Soundcards for traktor and equipment
Soundcards for traktor and equipment Posted on: 07.12.2010 by Lang Abriel First off, I am a complete newb at this thing. I have alot of computer experience so that is how I got to messing around with traktor. I have searched these community s as well as google searches but I am not sure what sound cards are going to be compatible with traktor. Will traktor automatically detect cards that arent NI? Another thing, how many inputs/outputs would you suggest for a starter? To start for gear I am looking at a mixer(xone 22) , midi controller (launchpad), and eventually decks but I don't know how useful they will be for what im trying to do. Thanks for any tips in advance Remember: I have only been looking at this stuff for about a week. edit: Can mod move this to general community or gear . Just read more and I believe it should be in general community . | |
| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
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| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by Rukks
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| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
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| Kiyoko Wellisch 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by NemSim
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| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by AntVonBond
However, if you want to use a DJM600 for timecode, this soundcard won't work. You would then have to go with the Audio 8 DJ, so you can have 4 outputs and 4 inputs, all at the same time. How come you're so set on the CDJ? |
| Shane Alberg 09.12.2010 | You're right about the CDJs, they filled the gap for DJs until computers came along. Don't worry about being above your level of knowledge, that's what community
s are for :-) Side note, the only reason I'm getting the vinyl is in case I feel like scratching at some point, and to have that look at clubs and shit (and I can actually play my records if I want to sometime). I figure it's all a fun hobby anyway, I'm allowed to do something pointless. The Audio 4 DJ has 2 stereo outputs, and 2 inputs, so you'll need the Audio 8 DJ, or something else that has 4 stereo outputs. The MIDI controller doesn't depend on the soundcard, you can do whatever with whatever. Also, you can still have 8 hotcues on the X1 per deck, there's 16 buttons on the bottom, 8 per deck, that shift between play, sync, all that stuff and to 8 hotcues. You'll just have to do a really good job mapping, or get a second one some day. Doing 4 channels is something to work towards, it's hard to really utilize them all, and even harder to make it sound good. |
| Latoria Kavulich 09.12.2010 | 2 decks external, or 4 decks internal with the audio 4 mate. you will nedd the audio 8 if you want to run 4 decks externally thru the mixer. |
| Lang Abriel 09.12.2010 | NemSim you basically just reconfirmed what I was believeing. The cdjs were like a niche piece of gear
, right? I don't know if I will ever really get into scratching. All I could ever see it for it a random transition. I feel like im talking above my level of knowledge on alot of this stuff but im glad no one has bashed me yet. Basically Ill leave the cdjs out and pick up a 4 channel mixer and a kontrol x1. Probably using the shift button for decks C and D as was mentioned. So will an audio 4 soundcard allow me to run 4 decks and a midi controller such as the x1? The 8 hot cues on the launchpad would have been nice but Ill pick up a midifighter if I ever need that Hit me with some more knowledge or suggestions on gear if you got them. |
| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
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| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 | Also, the S4 does have an on-board soundcard, and it's own equalizer and everything, it's not midi controlled from software. I believe for a DJ that wants a solid, all-in-one controller to use with Traktor, it's really nice. The only limitations are the same as with any all-in-one controller (expandability, not modifiable, etc.). I played with it at Guitar Center, and the quality of everything sounded really good, I feel like the equalizer and sound card would all sound really good during a set. |
| Kiyoko Wellisch 08.12.2010 | You said that perfectly. I might actually save that somewhere to copy/paste to people asking the same question. |
| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 | The main thing we were saying about the launchpad is if you just have a bunch of buttons that trigger things like that, there's really not much of an improvement over just hitting all the appropriate keys on your keyboard, you know? The led feedback is nice, but what you really could use more is the encoders and stuff that the X1 has. My vote is for that instead of the launchpad, even if you can only get one. It's less buttons, but you can really do anything with it. Here's my reason for hating CDJs. Basically, they were used to replace lugging around vinyls because CDs are lighter and cheaper, and because of this, you didn't have to bring a record with you to just play one song off of, you could just burn a bunch of single songs on to a cd and have less to bring around. In the context of a DVS, however, the only thing you can get out of any player hooked up is the current position in the track. Once you take into account all the stuff that needs to happen, there will be delay, it's not noticeable, but it's just something I don't like to deal with. (my earlier post). The most interesting thing a DVS adds, besides that physical element, is the ability to have good, expressive scratches, which are hard to do with an encoder like on a controller. That said, scratching a CDJ doesn't sound as good as scratching a vinyl does. The difference in scratching vinyl is that the needle and position of the record directly corresponds to your place on that record. On a CDJ, you're not moving the medium, you're just playing around with a section of the song that's stored in a buffer, and your movements are transformed to what that would sound like if you were scratching a little record. So with various CDJs, based on the manufacturer, model, and all of that, you get very different scratch sounds from all of them. With a turntable, on any model, the same movement of your hands on the same point in the track will result in the same scratch sound. CDJs were invented for convinience, and to modernize the record crates. Over time, as technology improved, you had CDJs with built-in BPM counters and algorithms, different effects, loops, etc. Basically, they grew more powerful. But if you're using a DVS, you don't actually need to use any of those things, because your software does it. You know what I mean? If I had to choose between a controller or a DVS with Vinyl, I like the feel of vinyl, so I would go with that. If I had to choose between a controller or a DVS with CDJs, I would choose a controller. It's hard to justify a $600 CDJ that you just need to play CDs and maybe scratch from time to time. A record player for $600 on the other hand, you can use for a lot longer (arguably) and the technology on it isn't made obsolete by the computer you're using, unlike a CDJ. |
| Kiyoko Wellisch 08.12.2010 | So many options? I dunno dude it's still just 80 buttons at the end of the day. Faders and knobs are much more useful. Better yet some sexy encoders + a bunch of modifiers. I'm pretty sure that the S4 isn't actually a mixer, the EQs and filters are just the same as the ones in traktor. If you don't like the filters/EQs why not change them to another type in the settings? Theres a few different imitations of major lines includes. Out of curiosity what don't you like about them? |
| Lang Abriel 08.12.2010 | YES I was referring to using two x1's. I don't see a huge negative to the laucnhpad though, I mean for me, 130 just doesn't seem like that much to be able to have so many options....it may be hard to learn but its just memorization....doesn't seem like it would be that confusing to me especially with LEDs. Why is there so much hate on the cdj's? Is it just not convenient with the new software, from what ive seen I feel like the cdjs were a transition piece of gear from vinyl to the new software that is all done internal. Can anyone tell me the quality of the equalizers/filters on the s4 or other fully integrated pieces of hardware? IF they perform just as the eqs and filters in traktor then Im not that impressed but my ears aren't that trained. |
| Kiyoko Wellisch 08.12.2010 | Just add a shift function to switch C and D while you're remapping it? |
| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 | I believe his figures were for X1s to control 4 decks, he would need two of them, so $400 compared to $150 for the launchpad. I agree with you on the launchpad, at that point, you might as well use a keyboard, since it's not going to be intuitive and your head's going to be buried in it for a while trying to find the right button and what not. |
| Kiyoko Wellisch 08.12.2010 | The kontrol x1 is only about $20 more expensive than the launchpad. Where are you getting your figures from? Problem with the launch pad in my opinion is that is doesn't really add much you don't already have in the form of your keyboard... Uh. You could use the beatmasher to record a loop the same way I guess but that's a bit fiddly. I'm not really into effects or that jazz really. I suck way too much to be able to beatmatch, transition and still have time to make effects sound not shit. If you're beat matching I'd just go for 2 decks for now. If you're not try out 4 decks, why not. It also comes down to the type of music you're mixing too- Things like techno work well as they are fairly minimal but you try and play 4 dark dnb tunes together and it'll turn into a noisy mess. The xone 22 is a 2 channel mixer anyway- you'd need a 4 channel one for 4 decks OR a midi controller that you could use to simulate a mixer (which is a better idea in my opinion, much better value for money) such as the xsession pro. |
| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by Rukks
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| Lang Abriel 08.12.2010 | I was actually looking at the kontrol S4 alot last evening
but it isn't expandable at all. And I can't see the quality of sound being the same coming from that unit as an external mixer. The only advantage that I see for the kontrol x1 over the launchpad is having the ability to have physical knobs, but for an extra 200 dollars that doesn't seem worth it but maybe its just me. I just want a good base to start with and then build from there, the s4 kind of limits where you can/will go. Anyways, how do you access that stored loop feature that I have seen in s4 with regular traktor pro? Or is that only a feature of the s4 unit. How much do you guys use more than 2 decks? Is four decks necessary? |
| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
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| Kiyoko Wellisch 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by NemSim
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| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by AntVonBond
However, if you want to use a DJM600 for timecode, this soundcard won't work. You would then have to go with the Audio 8 DJ, so you can have 4 outputs and 4 inputs, all at the same time. How come you're so set on the CDJ? |
| Kiyoko Wellisch 08.12.2010 | Nah. In cannot be switched to outs. How about this if you want 4 channels? |
| Luann Lampitt 08.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by NemSim
Im in the market for a soundcard, aim for my set up is 4 deck external mixing using traktor 2x kontrol x1's and a DJM600. |
| Shane Alberg 08.12.2010 | Just don't get CDJs. If you're using a mixer, you want the soundcard to output that many signals from traktor, so 4 decks in software to a 4 channel mixer, you need to have 4 outputs. The cue is then handled on the actual hardware of the mixer. You can't really mix 2 decks being mixed externally and 2 internally or anything like that, it doesn't really work that way. Here's what I would do: I would get a mixer when you can afford 4 channels, just to futureproof it. Don't get anything with built-in effects or anything like that since that's what you have software for. Secondly, don't get CDJs. The reason for this is if you want timecode, go with turntables. With a turntable, where the needle touches and there's movement, it makes sound. Everything else is a mechanical sort of process. With CDJs, here's what happens to the audio: decoded binary from disk. conversion from binary to audio in the hardware of the cd player, output out of cd player, sent to soundcard, A/D conversion, this audio signal used for position in a track, audio sent back out and into mixer. With turntables you're looking at spending a lot less, since all they were designed to do is spin the record, rather than cdjs that have cue points and loops and bpm detection and effects, etc. You could easily rock a $200 turntable for a while, and a $600 that you buy used from a music store will last you a long-ass time. |
| Franklin Momany 08.12.2010 | The A&H Xone series isn't midi compatible. Like I said I don't know Timecodes (where you use turntables etc. with Traktor etc.) but from my understanding it is possible and is something that you would have take into consideration to use the gear
you are wanting. The reason there is effects options on the Xone is because its not intended to be used with software. Here's a few links, perhaps it would help you understand Timecode. I still don't. http://community .eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?pid=424763 http://www.numark.com/virtualvinyl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th4zJY0OV7I Personally I believe you should use all in one midi DJ controller. Like the NI made S4 which was built specifically made to operate Traktor (S4 version). VCI, Reloop, Numark, Hercules there's alot of options. Add a midi fighter or luanchpad and you have so many buttons you won't know what to do with http://ranking s.myshopify.com/produ...tor-kontrol-s4 http://ranking s.myshopify.com/produ...arcade-buttons |
| Lang Abriel 07.12.2010 | Wow that is some impressive gear. That mixer doesn't look bad for the price tag. Don't know how it compares to other 4 channels, haven't really read up on it. You have to remember Im just getting started with this, I just assumed cdj/vinyl were the way to go but now I realize that I can probably do the same things for alot smaller price tag. The cdjs I was looking at were pioneer 800mk2's. They were refurbished so less than half price. So basically what i should be looking for is 4 inputs and 2 outputs....i don't want to have to upgrade in 6 months. the outputs for cue and master, correct? and then 4 inputs for up to 4 decks at some point? Right now I am looking at a xone 42 or xone 22. The xone 42 is 650 so....not to bad on price. Is there a reason to have effects on the mixer when your using traktor, or just a simple midi controller? |
| Franklin Momany 07.12.2010 | You can easily pull off 2 channel, but I believe a 4 channel mixer would be best for what you want it for. Probably just depends on your budget and what your willing to pay for. I'm not too familiar with that whole timecode vinyl setup. But I don't understand why you would want to rock some cdjs etc. if your going digital. I don't see the benefits given whats available nowadays. But. . Numarks V7. . Bow chika wow wow! :eek: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl4Mf...eature=related |
| Lang Abriel 07.12.2010 | Thanks for all the quick replies, especially since i put this under the wrong topic in the community
. I was looking at the audio 4 card and it seems that all my assumptions were right. I am going to be using midi for basic traktor functions as well as effects. I have seen some pretty good mappings for the launchpad and dont know how much beat juggling I will be doing so I don't believe ill need a midifighter type controller. Not to mention the launchpad is cheap. I am still debating between a 2 channel and 4 channel mixer. If I get a 2 channel mixer will I be able to mix the other two decks internally through traktor. Eventually I would like to add some cdjs but I really dont know what direction I will head with all this, I am just starting to mess around. Holy wall of text. Thanks again. |
| Shane Alberg 07.12.2010 | To answer how many inputs/outputs: however many outputs you want to play at once. So if you're looking at a 2-channel mixer, get something with at least 2 outputs (Audio 2 DJ and up). If you want timecode input (Traktor Scratch Pro/Duo), then you want inputs (Audio 4 DJ for Traktor Scratch Duo 2 inputs/outputs and Audio 8 DJ for 4 inputs/outputs). If you're doing everything with MIDI and don't need a timecode input, an Audio 4 DJ can output 4 different channels and would be good to get. |
| Latoria Kavulich 07.12.2010 | Yep. Any card will work but i'd recommend getting something decent like the NI Audio 2 or Audio 4. Before i moved to a laptop i used the internal 5.1 chan card on the pc with no issues. Welcome to the community |
| Franklin Momany 07.12.2010 | Idk, but I believe its safe to say every audio interface works with Traktor. When your card is recognized by your PC that tells Traktor what to look for so do whatever you need to via drivers etc. As for the midi are you trying to produce, mix or what? |
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