$13 six-channel audio interface

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$13 six-channel audio interface
Posted on: 24.08.2012 by Kristen Dennen
Hi. I just picked up one of these: http://bit.ly/Nr8vvf for $13. It seems to work really well as a dj audio interface. I've been able to mix two tracks in traktor externally without any problems. Is there really a downside to using this card over a professional card?
Rolanda Clodfelder
29.08.2012
Originally Posted by Eliot Han
maybe bad grounding on the device? anyone open these up and beef them a little?
Possibly - I'll see what happens when I separate the inputs from the board, doesn't sound like grounding though.

I'm sure you could Upgrade the Caps and perhaps a few other bits n' bobs inside if you really wanted to - pretty sure It would not be worthwhile.
Ciara Cuttill
28.08.2012
Originally Posted by deevey
However the noise on the inputs is terrible - so its useless for any recording. $20 couldn't really expect more and its handy as a backup.
maybe bad grounding on the device? anyone open these up and beef them a little?
Rolanda Clodfelder
27.08.2012
Originally Posted by Patch
First thing I'd do, is try it out with Asio4all. It'll be more likely to get your latency down below 10ms.

Unless you're happy with how it's performing - in that case, leave well enough alone! If it ain't broken, don't fix it...
He mentioned in another thread he's on a Macbook, the latency caused possibly by him clock syncing Ableton with Traktor ....
Rolanda Clodfelder
24.08.2012
Originally Posted by drusha
Hi. I just picked up one of these: http://bit.ly/Nr8vvf for $13. It seems to work really well as a dj audio interface. I've been able to mix two tracks in traktor externally without any problems. Is there really a downside to using this card over a professional card?
Its almost the same as the Encore one I bought for my APC40 mod and same chipset I believe and internal parts (C-media)

Downsides

  • Latency - I havent noticed a problem on OSX (10ms) but windows users have reported it them bad
  • Sound Quality on outputs - certainly not up to a "pro standard" but on par with most All-In-One DJ units I've heard and most consumer level "DJ" sound cards e.g. Numark I/O, mixvibes U-mix, Maya 4/4 etc.
  • Sound Quality on Inputs - SUCKS bigtime - really noisy on mic and line inputs!


If you are playing bigger, higher quality sound systems, or have a decent set of cans or studio monitors you might notice the difference quite a bit. For home/hobby use, bars and small clubs it shouldn't be any issue.

Kristen Dennen
24.08.2012		Hi. I just picked up one of these: http://bit.ly/Nr8vvf for $13. It seems to work really well as a dj audio interface. I've been able to mix two tracks in traktor externally without any problems. Is there really a downside to using this card over a professional card?
Kenya Zaretsky
05.09.2012		ok, found out that the chipset of the interface is a c-media cm6206.
found a working driver for windows 7 after 1 hour of searching.

did a small traktor session with it.
was using asio4all. the latency was 4,4 ms with a buffersize of 128.
sound quality is clear. better than my internal notebook soundcard.
good enough for small venues and private parties if you ask me.

can't report anything about longterm stability yet.
but so far it runs stable without crashing, cracking or other disturbing noises.
Kenya Zaretsky
04.09.2012		today i received my audio interface. it's smaller than i thought. around the size of an ni audio 2.
windows 7 is recognizing the interface and installing drivers automatically. but i dont get any sound out of the outputs. in windows the audio levels show me that something is played back. but there is no sound from the outputs. tried all 3 outputs...

btw the delievered driver from the cd is not windows 7 compatible. gonna try the newest c-media cm106 driver when i found it and report back.
Evia Nitch
29.08.2012		It's a one-chip design. There is no buffering for the inputs. Chips are by default badly grounded due to their construction. That's why more expensive soundcards buffer in's and outs.
Rolanda Clodfelder
29.08.2012
Originally Posted by Eliot Han
maybe bad grounding on the device? anyone open these up and beef them a little?
Possibly - I'll see what happens when I separate the inputs from the board, doesn't sound like grounding though.

I'm sure you could Upgrade the Caps and perhaps a few other bits n' bobs inside if you really wanted to - pretty sure It would not be worthwhile.
Ciara Cuttill
28.08.2012
Originally Posted by deevey
However the noise on the inputs is terrible - so its useless for any recording. $20 couldn't really expect more and its handy as a backup.
maybe bad grounding on the device? anyone open these up and beef them a little?
Rolanda Clodfelder
29.08.2012
Looking at that print layout I can SEE it sounds bad....
The Encore one I'd posted does not actually sound bad - its certainly on Par with most $100 "DJ" sound cards e.g. Numark i/o, Mix vibes, Torq Connectiv and almost any sub $400 All-in-one DJ units I've played with and the output volume is miles ahead on all channels and there is very little noise compared with others.

However the noise on the inputs is terrible - so its useless for any recording. $20 couldn't really expect more and its handy as a backup.
Kenya Zaretsky
28.08.2012		just ordered on of these for 13€ from the UK.
Will try it out myself and see how well it works with asio4all.
could be a cheap backup soundcard. or something for small house partys...
Evia Nitch
28.08.2012		Looking at that print layout I can SEE it sounds bad....
Kenya Zaretsky
28.08.2012		can anyone please give some feedback regarding latency/drivers in windows?
Ciara Cuttill
26.08.2012		wow, where were these things when i first started tinkering around.
Rolanda Clodfelder
27.08.2012
Originally Posted by Patch
First thing I'd do, is try it out with Asio4all. It'll be more likely to get your latency down below 10ms.

Unless you're happy with how it's performing - in that case, leave well enough alone! If it ain't broken, don't fix it...
He mentioned in another thread he's on a Macbook, the latency caused possibly by him clock syncing Ableton with Traktor ....
Brunilda Kora
25.08.2012		First thing I'd do, is try it out with Asio4all. It'll be more likely to get your latency down below 10ms.

Unless you're happy with how it's performing - in that case, leave well enough alone! If it ain't broken, don't fix it...
Rolanda Clodfelder
24.08.2012		I'm not noticing any issues with Ableton on a Mac/Coreaudio

However on Windows, drivers may be an issue as I mentioned and I honestly don't really know what you could do about it apart from getting a better interface.
Kristen Dennen
24.08.2012		The main thing I'm concerned about is latency. I've been having some latency problems in Ableton and am wondering if the fact that I'm using a consumer interface is the problem.
Rolanda Clodfelder
24.08.2012
Originally Posted by drusha
Hi. I just picked up one of these: http://bit.ly/Nr8vvf for $13. It seems to work really well as a dj audio interface. I've been able to mix two tracks in traktor externally without any problems. Is there really a downside to using this card over a professional card?
Its almost the same as the Encore one I bought for my APC40 mod and same chipset I believe and internal parts (C-media)

Downsides

  • Latency - I havent noticed a problem on OSX (10ms) but windows users have reported it them bad
  • Sound Quality on outputs - certainly not up to a "pro standard" but on par with most All-In-One DJ units I've heard and most consumer level "DJ" sound cards e.g. Numark I/O, mixvibes U-mix, Maya 4/4 etc.
  • Sound Quality on Inputs - SUCKS bigtime - really noisy on mic and line inputs!


If you are playing bigger, higher quality sound systems, or have a decent set of cans or studio monitors you might notice the difference quite a bit. For home/hobby use, bars and small clubs it shouldn't be any issue.

Celine Surico
24.08.2012		I don't know that card but if they support drivers long term it would be good. And I doubt you get really good audio quality out from the digital to audio converter but then again you are not driving $1000 studio reference monitors, right. And I would be a little bit careful when transporting such cheap systems around in case the construction is weak.

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