It is always recommended to use a power conditioner - if present - to minimize signal noise. Always use a surge protector.
Do not use a “USB Splitter” or “hub”. Always use your computers provided USB ports, as a lot of data can bottleneck if you attempt to chain too many devices on the same USB port. Use USB 3. 0 if possible, as the data transfer rates are much higher, and glitches are less likely.
If you do not see a USB option, go to: System Preferences > Sound > Input (scroll down) > click the USB Audio Codec option > close System Preferences. Your device should now show up inside your DJ Software. If not, try closing your software and reopening it.
Plug the device directly into your computer’s USB port. Do not use a hub. Find the device in your DJ software’s “Controller,” “Hardware,” or “Settings” tab. Click the device.
Usually, mass-marketed controllers are listed by brand and model in your DJ software, and you will be able to simply select it the first time you set up your software (like in Traktor), or you may have to learn how to download, or make, and then apply a third-party mapping to your device. This, while somewhat confusing for a first-timer, is usually straightforward, and there are many online resources to figure this out. Be sure to research what you want to do, and use YouTube as a resource. Remember, someone has already done what you are doing. Rely on your resources; the internet is your biggest one.
If you do not use a USB sound card, simply plug your speakers/headphones into your computers sound card (you will lose the ability to preview tracks this way).
Connect your headphones to your computers headphone jack Find “cue” or “monitor” or “preview” in your audio - routing page of your settings window. Select “built-in/ Headphones” to route the cue to your headphones. Now, tracks sent to the cue will play through the headphones, regardless of fader/crossfader position. Your hardware will almost always have a button which allows you to select which decks are in the cue. There is also usually a knob on the front of your controller, or in your software, enabling you to choose how much main vs. cue signal is sent to the headphones. This is called the cue mix. Be sure you set this properly or you will hear all cue, or all mains in your headphones.
