That's why I like external mixing for Traktor. Even going 100% analog, a lot of them have a lot of extra headroom, making that less of a benefit to digital…and they all are laid out better than all but the best controllers, which include a lot of crap I wouldn't use. I guess the core of it is that I haven't found a good 2 or 4-channel mixer-only controller for Traktor that feels solid and isn't ridiculously overkill for what I want, whereas there are a LOT of actual mixers that sound great (if you understand anything about leveling), some of which have the same type of digital processing that make it virtually impossible to clip anything but the final D-A converter. The VCI feels decent, but I'd ignore most of it…just like I ignored most of my VCM-600 using Traktor.

I didn't miss having a real mixer so much with Ableton Live (because it's EQs are great and the VCM feels almost as nice to use as a lot of real mixers), but I really miss it with Traktor…there's not a mixer-like controller with the right set of controls for my taste. I can't wait until I can afford my Empath, so I can get back to mixing with a real mixer. I don't hate it, but I don't like it…so I'm stuck using the p600 EQ for the time being, despite the fact that it sounds only a bit less off than the others and is still too sharp close to 0dB and still boosts too much. I still maintain that I don't like the sound of the Classic EQ (rolloff is too quick at the top and it boosts too much), the controller I'm using doesn't have knobs for the xone EQ (I suppose I could map both of the mid controls to one knob…I'll have to try that), and the Nuo one sounds off to me. And you don't lose anything to cheap or worn-out circuitry or cheap components, 'cuz it's just math. While it's possible to clip your sound card (in fact, it's really easy), it's basically not possible to clip traktor's mixer, no matter what stupid settings you use. It's either that or I save and wait for a brand new VCI-400 to come down to 400-500CAD on Amazon Canada. I like new technology and i have kontrol s4 mk1 from NI, but i use this more. But when thinking exclusively about sound quality, I prefer internal mixing.Mathematically, you're right, based on everything I've seen. The thing is it's also a sound card with 4 outs (mains and head phones).

Vestax vci 100 mk1 sound card