All user reviews for the M-Audio Fast Track

This card deserves a 10/10 as we know it is configured only, and perfectly, for recording guitar / bass.
It is possible to connect the synth live and enjoy the stereo, but no MIDI.
I have an Original Floyd LAG with which I can go live and then add my effects, or by first passing by my pedal Digitech RP3 sound to work.

I installed XP Pro only one partition dedicated music only Nuendo (Cubase cousin) and its plugins are installed and, miraculously, with my little Athlon 1.2 Ghz and my 256 MB of RAM, it turns impeccable.

What motivated me to throw myself on it:
Sufficient technical data: 24 bits / 48 Khz
Certainly not 96 Khz, but as I already use some of my effects pedals, I will not mistreat the sound excessive.
Ease of use
Mobile sound card
Latency it seems feeble
Sound card designated hardware and software for recording guitar / bass with extra, an XLR for a mic asset I have in my possession, an old relic of an old podium as a springboard ...

UTILIZATION

Installation is extremely simple and effective. Never seen that!

As usual, you have to fight with his Pro sound card, USB or not to release something, well, it installs in 15 seconds.

What about if I waited any message, my guitar on his lap. I stayed a while to fix my screen where n'apparraissait nothing special, then I scraped a rope and, surprise, I heard.

GETTING STARTED

So we know that is limited to recording one track at a time.
The quality is impeccable! Whether in its natural or through my or my Shred Master pedal, reproduces the sound was smooth and I can rework it in abundance.

The big idea is to have an integrated audio mixer to agree directly. No need to use the return on the recording software, which saves even more system resources.
So, with my very feeble config (remember Motherboard DFI AD77 deficient + 256 MB RAM + Athlon 1.2 Ghz) it turns impec with several cascading and see several MIDI tracks using hypersonic, it turns impeccable.

With Nuendo, no worries. Once this one set to use ASIO drivers for Fast Track, the latency obtained, and not even a background is 6 ms .. Therefore negligible. Config with a more robust (but also own a facility) lla latency must be able to get around the 2-3 ms in 24 bit 48 Khz.

A gain control input guitar could have been added. This is the only fault I could find.

OVERALL OPINION

A 9 / 10 when I put all of 10/10?

And yes, this sound card is limited in its use is its only flaw.

Otherwise, for what is to register with his small guitar or the bass should be, as Spinal Tap, to put a small 12/10, it would not fly.

I love its ease of use, qualities Audio Pro with a sampling of quality and background noise exist (despite my proximity to the screen and an electrical installation not terrible). I love the guitar mixer / audio output that can even make his lines all while watching a Divx, if you want to work the soundtrack of Star Wars for example ...

Best of all, a nice software that simulates comes with a whole bunch of effects and allows playback to play on his favorite songs to work (ie health).

As for the quality / price ratio ... less than 100 € used, and even found the net nine ports available € 109 .... There is really, really no better.

My previous card was a Maxi Studio ISIS. I have seen other pro cards run on other machines, often more comprehensive, more expensive .... But none as "Plug'n Play".

If it again, I buy a lot sooner!!

I do not specify the features, just look at this site.
I bought it for registered Guitar, Synth, Bass and Voice ... basically to make my demo.
Hardware, I use it on a PC with P4 2.8 Ghz, 768 MB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, finally something that runs well ...
It is very simple but well set, the Fast Track works perfectly.

UTILIZATION

Installation is simple, but I knew a problem comptatibilité loprsque I wanted to install it on my laptop, Packard EasyNote C3300 Belle ... and nothing to do, excessive latency and parasite when recording ...

With the tower described above everything works perfectly and the latency is 6 ms since using the ASIO4ALL driver (freeware particularly effective)

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable, overall it works well with the software I use (Cubase SX3 and Audacity for samples quickly ...), as well as VST (GuitarSuite, Cortex ...)
Latency level, I'm really satisfied with ASIO4ALL 6ms.
For cons, the defects:
It can only record one track ...
Entry guitare.instru delivers a really low level, it is therefore essential to use a preamp with simultaneous HP, otherwise it is very very low.
The microphone input (XLR) it has a built-in preamp that works not too bad for the voice, it suits me me.

Biggest problem for the guitar input (remember that the FT is made to the source!)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months.
For my use (samples and recording demo) it works very well despite that I am missing some devices (a good monitor and a console).
I have tried any models before, and I bought it for its price and very attractive because the opinions I read were pretty good.
The value for money is really good.
I remake that choice if I were to buy a sound card, but you definitely need a preamp.

CONCLUSION: If you have a preamp, it's all good ... Otherwise plan to buy one for a correct result.

I purchased this product as the first external sound card for my job in its college.
With an Athlon 64, 512 ram ..
I used this card with my first micro behringer c1 (where I had an external preamp PCQ there is no phantom power supply on this map), then m69n beyerdynamic, AKG D196, at9100, pg52, directly in ..
For the price, features okay

UTILIZATION

Installation is easy, there is a small software with effects ...
No problems of incompatibility, everything is simple, not need the manual.

GETTING STARTED

on the other hand, sometimes I had problems with drivers, perhaps because of my windows version was "unofficial", and there, I download more recent drivers on the site, unable to install ... not cool.
The only way I've found is to unplug the barbarian, then reconnect, and there it goes.
J'utlise Cubase sx2. I do not remember the exact latency, but there is the small wheel "mix" that can play between incoming signal and outgoing signal, we can work without latency, this handy little knob.
An entry, then a recording track.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 year (PCQ I stop I just bought a motu 828), but it holds up, it fell countless times and no problems.
The instrument input is correct, the preamp does not fart fire god, but is still better than the cheap external preamp (ART, behringer ...), there is a bit of steam when pushed too, but the sound is clear enough.
The possibilities are quite limited, but to use that I did, it is enough.

Use home studio, connected with various ordis. branch of a hi-fi

UTILIZATION

We have all of the problems has set up all the mess the first time in guitar rig and cubase, but once that's done more than touch too ay. The driver is available on the website of M a good audio if you have the CD to install Palm

GETTING STARTED

Stability point of contention. The card market six months without problem but after a recurrent problem is the card looks like: It crashed the computer! Ay not default to manufacturing ... MAUDIO says nothing as it is out there ay be guaranteed

Other than that it runs well with res nimporte what music software. It distorts the natural sound of lightweight instrument and digital to analog conversion produces a lot of noise but overall we reach the limits of what can be done with a card 100 euros

OVERALL OPINION

3 years of use. Very good report quality price. I find it much better than having an "amplifier of study." Connected to a hi-fi you get a very good sound!

- Between XLR
- Recording guitar / vocals
- Acer Aspire 7720G, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0Ghz, 2GB RAM
- Shure SM58 / Fender DG-10 CE

UTILIZATION

- Installation under Windows without problem, more difficult on Linux, but same happens when.
- No conflict
- Easy configuration
- Manuel a little lightweight

GETTING STARTED

- Drivers stable
- I do not know much
- I use Audacity
- Latency monstrous enough, it was also for that I sell.
- I record a single track simultaneously (XLR)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 1 year.

Goodies: XLR low price.

Cons: USB interface, latency absolutely intolrable, parasites, and I often redondent crpitements and other oddities.

Finally, I recommend the purchase of an interface similar specs but with firewire interface.

Personally, I spend the EDIROL FA-66 to continue the adventure exclusively on Linux (Ubuntu Studio 8.04) and have the possibility to record voice and guitar at the same time.

The fact that this interface is not CHRE possde and what it takes to record an introduction. She does not need matieriel spcial studio.

I used it first to record a bass guitar and singing a re re a battery since the advent of a more complete audio interface she used mostly listen to music from my computer to my stereo.

I possde a mac "PowerBook G4" and that there j'apprcie I need INTAL any driver on mac. You plug and go!

UTILIZATION

As prcdement say no problem with instalation on my part. Everything is alone sufficient to settle once the audio setup on "fast track" and once it chanque branch switch the computer on.

GETTING STARTED

First I used garage band (yes you have to start with something ^ ^) Then and now live reaper. No problem on these three programs. Latency obtained is relatively small for my APRS some rglages. You can record two tracks simultaneously (many of the fast track).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for around 2 years

I particularly AIM's easy instalation and the possibility of directly connecting a hi-fi system with RCA connectors. I do that there are only two inputs can be disabling, but after all it is on it fauut not buy an AC to enregidtrement quality of a battery for example.

Having acquired a rcemment VAIO (Windows 7, i5) I tried a USB2 external sound card that can allow me to record my guitar and my bass or for couraging models easily with LIVE SUITE 8, REAKTOR, GUITAR RIG config nomad. After comparative study and other information collected my choice was the MKII FAST TRACK

UTILIZATION

M AUDIO drivers are stable and I use the FAST TRACK especially LIVE. I get a latency of 13.6 ms in IO LIVE (ASIO4ALL). But with the direct monitoring function enables the FAST TRACK zapper software and thus have a latency of 0 ms. Trs very practical ...

GETTING STARTED

Installation is free ... well almost pbs For I initially used a USB port whose IRQ silent shared with WiFi, Bluetooth and simply made use of the FAST TRACK not due to white noise random image of disappearance of the signal and plays numriques nuisance ... APRs have sought information about the problem so I tried to configure the VAIO (disable drivers can cause conflicts etc ....), But nothing worked. J'tais two fingers to bring the FAST TRACK to the store when a last resort I reinstalled the FAST TRACK troisime a USB port that has its own IRQ and is spar the other two USB ports on the VAIO ; and joy, more noise, just the sound of the FAST TRACK

OVERALL OPINION

I have the past two days and despite a start pnible I must say that the FAST TRACK to me not quite to the contrary. The converters are correct, stable drivers (ASIO4ALL Drivers for LIVE and home PROTOOLS M Powered). As also owner of a Mac Book Pro and a 800 RME FIREFACE I will not venture to do a comparison that does not happen to be between the two cards (they do not play in the same CATEGORY). I can compare it against in a UCG102 BEHRINGER is a good card but not of only one microphone and headphone ...
The ratio quality price is unbeatable FAST TRACK (less than 100 Roros) and despite the problem encountered during the install I do it again this choice without hsitation

The M-Audio Fast Track is a budget preamp for those who want to get to recording quickly without too much of a hassle. The pre features 2 inputs, 2 outputs, 24bit/48KHz audio, USB 2.0, XLR inputs with 48V phantom power, 1/4'' instrument input w/ gain control, 1/4'' stereo headphone output, RCA speaker outputs, output level knob for adjusting volume, direct monitoring button and bundled software.

UTILIZATION

The device itself isn't too bad in the way they set it up. There are no annoying breakout cables, so you don't have to deal with that. A lot of times, people cram tons of features into a small box and then have a breakout cable. These cables can snag and cause all kinds of issues. By having it all self contained, you have a much cleaner work area. It's a pretty intuitive device, and it's easy to use. Drivers seem to be fairly stable, so no issues there. I used this with the bundled software and had no issues at all.

GETTING STARTED

The device is very simple to set up and start using. You simply plug everything into their corresponding ports, open up your DAW, set your preferences up and you're good to go. Making music is very easy with this. The pres themselves aren't the cleanest out there, but what do you expect from something this cheap? They definitely get the job done, but I wish it was firewire. I know some people dislike firewire, but it's still superior to USB 2.0 in real world applications.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're on a budget, this pre isn't too bad. If you can afford it, I recommend trying to get the Fast Track Pro. It'll have a few more features, although they basically sound the same. Try to find one of these used and use it in conjunction with your favorite DAW.

It speaks well of the new version of Fast Track comes with Protools M-powered Essential

Bought for 2 reasons: to replace my PCI card audiophile who does not work on my new PC and have a mobile solution to lug a computer to another.

The USB is not so bad and at least every computer has them.
In testing for 2 days at home, I use a config based on Intel dual core 7500 running XP SP3.
I tested only the entry with a guitar and a bass guitar and I balance out the mix on my desk. It all very well done its job. I found the quality quite correct my audiophile 24/96.
In my little home studio is very well

UTILIZATION

The driver supplied on the CD is not updated to run comes with the ProTools. Therefore directly download the latest version from M-Audio.

Apart from that, it's very stable.
There is a little latency but without direct monitoring is acceptable and I have not tried to settle.

I use Cubase Essential 5 recently and I wanted to taste this smaller version of protools essential, a few more goodies that guided my choice to the fastrack.

I make small models that use a 10zaine track. The 16 tracks of protools will provide a little bit but it just going to use like mine.
I read the demo songs without problem. it does not row and quality of recording on ProTools is the best I know

GETTING STARTED

Install easy except the fact that we should think about loading the latest driver from m-audio (-3 for!)

No special config, PT acknowledges the hardware and locks onto it. For other apps, ... Ben is like every time we select a asio driver, and presto!
Manual on CD in English. There is also a small map to guide a newbie MUI for installation.

OVERALL OPINION

Comparing with my audiophile PCI is kif kif. I have few other references.

What I like:
- The portability of the small USB box
- Sound Quality
- Latency correct rules better than I
- But there are basic connections essentially
- Setting the levels of inputs and outputs
- The phantom power (to test)
- The little bonus with Protools plugins QQE good

What I like to:
- Lack of noon (at least a midi in)
- The absence of a switch to cut it without having to unplug the USB cable
- The closed side of the essential PT (does not work on my audiophile (.... that since remarche) (no way to add a plug RTAS

For 100 E, there is nothing to say. I now have a mobile system purchase for my 3 computers (PC and Mac). The case does its job. It's been 25 years since I make music with at least 15 years of "home studio" with rudimentary but effective equipment. So I do not pete with the super pro hardware and it suits my level of usage.

I can resell at a time to sacrifice mobility, because I found what was wrong with my pci card.
Protools is great, but this version is a little too closed. For comparison, the version of Cubase Essential is much richer for a home recording studio. On this one, Digidesign has lagged behind.

I was looking for a cheap sound card or too complex to use and compatible with my OS (Windows 7).
This one has the bare minimum: a jack and a microphone, you connect the USB device and it runs ...

UTILIZATION

Installation is very simple, it goes to the manufacturer's website and a whole host of drivers are available (Mac, PC, all versions of Windows ...), not catch head once it booted, it suffices make sure to plug the device before running the software and everything works computer music.
SAR level of latency, it is really insignificant to me is a pleasure when one has struggled with poor quality stuff for a price equivalent (at Line 6).


GETTING STARTED

In usb nothing wrong, it's simple and effective, I use it with Reaper at the moment but I tried some other software on computer music where compatibility was good overall (except on some freeware).


OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few weeks, I had a Line6 TonePort that never worked properly and everything works there without worry, the case is quite robust and the manufacturer's website is provided in documentation and downloads, one feels that c is serious.
(I have not tested the proposed version of ProTools with the camera, I have what I need in software)

Hello,

I bought this preamp almost eight months ago because I wanted a preamp to start with my sc1100 (t bone) that was relatively inexpensive and made a good sound. Installation

UTILIZATION

therefore ultra fast, no worries, it's really easy. For me the most that my TRUE made me decide against any other (even more expensive) option is the "direct monitoring" which lets falls 0.00 ms latency because it does not go through the software but directly into the headphone. Royal is to register the return line.

GETTING STARTED

/

OVERALL OPINION

My overall opinion is 7 / 10.

Advantages: - Portability
- Simplicity (no need to read the manual, in 30 seconds is well controlled)
- Direct monitoring (a gem for me)
- Sound quality pretty good for what is done when we bought it (faithful instruments of price range, no worries!)
- No congestion spacial

Cons: - The big negative on my credit card is that it starts to saturate and it makes a big blast that hurt ear full registration (required to stop). Of course, because it saturates quickly with my microphone and my way of singing, after a story is volume control, but it's not really a worry because if the volume settings on the preamp sound good, no risk, it makes me when I did before yelled into my microphone with the microphone volume set wrong ^ ^. I am warning for fans
- Another point that bothers me is that I can not dub guitar and singing with two different mics, meaning that the lack of XLR port (one) for me.

Value for money excellent.

With the experience I would probably have taken an M audio fast track pro for the number of ports, but otherwise a tight budget is advised. Good stuff