I can't do it, I really can't!!!

[Excalibur]

Take the leap of faith to go fully digital. There are various reasons for this, none of which have anything to do with Cortex reliability, before anybody starts! :D More to do with Dinosaur brain size! :( :o :D
The proposed setup is Cortex into two mixer channels, Laptop into third, and CD/Minidisc player into fourth. I love my minidiscs, and this machine will allow me to play customer CD's and the ones of mine which I feel it is better not to rip. ( eg Mastermix type with hundreds of jingles etc ).
This will give me flexibility and reassurance ( I need a lot of that at my age :D ) and retain the feel of the setup I use now.

OK, the question. The laptop needs an external soundcard, I've used the headphone out , but it's only just adequate, it doesn't really compare to the Cortex sound. On that subject, is it just me, or do MP3's sound better than CD's? :confused: :confused: :confused: It stood out when we ran Justin's lappy through my gear, and my mixer which I was unsure about is now superb. There is a little less bass on the MP3's but I can soon add some of that if I wish! ;) ;) Running the tone controls on the Cortex channels all flat with the 15" tops only, it sounded superb.

So what soundcard would anyone suggest for the laptop please? I don't wish to spend at Maya levels if I can avoid it, but it's pointless buying a cheapie and being disappointed. There is one for a tenner on E-buyer with great reviews, so do I chance it?? Help!! :confused: :D :D
Thanks for any advice Chaps and Chapesses.

[Penfold42]

I use this one (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1181960038.121231524 8@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgdadeefdjdhgdcflgceggdhhmdgml.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=691060&category_oid=) ....but really should have spent the money and gone for a Maya......you do notice the difference......IMO. :)

[Excalibur]

I use this one (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1181960038.121231524 8@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgdadeefdjdhgdcflgceggdhhmdgml.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=691060&category_oid=) ....but really should have spent the money and gone for a Maya......you do notice the difference......IMO. :)

Thanks Tony, you have pointed me to that before, but also said you don't recommend it. ;) Am I going to have to bite the bullet and buy a Maya? :confused: :confused:

Edit: I keep coming across this in searches. Is it any good ?
http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=1736&cat=142

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

We all agree that the sound is the most important thing, so why skimp on £50 and get a cheap soundcard? I just can't see the logic here!

Mp3s shouldn't sound better than CDs either as they are compressed.

[djsteve10]

I don't see the point in ripping mp3's at such a high quality if you are going to couple them with a budget sound card.

I have a Maya44 and also i have an M-Audio 1010 Delta, Have a look at the M-audio range, they are a little bit more expensive than the Maya but the quality IS guaranteed.

[One Vision]

Take the leap of faith to go fully digital. There are various reasons for this, none of which have anything to do with Cortex reliability, before anybody starts! :D More to do with Dinosaur brain size! :( :o :D
The proposed setup is Cortex into two mixer channels, Laptop into third, and CD/Minidisc player into fourth. I love my minidiscs, and this machine will allow me to play customer CD's and the ones of mine which I feel it is better not to rip. ( eg Mastermix type with hundreds of jingles etc ).
This will give me flexibility and reassurance ( I need a lot of that at my age :D ) and retain the feel of the setup I use now.

Hya mate what system will you be using as your main play-out system?
On my setup my main play-out system is the D2 and the duel CD decks as mainly backup.
So the D2 gets priority on the mixer channels, I have the D2 set up on channels 2 and 3, and the Cd's on 1 and 4, the reason for this is that if for instance I want to play on CD A its a simple 1 click back on the input selector and if playing CD B just a single click forward on the second input selector.

It sounds more complicated on paper but in practice its far better

[kilmeedyman]

I did my first fully computerised gig last night and this morning my nerves are so shot that I almost took up smoking again!!

Only three crashes during the gig and two of them were while I was cueing up a track and output was from CD, so the crowd only noticed one that stopped in the middle of a track - I just started the emergency CD I had in the CD player and it was all quickly forgotte as the dancing recommenced.

My wife made a valid point to me this morning....
She said that she can't believe someone with my insistence on every detail being just right would be prepared to use a system in the 'expectation' that it will crash. She even read a review of the Denon HC4500 in Pro-Mobile, as she knew that was what I had bought, and it warns in that article to be ready for 'crashes'. Not from the controller but from the PC software.

I am more nervous than ever about my next gig now. :eek;

[Silver]

I use this one, rock solid and reliable .... http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/shop/view_product.php?product=maufirewire410

[Dragonfly]

seriously the maya is worth it ... and if youre shelling out on improving your sound why skimp at the last fence so to speak.

[Penfold42]

We all agree that the sound is the most important thing, so why skimp on £50 and get a cheap soundcard? I just can't see the logic here!

Mp3s shouldn't sound better than CDs either as they are compressed.


seriously the maya is worth it ... and if youre shelling out on improving your sound why skimp at the last fence so to speak.

:agree:...with both here....wish i listened harder....:o

[rob1963]

She even read a review of the Denon HC4500 in Pro-Mobile, as she knew that was what I had bought, and it warns in that article to be ready for 'crashes'.

Is this THE Denon you're talking about?

:jawdrop:

[adilowes]

I have been using the HD2500 from Denon for around 6 months now. 100% no crashes or any problems at all.
Yes it is quite expensive but is the best. Originally bought a cortex and it was a nightmare. Just bought a D2 (while they I could get one) FOR ONE OF THE dj's who works for me, but only because it appears to be reliable also.

Bite the bullet and get a HD2500. When you work out the price of a laptop, software upgraded sound card etc it is probably cheaper.

On the subject of sound quality, I had a big gig a couple of weeks ago and borrowed a big PA (HK) from a mate who runs a big band. He also loaned me a Sonic Maximiser to go with it. WOW what a piece of kit that is. The appeared increase in volume and quality difference it makes is unbelievable. Just ordered one myself to run through my peavey rig. One of the best kept secrets going these are.

[Excalibur]

We all agree that the sound is the most important thing, so why skimp on £50 and get a cheap soundcard? I just can't see the logic here!

Mp3s shouldn't sound better than CDs either as they are compressed.
To take the second one first, I fully realise that Darren, that's what I am surprised at!:confused: Both my system and Justin's gave better brighter sound than my CD players. I have no explanation, only obseervations!:confused:

If I have to buy a Maya, then I shall, I just didn't want to oredr one only fpr some smartypants on here to say " Why didn't you buy the Megawizzysoundthrasher 350 like I did? only a fiver, and it sounds better than a Maya":bang:

So what soundcard would anyone suggest for the laptop please? I don't wish to spend at Maya levels if I can avoid it, but it's pointless buying a cheapie and being disappointed.
Wasn't I agreeing with you there Darren? I think I was :confused: :D


I don't see the point in ripping mp3's at such a high quality if you are going to couple them with a budget sound card.

I have a Maya44 and also i have an M-Audio 1010 Delta, Have a look at the M-audio range, they are a little bit more expensive than the Maya but the quality IS guaranteed.
See above, and thank you.


Hya mate what system will you be using as your main play-out system?
On my setup my main play-out system is the D2 and the duel CD decks as mainly backup.
So the D2 gets priority on the mixer channels, I have the D2 set up on channels 2 and 3, and the Cd's on 1 and 4, the reason for this is that if for instance I want to play on CD A its a simple 1 click back on the input selector and if playing CD B just a single click forward on the second input selector.

It sounds more complicated on paper but in practice its far better
We've had my abhorrence of switching before on here. I thought my explanation of the playout systems and channel assignation was clear, but obviously it wasn't.

Main system-Cortex, channels 1 and 2.
Laptop- Database, Inspiration, and playback of singles downloaded in formats not read by Cortex, Channel 3
Combined CD/Minidisc deck- Customer CD's, my ( invaluable lifesaving )Minidiscs , Channel 4
No switching, one machine , one channel.



seriously the maya is worth it ... and if youre shelling out on improving your sound why skimp at the last fence so to speak.

Thank you Dave, another vote for the Maya, which I never discounted if anybody actually reads what I posted! I simply asked if anyone had cheaper suggestions for cards of a comparable quality?

Some websites appear to say the Maya is discontinued. If so, what's this worth? Or does anyone know a seller of new ones?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160246343508&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:uk