External Sound Card

[BJ]

What external sound card are you guys using on your laptops with windows 8.1

[Ed]

I use the Behringer UCA202 USB sound card...$30     http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx

[Jumpin' Jeff]

I use the Behringer UCA202 also, as well as the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB FX mixer/soundcard. http://alesis.com/multimix8usbfx
Attached is a diagram of my setup for reference.

[JAylmer]

For OTS playback I use Presonus Audio Box.  It is designed to record also but I haven't used it yet in that mode.

http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-USB

[BJ]

The main thing im looking for  is to be able to listen to a song in ots without it going live while another song is playing. The old indigo echo pcmia card was perfect, ,but those days are gone and that laptop finally gave up the ghost. Im using a new asus gamer 751 series with windows 8.1. I have a couple of gigs that I do where I need to patch into their house mixer with my laptop. I want the sound to be as good as possible out of the laptop and be able to listen to a tract while another is playing.

[JAylmer]

What about a USB sound card for OTS and use the laptop's internal sound card to listen to a track while another one is playing?
Or are you saying you want dual stereo channels on the USB sound card?

[BJ]

Im looking for a 4 channel card that allows 2 to be didicated to sound out and 2 dedicated to headphones. The old indigo echo pcmia card allowed you to do just that in the card setup. I don't know if ots supports asio driver butt,virtual dj will work line out with M-audio fast track pro. You can press a button and the sound is split between sound out and headphones. Problem is that sound card does not support windows 8.1. Seems the industry standard is changing to the sound card being in the controller itself. I have a Denon mc6000 but ots is not mapped for it. Im looking to take care of the situation where you have to use you laptop in a non-controller (line out) situation.

I want to thank you guys for your support and wish each and every one of you a blessed christmas.

[BJ]

Has anyone tried the Mixvibes U-Mix 44 external sound card.

[Darryl]

There isn't much detail on http://www.mixvibes.com/products/u-mix-44 (sample rate support etc) so it's hard to tell.  The features say it has a 16-bit/48kHz AD/DA converter.  If it only supports 48kHz then it will not work with Ots AV at present.

[BJ]

I Have added Two Items to My System.
1) Traktor Audio 2 MK2 HW
This is an external 4 channel sound card the size of a credit card with amazing sound. Being 4 Channel you can assign 2 channels to Main and 2 Channels to Headset. Allows you to pre listen without going live.

2) BBE Sonic Maximizer (Model 282ir). This Model Is RCA Connections  In & Out, also single hole stereo In & Out. I run the Tractor Audio 2 card through it. What a sound. It is available in 1/4" & XLR Connections. You can find both of these at www.musiciansfriend.com

Both of these work well with windows 7 & 8.  Sound  Card works with USB 2.0 & 3.0

[redhot]

I use the Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ card and it's excellent.  There are two stereo outputs (eg one for main output and one for headphones, or old-school mode as deck 1 and deck 2), both with separate volume controls. Sound quality is excellent too.

It's now called the NI Traktor Audio 2 but you can pick up the originals on Ebay of course.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-audio-interfaces/traktor-audio-2/

[Jumpin' Jeff]

Nice! I checked out that "Audio 2" device, and the one picture confused me. When it was connected to an iPad, and Speakers, it was connected to power, and the other 3 examples, it was not.

[BJ]

The card is powered by the USB Connection. I don't know how many users ever used the now defunk indigo dj card. It was powered  initially by pcmia slot, then by express slot. They never made it work with USB, but the concept is the same very simple with outstanding sound. Since it's made by native-instruments I expect it will be around for awhile.  While most djs use controllers there are still those instances where an external sound card is needed. I use it  with my mc6000 for my backup computer when I line in the connection. In dance contest situations I always have a backup on standby.

As far as you power supply question. The manual says because of the power required in those situations you would need the power  supply.

[redhot]

One other thing, the original NI Audio 2 DJ had 1/4" jack sockets but the newer Traktor version seems to have 1/8" jack sockets.

Very compact, well-built units with great sound quality.

[kdservices]

i have one of these great sound

http://www.esi-audio.com/products/udj6/