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Topic: external sound card - which is best ?

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Hi I use VDJ8 using music videos and all works quite well, I'm just not happy with the sound, 1 it doesnt seem 'right' noone else complains, but you know when you just know somethings not 100% ??

Any way I'm also not thrilled with the loudness ( I'm using 4 x 12" alto blacks all capable of 1200w rms so in theory they should be blowing peoples heads off, in reality they just sound ok for about 100 people

Here's the setup Lenovo laptop >> Behringer 1204fx mixer >> out to the active Alto blacks 4 x 12" 1 audio cable to left pair and 1 audio cable to right pair

I am looking to try and put an external sound card in with the hopes that it will improve the quality of the sound and also boost the loudness !!

I have tried a djio but it seems that keeps falling over and doesnt seem to like virtual dj

- any advise / comments ?
 
Posted Sun 06 Sep 15 @ 11:27 am
Are you using the laptop onboard sound card?
Eek..the new Denon sound card looks good.
A cheap NI sound card woud also do fine.
Would it not be better to get a controller with a built in sound interface?

Also maybe what's needed is two tops with matching bass bins.
That would have a kick.
You're going to be missing a little of the low end frequencies.

Mono might help.
Make sure you put the speakers together, two on each side of you to get the extra free power of "coupled" speakers.

I take it you have ensured your mixer trims are adjusted, and also that the windows laptop volume is set at a suitable level?
Would Asio4all be of any any help?

You're system should be loud enough.
You are right to suspect something is wrong.

Note: It is likely the true RMS output of your speakers is 600w RMS or less.
That is still a lot!
 
You've spend a decent amount of money on your speakers, so although there won't be oodles of bass (as for any compact full range cab) the quality should be there.

The thing to bear in mind is.... quality in = quality out. Good speakers can be very revealing, and will highlight any weakness in your source.

As I see it, you've got two weak points. Using the audio straight out of the laptop and using the Behringer mixer.

Yes, a decent pro grade external audio interface (i.e. better than DJIO) will improve what's coming out of the laptop, but then if you run that through the Behringer it'll defeat the object.

You've got some good speakers, now you need to feed them a good quality audio signal. At the moment you're sending the signal to your £1000+ speakers through a £100 mixer!
 
Groovin he could pick up a second hand NI usb sound card for £30 on ebay.
They are good quality.
That would be a cheap way of testing his mixer.
 
I agree with you Ron that buying a good controller (one with audio and balanced XLR outs) will kill two birds with one stone.

Shame about the dead birds though. :-)
 
@groovindj

Don't worry once you eat those birds all is forgiven. :-)
 
Where are you getting your videos from??
 


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