Do I need balanced output?

Hi guys, let me chime in here for a second.

On line levels. YES, there is actually a pretty big difference between balanced and unbalanced line levels. Balanced runs at +4 dBu, unbalanced at -10 dBu. If you are going straight from your low level headphone output on your laptop to balanced inputs on your PA mixer, I am not surprised about the mismatch. As you may or may not know, the dB scale is a logarithmic one. I.e. going from -10 to +4 is not just a 14dB difference, it means quite a large factor.

Any PA mixer worth it’s money either lets you use the XLR input on the mixer channels and attenuate (dampen) the signal to line level with a so-called pad or mic/line button or switch or it will have both an XLR and a Jack, where the jack will be balanced line input. The only set of rca inputs is usually the 2TR in or record in. You are stuck with no meters, no PFL and just one rotary knob for volume control.Most mixers will feature one or more stereo channels that typically come with balanced jack inputs. So all you’d need is to take an XLR to jack cable per channel and off you go.

Another problem can be grounding, especially on a busy stage with not always optimally shielded gear (bass and guitar amps anyone?), where the power supply is usually a mishmash of intertwined extension cords and such. Finally, unless you get a really good and sturdy RCA cable, the cable quality of a balanced cable is much much better, so a lot less likely to get damaged on that same stage.

Personally I stay FAR away from RCA cables if I am working on a stage with a band or something. The only time I;ll use it is in a DJ booth where I know there is no heavy lighting going on and even then I limit my distances to the standard 6ft cable. Just me of course, but still.

A controller (even one of the more basic starter models that we support here) offers so much more than just a sound card, it will make DJ-ing a better experience for the DJ, it will look better from the audience point of view as well. So my first advice would be to check out a controller (MC2000, Mixtrack Pro 2 or 3, Beatmix 2 for example). They can be had for about 200-300 or so (you could even decide to pick one up used, there is plenty of choice).

If you do decide to go the separate sound card route, I’d strongly advise you to stick with DJ sound cards and not something like the FocusRite. It’s a wonderful interface but really made for musician/sound engineering work. As Bob said, lots of stuff you don’t need and only confuse the matter. Not all DJ interfaces have balanced out, as they are usually used to be hooked up to a standalone DJ mixer with two or more (RCA) line inputs!

As a serious alternative for the other solutions, you could check out the Peavey USB-P interface. It’s hooks up to your USB port, has balanced stereo XLR outputs (and they are galvanic decoupled, so really nice) and a mono/stereo switch, that is it. It’s totally plug and play even on windows machines (which, trust me, is a great bonus). No need to install drivers or what have you. The USB interface is able to power a good level on the outputs, so no problems there. I am not sure they are produce anymore, but I have seen them in stock online for about 45-55 bucks. They are also built for the road, so if your oversized hobo player puts his size 47 shoe and 300 lbs frame on it, it won’t budge.

Just my two cents as usual. Keep on spinning, lads!

You are, of course, right. I am soooo spoiled lol.

Well, Traktor 2 I would only suggest if you plan on using Traktor software. Terminal mix will get you kudos from Terry_42. MC6000 is an option, or Denon MC4000 if you only need 2 channels. The DDJ-SX2 or DDJ-SR are also option. As are a number of more intermediate/professional controllers of course.

If you don’t need all that “gunpower”, what I do when I have an RCA output only unit is hook up this unit:
http://artproaudio.com/artcessories/audio_solutions/product/cleanbox_pro/
Run short RCA cables into it and then off you go with the balanced cables of your choice.

I doubt your financial conclusion. The starter controllers are about 200-300 bucks, the CleanBox Pro runs about 60-80. The higher end controllers start at the very bottom at 450 or so and go up to close to 1000 (DDJ-SX2). Granted, the higher end ones do come with full version of the software, but since you already have DJAY Pro for Mac, that need not be a selling point.

One thing to consider, many DJs progress through their career. So starting with a Mixtrack Pro 2 a year, year and a half ago to find your footing, decide if DJing is for you, learn the basic skill and finding out your workflow is great. But after that period of time you have a real good idea of what upgrade to go for. So, you sell your used Mixtrack Pro 2. Also DJs that bought one and decided it’s turned into a dust magnet after a couple of months and want to recoup some of their money. So, scouring the used gear sites for a decent used starter controller, you might get one for like 100 bucks or so. It’s a great place to start and keeps your money in your pocket for other things or towards a better more personally sound upgrade later on.

The CleanBox Pro is a great piece of gear that I always have in my bag of tricks. It also works wonders to hook up a laptop to your PA (in case there is a powerpoint presentation with sound or a youtube video that needs playing over the beamer) for example. So that is money I would never consider wasted.

Nice if your Focusrite does that (and I know more sound interfaces that do this), but it’s not conforming to standards. Even some rca equipped controllers do this and run non-conformingly “hot”.

I agree on the pads. Was more referring to the fact that most mixer will allow line level inputs on mic channels by either using the jack input or by using a (combo)XLR and a line/mic switch bypassing the mic preamp. But if worse comes to worse, you CAN use a mic channel for a line level input by using the pad.

Yeah, who needs dimmerpacks anymore!

I think the electronics on the CleanBox are a bit different from a DI box, but in effect they do the same thing. The versatility here is it’s major selling point, from just about any balanced to any unbalanced in or output.

Most high end CDJs that work with DJM mixers use digital out. So no RCA there (well, it’s an RCA plug, but a digital signal so the connector discussion is kinda mute 🙂 ). Also the max distance between outputs and inputs is usually 2 ft or so.

One note to Hazen’s point is that a controller with work as a sound card with our software. I’m not sure about Mac but in Windows it comes up as a sound card even with no software running. You won’t be able to use the features but it’s there.