra portable market it produces 8 channels of outstanding audio at 2.5 Msec latency well and truly low enough to scratch 'cept I can't (sneakers in a dryer is my strength) so we'll leave that one alone. The 410 is solid pro level gear and is very reliable. You can get the 410 for $299.00 at guitar center in the U.S. Other multi channel offerings I like; having tried one out is the Focusrite Saffire delivering 10 channels out. Selling for $399.00 its a bit more than the 410 and best latency I could get without breakup was 7.5 msec. Both the 410 and Saffire are Firewire interfaces and work great on Mac and PC. These two work well if you want to use an external mixer as they can deliver all your decks in one box. Also in the same vein is the soon to be available Native instruments Audio Control:
http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=audiokontrol1_us
I had the very good fortune to hold one in my hands briefly last weekend while at NI. Its small, very sturdily built, stylish, Has a small midi interface built in. It looks and feels PRO all the way. I'll be keen to test drive one when availble. Dunno what cost is but I would imagine $300-$400 in stores.

A couple of other options exist if you are wanting to run just with the internal mixer or two decks output to an external mixer. One is the Firewire Audiophile from M-Audio used by several people here and well respected Quality wise its as good as the 410. One other ption I've heard used with some success is the M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Its USB2.0 and is proving to be very popular. The final recommend is the Firebox from Presonus. I hear its guts is a similar design to the 410 but has only 6 outs giving you only 3 decks worth of magic. its 299.00 so the 410 provide a more complete solution for the money.

When all is said and done your options are fairly clear cut, There is no Expresscard sound option at present. If you want 4 deck output to an external mixer, the 410 or saffire are the beasts you need. If you want to save 100 dollars then the 410 is the proven beast of choice.

Phil

 

Phil: Thank you. That's some serious content you posted right there, and I've been browsing these forums for months trying to find it. ;>

 

Considering I'm not the uber-est of uber-techs out there, does anyone know how to find out if my inspiron e1505 is PCMCIA or Express? It's about a month old, and it's the first laptop I've bought, so I'm not too up to date on portable rig know-how.

 

Control Panel | System | Hardware | Device Manager

or Email me (jplewis01@comcast.net) your Service Tag number off the bottom of your laptop and I can go look it up for you.

Phil

 

never mind...spent 30 minutes waiting for dell customer support, but found out it was a SigmaTel STAC9200.

any recommendations on express sound cards? (since I found out at the same time I don't have a PCMCIA slot and can't seem to find any online...) >.<

 

There are no Expresscard Soundcards at present. None, Nada Zip, Zilch. Sorry to say, no news on impending arrivals either.

Alternatives are external FW and USB, My Favs being the FW410, the Audio Kontrol and the Firepod.

Phil