quote:

Originally posted by Spirit5 In response to your first question, you should be thinking about a firewire recording interface. M-Audio sells a few of those, such as the M-Audio Firwire Audiophile Computer Recording Interface for $199 at MusiciansFriend.com. Go to .M-Audio Firewire Audiophile Computer Recording Interface. This is something I am asking for Christmas and all indications is that firewire is better for recording or producing. To your second question YES. I am in the same boat as you are...I don't have any external speakers for my laptop, just the ones that came with them (harmon kardon) and they suck (after buying CDJ 1000 MK2s...I can't afford monitors and I need $ for school). It's best to get a nice pair of monitors. You don't need super expensive ones and not cheap ones either. Ones around the $299 or $499 price range (for a pair) should be adequate. I'm saving up for some and I know that M-Audio has some decent ones..the BX-5A and the BX-8A for $299 and $499. The Behringer Truth's are $349 and seem to have decent sound, as well as the Event TR5 and the KRK Rockit 5's. Any of these should have much better sound quality when recording sets

Thanx for the input, but Im still a noob when it comes to learning how to use Reason3 and others. Its gonna take awhile before I can understand all the tools at my disposale inorder to make a song. DJing is my priority for now and producing is just something im trying to slowly learn over time as a supplement/hobby.

I guess my question is, do I really need to get something as high-end as M-Audio FireWire Audiophile Computer Recording Interface, or can I squeeze by with something like Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 NX $102, until I fully understand how to use Reason.

As for monitors, can I manage with some cheaperish PC speakers for DJing and learning to produce. Something along the lines of:
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Speaker - $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16836119101

Logitech X-230 2.1 Speaker - OEM $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16836121123

M-Audio StudioPro 3 $100
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudioPro3-main.html

Other speakers that I should look into/suggestions.

So what sound card and speakers should I get mainly for DJing and that I can practice learning how to use reason/cubase and stuff. Djing is the priority for now.

I dont want to spend a lot if I dont have to, but I will if neccisairy. I mean I already spent $900+ on 2x CDj 200s and DJM 707 and Sony 700s.

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Last edited by FuzzyChicken on Oct-31-2005 at 05:46

quote:

Originally posted by xstalkrx ok so this... is an external card?

i own this. the latency is really great on this card, but if you're using it for like two channels in traktor or something it sux0rz.

quote:

Originally posted by Omega_Blue i own this. the latency is really great on this card, but if you're using it for like two channels in traktor or something it sux0rz.

how about CDJ 200s/DJM 707 and a 61es keystation midi keyboard, as mentioned earlier.

Any suggestions guys? So far I have recieved little solid input/suggestions.

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quote:

Originally posted by FuzzyChicken Thanx for the input, but Im still a noob when it comes to learning how to use Reason3 and others. Its gonna take awhile before I can understand all the tools at my disposale inorder to make a song. DJing is my priority for now and producing is just something im trying to slowly learn over time as a supplement/hobby. I guess my question is, do I really need to get something as high-end as M-Audio FireWire Audiophile Computer Recording Interface, or can I squeeze by with something like Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 NX $102, until I fully understand how to use Reason. As for monitors, can I manage with some cheaperish PC speakers for DJing and learning to produce. Something along the lines of: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Speaker - $135 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16836119101 Logitech X-230 2.1 Speaker - OEM $30 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16836121123 M-Audio StudioPro 3 $100 http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_...oPro3-main.html Other speakers that I should look into/suggestions. So what sound card and speakers should I get mainly for DJing and that I can practice learning how to use reason/cubase and stuff. Djing is the priority for now. I dont want to spend a lot if I dont have to, but I will if neccisairy. I mean I already spent $900+ on 2x CDj 200s and DJM 707 and Sony 700s.

To the first question, I understand completely. I can't afford or have the time to learn to produce either but monitors are not just used for production. You can get some really powerful monitors that are great for recording, thats what a lot of places advertise them for (recording purposes). You don't need super high end monitors either but don't settle for cheapy things like these DX4 monitors from M-Audio. If I were you i'de save up for $299 to $499 pair of monitors and a firewire card. You will see a difference between those and the ones you listed, they just don't have the high range that most monitors do, those are more suited for entertainment purposes, not audio recording. That recording interface was specialized for DJ work (look at the link). I mean if you really want good quality, don't go the cheap route by getting some creative or cheap USB M-Audio card and cheapy computer speakers. The Klipsch ones are probably the best I'de say on that list but with just
$70 more you could get a fairly decent monitor, but it may not last you forever and would definitely need a subwoofer for something that inexpensive. You could possibly get away with out one on a pair of 299 to 499 monitors, the 8'' ones put out the most bass.

I have not heard great things about creative as far as recording interfaces is concerned, they tend to make cards for enterntainment, like games and movies. They do have the EMU but thats really expensive and designed for high end audio production. I would spend an extra $100 on the firewire card since you do have a firewire port on your computer. I mean don't settle for less. I spent $2,000 on two CDJ 1000 MK2s and I don't regret spending twice as much as you did just for two CDJs (already have a mixer and speakers and such). It pays to save sometimes...wont have to upgrade later (or want to).

Last edited by Spirit5 on Oct-31-2005 at 15:45

Problem with the behringer truth monitors is that you need balanced 1/4" outputs, or balanced TRS outputs, none of the m-audio products seem to have trs outputs. They only have TRS inputs.
I was thinking of buying the behringer b2031a but if I wanted to practice DJ'ing in my house I want to be able to monitor on headphones, and use the monitors as regular speakers.
It would be wise to look into if these soundcards can handle two seperate sounds, one for speakers (for the live sound), and one for headphones (for monitoring) before you decide to drop $250 + on a soundcard that you dont even know if it is going to be compatible. The soundcard I am looking at is the M-audio fast track pro, but there is another one I can't seem to remember the name

Transit will do the job, no worries. Don't spend money you don't have to (that could be my college mentality speaking but whatever it does the fucking job)

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-> mixes & more @ maxwelldub.net : .
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"A studio environment is there to be exploited. I don't really hold with these 'all live on 2 decks mixes'. If you want that, go to the gig." - Ben Watt

I have the audiophile firewire interface, and like it. One thing that's nicer about the firewire version is that it's a hefty metal box, instead of the plastic case.

www.pssl.com has the firewire version for only $139.

quote:

Originally posted by Omega_Blue i own this. the latency is really great on this card, but if you're using it for like two channels in traktor or something it sux0rz.

With the firewire one can you actually daisy chain them to other peripherals? I heard that it fries the internals of it for some reason. It's on the m-audio site and everything. Have you had any trouble with that?

The other one i was looking at is the line 6 toneport ux2. It looks very comprable to the m-audio products.

m audio is ok

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Angel (tenshi) is made up of two kanji with the first, ten, meaning heaven and the second kanji, shi, meaning messenger. Literally then these kanji read "Heaven's Messenger".

quote:

Originally posted by xstalkrx nope. the only out I have is being used to go to my speakers. Each of my channels has a line out set and a phono out set. Im using the phono out sets to go to my turntables. What is the extra line out set used for?

mate...

u can get an RCA splitter, so u have the same signal comign out of ur master, and can split each left and right channel into 2... essentially acting as a record out...

that will probably cost less than $10.. ha ha

quote:

Originally posted by xstalkrx nope. the only out I have is being used to go to my speakers. Each of my channels has a line out set and a phono out set. Im using the phono out sets to go to my turntables. What is the extra line out set used for?

mate...

u can get an RCA splitter, so u have the same signal comign out of ur master, and can split each left and right channel into 2... essentially acting as a record out...

that will probably cost less than $10.. ha ha