Ableton Forum

Hi,

i'm quite ashamed that my first post is a beg for advice, but I intend of contributing more in the future, so hello all

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I already ran an extensive search for my "problem", but couldn't quite find the answer i was looking for.

I've been using an Echo Indigo DJ for quite a while now along with an UC-33,. but since i recently switched to a Macbook, the PCMCIA is obsolete, so I'm looking for a USB/Firewire solution.

what I need (ideally):

# two seperate outs (for master + cue)
# enough capacity to include a Kaoss Pad 3 (or other FX device for that matter) in my setup

so here's where it gets tricky. i don't know awfully much about the routing of devices and the amount of In/outs the interface would need, and how to connect them properly.

I was looking at the 'usual suspects', such as M-Audio Audiophile and the Echo Audiofire 2, which both have seperate headphone outs and are quite cheap. however, i'm not sure if they would actually work with the setup i'm planning.

the thing is, i don't want to spend too much money on an interface which i'm not using. I only need the thing for DJing, so i don't need all the functions of, let's say, a Saffire LE or a Firewire 410, because I simply won't use them. Plus, portability is crucial.

i made a (fairly crappy) diagram of my potential setup >>here<<, and how i *think* the routing might work, but like i said, I'm not sure if this would work:



do you think this will work with a simple device like the Audiofire 2, or will I need more In/Outputs to get the whole thing running? thanks in advance.

I also use a Kaoss pad with an Echo AudioFire 2 Interface. It is possible to hook up the headphones, Pad, and a single Amp.

The Pad will need one IN and one OUT if you are using it in SEND (which is probably your most efficient option). Because of this, you'll only have one OUT left for you speaker. Although it does work it will have to be MONO and not Stereo so avoid pan effects.

If you're using 1/4in connector headphones it won't be possible to use them at the same time as the Amp. But if you can plug them into the smaller green output it will work (although remember that the smaller output on the Interface is Channel outpus 3 and 4!!!)

thanks marx!

of course only having a mono signal on the amp is far from being ideal for using it in a club-context.

i suppose it would be the same with the M-Audio Audiophile, which has about the same specifications.

so i'd need one with more outs? can anyone recommend one which also makes cueing possible? Edirol FA-66 maybe?

It seems to me like you need 3 stereo pairs:

One for your cue, one for your mains, and one for your send (KP).

Theres too many options to list, do some searching you will find.

Firewire 410 maybe, although it sure gets some mixed reviews....

why not just feed the master out to kp and from the kp to the mains?

presonus firebox maybe?

however, i had an issue with the first one I bought.

the firebox seems to have three stereo outs. any alternatives for this one? what about the Fa-66 or the FW 410?

@ 4.33: i don't know. it seems like using it with "Send" is a more common option, although i'm not quite sure why...maybe someone who owns a Kaoss Pad 3 can shed some light on this?

Since you OK with Echo, get the other model with more outs but for your purpose I would use it after the soundcard keeping it small and simple. Another plus of this or using hardware mixes sends. If something goes wrong with computer you have KP to "make some noise".
Believe me, the KP Entrancer saved me lots of times when video software would freeze or crash.
The reason for send is not degrading entire signal through KP but while in studio it is important, in a club, any live situation it does not matter as much.

Looks like you need 3 pairs of outs and 1 pair of ins at least.

Be careful when reading on number of ins and outs on an interface. They often include the digital outs as well as analogue. Only Analogue is useful for you for this set up. Also, most headphone outs duplicate one of the other pairs of outputs. The echo audiofire 2 card is one of the few that has independant output for phones, but I don't think the audiofire 4 does.

Personnally , I'd take the firebox over a FW410 any day. Had trouble with the 410, but it didn't sound as good anyway.

Putting the KP between the intereface and the main is the simplest solution. However, the advantage of using sends is you can use it with individual tracks. If it goes between the interface and the main then you are only going to be able to use it on the entire mix.

beats me wrote:Putting the KP between the intereface and the main is the simplest solution. However, the advantage of using sends is you can use it with individual tracks. If it goes between the interface and the main then you are only going to be able to use it on the entire mix.

that is actually quite an important remark! i suppose having the effects on only one track would make more sense, in order to be able to cue the next one without effects

back to the 3 outs it is then...the firebox seems to have 3 outs, but as andydes said....probably no independent. but if i have three outs anyway, i wouldn't need that...right?

other recommendations on that matter? i feel like getting somewhere

firewire the presonus firebox is good [3 stereo independend anaolog outs and 2 stereo ins]

usb the NI audio dj 8 is good [damn nice sound!] 4 analog stereo outs 4 analog stereo ins

SubFunk wrote:
usb the NI audio dj 8 is good [damn nice sound!]

never heard of this one before....it looks pretty nice i must say

permutation wrote:

SubFunk wrote:
usb the NI audio dj 8 is good [damn nice sound!]

never heard of this one before....it looks pretty nice i must say

it is a freakin good card... superb sound. superlight and sturdy and purely buspowered!

but only chinch / phono type connex, still a very good alrounder card.

i have many friends using it for dj-ing / live playing... and the sound quality blow me away...