I am looking for a compact USB audio interface that I can use with my iPad for pre-cueing and master output. I am working on a DIY MIDI device for Djay but want to “outsource” the soundcard to a USB audio interface. I am looking for something small that I can route sound to both headphones and master, with some way to adjust the cue/master mix for the headphones.
So far, I have found:
PreSonus AudioBox GO
Focusrite Scarlett Solo
Behringer UMC204HD
The AudioBox GO is the only one with the cue/master mix knob, but another thread details it not working correctly. The Scarlett Solo seems overkill for my needs and also has no mix knob. The UMC204HD is intriguing since it has MIDI input.
Given my use case, what audio interfaces could I use?
You need 4 output channels to pre-cue (2 outs for the main and 2 outs for headphones). Make sure the audio interface is listed as (2-in x 4-out) or (4-in x 4-out). From your list, only the Behringer UMC204HD has the 4 output channels needed for pre-cueing. The other two interfaces are 2x2.
The mix knobs on audio interfaces generally do not work like cue/master knobs on the DJ controllers; they are designed for different use cases. A simple solution is to MIDI map an extra knob to the Mixer → Monitor Cue/Mix command in the djay Pro.
Amazing, that is exactly the kind of answer I was looking for! I also didn’t know that the cue/master could be mapped, which makes the search so much easier. Thanks!
I did some more research and ended up ordering the Gigaport eX, but have not had any success with it so far. I am runnning the latest version of Djay on a 3rd gen iPad Pro 11. I am experiencing the issues discussed in this thread, and have only been able to get Djay to recognize the Gigaport’s multiple channels by doing the following:
Click “Forget All USB Audio Accessories” in the sound settings menu
Plug in Gigaport
Click “Other Device” when prompted asking if headphones were plugged in
Open Djay
Once I follow these steps, I have to repeat them again to get Djay to recognize multiple channels. No sound is routed out of either of the channels, and the LEDs on the side of the device are completely black. The Gigaport works with Djay on my Mac, so I am confident that it is not an issue with the hardware.
@Michael_Wisniewski, do you know of any reasonably priced, small audio interfaces that are confirmed to work? Or am I better off just splitting audio with a “USB C to 2 3.5mm jacks” cable as a cheap and easy solution for now.
@Slak_Jaw, since this seems to be an issue that keeps cropping up, would it be helpful to send the USB interface to the engineering team for testing? I would be more than happy to donate it rather than return it to Amazon. Your transparency and dedication in this forum has been a breath of fresh air in this day and age.
Personally, my favorite compact audio interfaces are still small DJ controllers: specifically the Traktor Z1 (mk2 for iOS) and Mixtour Pro. They duplicate some features, but at least you’re paying for features designed for DJing. In addition, setup/breakdown is simplified and they do Cue/Mix correctly!
Otherwise, for 4-channel audio interfaces: The Berhinger UMC204 and UMC404 are US$100-200. The Arturia MiniFuse 4 is notable at US$250 because it has a built-in 2-port USB hub. After that it’s the MOTU M4, Scarlett 4i4 or SSL 2+ which get closer to US$300. (I’ve used the SSL 2+ and it worked great, but eventually sold it because setup & breakdown were a bit of a buzz kill.)
External mixers with a 4-channel USB audio interface can be lot of extra bang for the buck:
Mackie ProFX6v3+
Allen & Heath ZEDi-10
Allen & Heath ZEDi-10FX
For me the main problem with the compact audio interfaces and external mixers is that when you add in a cost of a controller, you’ve spent money that could have more effectively become a Mixstream Pro or Prime Go.
Hi @shmimel, thanks for the offer. I believe our hardware team already has this device. They are aware of the issue, but we have no timelines or roadmaps to share. I second Michael’s recommendation to use a small form factor controller like the Reloop Mixtour Pro.
Personally, I use a Fiio QX13 DAC with a Traktor DJ Splitter cable. The only trade-off is that both headphones and master are, effectively, running in mono - but I usually set my club mixer to mono anyway so no real loss there! Overall sound quality is actually better than a lot of high-end DJ controllers!
If you’re running to a proper mixing desk, rather than than a DJ mixer, you can even use a 4.4mm balanced XLR cable and use one channel for master and one channel for pre-cueing
Thanks for the suggestion! My current solution has been that same setup, but with a cheap DAC! I may upgrade in the future, and the one you linked looks great.
I recently ordered this USB to 8 channel I2S board from Tindie to play around with. In theory I can take a 4 channel I2S signal to two cheap breakout board DACs (one with amplifier for headphones, one without for master). I will update this thread when I get it and report back!
Just got the York I2S board in the mail, and unfortunately it acts in the same way as the other USB audio interface. I can get multiple channels to work on my mac, but when I try with the iPad I am greeted with the same issues as before. What makes these devices different than a supported DJ controller? I would assume they use similar protocols. Guess I have to use the DAC method and be limited to mono
I ended up getting the Fiio QX13, and have had good success on my speakers at home (which are powered). Yesterday, I tested out my new setup and routed a 3.5mm to RCA cable from the QX13 to a channel on the DJM-A9, and the volume was incredibly low. I had the volume to the max on both my iPad and the QX13 (gain set to High, and plugged into an external power source), and had the trim on my channel cranked up to the max.
Am I doing something wrong here, or is the amplifier in the QX13 not enough for something like this?
I am checking the settings now, and Output Headroom is set to None. Is there some sort of order of operations for volume adjusting I need to run? I unfortunately don’t have access to the DJM-A9 right now, so I can’t test anything.
I wonder if this is a limitation of the QX13, but I would assume that there would be good amplification on equipment as expensive as the DJM.
Yup
For pro-grade sound get fiio Q5c of Q5s both of whoch have balanced 4.4mm sound outputs (as well as 2 regular 3.5mm outs (one headphone and one line level)
I use a 4.4mm to 2x XLR male cable to hook it up to club systems and the volume i get is seriously good (and better than most hogh end controllers too.
What I don’t know is if it can fit your use case
