Do I need to add to monitors? Hey community
, I recently purchases some Mackie mr8's (that are due to arrive next week) and was curious as to whether or not I needed to buy a soundcard for them or a better amp (they are active so they have an amp built in). Bearing in mind I'm on a budget, would a soundcard/amp really make that much of a quality difference in comparison to my laptop's soundcard (which is extremely basic)? I have no real idea about amps but if I was going to buy a soundcard, it would probably be the audio 4 dj as it seems the best for my budget. I am using these monitors exclusively for producing (EDM; dubstep, house, dnb, electronica etc.).
So, what do? |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by greatwhitedope
Definitely, just for the sake of having an i/o that is capable of 192 kHz as opposed to the dj series 96 kHz. Plus it supplies phantom power, so if you ever pick up a condenser mic that will come in handy. Plus it's a MIDI interface on top of that which could be helpful with external synths. You would just have to buy a DJ 4 if you ever wanted to go the DVS route, but for strictly production, this is one of the more underrated products especially at the price.
Thanks so much for the clarity, defo going to buy the audio kontrol 1 now! |
Rikki Angello
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Shkyboy
thanks man, would you still recommend that if im going to be recording a synthesizer? (probably roland sh201)
Definitely, just for the sake of having an i/o that is capable of 192 kHz as opposed to the dj series 96 kHz. Plus it supplies phantom power, so if you ever pick up a condenser mic that will come in handy. Plus it's a MIDI interface on top of that which could be helpful with external synths. You would just have to buy a DJ 4 if you ever wanted to go the DVS route, but for strictly production, this is one of the more underrated products especially at the price. |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by greatwhitedope
Are you planning on recording any acoustic material? Even if it's just a shaker or you recording your own vocal samples, get something with decent converters and a pre-amp. Something like this.
If you're just wanting something to connect your monitors to your computer an audio 2 should be fine.
thanks man, would you still recommend that if im going to be recording a synthesizer? (probably roland sh201) |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
in the comparison chart? i thought there was no sound quality differences between the 2, 4 and 8..
I'm pretty sure 8 and 4 have the exact same specs, only 8 has more ports. 2 has less quality than the 4 and 8 though. |
robin loo
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Shkyboy
NI's website under specifications of the 4 and the 2; I compared both
in the comparison chart? i thought there was no sound quality differences between the 2, 4 and 8.. |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
says who?
NI's website under specifications of the 4 and the 2; I compared both |
robin loo
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Shkyboy
the only reason i would buy the audio 4 as opposed to the audio 2 is that 4 has better sound quality.
says who? |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
Thats true, the Audio 4 is overkill if your not planning on hooking up extra turntable's or CDJ's. It does have on board volume control for the cue though.
the only reason i would buy the audio 4 as opposed to the audio 2 is that 4 has better sound quality. |
Rikki Angello
20.11.2010 | No problem |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by greatwhitedope
Definitely, just for the sake of having an i/o that is capable of 192 kHz as opposed to the dj series 96 kHz. Plus it supplies phantom power, so if you ever pick up a condenser mic that will come in handy. Plus it's a MIDI interface on top of that which could be helpful with external synths. You would just have to buy a DJ 4 if you ever wanted to go the DVS route, but for strictly production, this is one of the more underrated products especially at the price.
Thanks so much for the clarity, defo going to buy the audio kontrol 1 now! |
Rikki Angello
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Shkyboy
thanks man, would you still recommend that if im going to be recording a synthesizer? (probably roland sh201)
Definitely, just for the sake of having an i/o that is capable of 192 kHz as opposed to the dj series 96 kHz. Plus it supplies phantom power, so if you ever pick up a condenser mic that will come in handy. Plus it's a MIDI interface on top of that which could be helpful with external synths. You would just have to buy a DJ 4 if you ever wanted to go the DVS route, but for strictly production, this is one of the more underrated products especially at the price. |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by greatwhitedope
Are you planning on recording any acoustic material? Even if it's just a shaker or you recording your own vocal samples, get something with decent converters and a pre-amp. Something like this.
If you're just wanting something to connect your monitors to your computer an audio 2 should be fine.
thanks man, would you still recommend that if im going to be recording a synthesizer? (probably roland sh201) |
Rikki Angello
20.11.2010 | Are you planning on recording any acoustic material? Even if it's just a shaker or you recording your own vocal samples, get something with decent converters and a pre-amp. Something like this.
If you're just wanting something to connect your monitors to your computer an audio 2 should be fine. |
Leeanna Ayla
20.11.2010 | According to the cpmparison chart all of the NI cards have the exact same specs,
Max. audio resolution* 24 bit / 96 KHz
That said I have heard some say the 4 and 8 sound a little louder than the 2. That's on big club systems though so for your monitors I highly doubt you'll be able to tell a difference. |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
in the comparison chart? i thought there was no sound quality differences between the 2, 4 and 8..
I'm pretty sure 8 and 4 have the exact same specs, only 8 has more ports. 2 has less quality than the 4 and 8 though. |
robin loo
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Shkyboy
NI's website under specifications of the 4 and the 2; I compared both
in the comparison chart? i thought there was no sound quality differences between the 2, 4 and 8.. |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
says who?
NI's website under specifications of the 4 and the 2; I compared both |
robin loo
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Shkyboy
the only reason i would buy the audio 4 as opposed to the audio 2 is that 4 has better sound quality.
says who? |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
Thats true, the Audio 4 is overkill if your not planning on hooking up extra turntable's or CDJ's. It does have on board volume control for the cue though.
the only reason i would buy the audio 4 as opposed to the audio 2 is that 4 has better sound quality. |
Leeanna Ayla
20.11.2010 | Thats true, the Audio 4 is overkill if your not planning on hooking up extra turntable's or CDJ's. It does have on board volume control for the cue though. |
Janyce Henningson
20.11.2010 | If you are just running 2 active speakers an Audio2 will do fine |
Kareen Krynicki
20.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
Yes the audio will probably improve, I don't know how drastic it would be though since I don't know anything about your internal sound card.
like I say in the OP, it is extremely basic; It's just a built in ''HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO'' soundcard, made by Acer. Seriously considering the audio 4 dj; any reason I should choose something else community
? |
Leeanna Ayla
19.11.2010 | Yes the audio will probably improve, I don't know how drastic it would be though since I don't know anything about your internal sound card. |
robin loo
19.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Shkyboy
ok, but if i did buy firebox or audio 4dj, my sound quality from the mr8's would improve drastically?
you really dont want to connect your monitors to the audio out of your internal soundcard.. |
Kareen Krynicki
19.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
maybe. firebox has firewire, more ins and outs
ok, but if i did buy firebox or audio 4dj, my sound quality from the mr8's would improve drastically? |
robin loo
19.11.2010 | maybe. firebox has firewire, more ins and outs |
Kareen Krynicki
19.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by LanceBlaise
you should get a decent audio interface... look in the for sale section here... or on amazon. I suggest looking for an older model Presonus Firebox. You should be able to find something under $200.
so that would suit me more so than the audio 4 dj soundcard? |
Efrain Scharr
19.11.2010 | you should get a decent audio interface... look in the for sale section here... or on amazon. I suggest looking for an older model Presonus Firebox. You should be able to find something under $200. |
Leeanna Ayla
19.11.2010 | You don't need an amp if the speakers are active. Can't really offer much advice on production sound cards. |
