As a new DJ there is a good chance that you’re a little confused as to what all of this equipment does, and we really can’t blame you. There’s so much of it and it’s pretty overwhelming for someone who is just getting into the field. That being said, you will probably want to make sure that you have all the right equipment, including the all-important DJ audio interfaces. The focus of this article is audio interfaces, but what do they do exactly? How will they help to advance your career? Before we can get into that there is something else, more important that we must address: hardware limitations.
Hardware Limitations Necessitate DJ Audio Interfaces
There are numerous limitations on consumer hardware, and in this case we’re going to be focusing on the computer. As the digital DJ scene becomes more and more populated, computers will definitely be the popular alternative to analogue options. The biggest problem with computers is that they feature a severe limitation in the sound card, especially with laptops.
That being the case you can’t really be expected to produce a top quality sound from your machine which is definitely a problem when you are performing. If your laptop can’t produce high end, low end, and everything in between you can be rest assured that people are going to notice, and that’s not something that you want. In fact it might actually be enough to make your customers go shopping for another DJ. There are two ways for you to get around this.
- Buy a laptop with a better sound card which can be prohibitively expensive
- Buy an audio interface
What is an Audio Interface
The interface is pretty complex, but we’re going to put it in very simple terms for you: it upgrades the sound output of your computer. There are two benefits to this, first of all you won’t have to buy a more expensive computer to get the sound output that you need, and secondly, you will find that an audio interface is externally powered, meaning it’s not going to put nearly as much strain on your computer’s CPU as an integrated audio card. That means more processing time for your laptop and better multitasking, which is something that every DJ is going to need to perform. There are many DJ Audio Interfaces for sale, each of which have their own benefits.
Input and Output
One of the most common questions people tend to have when they are buying DJ equipment packages that include audio interfaces is how the amount of ports actually makes a discernable difference. When you’re DJ’ing you’re going to need flexibility and having multiple ports gives you the ability to record from more than once source at the same time. Okay so what does this mean exactly? When you’re putting on a show there is a good chance you’ll be playing music and talking at the same time, and you may want to record both streams of audio to create a demo tape. After all, if you can’t prove your worth you’re not going to get a gig, are you?
Having multiple ports will allow you to record both at the same time! In addition to that you will be able to record two musicians at the same time along with many other important scenarios. Finally, remember that a multi-port interface will give you the ability to preview music as it’s being played, and if you’re mixing this is absolutely essential. There’s no telling exactly what you’re going to need, but there is definitely a controller out there to suit you.
When to Get an Interface
When you first get into the scene people might tell you not to buy DJ audio interface, at least until later, but we’re of the opinion that you should obtain one as quickly as possible. It is a piece of equipment that will be useful in nearly every aspect of your DJ career. Remember that some pieces of equipment have their own audio interface built in so make sure you check the specs before you commit to anything.
As you can see, an audio interface is not only a great piece of equipment, it is paramount to your success as a DJ. Take a look at the options we offer today and expand your capabilities.
