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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Which Sound Card will go from USB ( multi channel) to XLR ( or balanced trs)

This topic is old and might contain outdated or incorrect information.

Currently using a Maya44 usb.
Hate RCA cables.

What sound cards are best for using USB out of PC to external Sound card? Purchased one interface that only supports one channel of VDJ via usb. Must be able to support 2 or 4 channels via usb to xlr

TIA !
 
Posted Wed 13 Apr 22 @ 10:50 pm
 
Any will do is not accurate. I purchased a 2 chan interface. 2 in/2out
It only outputs one channel via usb input. Sure the ins and outs work, but I'm looking for a line out of my pc via usb that will give me separate control of channels.

In other words, both ( or all 4) channels from vdj are output to only ONE line/channel
 
Yes. As I said above, you need 2 stereo outputs. One for each side/channel
 
Thanks.
To be crystal clear, I want the ONLY input to be via usb and have it support multiple channels. The outputs must be xlr/balanced.

Alot of sound cards/interfaces do not support this via JUST usb input.

And yes, I have controllers. Not on this rig though.
 
Almost all soundcards are usb as the "input" ( aka a computer device )

XLR outputs usually at more high end sound cards, not "basic" computer sound cards.
Producer/studio/musician kind of cards

But there are lots of them https://www.google.com/search?q=4+channel+sound+card+xlr+out is a good start.

Might take a little to find exactly what you want

 
 
I think it will be quite difficult to find one with four XLR outputs. The more channels they have, the less space for large connectors like that.

EDIT - Found one! The MOTU 896 has XLR outs (assuming you have the budget for it).
 
Balanced trs would be more common. And should be fine hopefully.
And cheap to get some converter cables
 
I wonder why you want XLR/TRS from a multichannel soundcard in the first place..
Most (if not all) DJ mixers don't have XLR inputs (per deck)
Also if you're after to directly feed your speakers/amps from a sound interface (Master + Headphones audio setup) then you need a sound interface that has 2 XLR/TRS outputs and a headphones socket.
Such interfaces (2XLR/TRS out / hp socket) exist in many variants, and they are usually focused on music production, not DJ-ing.
Almost all DJ oriented sound interfaces (no matter the price) provide unbalanced (RCA) outputs because that's the common audio connection for all DJ mixers.

BTW:
The Maya44 is a quite old device. It was a very decent interface at it's era, but today's sound interfaces, are miles ahead in term of audio quality and dynamic range, depsite using unbalanced/RCA connectors.

PS: Converting balanced to unbalanced signal and vice versa in order to be done properly requires extra hardware. Adapter "cables" won't do a correct job in terms of audio quality. Therefore even if your sound interface has XLR/TRS outputs (balanced) if you are going to convert the signal to unbalanced via adapter cables, you would be better if you used unbalanced in the first place.
 
I hate RCA cables- for one reason.

I'm using a qsc touch mix 16.
I DJ, do karaoke, live sound ( bands) , all from the same rig.
To make a long story short, I want to have vdj and mics on same page on mixer ( such as channels 1-8). The unbalanced signal ( rca to 1/4) will not play properly on the normal input channels ( it's like a phase cancellation) and the qsc doesn't do panning left/right. The panning on the qsc is mirrored, so it doesn't attenuate the signal from one side to the other. That prob has something to do w the input not seeing my signal correctly. It's just the way they made it.

I want to stay on the same page basically and not have to switch between chan 1-8 ( all on one page) 9-16 ( all on one page) and the 3rd page which is 17/18, 19/20 and aux inpts.

Adapters do not do what I want.

Hope that explains it well.
 
I own an Motu M4 which has 4 balanced 1/4" out + 4 RCA outputs. It goes directly into my PA-System and Monitoring Boxes with 1/4" to XLR Cables balanced.

MOTU M4 Technical Specifications

Samplerates: 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192kHz

Mic/line/ guitar: 2 x XLR/TRS "combo jack" mic/line/Hi-Z guitar inputs Independent preamp gain, 48V phantom power and monitor switch for each input
Analog inputs: 2 x 1/4" line in

Analog outputs: 4 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled) 4 x RCA (unbalanced) analog out (mirrored) 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo headphone

Computer I/O MIDI I/O Headphone: 1 x USB-C (compatible with USB Type A) 2.0 audio class compliant 1 x MIDI IN 1 x MIDI OUT 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone

Phantom power: 2 x individual +48V

Front panel: 1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs 1 x potentiometer • monitor vol 1 x potentiometer • phone vol 1 x potentiometer • input monitor mix 2 x potentiometer • mic/line/guitar input gain 5 x switches • (2) 48V, (2) MON and (1) 3-4 160 x 120 pixel full-colored LCD with input and output level meters

Bus-powered through USB
 
Thx but I dont see how that will do what I
'm looking for.

I want something that uses the usb port out of pc ( 2 or 4 channels) to an interface that then will run out to mixer via balanced signal.

In other words- the only input on the unit will be via usb.
 
 
glmmantis wrote :
the only input on the unit will be via usb.


I doubt you'll find anything like that. When people buy external audio interfaces, they usually want (and expect) inputs and outputs.

 
Bought a Scarlett 8i6 a couple of months ago... very pleased with it. Lots of options and balanced outputs. Would definitely recommend!
 
Does the Scarlett 8i6 support multi channel output from vdj via usb input?

I don't need or want ANY inputs other than usb for vdj. Have mixers and controllers for that.

The unit MUST support multiple channels of VDJ out from sound card to mixer.

Thx
 


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