Using an Audio Interface Vs. a Mixer?

[Sheff]

I have a DJM-700 next to my desk which i use from my mac to my monitors

Is there any difference in using that instead of an audio interface?

[SunkLo]

You're running like an 1/8" cable into the mixer and then to your monitors? The weak link in your chain would be the sound card in your mac. As long as you're gain staging the mixer properly it shouldn't really affect the sound. But a nice interface will have better conversion than the onboard DAC in your mac.

[Sheff]

Yeah thats right, and thanks, wasnt sure if the output quality of the mixer was going to be poorer than a soundcard, or if the sound would be coloured in any way

[SunkLo]

Nah since the aux input is at line level, the mixer wouldn't have to do any amplification or anything. Pretty sure it's basically like a big XLR cable. Assuming you're not clipping your master out or something.

[nowaysj]

I have a DJM-700 next to my desk which i use from my mac to my monitors

Is there any difference in using that instead of an audio interface?

You are using an audio interface, the internal one on your mac.

Only issue with running into a mixer before your speakers is the noise that the mixer introduces, which shouldn't be tooooo much.

[Sheff]

Yes but i cant plug my monitors into my mac. im guessing you knew what i meant

and yeah, the noise is there, and noticeable. I had purchased a ground loop isolator, but when i use that i cant control volumes from my mac at all which is pretty frustrating

[nowaysj]

Yes but i cant plug my monitors into my mac.

Sure you can.

You have passive monitors?

[Sheff]

active mate

[nowaysj]

We'll bob's your uncle.

I don't know what that means, just trying on random britishisms or is that aussie? What the fuck do I know? Other than the fact that if you've got active monitors, sure you can hook em up directly to your mac. Why couldn't you?

[Sheff]

Do XLR to 1/8 jacks exist?

[nowaysj]

Bro

Xlr to your mom's puss exists. It all exists. If it doesn't exist, you can make it exist.

But yeah, you can get adapters, or the cables themselves, or you can cut some cables, and hook it up yourself.

[Echoi]

^^^

[wolf89]

Pioneer mixers sound like arse too

[ill mindset]

I had this same issue. I used to use a DJM500 in my production rig but it creates a ton of noise due to the RCAs and the unbalanced line. I could hear my mouse whenever I moved it or clicked it.

Ideally, get an audio interface and plug right into the monitors from it with balanced cables. Try http://www.monoprice.com. I got my 6ft XLR to 1/4 inch cables for about $6 each after tax and shipping!

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

Since I eliminated the DJ mixer and switched cables, my signal is free of any unwanted noise.

I got a Focusrite 8i6 but they released several new models recently. Some of them are bus powered and very portable

[nowaysj]

Homie is in the UK, so I don't know if monoprice is going to be a deal. But I've got my whole "dining room studio" done in monoprice and I've never had any sort of problem. I use them for patch cables as well, and I am patching 24/7, like that is all I do I just sit here at my desk patching and repatching cables, and they've never had any kind of issue. Now a couple of hosa that I had, who stayed in the same place since the day I bought them... they found a way to fail.