Cheaper alternative to the NI audio line..?

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Cheaper alternative to the NI audio line..?
Posted on: 10.06.2012 by Shakita Salansky
Hi,

I was mainly curious if there is a cheaper alternative to the Audio 2-10 series? I know you shouldn't skimp on your gear, and this is just a starter setup. Anyways thanks for the help!
Dorie Scelzo
19.06.2012		Legit. Never used any of the software listed.

And you're right about that. There does seem to be a lot missing in that department. I'd just aggregate a pair of Audio 2s and tape them together, but that's me.

And I'd say you were right about mixers too……except then I'd be doomed to play on mixers I didn't really like. Then again, I'm not going to carry around my own mixer anyway, so that'll always be the case. Touch
Dorie Scelzo
19.06.2012		Legit. Never used any of the software listed.

And you're right about that. There does seem to be a lot missing in that department. I'd just aggregate a pair of Audio 2s and tape them together, but that's me.

And I'd say you were right about mixers too……except then I'd be doomed to play on mixers I didn't really like. Then again, I'm not going to carry around my own mixer anyway, so that'll always be the case. Touch
Dorie Scelzo
19.06.2012		Legit. Never used any of the software listed.

And you're right about that. There does seem to be a lot missing in that department. I'd just aggregate a pair of Audio 2s and tape them together, but that's me.

And I'd say you were right about mixers too……except then I'd be doomed to play on mixers I didn't really like. Then again, I'm not going to carry around my own mixer anyway, so that'll always be the case. Touch
Dorie Scelzo
19.06.2012		Legit. Never used any of the software listed.

And you're right about that. There does seem to be a lot missing in that department. I'd just aggregate a pair of Audio 2s and tape them together, but that's me.

And I'd say you were right about mixers too……except then I'd be doomed to play on mixers I didn't really like. Then again, I'm not going to carry around my own mixer anyway, so that'll always be the case. Touch
Dorie Scelzo
19.06.2012		Legit. Never used any of the software listed.

And you're right about that. There does seem to be a lot missing in that department. I'd just aggregate a pair of Audio 2s and tape them together, but that's me.

And I'd say you were right about mixers too……except then I'd be doomed to play on mixers I didn't really like. Then again, I'm not going to carry around my own mixer anyway, so that'll always be the case. Touch
Kiyoko Wellisch
13.06.2012
Originally Posted by Ash Carr
Electrix Ebox-44 Digital DJ USB Interface
Very cool little box. I wonder what the status is with linux support at the moment, haven't heard anything about it in a while.

Can anyone believe of an Audio6/8/10 alternative? Might just use multiple cards at this rate.
Sylvia Greener
13.06.2012
Originally Posted by mostapha
... And won't run a DVS.
This is the most important fact, I guess!
Sylvia Greener
12.06.2012
Originally Posted by mostapha
I'm pretty sure electrix went out of business. I'm not sure if NI is the only company having problems with using USB 2.0 sound cards on USB 3.0 ports, but if it's a systemic thing, you can rest assured that when you have to upgrade, that thing will never work.
USB 3.0 ports aren't obligatory downwardly compatible.
Apart from that it could also be a driver problem. Some companies program their own drivers (like RME --> production audio interfaces), lots of others do not (and use e.g. ASIO).
Dorie Scelzo
11.06.2012
Originally Posted by photojojo
Originally Posted by Patch
Is the A2 the same kind of quality as the A10? For example - if you're only using 2 outs of the A10, would it sound any different to the A2???
Same quality.

<snip>
That's not entirely correct. The converters are likely the same and they can do the same formats. The actual quality also depends on exactly how they do the filter and what kind of amplifiers they're using to get the signal up to line level. The fact that the Audio 10 uses a separate wall wart power supply and is physically larger kinda-sorta implies there might be some technical benefits.

But in practice, I seriously doubt the difference is audible.

The Audio 2 is easily good enough for DJ use if you don't need inputs on the card.
Leeanna Ayla
11.06.2012		Do you need DVS? If so then you have no other option. If you don't need DVS and need inputs then you can look at some of the other cards like Focusrite or Presonus. If you don't need inputs then get an Audio 2.

Originally Posted by Patch
Is the A2 the same kind of quality as the A10? For example - if you're only using 2 outs of the A10, would it sound any different to the A2???
Same quality.

Audio 2



Audio 10



Shakita Salansky
10.06.2012		Hi,

I was mainly curious if there is a cheaper alternative to the Audio 2-10 series? I know you shouldn't skimp on your gear, and this is just a starter setup. Anyways thanks for the help!
Dorie Scelzo
19.06.2012		Legit. Never used any of the software listed.

And you're right about that. There does seem to be a lot missing in that department. I'd just aggregate a pair of Audio 2s and tape them together, but that's me.

And I'd say you were right about mixers too……except then I'd be doomed to play on mixers I didn't really like. Then again, I'm not going to carry around my own mixer anyway, so that'll always be the case. Touch
Kiyoko Wellisch
19.06.2012		It's not just for the FOSS, there's also mixvibes, VDJ, Ms Pinky etc that would benefit from a wider selection of cards out there.

I believe a card with just 4 stereo outputs would be handy for those wanting to use traktor with an external mixer. Like an Audio2XL. The Audio 8 doesn't exist any more, the audio 10 requires its own power supply and costs a bomb and most other cards with enough outputs are kinda large or not that suited for the job.

My dream solution would be that every venue packs mixers like the DJM900 which have an internal soundcard routed into each channel.
Dorie Scelzo
19.06.2012		Yeah…IHNFC. The last time I used any FOSS dj software, it really blew. I kinda gave up.

I know you hate proprietary stuff on a moral level, and I see your point. But I don't see that it's a fight worth fighting in this arena.
Kiyoko Wellisch
19.06.2012		Just looking for something that has 6 to 8 ins and outs with some phono preamps and pretty much nothing else really.
Dorie Scelzo
13.06.2012		Depends on what you need. It would work better as a recording interface than any of NI's DVS cards except the KA6…and they'd probably perform similarly.
Kiyoko Wellisch
13.06.2012
Originally Posted by Ash Carr
Electrix Ebox-44 Digital DJ USB Interface
Very cool little box. I wonder what the status is with linux support at the moment, haven't heard anything about it in a while.

Can anyone believe of an Audio6/8/10 alternative? Might just use multiple cards at this rate.
Sylvia Greener
13.06.2012
Originally Posted by mostapha
... And won't run a DVS.
This is the most important fact, I guess!
Dorie Scelzo
13.06.2012		Nothing that would work for a DJ to my knowledge…I guess the saffire 6 is $200 to the A6's $300…but it also has 4 outs instead of 6 and 2 ins instead of 6. And won't run a DVS. And doesn't come with Traktor…which basically makes up the price difference.
Cammy Clegg
12.06.2012		Focusrite makes some cheaper stuff
Sylvia Greener
12.06.2012
Originally Posted by mostapha
I'm pretty sure electrix went out of business. I'm not sure if NI is the only company having problems with using USB 2.0 sound cards on USB 3.0 ports, but if it's a systemic thing, you can rest assured that when you have to upgrade, that thing will never work.
USB 3.0 ports aren't obligatory downwardly compatible.
Apart from that it could also be a driver problem. Some companies program their own drivers (like RME --> production audio interfaces), lots of others do not (and use e.g. ASIO).
Dorie Scelzo
12.06.2012		I'm pretty sure electrix went out of business. I'm not sure if NI is the only company having problems with using USB 2.0 sound cards on USB 3.0 ports, but if it's a systemic thing, you can rest assured that when you have to upgrade, that thing will never work.
Ressie Losiewicz
12.06.2012		Electrix Ebox-44 Digital DJ USB Interface
Shakita Salansky
11.06.2012		Thank you all for all of your help, I believe I will end up going with the audio 2.
Dorie Scelzo
11.06.2012
Originally Posted by photojojo
Originally Posted by Patch
Is the A2 the same kind of quality as the A10? For example - if you're only using 2 outs of the A10, would it sound any different to the A2???
Same quality.

<snip>
That's not entirely correct. The converters are likely the same and they can do the same formats. The actual quality also depends on exactly how they do the filter and what kind of amplifiers they're using to get the signal up to line level. The fact that the Audio 10 uses a separate wall wart power supply and is physically larger kinda-sorta implies there might be some technical benefits.

But in practice, I seriously doubt the difference is audible.

The Audio 2 is easily good enough for DJ use if you don't need inputs on the card.
Leeanna Ayla
11.06.2012		Do you need DVS? If so then you have no other option. If you don't need DVS and need inputs then you can look at some of the other cards like Focusrite or Presonus. If you don't need inputs then get an Audio 2.

Originally Posted by Patch
Is the A2 the same kind of quality as the A10? For example - if you're only using 2 outs of the A10, would it sound any different to the A2???
Same quality.

Audio 2



Audio 10



Brunilda Kora
11.06.2012		Is the A2 the same kind of quality as the A10? For example - if you're only using 2 outs of the A10, would it sound any different to the A2???
Estella Waber
11.06.2012		Starter setup or not, i HIGHLY recommend investing in gear that you won't replace due to it being a lesser quality "beginner" piece of hardware.

Whether you're serious about making a living from this eventually, or just investing in it as a hobby kind of thing, there's nothing worse than looking at a piece of gear you never use anymore and just seeing wasted money.

I bought an Audio 2 a couple of years ago, and it's still lasting me. At home i use my Audio 10 for more complicated mixes but still the Audio 2 comes out when i'm playing at a gig. Its high audio quality combined with solid build really aren't matched by anything else - especially for the price
Karry Sappington
11.06.2012		NI is giving A2dj with traktor pro 2 for 99. Still cheaper a used numark io and free virtual dj with a nanokontrol and your computer keyboard.
Dorie Scelzo
10.06.2012		They're really cheap for what they are.

What, specifically, do you want…there might be an alternative for that.

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