All user reviews of 4/5 for the M-Audio Fast Track Pro

M Audio Fast Track Pro was a very affordable interface that I purchased from eBay in a package deal online about 2 years ago. It came with a basic version of pro tools. I think the pro tools version that it came with was the student version. That version of pro tools was really limited, I ended up giving that version of pro tools away because I already had the full version of pro tools installed on my mac and didn’t need it.


UTILIZATION

The Fast track pro was more for a beginner if you ask me, that is the reason that It didn’t work for me long. I was just at the point in my music career where I was trying to expand, and using the fast track pro wasn’t going to let me expand and record multiple inputs at the same time . It really isn’t that type of device, its more for beginners who are recording simple things and aren't expanding right now.


GETTING STARTED

Fast Track Pro does work great in a few different programs and DAW's. And updating the drivers is easy because M Audio will keep in contact with you if you need to update the drivers. But when I purchased this I plugged it in and it was recognized right away and I didn’t have to load any disk in or anything. I don’t know how it did this but it did. I was not complaining.


OVERALL OPINION

I was able to use this on my laptop and my desktop pc without upgrading or loading any extra software or drivers onto my system. It was truly plug and play. I am not sure if it will be the same for everyone, but I really recommend using this if you are just getting into recording music. Look on eBay and purchase the package deal with pro tools. It is a great starting point

the price compared to the possibilities (noon, stereo audio, mic ...)
I use it with an HP Pavilion g7 windows 7 and runs spot on.
use: composed mainly, I gave up to do with the scene, as this does not ring - too many adjustments?. This last point is you'll understand super important.
but hey, ç'est not why I bought it. and for my use of compounds with kontakt, or to record it's perfect MIDI.

UTILIZATION

nickels drivers on windows 7
cubase, kontakt, acid, etc. ...
fairly low latency I do not know how

GETTING STARTED

install the hair
general archi easy config,
manual I have not read

OVERALL OPINION

Aside from the problem of sound on stage, I can say I am perfectly satisfied. if anyone can tell me why my triton sounds much better than kontakt 5 and my M-Audio, I would be very happy!

I needed a card entry into a strong brand to make my debut in computer music
An interface manager and the 24bit 96khz, all in a self-powered card.
I used it on my desktop PC (C2Q, go Ram) and pregnant with Yamaha HS50

UTILIZATION

No problem
OK driver installation, monitoring clear, recognized immediately in Live, below 10ms latency

GETTING STARTED

No problem

OVERALL OPINION

I changed it to her older sister, by chance, otherwise I think I will have kept
For my use (Electro under sequencer)
No problem!

M Audio’s Fast track pro will get you up and running in a heartbeat! I actually really liked this interface, it was one of the only ones that worked in almost any program that I used it in without any issues. It comes with a Lite (not sure what its called exactly) version of pro tools. I think its like the pro tools student edition or something like that. But I never used it with pro tools I used it with cubase and fl studio many years ago.


UTILIZATION

Latency is very minimal even with my keyboards going through it really didn’t have much of a latency at all. I used this thing daily for a while because I traded in some of my gear to get more gear and needed a cheap interface. I only record 1 track at a time with it, and the drivers don’t get updated often.


GETTING STARTED

I had no compatibility issues which is strange because most audio interfaces will give you some sort of a struggle when using them with foreign softwares. The manual was on point and very easy to understand. All of the function of the interface are right on the interface its self and noting is tricky to understand.


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I love this interface and will continue to use it when needed. Its very portable, but it feels really cheap though. The knobs are plastic and its not heavy duty at all. Scared to drop it, because it might spit wide open if I do. So I handle it with care, it provides a great sound with low latency . I have tried several interfaces from M audio and all of them are a little different but this one is one of my favorite ones that they make. I am very happy with my purchase of the M Audio Fast Track Pro. I would buy it again in a heart beat.

The M Audio Fast Track Pro was perfect for my home set up because it has audio and midi. The latency on it is pretty low if your computer can handle running low latency with asio drivers. It comes with Ableton Live Lite 4, but I never really use that anymore.

UTILIZATION

This thing is extremely easy to set up. Just follow the directions, and you'll have NO problem. Other than that, I was recording in Sonar 5.2 Producer within minutes. I didn't give this 10's across the board because it could have more features, but it's still pretty loaded. It feels pretty solid and it's not a bad price (bought mine for $200). If you want ease of use for programs like Sonar, or you want to get you feet wet with the almighty PRO TOOLS (m-powered); go ahead and buy this thing. I wanted to get into Pro Tools and I always like having extra recording equipment around.

GETTING STARTED

Getting started couldn’t be any easier, it was basically plug and play. My software recognized it right off the bat and was synced in and ready to go.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, The build quality is okay and the thing is extremely easy to setup. However, my biggest gripe with it is that it doesn't go loud enough. You have to turn the mix and the gain knobs all the way up to get any decent sound out of the headphones. I usually mix at medium levels and crank it up later after I'm done to make sure the mix is right. This thing is too low, imo. Another thing is that the drivers haven't been updated on the mac for quite some time. But since using this I have upgraded to a firewire audio control for lower latency and better quality. But just for starting out this is a good start for the beginners. Check it out.

- What characteristics have motivated your choice?
External usb sound card
2 XLR or Jack input
Preamplifier
SPDIF input
Enter midi output
Alim 48V
Price

- For what purpose?
computer music mobile with laptop
Fast digital recording, compo ...

- What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?
Packard Bell Celeron M 1.5 Gh 1024MB DDR
50GB HDD

- Which instruments and systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ...
Cubase SX 3 / VST instrument plug-in ...

UTILIZATION

Super fast installation, no crash, no incompatibility
Unlike the Line 6 Toneport UX2, I exchanged against this card.

GETTING STARTED

Drivers hyper stable
5ms latency in cubase
I love the Mix knob (in p / b) which allows me to compare the raw signal of the processed signal
I found the preamp, not always measure up, not powerful enough for the headphone notemment ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 1 week
Entieremment and I am satisfied
J'adaore stability, compatibility, sound quality, the price
The least pramplification not powerful enough.
This is an excellent price / quality ratio!

Config: Toshiba Satellite M70 laptop (Pentium M 740, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD). I was looking for an interface to convert my laptop into a mini-home studio. Namely, input jack with integrated preamp for connecting electric guitar (Epiphone), xlr static mic (Rode NT3), MIDI keyboard (Roland), headphone jack with volume knob and an outlet for connecting it to my stereo -fi.

UTILIZATION

No problemo. The Device is recognized immediately. No need to disable the integrated sound card. I just plug the ftp to use and to return to disconnect the sound card by default. The manual is fairly brief but the card is easy to use.

GETTING STARTED

No problemo bis. Some people have a driver problem that is easily solved (see the forum). The driver is stable even if the updates are rare. The control panel is very simple (we choose the I / O for bandwidth and latency). I lump under cubase. I must choose the ASIO driver M-audio latency and paid directly on the control panel. At 512, I have a near-zero latency (inaudible), even with big synths like FM8. For tracks, I record the instruments usually one by one (or guitar + voice) is no pbm. In reading, my components are not very large, five EPs six tracks, so it passes nickel.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought my laptop last November and the m-audio fast track pro in January (229 euros). Connected to my guitar and my keyboards, I use it to dial but also to play the synth live in a group of pop-rock. I also use it just to amplify my guitar. So, I quickly pay for my purchase by selling my marshall amp and my BOSS. GT Player software bundled with the card is a good virtual effects rack for guitar. Gone are the stuff that weighs three tons!

I have long thought before buying this card and I am fully satisfied. It perfectly meets my needs for a good value for money. The preamps are not great but terrible with my microphone, it's enough, I do not need to force the gain. The switch in knob / playback is practical. I can mix for example sound of my synth sounds with virtual. I will only complaints: the case is ugly (but hey, it's subjective) and the pots are too small and tight to live. Otherwise, all is well.

Sound card trs complte: audio, midi output S / PDIF, and PH 48v power
Missing input / output perspective, useful for connecting my laptop platinum DAT.
(Current Config: intel core 2 duo 2.66 Ghz - 2GB RAM - 640 GB HD).
My intruments (synth numrique piano, guitar) and microphone are connected to my mixer. This dernire plugged into the line of the FTP.

UTILIZATION

Installation so easy in Vista, by downloading the drivers (Beta) on the site of M AUDIO.
Then SETTING THE selection of input and output are no problem.
No problem of recognition by the PC or by the music software.

GETTING STARTED

The use connection is USB. Some problems to boot the computer: no sound! simply unplug and reconnect the USB cable and it works IMMEDIATE.
I mainly use Cakewalk Sonar 6 Producer Edition and Sound Forge 9
I for one near-zero latency.
As I work alone, I record one instrument or voice (mine!) Time.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this card for 15 days. J'apprcie its simplicity of use and audio quality is everything for this game Honourable price (- 230). I regret the mixing between Systm / exit is via a potentiometer style pan: one turns left and between the means, turn right and intends to exit. In the middle we have the two at the same time ... but hey, you get used to use quite well.
I recommend this card, although for reasons of prfrable fast and low latency to work extra firewire. M AUDIO FDP but do not have a Firewire output. DAMAGE!

I was looking for an external card, compltement indpendante my micro (portable or fixed), in short, a modular and portable.
I also wanted something more simple in terms of routing, my EMU-0404.

At PC, I have a MSI K8N No4F, an Athlon 3800 +, 1 Giga of RAM, Windows XP

I intend to link soon with a M-Audio Axion 49.

UTILIZATION

Hair pulling, at the installation ... I put a Journe to get out while I'm not too bad microphone.

I finally found my worries came to o:

THE DRIVERS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WINDOWS XP SP1!

It needs SP2

I, who wanted to keep a minimalist config XP is rat ...

But there s no information on it, M-AUDIO ... Are inflated!

Ds I install the SP2, everything worked nickel ...

I put half of the note ...

GETTING STARTED

I use Sonar, and with the ASIO, I inaudible latency (10ms infrieure)
With Sonar and options for freezing-dfigeage tracks, you can record many tracks with plugins without pulling on the process.
I have not had enough time to pull the string ...
I have the new DS, I'll let you know ...
NB: I store the samples of her on an external drive, connected by USB2. It goes without problem.

OVERALL OPINION

I just acqurir. Once (finally) installed, it is very well ...

I put 8, because of the incompatibility not reported by the manufacturer. (See above)

I have not chosen by direct selection, I only trusted the seller.
Obviously I use for my music, my config is standard 1GB ram.

UTILIZATION

The installation had no problem, however compatibility level there was some problem with Cubase SE, impossible to put into fast track pro audio by default, Cubase refused, after a few days I thought was going to the updates to Cubase, I downloaded and worked at last!
Manuel is at the zero point, everything is in disorder, the explanations very difficult to explain, it serves no purpose apart fill your garbage!

GETTING STARTED

Drivers that are compatible with XP SP2, rarely updated, but very stable.
Against her by a year now that Windows Vista was released and still no final drivers, only a beta driver, which tends to crash Cubase which branch of a MIDI instrument.
Noted the need to put all the settings to make the sound card to detect whether sound on mic or instrument!
I wait very much the driver finally, to let go of XP (which I hate!)

OVERALL OPINION

This will be 5 months that I use is the first sound card I use, it is practical for its size. It is not excelente on all but its price point its going, it gives a sound that tends to be a folk guitar for metal.

So if you can invest more, go your way, otherwise it is a good choice

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?
This sound card is not CHRE trs, and has pramplis and a 48V power supply. Prsence the input-output SPDIF Midi and make it fairly versatile. This aspect silent important to me, who practices classical recording as Varita So with all types of connections. The outputs symtriques on Stereo Jack, can be used in environments parasites, with confidence, that a silent CRITERIA also important choice for me.
- For what purpose?
I use this sound card to record as much at home in the move.
- What is your config (motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?
Viel computer in 2000 with a celeron 600Mhz of wheezy, 256MB of PC100 SDRAM. HDD 250GB SATA, connected to a Controller Card VIA. Motherboard ASUS bizarre (MODEL non standard)
- Which instruments or Systmes (console, prampli, DTD ...) do you use the connection and how?
I record from mixers (Online Stereo), microphones (with 48V, for example) or direct instruments: piano Midi guitar.

UTILIZATION

- Installation is it without problem?
With XP SP2, no problem. With all other PC operating systems, impossible! Rcemment all came out of the same Vista driver ... This silent time! M-Audio does not rev brilliant from this point of view l. on the other hand, XP Pro SP2, it works the first time! I obviously had better luck than others ... (See review Previous)
- Have you experienced any incompatibility?
No incompatibility with the software I use.
- The configuration gnrale is easy?
The control panel of the card is ultra-simple: we choose what I / O is active (note that this affects the frquence of chantillonage: between and with an active output, c is up to 48 kHz, with only 2 inputs (not output) is 96 kHz), we Sets the latency, and we also ACCS few internet links: drivers, manuals, etc. .
- The manual is clear and sufficient?
It is not used much, the operation of this card is intuitive trs. The manual itself is rev limit ... ^ ^ and PDF

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?
My computer crashes often. However, the drivers have never been planted: good stability, then!
- Are they often put day?
Last day seems to have disappeared from the vocabulary of the brand M-audio ...
- What software do you use most often?
I use Ableton Live Lite 6, which comes with the card, and Samplitude 8 Pro to record. For playback, I use Musicmatch Jukebox 9.
- What you get lag?
Live Lite to get a minimum of 8 ms latency (in ASIO). Your exact is substantially the same in samplitude. It is enough to record in RE / RE, and with a PC like mine, has Relva a feat!
- How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment?
I am especially the limit of my PC, which quickly trs train ... The map is not in default for ten track APRS for a larger number of tracks, I would be unable to give an opinion.
The design and the design of this card makes me a remarkably simple to use. J'apprcie Submitted particulirement many buttons on the map itself, which are much more practical than the virtual faders = increasing panel CONTRL, as is the case example for the Fast Track Ultra.
The diodes also provide information on Fawn normal state of some I / O (Midi, for example). By diodes against the 'Signal' and 'Clip' are of little use: often I record with the diode 'signal' color!
A large black dot point, I think be the weakness of rdhibitoire pramplis: trs they quickly run its course, with a large blast! Fortunately we can make up as you can gain with the software, but do not openly break bricks. This card sometimes want to buy a share prampli Entire ... The sound is good however, the above, we can not complain (see the price when same).

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
Two months now, rgulirement enough (several hours each weekend)
- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
The +: The connection quality varies and the rglages on the map itself, ASIO.
The -: The pramplis are just too low!
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
No, it's Premire my sound card. I fi for purchase user comments (eg on AudioFanzine ^ ^).
- How do you report qualitprix?
Buy abroad, this card I cot 135 all inclusive. For the price I do not believe that there are other sound cards that do both.
- With the exprience, you do again this choice?
With a budget limit, yes. Otherwise, I Do not hesitate to buy a MODEL above, have pramplis effective, and FireWire: USB is too unstable for a multi-application audio I / O
I want prciser as food by the USB port is sometimes made impossible on desktop PC through a loop of large mass, which puts grsillements around the map, making its use impossible. However, I have encountered this problem on desktop PC. With an adapter, and the loop grsillements disappear.
I recommend this card for those with good OS (no XP SP3 for example) and microphones that have a significant output level (FYI, my prodipe A1 trs going well). The included software bundle allows you to Get You Started with IMMEDIATE, without investing billions in software pros (at least not right away ...).
Clearly positive overall opinion.

I was looking for a small sound card too CHRE to make acoustic analysis. I needed a microphone with 48V between.

I use it all the time live, on all types of consoles connected to the monitor output is super convenient to have an RTA PFL / AFL especially when we return from the front ...

It can record two tracks as a netbook, was held in a small bag, hyper copact ...

UTILIZATION

yes the drivers are stable

Smaart live / Nuendo

2 tracks (2in / 4out)

Level latency not remember right now but it's perfectly fine for a small USB sound card.

GETTING STARTED

Easy Install

Setup is also easy

well damn

OVERALL OPINION

+ 3 years

yes

I like the pads on the entries.

The trs pramplis are honorably given the price.

The report qualitprix trs is good in any case now that the price has dropped because I did pay more expensive :-(. But I regret not seen it ... I use bcp

Good value for money with this connection as it takes.
Personally, I use it to sync with my mpc cubase tracker for my tracks but also to catch votes.

I use Mac OS

UTILIZATION

I installed the sound card without its drivers since it works as a plug and play, so I can not talk about stability but I never had any problems at this level.

I use this card with Logic Studio 9, Cubase SX3 and Reason times, no problems for the software configurations, the latency I get is good, I have no problem with my tracker tracks that sync well!

GETTING STARTED

as I say the installation is done in seconds without incident, I did it without the cd, that you may be advised to put it, I do not know other opinions will complete this info .

I do not even remember if he had a manual! it is to say! no need, at worst it is very easy to videos on youtube of guys that show how to configure and optimize it.

OVERALL OPINION

It's been about a year and a half I have and is perfect for my small home studio, to record as many voices as instruments of noon, she is faithful and has a good record.
Before this I had a tascam us_122 was good but i like more the fast track pro.

I bought 140E, the price is reasonable and do it again I repeat it because of the mouth and more! lol

The M-Audio Fast Track Pro is the next step up in the Fast Track world. You have a few more features that make it a bit more desirable. This pre features an insert cable for outboard processors, 2 balanced outputs, 4 unbalanced outputs, S/PDIF with 2 channel PCM, MIDI I/O, headphone output with level control, headphone A/B with source switch, input/playback mix control for monitoring, mono switch for playback monitoring, master output level, USB 2.0 and bundled software.

UTILIZATION

The device is setup pretty nicely. I'm a big fan that it has MIDI. For some reason, people don't like to include MIDI in all of these devices. I'm not sure why because MIDI is such an important part of the recording process in today's world. Heck, it was important even back in the 80s. There are no annoying breakout cables to have to utilize with this, so that's great. I'm a huge fan of self contained pres like this. Everything is laid out in an easy to use manner, and the quality is pretty good. The pres themselves don't sound the best, but they definitely get the job done. I've heard much worse converters out there.

GETTING STARTED

Getting this set up is super simple. You just plug in the devices to their corresponding ports, open up your DAW, set up your preferences (making sure this device is selected) and you're ready to make music. This comes with Pro Tools LE, and it's a great DAW to start using. Once you master this, you can really use any other DAW out there, and I'm glad they include that. That said, don't be afraid to try out other DAWs such as Reaper. There are some really great ones out there that have a bit more versatility when it comes to using VSTs and other plugins.

OVERALL OPINION

This is probably my favorite M-Audio device for the price. It's packed full of features, super simple to use and sounds pretty good. The converters aren't the best in the world, but they're certainly not the worst. I wish it was firewire, but that's a personal gripe I have with most of these devices today.