We’ve known about the new MK2 edition of the Traktor Audio 2 since last November, but Native Instruments is finally making the full announcement today, complete with quick video showing off all the potential use-cases for the tiny sound card:
Worth clearing up – NI is referring to this new version as the “Traktor Audio 2” – while the older model was called the “Traktor Audio 2 DJ”. There’s no official MK2 in the new name – we’ve just included it here for clarity’s sake.
A few changes to the actual audio card itself. On the line outputs, the max output level has been raised from +9.6 dBu to +11.7dBu, their frequency response changed from 10 Hz -40 khZ to 20 Hz – 20 kHz, and the cross talk has gone from -87 dBu to -105dB. The audio outputs continue to be 24-bit Cirrus Logic converters – with two stereo 1/8″ (no longer 1/4″) outputs with their own volume controls.
The Audio 2 is class-compliant, and works as a plug-and-play device for Traktor DJ on iPad or iPhone. There’s also a new optional power adapter – which isn’t required for any setup, but when used alongside iOS devices is increases output volumes and charges the battery of the device (same as the Kontrol Z1).
One final note – the $99 price is cheaper than the original Audio 2 DJ at release back in 2009, which ran $119. The difference is likely that this new soundcard doesn’t include a complete version of Traktor, just a LE version and a e-voucher for $50 / 50 € / £44 / ¥ 5000.
Want to grab one for yourself? They’re in stock in the DJTT webstore – purchasing from us helps keep the blog running and great new projects moving forward.
Hey i have the new Audio 2 and i have an issue where it lags when i choose songs from time to time. Anyone have the same issue?
I want to buy this Audio 2 but my question is if i got an X1 MK2 And F1 Kontrollers and want to use and existing mixer to it outputting 3 channles on it can i do it? and how?
I don´t give a sheit if it´s compatible for IOS, we´re Djs not Mickey Mouse.
I have the “old” Audio 2 soundcard.
Can I use it with iPad like in the “new” version?
Where can I get the cord to connect the audio 2 to iPad?
Thanks!
The Audio 2 DJ was the first iteration of this 2-channel DJ interface, but then it was rebranded the Traktor Audio 2, which has been on sale for a while. Until now and the Mk2 Traktor Audio 2 comes out with changes of USB and audio connector size and the inevitable iOS capability.
The question for me is: Could NI have just upgraded the firmware of the Traktor Audio 2 Mk1 to make it iOS-ready?
Maybe not. Or maybe they just wanted to inject “new” hardware into their product line.
P.S. I’m not as bitter as I might sound, it’s a good new product (if the old one is anything to go by).
i was looking at one of these when it was released last year for my 12yr old daughter’s ableton set up. it’s a decent entry level ASIO supported sound card at a very reasonable price.
The fact that your 12-year-old has an Ableton setup makes me want to have kids.
to be fair she lives with the ex-wife and has my old live7 account with my old launchpad and her pick of a UC-33e or the BCR-2000. i share my maschine account with my 15 year old whom lives with me. the one thing that i was left with after years of warehouse parties was the music that i now share with my kids. even though their music preferences may differ from mine it’s nice to encourage creativity where and when you can.
Can someone with access to the specifications of the older model confirm if the change in frequency response (20hz to 20khz +/- 1.4db) makes the new model better? 10hz to 40khz doesn’t say anything if we don’t know the flactuation in db…
30-pin connector. Really?
And what about the iphone 5 up users ?
its probably easier to go 30-pin cable to lightning dock, than lightning cable to 30-pin dock. they have adapters available.
Haha. iOS7 compatible but… we aren’t giving you the cord for any new apple device.
thanks for pointint out the diferences
Wasn’t this product released back in October 2013? Or is this a Mk3? It seems to me that NI is re-announcing it, just to get attention… And so far it seems to be working.
It’s just a commercial.. I believe what’s being advertised here is the full ios compatibility.
pretty sure it had iOS7 issues when it was released, this would be them making noise because the bugs are worked out.
It was originally announced in November of last year, but as far as I know it wasn’t really rolled out into stores until early this year.
Mainly making this post to actually point out some of the real audio differences and let people know that it’s actually available now.
While I think it’s great that it has support for iphone and ipad, I honestly can’t see using only an iphone as an interface if you’re going to plug in a proper soundcard.. Z1 makes much more sense in this case… If they found a way to split the lightning connection and allow both a soundcard and a midi controller.. that would be something..
But for $99 dollars you really can’t beat it for an absolute backup card if something should go wrong.
Camera Connection Kit and (powered) USB hub?
Sounds good… Unfortunately it’s not supported in software for NI products.. But yeah.. I’ve seen people do similar with other cards and controllers.. Usually with a lot of caveats though.
I have recently bought it. Works nice on my pc where i use it to input sound from maschine into traktor, but on ipad 3 with ios 7.0.6 and latest version of traktor DJ I get annoying artefacts on main out and monitor out. Cant’t figure out what i am doing wrong here….
Can you tell if they are cable artifacts or software dropouts? maybe try closing every other running background app..
Thanks for the advise. The usb cable is the one they shipped (looks flawless). I did the test with headphones that work nice when connected directly to the iPAD. The artefact i get with the audio 2 is a harsh distorted very loud rythmic clickering.
Anyway upgrading to IOS 7.1 is my final hope – however the IT guys back in our company told us not to upgrade yet as they found issues with our enterprise apps.
Will update on this later on.
But if it is IOS version, i wonder why there was no explicit warning issued by NI?
from native instruments web site… **Please make sure you’re using the latest version of TRAKTOR DJ – version 1.3.3 – and the latest version of iOS 7 – version 7.1.
Ach So!
Thanks!
Update to 7.1