Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS vs. ECHO INDIGO DJ

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-- Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS vs. ECHO INDIGO DJ

Posted by _Ocean_Drive_ on Jan-28-2009 08:12:

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS vs. ECHO INDIGO DJ

So I 'DJ' for fun using Traktor, but I noticed several stuttering and hiccup moments.

After a bit of investigation, I've discovered it's down to soundcard latency...

So I'm contemplating buying a soundcard dedicated to the job. So my questions are:

Is there any clear advantage in PCMCIA or USB soundcards?

Which is the better sound card...

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS or ECHO INDIGO DJ

Neither come cheap, so I'd like to be sure before I purchase either of them.

Any experiences of either of them and/or any answers to the above would be great. Thanks...

Posted by DJ RANN on Jan-28-2009 21:52:

Dude, both those soundcards are nearly at the cheapest end of things you are ever going to be able to find.

The soundblaster audigy is an utter piece of shit and has exactly the same latency problems. stay away at all costs. not worth the box it's sold in.

The echo indigo DJ is fine for home DJ use but as I remember it's only got 2 x outputs (st. mini jack) - no inputs. To be honest spend a tiny bit more (or ven less in some cases) and get an audio interface with more ins and outs (that way you can record the set and if you ever decide to get in to production you don't have to immediately upgrade).

What is you budget?

How many ins and outs do you need to use tracktor?

Posted by _Ocean_Drive_ on Jan-29-2009 09:43:

Thanks a lot for the reply. Very helpful.

quote:
Originally posted by DJ RANN
What is you budget?

Primarily, as much as is necessary to prevent latency issues. I don't need anything super-professional.

quote:
Originally posted by DJ RANN
How many ins and outs do you need to use tracktor?

Ideally, one where I can plug headphones into the soundcard so I can preview tracks through the headphones (without using an external mixer).

Posted by PivotTechno on Jan-29-2009 12:44:

If you really want to eliminate latency issues, go firewire. Get a Presonus Firebox and you'll have something you can grow into, should you decide to get into production and the like. They retail for about $400 (CDN $) new, but you can easily find used ones in mint condition for around $200.

Posted by T-Soma on Jan-29-2009 16:55:

Go for the echo indigo DJ.

I cant say much about the product itself but echo is a great brand and PCMCIA is better than firewire or usb.

Posted by ziptnf on Jan-29-2009 17:51:

I just bought an Echo Indigo DJ, and it seems to be worth what it does, just provide two sound outputs for laptop DJ's. Nothing special, but should let you prelisten to your tracks with a fair amount of ease.

Posted by KiNeTiC ENeRgY on Jan-29-2009 19:32:

quote:
Originally posted by PivotTechno
If you really want to eliminate latency issues, go firewire. Get a Presonus Firebox and you'll have something you can grow into, should you decide to get into production and the like. They retail for about $400 (CDN $) new, but you can easily find used ones in mint condition for around $200.

I bought one of these 2 years ago....excellent box. Sound quality is uber.

Posted by veezee on Jan-31-2009 17:43:

You can find a used M-Audio Fasttrack PRO for under $200 on craigslist (or a new one is $200+) and it is a great interface for the price.

Jay

Posted by tvmann on Jan-31-2009 22:24:

The Indigo DJ is super convenient because it's small enough to leave plugged in all the time and no extra cables to mess with. Now available in ExpressBus version as well as the original PCMCIA Cardbus. Latency is not an issue, and 2 stereo outputs are minimal but all I need (phones on the output with the volume knob, amp or club mixer gets the other output). For someone who is DJing for fun, you want to minimize the hassles, the Indigo portability and easy fast setup is a big plus.

I've had one for over 4 years, still works great and very reliable, sounds fine to me and I've had it in a few clubs but I know some people who are DJing for cash prefer the sound of the higher end devices like Presonus and can justify the extra cost.

Posted by T-Soma on Feb-01-2009 06:53:

If you really want some room for inputs and etc then go for
Echo Audiofire 2

It has better specs than the presonus and as someone who has used both a firebox and now owns and audiofire 8 I prefer the echo.
The drivers are also solid.

Not to mention an audiofire 2 is cheaper than getting a firebox.

I really doubt the sound quality with the Indigo card will be an issue in clubs. The specs for the DAC look just as good as the presonus firebox.

EDIT(rethink)