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AUDIO 4 DJ Dual soundcard for newer laptops.

Alternate DJ Laptop Hardware Setup .   Since most laptops now are using USB 2 slots for external hardware we have put a Native Instruments Audio DJ 4 external sound card (usb 2) together with an Acer Aspire 7741-7870 laptop and put them through typical uses of Fusion Mixmeister.    The link below will provide a good 360 degree view and other useful information on this external sound card.  We loaded up the software - Traktor scratch first and then the drivers.  Connected the usb cable and set the correct settings in Mixmeister Fusion - tools - Audio Output Configurations (see comments at the bottom of the page for more details on these settings).  

If you are using the Mixmeister Numark Controller go to tools/options/midi and set the controller fields to Mixmeister controller.

Audio 4 DJ Driver 2.9.4 for Windows was giving us latency problems on play back even after adjustments. An alternative we ended up using was removing the 2.9.4 drivers and loading in the March 2010 drivers version 2.0.15.  Once we got these in place the latency problems went away.  We are researching this issue in the Native Instruments forums. 




The first image above shows the head set input channel B on the front of the hardware.  The second image above shows the back of the hardware.  We use the front panel output (channel B) for previewing the next track using a headset.   Output 3 and 4 on the back panel we use to connect to club hardware or to a desktop sound card. There are other uses as described in the user manual. 

Mixmeister Audio Output Configerations must be set to dual mode with the seperate outputs identified properly in the dual mode fields.  The Main output (speakers) we set to Audio 4 DJ - Out 1: Ch A left + Out 2: Ch A Right.   The Preview output (headphones) we set to Audio DJ 4 Out 3: Ch B left + Out 4: Ch B right. 

Cables:  Left and Right speaker lines go from the back of the Audio DJ 4 Channel A output 1/2 to club equipment (line input) or to you desktop sound card input (line in or aux in left and right)- creative audigy 2ZS front panel is what I use.  Plug the preview headset directly to the front of the Audio 4 DJ.  An adapter may be needed.

Same wiring instructions generally apply for other model sound cards for desktop or USB external sound cards - desktop or laptop.

It is important that you verify your inputs and outputs for your computer and the hardware you are planning to purchase.  At least with new equipment usb 2 and in some cases firewire appears to be todays standard.  Regardless, I continue to use my PC Type II buss indigo sound card with my 4 year old gateway without any problems.