Any producer or DJ knows that once your set-up grows into multiple devices there also comes the task of finding a way to connect everything into a computer. There are multiple audio interfaces out there and USB hubs to test but there are many factors to consider. (Latency, Sound Quality, Pre-amps, ect.) Novation announced today a new audio interface, the Audiohub 2×4, which is a combined audio interface and USB hub with Focusrite sound quality. Read more inside about how this soundcard could be a solution for producers and DJs.
Condensing Your Set-up
The Audiohub 2×4 is a promising solution for all the clutter that a DJ or producer probably faces. The first prominent feature is the three USB 2.0 ports that provide bus-powering for those MIDI devices. This hub will allow for an array of devices to be connected into the Audiohub 2×4 and transmitted via a USB cable from the audio interface into the computer. This saves valuable USB real-estate while ensuring your devices have a quality connect. Now, the bus powered functionality does require a power supply but that is still a better option to carry around one power supply rather than multiple ones.
Quality Audio
Focusrite is known to raise sound quality through their sound cards and engineering. The Audiohub 2×4 features a 96 kHz, 24-bit audio rate to ensure high quality audio sampling in and out. The card also features matched RCA inputs to capture stereo recordings of any analog gear whether it be vinyl for DJing or a synth for production. The Audiohub 2×4 also features four RCAs, two balanced TRS jacks, and headphone outputs that are “blisteringly loud” according to Novation. These outputs are assured to provide a strong, loud signal that is needed for live performance or DJing.
All-in-One Solution with Ultra Low Latency
The Audiohub 2×4 is definitely a device that should peak interests of DJs and producers, alike. Whether you need to connect a MIDI Fighter, Launchpad, and an S4 or a Maschine MK2, Roland keyboard, and a MIDI Fighter Twister, the Audiohub 2×4 will have you covered. Included in the box will be the device, USB cable, Ableton Live Lite 9, and 1GB of Loopmasters samples so there is no hesitation to get up and running. The Audiohub 2×4 also features an ultra low latency switch for monitoring that provides direct monitoring with nearly no latency on top of the already low USB latency. The Audiohub 2×4 doesn’t have an official release date yet but you can get notified when it is available here.
Are you interested in the Audiohub 2×4? Let us know and we’ll carry it in the DJTT store – where we already offer quality soundcards. Check them out and support DJTT!
No Unbalanced outs? Seriously? Those two big jacks as balanced? No buy. just for that.
[…] Novation’s Audiohub 2×4: Dedicated … – The sound card itself is intended for DAW applications, not necessarily Traktor or Serato. It will not work with timecode CD/vinyl. Because of that, I’m … […]
[…] Novation’s Audiohub 2×4: Dedicated … – The sound card itself is intended for DAW applications, not necessarily Traktor or Serato. It will not work with timecode CD/vinyl. Because of that, I’m … […]
[…] For this reason it’s always best to connect a soundcard or controllers with built in sound cards (Kontrol S2/S4) to a USB port on the computer. Then connect the USB hub to the other open port. You could always get a sound card with a USB hub built in, like theNovation Audiohub. […]
Hello, somebody who bought the Audiohub 2×4 have some problem? because when I use my Audiohub the sound is always panned to one side, both if I connected XLR (balanced out) or RCA (unbalanced) .. the second problem is, when the knob volume 1/2 in totally down (like off) I can hear the sound on my speakers… :o(
Just have got Audio Hub. Super excited! Works perfect with Ipad) just wondering if i can use usb mics via USB ports? Found Rode Usb mic and this one is class compliant… Any help pls?
Anyone know about the ddm4000 hooking up to laptop as a midi dj controller if any good?
Will it run with IOS devices ? Wanting a sound card for the DJ Player app and this one looks really good at all.
Very nice, but a few gripes I have is that it only has unbalanced inputs & outputs. Should have at least included an extra pair of inputs. Also balanced TRS connectors (XLR is better)for the input & outputs. My mixer has XLR outputs and my moniters have XLR inputs. aside from that, I likey.
Great portability! I see Ipad under their setup examples, but could it be used with the Iphone as well?
I also would like to know if this is iphone compatible as well
Can anyone tell me if this can be used to run Traktor from 2 or more computers without unhooking from the USB on the mixer?
The sound card itself is intended for DAW applications, not necessarily Traktor or Serato. It will not work with timecode CD/vinyl. Because of that, I’m assuming it will not run Traktor, even with a MIDI controller, but I could be wrong on that.
If you’re talking about using it as a USB hub, for devices that are running Trakor themselves (i.e. NI Audio sound card or a Kontrol S8), this sound card can ultimately plug into only one computer.
Ummm… Thanks for the long winded response Turd. Yes, I was talking about using it as a USB hub. Generally when people plug a USB cord into a mixer it means they are bypassing the whole timecode issue altogether. Sorry I was not clear on that. I did not realize that not all people know about plugging Traktor directly into a mixer.
I am no expert at all, but if I got your question right, maybe setting up in the computer preferences the audio hub as your sound card would make traktor send the audio signal via USB. Well that happened with a mixer I used to have
this is really cool, one of their best ideas, but for a guy who uses a xone 92 with traktor, i would need 8 outs.
I would have liked to see a few more USB ports as 3 is ok for portability, but in a studio environment you need a lot more. Especially with certain computers not having many ports these days.Which I blame bluetooth and wireless for 🙂
Can’t see many pro studios having this as their mainstay sound card. Seems more for the on-the-go/novice producer.
This looks brilliant for modern Producer/Performer Musicians. 6StringMercenary regularly uses Ableton Live, APC40, MIDI keyboard, MIDI drum pad, and an outboard guitar signal (effects chain) all in a single operator performance. A guy like him will make the most of this, but traditional wax spinners or even Tech DJs aren’t really the demographic here with this kind of connectivity and lassoing…like the direct monitoring, that’s a huge convenience.
nice device but not enough outputs for me. Ideally I would like to run 4 decks into a mixer and maybe even more outputs for maschine with Traktor.
uses sound card with 24bit sound, listens through wooly hat =)
Having tried all sorts of interfaces live as well as in the studio, I’d rather discourage the use of cards with I/O level pots but without on-card hardware meters. You never know what your actual output level (in dB) _really_ is, so in the club you’re forced to fiddle around with input gains at the mixer, ominous output pots on the card, internal volume of your DAW in “blind flight” because you don’t have a single, independent and relyable meter on your master out. Also I’d consider non-DSP cards a waste of money for production or any serious work.
Seems like “practice extensively with your equipment before going out” would address a good number of your digs against the unit, but overall I’m under the impression you’re an outlier with respect to general habits within the scene.
Yeah, I guess I’m a little confused as I use gain-calibrated files in mixes already (if I have to use MP3s immediately, I’ll use replay gain with a 95 dB setup, and stuff I haven’t created I go from WAV/AIFF to AIFF with a target profile in Platinum Notes). In original work, I already know my industrial material favors 95 dB (in ReplayGain terms) and my string work drops to 87-89 dB. When I setup with my own gear, I went around and played 14 minute pre-mixed track and used a calibrated mic and application to make sure I wouldn’t hurt the hearing of the kids (it was a school dance for my wife’s school).
I like the idea of this as I was already going to get a USB voltage and amperage meter so I could determine the accessory draw when using a laptop (I had to switch to a much beefier USB 3.0 card with SATA power connections to keep up with my gear) and a larger, dedicated dB meter with alarm as I’m not only a huge audio engineering nerd, but also have really sensitive hearing and can’t stand the thought of sending home these kids with ringing ears. 🙂
Once again: you can’t “practice” the input gains at the club, if you can’t even see them the night you are there. Not to speak about unpredictable monitor conditions, sight to the main mixer (might be blocked by DJs until kick-off and by who-knows-who-has-to-hang-around-at-the-booth later :/) So you need a clear and precise level meter or you’ll definitely fly blindly. Tell me what you want but I still am convinced that knowing your own output level is essential. Plug in at any studio, live mixer, radio station and tell the sound engineer that you don’t have a clue of your output level when he’s asking you if you’re ready to go. Please tell the world about his face in the very same moment 🙂
I agree that too many level pots can cause a headache, but Longtime Lurker is correct about practicing with your gear and getting those levels to unity. Once i figure out the correct levels on my gear, I tape the pots down with gaff tape and forget about it.
Believe me, I don’t have that RME Babyface just for fun and not using it. There’s no “unity” on the loudness scale – there’s 0dB(u) output level and nothing else that’s relevant.
BTW – It’s not that any mixer in the world want’s the same input gain (most of the time you’ll get told something about “red and yellow lights” by the residents) and it’s not that analog output pots do not degrade your sound. That’s OK if you got some older and well probed equipment but I consider them an anacronism on new gear.
With all due respect, you’re comparing apples to oranges.
You talked up a sound card aimed at studio recording applications.
That’s not what Novation/Focusrite are gunning for here.
If I may point out:
* There’s no MSRP at this time, but I’ll go out on a limb and assume the Audiohub will retail for $300 at the very most (more likely it’ll be around $200, going by similar sound cards). You’re name-dropping a device that retails for two and a half times that.
* Look at the diagram of the Audiohub’s outputs: DJ mixer (99% of which do RCA or SPDIF), MIDI controllers (USB), a pair of monitors (balanced TRS). Compare that to the outputs of the Babyface (XLR, balanced TRS).
* The Babyface goes to twice the sampling rate of the Audiohub.
The market for the Audiohub is going to be DJ’s playing finished songs, or mobile producers who need something quick, simple, and reliable to queue up stems or other production bits. The name of the game is reliability, not audio fidelity, and while I see the merits of getting a DSP sound card, that’s just not practical (or at the very least cost-effective) for this application.
With regards to the output level, I’m assuming users of this product will do what I’m always asked to do (and I own a Focusrite sound card that has probably formed the basis of this model):
I put the volume knob on the sound card at maximum (my DAW output is fairly low), I preview whatever the loudest part of my set will sound like, and I let the sound tech/previous DJ fix the mixer’s gain accordingly.
I’m assuming any sound engineer worth her/his salt will understand that this device is working in the dark with regards to output level, start quiet, and increase gain to compensate. That said, if you want to share any articles/resources, so that I won’t ever give an engineer a headache, I’m all ears.
“You talked up a sound card aimed at studio recording applications.”
So, that’s why it is portable and unlike any other RME card not 19″ form factor, has balanced/unbalanced breakouts and MIDI?
You might also want to tell “Kraftwerk”, they obviously have been using studio gear for their live gigs, for ages. I’m sure, they don’t know…
“I preview whatever the loudest part of my set will sound like, and I let the sound tech/previous DJ fix the mixer’s gain accordingly.” This is the most important part.
It’s really simple:
1) Don’t clip your Master Out in your DAW
2) Don’t clip your output sent to the house (it’s not much, but it does have a level LED per output channel that turns red – don’t let it)
3) Play an acoustically powerful section of audio
4) Let the sound engineer set your levels appropriately, or, do it yourself (PFL and set to 0)
Even if you can’t be sure of your output levels, as long as nothing sounds bad, the FOH engineer should be able to handle it.
What DVS Software is this compatible with?
None. There’s only one pair of inputs, and you would need at least two to take in control vinyl/CD. This is a recording sound card, intended for DAW applications, the features would benefit Ableton Live users the most.
Thank you for the clarification. I didn’t catch that 🙂
I’m curious, what does Focusrite have to do with this? I’m confused.
I believe they are the same company. This certainly shares a lot with Focusrites Scarlett 2i4.
They are indeed the same company
The technology behind the soundcard is made through Focusrite engineering. So essentially this is a Focusrite soundcard with a Novation spin on it. Rob is right too, they are the same company.
Focusrite and Novation are the same company:)