A DJ's Guide To Audio Interfaces - What Are They, Do You Need One?

In this live lesson, we look at audio interfaces - we explain what they are, why you need them, and whether you need to get one (plus answers to the biggest student questions). This is a free live lesson from Digital DJ Tips, the world's leading DJ school.

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[swrpn]

Excellent video as always. Thanks for explaining from the perspective of DJing. My use case involves an X1 MK3 + F1 + Laptop for a travelling DJ in a small club / bar setting

[bogiev]

Great stuff again! Dou you have the latest availability for the NI Audio 2 interface? Can you recommend an equivalent? Sincerely, CV

[thedjnitenurse]

Great Channel 👍
I've got the Numark Scratch Serato mixer, I've got control Vinyl, but I'm Oldskool & play Wax, I'm gonna be Streaming on Twitch Soon!
A DJ Friend said I should get an interface!? But do I really need one!??
Also what about Latensie!?
Cheers 👍👊

[MarioSargeant]

Hey Phil! Great video! I subscribed right away!
I found you today while searching for answers to a question I've had for a long time and no luck.

I have a Numark Mixdeck Express controller connected to a laptop and an Allen and Heath ZED10fx, using Virtual DJ.
Playing music with the controller pulling music from the laptop sounds significantly weaker than playing the same files played via a usb drive on the controller. The second option means though that I can't use the Virtual Dj. Why is this and more importantly how can I fix this to I get better sound?

[QRS]

Hey Phil, I just came accross this video. Am looking for an Interface to use with my Ecler Mixer. Can you recommend an interface to me? Thanks

[craigparry]

After watching this just had to go back almost 10 years ago to see what you said about them back then 😀 Learn to DJ #11: Audio Interfaces & Sound Cards

[la_clave]

All Serato DVS interfaces are officially discontinued. The Rane boxes (SL2/SL3/SL4) are no longer being supported in new versions of Serato and while the Denon DS1 is still supported, it's been discontinued. I find this super disappointing and I really can't believe there's not a market for those devices anymore. Hopefully one of these companies are working on releasing one in the near future. I could see Reloop coming to the rescue on this.

[CaseyFleetMedia]

I have a question concerning this. I am using an Arturia interface on my Mac. My speakers are hooked to the interface. I don’t want to unplug my speakers and have to plug into DJ controller. If I use like a Hercules 200… Can the audio be routed back to the interface via usb cable? Or do I need rca to xlr and come out of the controller to the front of the Arturia interface?

[cmdraanuke]

An old video I just found, and probably won’t get an answer but here goes… I’m playing around with Mixmeister Fusion, would an audio interface such as a Focusrite Scarlett be able to route main output to speakers and monitor output to headphones? I’m looking at either a 2i4 or if I can stretch to it a 4i4 Gen 4

[hinolatino]

Is there a way to use the functions of the headphones while DJing and using a interface at the same time? Using a DDJ-400 with a focusrite interface.

[NineteenEightySix]

Hey Phil! Been following years! Just bought an analogue mixer - Ecler Warm 2 - and trying to find the best way of getting traktor DVS setup as well as vinyl running through the mixer. Any pointers? I’m thinking I need a 4 in / out stand-alone sound card but which one?

[craigparry]

Bit behind with catching livestreams this week but catching up slowly. I got a Presonus audio interface for my radio and other recording and of course Pioneer controllers. I always used to use a Gigaport multi channel soundcard with my laptop years ago and of course the 00dj system had it's own one built in. Those were the days 😎👍

[sambenito]

Thanks for the tips. I bought a presonus 24C but it doesn't work for djing because it doesn't have separate monitoring! Can you think of an option to avoid doing it other than an added device on the mac because that option doesn't work well either.

[djron]

I am part of an internet radio station and want to take phone calls live during my radio show hour can you show me how to hook up a sterling harmony H224 audio interface through my controller

[MakinistaPeru]

I have a ddj200. Using a pc laptop (me)and mac (my girl) and the question is. Is it better to use and external audio card for improving sound quality of the output sound of the laptop/mac?

[_DJ.BASS_]

Hi, I have a question I have a ddj 400 and I want to live stream on Twitch.I want to buy an Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 sound card as my audio interface.I want to use a microphone as well on my live stream to talk to my viewers.The microphone is with an RCA cable I bought and converter to convert it to a 3.5mm so it fits into the PC mic input.However, the volume on from the mic is not loud enough when i listening to it on obs .I wanted to ask what exactly would i need and would that sound card be enough or would i need something else.Thanks

[Benotee]

Hi Phill, thanks for the great info as always. I use a Xone k2 controller with Traktor when traveling but I need an audio interface to improve the sound because I'm just not happy with the sound quality when I connect it to the club mixer. Would really appreciate it if you could recommend which audio interface is best suited for this situation. Cheers

[IAMLAB]

I share my studio monitors between my Dj console and my production set up. I have my xdj xz connected to the in 3 and 4 of my Komplete audio 6 mk2. Everything works great for streaming, recording and producing. The issue I’m encountering is when trying to simply play a set without turning any software on. What can I do to have the audio coming from the xz to go out the interface without having to open a daw and route the audio. Or what interface should I get that does the auto routing.

[raptorgaming]

hi Phil im currently using a macbook air m3 and a xdj rx3. im wanting to connect the xdc rx3 to my laptop and stream a live radio show but I don't get an audio signal to my laptop. im using the BUTT software to stream but it doesn't pick up any signal. the xdj is connected by usb a to usb c lead. what am I doing wrong, can you help? or do I need to order a separate audio interface. thanks

[RetroRobson]

I'm using a virtual audio interface called Vb audio virtual cable that send the audio back from my ddj back to laptop & then into obs for live streams