Just like the world-champion Guitar Hero master Chris Chike would never perform in front of an audience without jacking his PS2 into a PA, you won't show up to a gig and DJ to yourself. You've got to get connected to the house system somehow, and the new Hercules Deejay Trim 4&6 just might be your best bet.

Designed for "advanced DJ’s who already have a DJ control surface but no audio interface" or, as they're known colloquially, "stay-at-home DJs," the portable Deejay Trim 4&6 is both Windows and Mac compatible, and features switchable 4 input / 4 output or 2 input / 6 output configurations. In the first configuration you get two +4dBu ¼" Jack outputs for PA equipment and four -10dBv RCA outputs for mixing decks and conventional amplifiers, whereas the second configuration lets you transfer 2 stereo tracks separately to an external mixing deck, while adding a third stereo track for samples, loops and effects. The 4-channel input section has a line level for connecting and mixing with almost any external audio source and a phono level for connecting vinyl turntables.

Of course there's still a headphone output for cue monitoring and mixing, as well as a microphone input with a talk-over mode that may o may not be a side-channel voice-over ducking feature. The Deejay 4&6 can be powered either from youy USB hub, or by separate AC adaptor, for laptops with insufficient bus-power (hey, it happens. . . nothing to be ashamed about). Speaking of USB hubs, the Deejay Trim may use one of yours, provides you with two more of its own. . . pretty nice.

Here's a closer look at the front and rear panels on the Hercules Deejay Trim 4&6:

The Hercules Deejay Trim should be shipping in June 2009 with an MSRP of $249.99 US.