Soundcards for DJ Use - And I HAVE Searched the forums ;)

brettjames · Post by **brettjames** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:47 pm

Hi guys, I originally hit these forums (and Google) with a cuing question in relation to Live (I have 6.0.7).

I see that many people have the same problems and questions as I had. Having reviewed most of the answers and solutions offered, and implementing and testing 'solutions' I have come to the conclusion that I need to purchase a soundcard or peripheral that will enable me to cue one track whilst simultaneously outputting another.

So the question (and observation) is this (as a result of my confusion). I'm using a PC laptop. I was going to buy an Echo Indigo soundcard as this seems to be recommended by many (but not all!). The only thing is, there seem to be so many opinions out there, and conflicting ones at that, that I'm a little unsure if this is the best option.

The other thing that prompted me to start this thread is that the Echo Indigo seems to have been about for at least 5 years and I don't see a 'supersceeing' card from the same manufactuers. I don't want to buy this is there's something bigger and better out there.

So that's it folks. What do you recommend? I have been looking on www.djstore.com under soundcards, but as the text in their 'about us' pages mentions 'now, in 2004' I can only assume that some of thier stuff is also outdated?

I don't want to spend £££ on an out of date piece of kit.

Thanks

Brett

vinkalmann · Post by **vinkalmann** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:07 pm

If you need a four channel card, which it sounds like you do, it's hard to beat the Echo Indigo DJ card. Solid drivers, reasonable price, great sound quality. It's one of the best things going at that price level. I've been running that card for three years and have no complaints.

brettjames · Post by **brettjames** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:03 pm

Yes, it's a four channel card that I'll be needing.

It's good to hear that someone has been using it for so long without problems. I guess its a little like Techincs 1210's, in that it stands the test of time.

Unless anyone can offer a better (similar) alternative, I'll go get one this w/e.

Thanks

jesso · Post by **jesso** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:35 pm

The Rme fireface 400 is the absolute business if you can afford it. Conversion is stellar.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:04 pm

Indigo is a great card, the only issue is going to be that if you get a newer laptop later on with an expresscard slot (which they all have now), then it won't work for that. If it fits your current laptop though, I don't think you can go wrong with that one.

Dalibor Loncar · Post by **Dalibor Loncar** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:46 pm

i don´t have any xperiences with the indigo. i know there are some expresscard 2 PCMICA adapters on the market. such adapters would allow PCMCIA cards to work in an ExpressCard slot. maybe there is an adapter which works with the indigo. technically it´s realized via a PCI-Express-to-PCI-Bridge. you could get into trouble with the PCI busmastering mode of the indigo .> maybe it´s worth a try. currently there is realy no xpresscard on the market with built in DA/AD converters. imo the manufacturers have overslept the the introduction of the new hardware development. or the music industry is a bit lazy to develop new stuff based on PCI Express standard because of the existence of FW and USB. who knows ... i think there is new knowledge needed to design good audio interfaces for the pci express standard -> this would initially imply higher R&D costs. pci express fortunately isn´t a shared bus like his ancestor anymore but i think we will benefit prospectively from this change, particularly with regard to audio bandwith and performance.

at the moment you should look for a fw or usb2.0 audio interface if your new laptop comes with xpress card slots only.

brettjames · Post by **brettjames** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:38 pm

Thanks for the info guys and gals. Yes, I have a standard PCMCIA slot in my laptop, although I was going to buy a new Dell soon which houses an express cardslot. Think I'll forego the new laptop for now.

The FireFace 400 looks a mean bit of kit! A little more than I wanted to spend, although if I use Live more and more I may invest at a later date.

I guess I started this thread as I was a little surprised, as Dalibor mentions, that manufactuers don't seem to have supersceded the Indigo, but if that's the state of the market fai enough.

It's always intersting to find what other users recommend, that way the guys in the showroom can;t take me for too much of a ride!

kvikindi · Post by **kvikindi** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:48 pm

I'm a bit excited for the Audiofire 4 and have been for a little while... http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireW ... /index.php

If you only need outputs i highly recommend the indigo dj - i've been using that piece since it came out and only once had to replace it due to electrical damage. It's solid as buck.