I`m going to get myself a laptop shortly , I`m just a bit concered about the sound card. Do you need a special one with 2 outputs ( independant ) or can you get laptops with the 3d type soundcards in ( rear channel outputs for cue ). Just wondered if anyone had a solution to having a cue output as well as main output ?

Thanks
Hayd

Starmix

I THINK you can now get USB soundcards with multiple outputs but don't quote me on that

yes you can buy a external sound blaster sound card its about £150 but it is very good if you use final scrach you get a external amp included so you can have 2 outputs.

Thanks for the info, I`ll look into it :-)

But to be perfectly honest if you only want to get up and running I use my laptop with the internal soundcard out the line out/headphone socket on a micro stereo jack into the mixer. Works just fine and dandy for me

u should get it with Soundblaster Audigy 2 24-bit sound card! VERY good...It has MULITPLE input/output thingys. AND very good sound support!

QUOTE

It has MULITPLE input/output thingys

I just love it when you get technical

Sounds OK with internal soundcard to me, works OK

LOL, fine chris, i was too lazy to pull out info, but here goes now

QUOTE

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 delivers high-quality multi-channel recording and playback at up to 24-bit/96kHz and is the first PC product to offer playback of Advanced Resolution DVD-Audio at an astonishing 24-bit/192kHz with a stunning Signal-to-Noise ratio of 106dB, delivering spectacular audio quality that has now redefined PC audio standards. With EAX Advanced HD, 6.1 speaker support and Dolby Digital EX support, movies and games will be experienced with a breathtaking level of immersion and intensity, while SB1394 allows super-fast transfer of audio to external players.

from description of SoundBlaster's Main Website

it has

QUOTE

Line level out (Front / Rear / Center / Subwoofer /Rear Center) Digital Out for 5.1 support (6-channel SPDIF Output) Line in Microphone in SB1394™/ FireWire® port Telephone Answering Device in Analog / Digital CD Audio in 15-pin MIDI / Joystick port extension header Internal SB1394 header to Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Internal Drive (Upgrade Option*) AD_EXT extension header to the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Internal Drive (Upgrade Option*) * Upgrade not yet available for sale seperately

From website as well.

QUOTE

Audio Performance Signal-to-Noise Ratio with AES17 filter (A-Weighted)  2V Rated Output  1V Rated Output   Stereo Output 106dB 102dB Front and Rear Channels 106dB 102dB Center, Subwoofer and Rear Center ~90dB ~86dB Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (A-Weighted) = 0.004% (1V, 2V Rated Output) Frequency Response (+/-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input ) = <10Hz to 46kHz (1V, 2V Rated Output) High Definition Audio Quality for Playback and Recording 24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion during playback with sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz in 5.1 mode and up to 192kHz in stereo mode 24-bit Analog to Digital conversion during recording in 8, 16 or 24-bit at sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) input at up to 24-bit/ 96kHz quality SPDIF output up to 24-bit at 48 or 96kHz ASIO drivers for low latency (=2ms) multi-track playback and recording at 16-bit/48kHz)

from website AS WELL

It that good?

QUOTE

It that good?

Paula will swoon with delight

QUOTE (mobile_dj_crooks @ Jul 14 2003, 08:55 PM)

u should get it with Soundblaster Audigy 2 24-bit sound card! VERY good...It has MULITPLE input/output thingys. AND very good sound support!

But the Audigy is a internal sound card i thought hayd wanted to use a laptop! so would need the

QUOTE

Sound Blaster® Extigy™ is the revolutionary external quality audio solution from Creative®. Designed to provide stunning digital audio to notebook or desktop users who cannot open their PCs or would prefer not to, it installs quickly and easily by USB.

sound blaster extigy i hope this helps.

THAT'S THE ONE! nice! But if u could get the audigy, much better....(you can ask your local computer dealer). BUT, the external one is good too!

But correct me if i'm wrong, will the punters really 'care' if its internal, external, or mono on a tin can and two bits of string???

Nope did'nt think so!!

(Of course you'll know it sounds nice but you're the one out of pocket)

well, if its external, you can move it from ur laptop, to ur home comp, or other ppl's computers! That means not having to lug around ur laptop everywhere! just ur sound card. If its internal, all you ahve to worry about is ur laptop! so yeah....

QUOTE (The Spindoctor @ Jul 14 2003, 11:58 PM)

But correct me if i'm wrong, will the punters really 'care' if its internal, external, or mono on a tin can and two bits of string??? Nope did'nt think so!! (Of course you'll know it sounds nice but you're the one out of pocket)

Well it has to external for a laptop so yes is does matter!!

QUOTE

Well it has to external for a laptop so yes is does matter!!

Not sure I follow your thinking here............. that would depend on the soundcard fitted in your laptop. Provided the output is stereo to the mixer then you can cue in one ear and output in the other ear by headphone provided the mixer has the ability not the laptop.

yes but laptop sound is genrally very poor and by your thinking you would have everything running in mono i know pcdj works that way but not at dj programes will alow this, with a external soundcard you can use the rear channals so you get full stereo. surlly the minimum quality you ould want to use for playing out!

Well again the quality is generally down to the speakers employed in laptops due to their size, the actual signal to a mixer would be identical. I use Mixmeister for playing tracks direct from the laptop and you could not tell the difference between a CD or laptop in a pub/club environment.

I have been working this way seven nights a week for the past two years, however as stated on other threads my laptop is ONLY used for MP3s and has nothing else whatsoever on it.

But each to their own, my original post was to perhaps save money instead of forking out for a further unnecessary (in my opinion) soundcard.

Thanks for the advice guys. From what I`ve read up , using the laptop direct to the mixer will be ok to start with, then add a 4 + channel USB soundcard at a later date to allow you to play one track and cue up another on the laptop.

Thanks all

Hayd

Starmix