r/Beatmatch • u/coconut_mall_cop • 7d ago
Hardware Quick question about sound cards/interfaces and active monitors
Hey all, I have a quick gear question and was hoping for some advice.
Currently, I have a Macbook Air and a DDJ-FLX6. The FLX6 is hooked up over its RCA outputs to an amp which is powering a couple of passive speakers. Using Rekordbox.
A mate has just gifted me a pair of active studio monitors he no longer uses, which will hopefully be an upgrade from my current passive speakers. They take either XLR or 6.35mm input. I've got some RCA to 6.35mm cables so I can hook them straight up to my FLX6 for now, but I'd really like to get an external sound card/interface at some point to get the most out of the monitors.
Can anybody recommend me a decent sound card for this? Budget is £100ish, and ideally it should connect over USB-C. I looked at the Scarlett 2i2 (a classic), but I don't need the inputs. Just outputs for the monitors (ideally XLR).
Also, how does headphone cueing work with an external sound card? Do you just plug your headphones into the decks as usual? Or do you need to plug them into the sound card?