Newbie buying advice needed please.

[digitaljunkie]

Hi there,

After trawling through the eons of useful posts Im still a little confused.

I have a 15" 1.67ghz powerbook w 1gb ram and 100gb hard drive.

I have been caning the live 5 demo for about 3 months now after getting over and finally falling in love with the interface.
I am a mac geek, freek tech head and about 9 months ago was using Tracktor for DJing and a ahem (no flaming me) a Hercules DJ Console.
I hated the fact that trackor seems to always shift tempo and bpm like a slippery belt drive turntable, there was zero creativity unless i rewired into reason or the like.

Now before I make the purchase of Live (penny saving up in a jar) I want some advice on soundcard and controller.

I DJ house and breaks (mainly) i want a simplish sound card to playout to my soundsystem and cue/preview in my cans (headphones).
I like the idea of a this indigo card as its nice and cheap but am open to suggestions. If i playout at parties and clubs is this anygood?.

Mixer / Controller, I'm wanting something that does 3 or 4 channels as im messing round with the whole 3/4 virtual deck idea, it must have a crossfader and some knobs. I fell in love with a £800 poineer 800 thingy but its just a tad out of my price range lol.
The UC33e looks good but im wanting some more suggestions.

I hope ive given enough info and appreciate any advice as Im going round in circles now thinking well this one or that one but this has and this doesnt etc etc.

Obviosly as I progress and make the purchase of live I would look at other controllers/mixers etc etc if i get more advanced.

Many Thanks

[Michael-SW]

You should be fine with the Indigo DJ with two outs. As for inexpensive controllers, there is also the Behringer BCF 2000 and if you are willing to pay a little bit more the various Faderfox controllers. Check them out at www.faderfox.de.

[digitaljunkie]

You should be fine with the Indigo DJ with two outs. As for inexpensive controllers, there is also the Behringer BCF 2000 and if you are willing to pay a little bit more the various Faderfox controllers. Check them out at www.faderfox.de.

Thanx I'll take a look I heard someone talking today about a natty firewire soundcard that offers good quality sound rates and channels around the £100-£150 mark I assume this is like an M-Audio affair, are these better than the indigo card or is there little in it at this entry price point?

[EDX50]

I'm a little out of my element as to the audio needs of a DJ, but you mentioned needing to monitor with headphones and some kind of audio card. How about the M-Audio FW1814? It has two headphone outs and a lot of functionality. Much more than your typical soundcard.

It would be useful for many different tasks: recording, monitoring, interfacing with MIDI devices, and of course computers as well as your sound system.

It's pretty small as well.

Oh yeah! i bought the ableton Live 5 a few weeks ago and I think it kicks ass. I'm a former Cubaser and Live 5 got me back to recording again NOT tweaking and trouble shooting major tech issues. So get off that demo version and COMMIT my brother!

[digitaljunkie]

So get off that demo version and COMMIT my brother!

I intend to m8 just saving up pennies as we speak. shh dont tell the missus

cheers for the info btw.

[rwillia2]

I have a lptop set up below, and a desktop unit also. I took the plunge and got a Behringer BCA USB mixer with soundcard in it. An upgrade from my pretty crap Behringer analogue mixer.

I have to say I'm impressed. I was looking at the Echo card, but as I have powered speakers and the ecgo has a 3.5mm jack, I was worried about sound quality. The good thing with the behringer (should I need to add midi control) you can add other bits out of the series all at about £130 each.

I'm well impressed with my purchase and would heartily recommend. just download the XP patch from Behringer to install, DDO NOT use the CD that comes with it!

Hope this helps

Rich