Ableton + external interface + club mixer- cabling question

[tomekinc]

I think this is a simple enough question, but couldn't find an answer.

If I want to use Live at a club for instance, I understand I need an external device such as an RME Fireface or MOTU product, what I don't understand is the cabling portion.

For instance, at home I have a Xone 3d, and everything routes via RJ45 for 3 channels and for the 4th I use the headphone jack on my MacBook pro (simple, I now have 4 channels). However, using my mixer outside of home isn't practical, so how exactly do I use multiple channels on a club mixer?

My MacBook Pro has 3 ways to output music, RJ45, Headphone jack, and also the headphone jack doubles as a mini-Toslink (digital output), looking at for instance the RME Fireface 400, what exactly am I plugging into, and how can I get the Fireface or other product to utilize at least 3 channels on the club mixer? I see on the back of these devices there are multiple outputs, but how does the fireface or other device know what channel I am setup in Ableton?

I'm open to other suggestions for products, it doesn't have to be the Fireface etc, I'm just using those as examples from what I've found in the forums, but basically I want to be able to use multiple channels at a gig or somewhere and not use ableton for the EQ, fading or anything.

I hope this makes sense.
thanks

[Asymmetricalmusic]

USB cable?

RCA cables?

[Dragonbreath]

Well your xone 3d is allready an interface so if you dont mind moving it you dont need and interface like motu or RME...

From there cabling is pretty straight foward.

[tomekinc]

I mentioned that moving my mixer around is not always practical, so having a slimmed down capability is important.

If I use the RME, I'm just not clear on how this works with Abelton. If I output from Ableton into RME using the headphone jack, am I then plugging in the 1/4" output of RME to RCA on the club mixer input channels? How does Ableton know which channel is which in the RME?

[tomekinc]

I should clarify a bit more. It doesn't need to be RME, I used that as an example, truthfully, I don't know what I can use to interface my Macbook loaded with Ableton to play on any mixer I may come across. I know I need some kind of interface device, and I would like to be able to use multiple channels on a mixer (that is not my own in my studio).

thanks

[Asymmetricalmusic]

USB?

RME are magic and know more than you might give them credit for......

I'm confused.

You own a Xone 3d which is super expensive and you thinking about buying an RME which is super expensive.....why don't you just through some of your money at an education?

[tomekinc]

Hey guys, I really don't think you're taking the time to read my OP, and so you're kind of just not offering any help.

"However, using my mixer outside of home isn't practical, so how exactly do I use multiple channels on a club mixer?"
and
"It doesn't need to be RME, I used that as an example, truthfully, I don't know what I can use to interface my Macbook loaded with Ableton to play on any mixer I may come across."


Let me ask this in a different way. I have Macbook Pro with Ableton, I want to use this with any mixer I may come across, what interface device do I need, and how is this connected so I can use at least 3 channels on said mixer? (Forget I ever said anything about my mixer at home).

thanks

[Asymmetricalmusic]

Just use your headphone jack

Don't read about USB sound cards your obviously to rich to bother

[tomekinc]

Just use your headphone jack

Don't read about USB sound cards your obviously to rich to bother

Maybe you need to read what people type and stop spewing your pretentious attitude at me. If you have nothing to contribute then bugger off. I asked how to do something, not get your insults about an education. Tool.

[Asymmetricalmusic]

Sorry I just cant believe you've bought a Xone 3d without knowing about USB cables, external sound cards and the drivers that they use to intact with Live, rj45 cables have no place in a club, headphones jack are the absolute worst sound card to use......I couldn't help myself but laugh at your question, to me you picked the most expensive things and said that what I need rather than researching what you actually need. What kind of asshole sold you a Xone 3d without explaining an USB sound card. Did guitar center do this to you?

[tomekinc]

Sorry I just cant believe you've bought a Xone 3d without knowing about USB cables, external sound cards and the drivers that they use to intact with Live, rj45 cables have no place in a club, headphones jack are the absolute worst sound card to use......I couldn't help myself but laugh at your question, to me you picked the most expensive things and said that what I need rather than researching what you actually need. What kind of asshole sold you a Xone 3d without explaining an USB sound card. Did guitar center do this to you?

You obviously did NOT read my posts, AT ALL! You have no concept or reading comprehension, because if you did, you would understand, and the follow up posts I had, it explains it very well, in detail. Your reply shows you did not take the time to read it before opening your fly trap, and then you try to come off as a know it all, but you can't even read dumbass.

I've been mixing and producing with my xone for 5 years, and am looking for another approach. You're the asshole for not taking the time to read, then hijacking my thread with your stupidity.

Read my OP, carefully, and if you have something to say after that, I'm all ears. Otherwise, go fuck yourself.

[Mage2k]

You have a few options, but first: Check your foul mouthed bad attitude. Just because you didn't get the answer you wanted doesn't mean it wasn't correct. rj45? Seriously? Just because your laptop has an rj45 connector on it doesn't mean it's at all appropriate. I actually find it amazing that you say you've been working with this stuff for 5 years like that's supposed to mean something but don't already know this shit and since you don't you should show a little humility when you come here asking for help.

1. An audio interface with enough outputs to run into the inputs on the mixer. This is probably the worst idea because if you want 3 channels you'll then be taking up 3 channels on the club's mixer, which may not (likely won't) leave enough inputs for the club's decks and swapping out cables on the mixer in the middle of the show is both rude to whoever is playing before/after you and a recipe for disaster.

2. An audio interface and something like an APC or MPD. This way you only need one input on the club's mixer and you control all channels with the controller in Live itself.

3. Suck it up and take your mixer and run that into one of the inputs on the clubs mixer. I can't see how this would be any better than 2, though, since you're still lugging gear around and I've already covered why 1 is a bad idea.

[tomekinc]

My bad for getting worked up over it. Conclusions are being made and I'm getting flamed for something I didn't type, humility goes out the window when being insulted for asking simple questions. I haven't looked into an external interface for a long time because there was no need, my current setup is simple and all inclusive, but the size is restrictive. If folks are familiar with xone 3d using Ableton, it only support 3 output channels (the 4d solves this problem) you must use headphone jack output on your laptop and then input to get the 4th channel. Of course this is not ideal, but having that 4th channel is very handy at times, and gets used for filters or effects when sound quality is not important. I didn't state anywhere that I would use ethernet or headphone jacks in a club, nowhere, I'm merely discussing my existing outputs and what exactly do I need to plug into an external device as I have never used one. I also used RME or other devices as an example, and wrote that several times, just to wrap my head around it. That too was taken out of context...

Anyway, thanks for your input. I just called some folks to discuss the RME, and that doesn't seem like a good idea as you listed in Option 1. Too many cables, setup, possible disaster... I want to avoid being given a good lashing with those cables by the next dj.

Option 2 may be the best one in some form, finding the right balance between sound quality, 4 channels and size is key.

Option 3 doesn't work as I can't fit it into my car, it's a small 2 seater, so trunk space is limited, which is why I'm looking for a convenient portable solutions...and I won't sell my car to lug more gear around.