The Echo Indigo DJ represents my first hardware plunge into the digital DJ arena. The Indigo DJ is an inexpensive way to add two low latency stereo outputs to your laptop. By configuring your DJ application to use channels 1 & 2 for the house mix and 3 & 4 for the cue, traditional DJ mixing techniques now become possible on a laptop. Take it one step further and run both stereo outputs to separate channels on an analog DJ mixer and you’re even closer to the tactile approach a live performance demands. The best part, however, is the price. I bought mine for a grand total of 162.40 from Florida Music Company after having them price match Compumusic. (I had never heard of Compumusic but have heard of others having good experiences with Florida Music Company.) My initial reaction after a day of experimentation with the Indigo DJ is positive. This is a simple, compact solution that any laptop DJ is sure to appreciate. Read on for more insight.
I’ll start with the basics. Installation is an absolute snap. You install the drivers, turn off the computer, insert the card, turn the computer back on — and you’re done! The Indigo DJ comes with a control application which allows you to associate virtual channels with physical channels on the card, a neat trick if you want to have more than one application utilizing the sound card at the same time. For example, you can assign both virtual channels 1 & 2 along with 5 & 6 to physical channels 1 & 2. You can then start two audio applications, configuring the first one to output on virtual channels 1 & 2 and the second one on 5 & 6. The DSP inside the Indigo DJ will mix these two audio outputs down into one. In essence, you can start up multiple applications that would normally monopolize the audio interface and run them both at the same time. It’s not necessarily a feature I plan on using myself, but it’s nice to know that it’s an option.
Configuring audio mixing applications to use the card is also an easy task. For my tests, I experimented with both Traktor and OTS DJ. Both applications have straight-forward configuration screens which allow the assignment of separate audio outputs for the the main mix and the cue mix. With Traktor, you can also forgo the cue mix output and hook each stereo output into a separate channel on an analog DJ mixer.
Latency and audio quality are terrific. The audio is crystal clear, unlike any audio I’ve heard come from a computer sound card. Audio latency is minimal and unnoticeable. This is an extremely important detail to consider, as making “real-time” pitch adjustments to a song you are trying to mix really isn’t possible unless you have low-latency sound card. As a vinyl DJ, I’m used to zero latency hunks of plastic. After prolonged use, Traktor did start to stutter a bit. My tests were with the older, 2.0 release of Traktor Studio, so I won’t jump to any conclusions about the Echo Indigo DJ being the culprit until I’ve had a chance to install the 2.5 demo of Traktor Studio and tried it there. There seem to be a number of parameters that need to be tweaked to create an optimized DJ performance laptop. My old Dell Inspiron 8000 has never been tuned for such a thing.
Even though the Indigo DJ is an “external” sound card, I still heard quite a bit of artifact noise and hum. For example, moving the mouse or accessing the hard drive creates clicks and buzzing sounds in the audio. The only solution is to run off laptop battery power or disconnect the grounding on the laptop power supply [three-prong to two-prong adapters do the trick]. I really don’t know that much about the cause of the problem, but at least I know how to solve it. The problem is obviously some sort of grounding issue, but I haven’t the slightest idea how to permanently correct the problem. My ground problems seem to follow me from apartment to apartment, so I don’t know whether to blame my equipment or the apartment wiring. In any case, the Indigo DJ won’t solve this problem — so don’t have false expectations that an external audio card will solve or circumvent any preexisting wiring or electrical issues.
I’m still working out the kinks, but I definitely love the Echo Indigo DJ. It’s a great value for the money, and it beats lugging around an external device like the USB based Gigaport. I’ll be experimenting with different DJ applications in the weeks to come, while trying to wrap my head around ASIO and hopefully find a decent hardware controller unit. At the very least, I feel like my initial foray into purchasing the appropriate DJ hardware has been a success.
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That card does sound good. I’m using the Edirol UA-3D, which is more of an audio capture device, but does great playback as well. You’re right about the clarity - a good quality sound card makes all the difference. I noticed the improvement as soon as I played the first bit of music through the card. I get a little hiss through the card, not much, just a little, and I’ve noticed Traktor freaking out too once I started really pitch shifting and tempo shifting. So that’s a bit annoying.
This is just great, Matt. I’m glad to see you doing this kind of investigation — and I’m looking forward to some mp3s now you’ve gone virtual
I’ve had ground loop problems but they are not as common as you might be led to believe, I think it’s an easy thing to blame things on.
I don’t know anything about your laptop but there should be no discernable hum or buzz, period, coming from your PC; especially just for moving the mouse (!). You might want to consider spending some time trying to isolate that particular problem (like does it happen with ASIO drivers, WDM, does it happen in ACID, Windows Media Player, etc.)
I’m also gratefull that you are exploring digital dj’ing. Having been an iBook user, I had apps ‘n’ hardware that worked. Now that I’m using a Windows laptop, I’m keen on learning what hardware/software is available for Windows to continue dj’ing with my iBook/TiBook toting brothers.
Victor:
Yes, my laptop makes some funny noises. It doesn’t happen with my desktop computer, fortunately. It’s almost as if the different clicks and drive movements somehow electromagnetically interfere with my amplifier or mixer. It’s annoying.
Jar:
If there’s one thing to be said for the Windows world, there is no shortage of software for you to choose from. Some might say this is a problem in itself …
Awful:
That looks like a really nice device. Does the USB interface work out well for audio? Have you been able to pinpoint reasons for Traktor skipping?
the USB interface works out very well for audio. It’s been built with low-latency drivers, so I can build a drum track in CoolEdit, then record a guitar or vocal track over it and not have to worry about fiddling around afterward to nudge everything into sync. I think it’s been designed for CoolEdit users as it comes with a cutdown version of that program. Because of the low latency i can set up every DJ program I’ve got for the lowest latency setting (which I think is about 3ms).
I think traktor starts to skip when I perform a lot of beat matching operations, which seems to suggest a RAM issue. I dunno, I’m not much good at diagnosing computer problems..
hiya - thanks for the good review of the indigoDJ. I was looking to buy this last year, but went with the gigaport when the release date slipped and slipped and it started to feel like vapourware. with my dj partner now joining me and heading digital as well we might go for the indigo for his multichannel card.
a question though, are both the 1/8th inch outputs identical? I thought I read that one has a volume control dial and is a ‘headphone out’ not a ‘line out’ and so would be tricky to balance when using an external mixer…
re hardware controller. For playing and practising and jamming, I find with traktor I want to not use the internal mixer but output two separate channels to a hardware mixer.
However when you are recording and then dubbing and remastering a mix or mash, you’ll need to be internal only - which is where you want a good controller. There are a lot of toylike gizmos out there, but I have the Evolution UC-16 and find it very useful. Also usefully doubles as your filter controller even if you’re using an external hardware mixer.I think the current incarnation is called the UC-17 (with bonus slider!), or if you’re doing more comprehensiv production work you may want the larger UC-33.
Don’t know if you are still reading this thread. but i think you’ll find the problem you’re having with clicks etc isn’t a grounding problem at all. its todo with having a latency that is too low for the computer to also carry out its normal processes. ASIO lets you use very low latency, however with such intensive audio work sometimes the CPU can’t maintain a constant stream if it needs to access other devices.
Ground loop problems are common with laptop DigitalDJs. The solution is simple: use something like http://www.xitel.com/product_gli.htm for each of your audio outputs.
The clicking as someone else explained may be from too low latency setting.
For great software and controller options that is better than Traktor and the others, try http://www.virtualdj.com. http://www.mixvibes.com would be next inline IMHO.
What is the best laptop for pc dj work.
I like my IBM Thinkpad — I use it with Serato.
Does any know if its possible to configure Traktor 3 external mixer with the Echo DJ and use the internal mixer effects from Traktor
I just find out about indigo-dj, it seems ok to me, i been using my dell E1505 dual-core, with XPS HF soundcard, “with virtual dj 3.4″ using stereo into MONO, left channel as master and right channel as headphone-preview, but indigo seems and unexpensive way to use laptop into real stereo virtual mix, I did try traktor 3 and it sucks, i’m proud user of “virtual dj”
does this require ASIO software to use both outputs? or can it be recognised by windows as 2 soundcards and act as 2 seperate soundcards. I dont like traktor, and prefer to use an older PCDJ software, that doesnt support ASIO, and the only way to get a monitor, is with a second soundcard. i have this setup on my home PC, but am looking for something similar for my laptop??
Help me!
Please be patient!
I’m not able to adjust settings for the pre-listen output…
I’m a novice… I use Trakor 3.0 with a Echo Indigo (not a IO ar a DJ type) card.
In the OUTPUT Routing
I assign Monitor Left (MONO) for 1:DS Indigo 1-2 Virtual-Out
and
I assign Master Left (MONO) for 2:DS Indigo 1-2 Virtual-Out
It doesn’t Work… I hear all the sounds in the phones and in the audio cases….
It’s correct?
Where I can find a correct tutorial for resolve this kind of problem?
Sorry, I don’t know what the correct settings would be… maybe email Traktor support?
Looks great… if it beats the Audigy 2 hands down i’ll buy one.
BTW: any one have any other recommendations for laptop dj hardware?
I have a p4m 2ghz evo w/1 gig ram.
hey guys.. great post. Lost of good Ideas. I myself have been using VirtualDj which is a great program because you can do video mix’s which is becoming very popular. I just wish they had a 4 track set up like Traktor 3. I’m sure they will in the future if they wanna take the cake for Dj software.
I’ve been messin with Traktor for a while now to but their sound card set up isnt the most user friendly like VDJ. I have a dinky USB sound card that I use for a monitor and the main card on my (HP,XP,1.4Ghz,1.5gmemory)
I have been looking at the Indigo Dj PCMI for a while now and really seam like the best way to go.
Although.. here’s my question. I really want to set my lap top up with my MK2’s. And I really dont think serato offers as much as Virtual DJ(video) or Traktor(4decks. So I’m thinking the best bet would be to use the indigo dj when i’m on the road and then getting the AUDIO 8 DJ by traktor and hook it up with VDJ.
Any thoughts on this?
So I see a lot of requests from people looking for information about what laptop to purchase. Try this site:
http://www.notebookreview.com/
Unfortunately Romano I don’t know much about Traktor and/or Virtual DJ… good luck though. Hopefully someone else can chime in!
hey i bought the sound card, but im having troubles figuring out how to connect it to my stuff. I have “Marathon DCM 200″ dj station, and im using “Virtual DJ”.. please help me out guys, i cannot figure out how to connect them. My laptop is “Sony Vaio SZ-220″. Im trying to use my DJ station (the mixer and the cd player)
can anyone help me out connect them and figure it out??
thx.
Well, “help” — first you need the right cables. It looks like the Marathon accepts two line-ins, presumably RCA. You’ll probably need to buy two cables (one for each line-in) that have a male mini-headphone jack on one end and a stereo RCA jack on the other end.
Good luck,
-M
Hey ,
I am using PC dj for quite sometime,and really a big time loer of Virtual Dj.Never my hands on turtables/mixers/vinyls etc.Right now i wanna know id it the same to work on mixers =working on vdj.
Hey Sandi, I use both VDJ and PCDJ as well as traktor (virtual DJ mostly) and I know that it will work on all three. Virtual Dj is actually the easiest to setup.
Once you set up VDJ and the install cd for indigo. Just go to the config in VDJ and “sound setup”. You should then see indigo as a selection in the output section.
Hopefully i thats what you were lookin for?
DOES ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO ASSIGN THE HEADPHONE OUTPUTS ON DECKS A AND B FOR TRAKTOR3 WITH INDIGO DJ?
ABRIGNOL@GMAIL.COM
THE LAST POST ON THIS SITE IS O7!!! CRAP! lol
The hiss/artefacts you mention are almost certainly down to your PC’s indiviual wiring. the Indigo is virtually noiseless in my Thinkpad, and there is no change to this when using the mouse, HDD or when plugged into the mains.
As an aside it is worth noting that the IndigoDJ is not perfectly suited to external mixing situations, as the impedance is different on each physical output. (one is a line out, one is designed for headphones) Not exactly noticeable to most people, but could make a difference in a high-end club system.
Fantastic card though, and one I would recommend to all but the most audiophile club DJ. I also use it for my music production when on-the-go. 5 stars
*****
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