Reply to Kontrol s4 Microphone Level and Quality (thru mode) HELP

Hello All

I recently bought the Kontrol S4 as I saw it as a more compact set up than my vci 100, audio 2 dj and Xone 62

Anyway to the point, I play out as a mobile dj and often have Karaoke.

For Karaoke I switch from Traktor to Virtual DJ and use the mic, in 'thru' mode, and the kontrol as the audio interface.

The problem is basically the mic gains on the back need to be turned all the way up (both mic gain and channel d 'thru' gain) to even hear it compared to the audio coming from Virtual DJ.

In turning up the gains the mic distorts and sounds garbage to be honest,

the only solution i have come up with so far is to turn the mic gains up as far as it can go, turn the pa up to a loud enough level to hear the mics and turn Virtual dj (software) master volume down without having quiet music.

This seems like a terrible thing I am doing which is why Im here now, looking for a solution

It really is a dilemma and I hope I have made it understandable?

The only other option I can believe of is to go back to using an external mixer with a separate mic channel (independent volume control). If I have to do that then it ultimately begs the question, why did i even bother getting an S4?

I only got the s4 to achieve better sound quality and improve my audio chain by taking out the need for an external mixer, you could say a bit of audio vanity on my part.
I have well and trully shot myself in the foot or so it seems (especially for my djing needs)

Finally, If I do have to use an external channel for mic can anyone recommend me a 2 channel 'device' shall we say, not even a mixer, that will basically give me a line in and a separate mic channel (of equal volume)

Thanks for taking the time to read my concern