[TemptingReviews] M-Audio Fast Track Audio Controller

[TheBlackxism]

phantom power switch is used to power condenser mics!

[youngnswiftly]

we need people on youtube like you to guide us when we get stuck

[InspiredProphecy]

Awesome vid. I've been playing guitar for awhile now, but I am relatively new to recording. All I want to really do is record my guitar playing and mix it into an already existing track. Will the M-Audio Fast Track 2 accomplish that for me? I already have guitars, amps, a pc. What I dont have is a microphone and speakers. If I get the M-audio, is miking and amp and having speaker monitors even necessary. Thank you very much and keep up the awesome vids!!!

[mistermarcusgmail]

@InspiredProphecy Keep in mind that the M-Audio is not a replacement for studio hardware. However, it does support direct guitar/instrument input, so if you're just playing guitar with no vocals then the M-Audio (with proper cable) is all you need. Speakers aren't needed if you can hear the instrument without them.

Your mixing happens at the software level.

[InspiredProphecy]

@mistermarcusgmail Thank you for the fast response. I know that If I do get speakers, I would connect both of them to the two line outputs given, correct? Is it possible to connect my amp to the line output? Would it be a bad idea to listen to my instrument that way?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@InspiredProphecy Difficult to say without actually seeing, but I wouldn't attach the amp directly unless there's a reason to (i.e. the speakers are underpowered without it).

[dannyman727]

How do you connect studio monitors to this interface? There is no spot for a 1/4" cable

[albasound1]

How can i turn off the voice of the microphone who comes to my headphones.

In my headphones i want to hear only the beat, without my voice when i sing.

??????

[mistermarcusgmail]

@albasound1 That would be controlled by your software.  Turn down the output sound. The setting may also be dub, or track. But there should be a setting where you can't hear the output, but it's passed to the stream.

[lachcik5084]

just got this. its an update to my older fast track usb and it sounds a lot better than my older one :) i love it!

[LilLobo21]

so u can't use it for USB microphones?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@LilLobo21 Correct, but you don't really need to. Most USB microphones, being powered by the USB port, can be amplified fine by your input software. My Samson microphone is such a mic - it works perfectly fine just plugged directly in.

This device is for standard microphones that don't have an amplifier or a power source.

[ReesieMusic]

great vid, i have a lot of backround music that seem like it's coming from a radio station, do you know any way i can get rid of it

[mistermarcusgmail]

@ReesieMusic If I understand you correctly, you'll likely have to use your software to filter the background out, or adjust the microphone/instrument input level (also in the software).

In either case, you'll need to rely on the software to get the music out. The M-Audio can't help with that by itself.

[LegendaryJellyDonut]

nice vid man i got one of these and i didnt really like the software it came with i was wondering if you knew if it worked using audacity? thanks

[mistermarcusgmail]

@LegendaryJellyDonut Yes it does.

[LegendaryJellyDonut]

@mistermarcusgmail thanks a lot for your quick response and when i use audacity it wont pick up the sound everything is working, and i can hear the guitar through the interface, but it isnt putting out sound to audacity do you know why it would do that?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@LegendaryJellyDonut No easy way to tell. But it sounds like Audacity is not set to receive audio data from the M-Audio's sound card, and is instead pointed to the internal sound card. On a Mac that setting is under the Sound Preference; on a PC...it's not nearly that easy and I couldn't even begin to tell you where to look unfortunately.

All I remember is that there is an input preference somewhere in Audacity's menus that you have to change.

[LegendaryJellyDonut]

@mistermarcusgmail thanks i did figure this out and i had to update

[expressyourselfist]

I have a very important question,nobody was able to answer in any store. If I plug in a microphone to this device,will I hear my voice in computer speakers without any latency.Please help me with this,I have had this issue with other devices.

[mistermarcusgmail]

@expressyourselfist depends on the speed of the computer that you have attached to. slower computer may have latency.

[DrumsMusicBMX]

@expressyourselfist you just need to plug your pc speakers into the line outputs straght from the fast track and turn on direct monitoring

[expressyourselfist]

@DrumsMusicBMX ,thanks,great,I thought that I will have to deal with USB again.

[MrTeachtheworld]

can you plug in a keyboard through the guitar input?

[race1717]

For the guitar gain, you'd want to crank it all the way.

[race1717]

Only condenser mics use Phantom Power. Those mics need to be plugged into a box.

[eddymartinaZioJack]

i just had the m audio ! and it works really well the only problem is that my pc send my voice in the headphones (when direct monitor is swiched off ) and i don't know how i can turn the thing of from my computer , so i can you the direct monitor of the m audio ! becouse i got also a bit of delay PLEASE HELP ME I HAVE WINDOWS 7 64BIT

[skyresa]

Thanks, great review! I'd like to ask you something. Does it work with Cubase?????

[mistermarcusgmail]

@skyresa Not familiar with that, but if it's a program that can see audio cards/drivers, yes.

[W1ldPort]

@skyresa yes it does, it works with all major daw's

[race1717]

@skyresa The FastTrack TK2 works with ALL recording softwares. It even works with GarageBand!

[davemustainfield95]

hey does this have any kind of hum or hiss? because i'm MAYORLY concerned by that because i just ordered one,thanks and please answer

[mistermarcusgmail]

@davemustainfield95 Only if your outputs are set too high.

[davemustainfield95]

@mistermarcusgmail oh alright and what about that thing about it making loud pop noises is that true?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@davemustainfield95 not in my experience.

[davemustainfield95]

@mistermarcusgmail ohh alright jaja i guess i'm just being paranoid, this was a pretty good review, except that i would've liked to know your thoughts on how it works with windows,but anyways thanks a lot.

[mistermarcusgmail]

@davemustainfield95 OS doesn't really matter - as long as you're running at least XP. It's the software you spit the audio to that makes the difference. Audacity, or Adobe SoundBooth, for example, are two completely different apps.

[davemustainfield95]

@mistermarcusgmail okay then i guess i've made up my mind,you're replies were very helpful,thanks.

[mistermarcusgmail]

@OnlyOneWeaver You...plug in the USB?

[petervsthechicken]

Can anyone tell me if this interface can be used to take sound that's come out of the line out from an amp?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@petervsthechicken Don't see why not but it might be overkill. This is already amplifying the audio. Someone else might be able to confirm.

[flemox11]

would it be better to get a mixer (if i have alot of instruments) then plug the mixer to a small interface like this one, or just get an interface with alot of inputs?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@flemox11 I'd say go by way of the mixer, for better audio management across the multiple instruments.

[flemox11]

@mistermarcusgmail thx bro

[z158113]

You dont need to use phantom power, unless you are using a "condensor" microphone..

[race1717]

@z158113 Correction: It's called condensER.

[organisedwires]

No offence but you seem not to have an amazing understanding of the concept of Phantom Power. For those wondering, Phantom Power is just to supply electricity to condenser microphoens. (microphones that are a lot more sensitive to sound) they are used for recording acoustic sounds and vocals. You would not use the phantom power for recording with a dynamic mic which does not need the power and are used for miking loud sources such as an amp or drum kit.

[cavemanjoe115]

thx for the video...quick question i just bought one like this for recording on a non mac comp windows 7 hp...when i plug a mic in it lets me record and the green dot flashes but when i plug in my guitar the green light dosnt flash and it dosnt record all though the sound of the guitar does come out of the speakers any help on comp settings? thx again

[ridiska]

Hey whats the problem? I have it for all the time. for example I open Guitar Pro with my tabs and then Guitar Rig or Waves GTR and then this thing hops up - The ASIO sample rate is not supported by one of the USB interfaces. Please check your sync settings in control panel. What is this sh*t? I can't even record with pro tools it is not recognize my M AUDIO FAST TRACK :( I got my CD with M AUDIO drivers and I installed latest ASIO drivers, but still got this damn thing :(

[Jamalsish]

can u run like this and get good sound with the m audio : Guitar ->Boss Ds1 pedal-> M audio> usb computer input

[mistermarcusgmail]

@Jamalsish As long as you use the right cable type as shown in the video, I don't see why not. Not familiar with that pedal type so you'd have to try it yourself.

[Jamalsish]

@mistermarcusgmail its the most famous distortion pedal, but cable ,well only a 1/4 inch "jack" cable would fit in the 6.3mm hole so

[mistermarcusgmail]

@Jamalsish Which means you'd have to have an adapter. It's what I had to do in order to support my headphones. See, there IS a reason for Radio Shack.

[Jamalsish]

so is a mic recommended to record your amp or does this line in have good quality

[hjalmarBuoi]

This and T Bone MB57

[hjalmarBuoi]

if i want to record guitar with this, will the "line" in be a better choice, or should i get a separate microfone and record the sound from the amp ?

[jimbang]

the phantom power is for the mic if the mic needs power supply

[nogare35]

what I mean is that monitors have volume control at the back and it would be hard to change volume that way. If I connect the monitors to the white and red outputs of this interface, will the output knob control the volume on the monitors? or just the headphones?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@nogare35 Ok but again, that's what speakers are for. IF you output monitor audio to speakers you can put them in the front and adjust volume that way. Likely sound better too.

The short answer to your question is no - this is only for input sources, i.e. microphones, guitars, etc.

[nogare35]

can I use this to connect my monitors to my computer and use the output knob to control the volume of the monitors? or is it just for headphones?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@nogare35 That's what speakers are for. I'm not sure I understand your question. The Fast Track, as shown, takes an INPUT source and sends it to your computer. Monitors are not an input source.

[Adoboy3]

Is M-Audio Fast Track compatible with Sonar 7?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@Adoboy3 Think of the Fast Track as an external soundcard. As long as your software supports selecting an input/output source other than your built-in inputs, it should work fine with the Fast Track.

[Adoboy3]

@mistermarcusgmail Thank you! :)

[kevintims1975]

Hi Marcus,

loved this review. one question, when i am recording my voice using this device and the pro tools software, how do i get an output stereo effect. the out effect is just playing on one side when i playback.

grateful if you can help out. thanks

[mistermarcusgmail]

@kevintims1975 Don't use the pro tools. Use something else, like Garageband (Mac) or Audacity (Windows). They will let you mix the mono source to a faux stereo output. Or you can send the audio to something higher end like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut (Mac) and do a "Fill Left" effect to do the same thing.

Ultimately: it's about your post processing software. If you're coming out from one side, your mic isn't stereo.

[rebaz]

i have a CI1 steinberg, it keeps recording in mono, if i'd buy this one, do i get to record in stereo?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@rebaz Stereo/audio is dependent on your input type.  For example, if you use a recording mic, it may be mono. Most condenser microphones are mono as well. However, you can mix a mono source to stereo after the fact when you process the output. I know that's not the same, but eh.

[GhoulardiKris]

Does anybody knows if it can record guitar and vocals in the same time in 2 tracks on the software?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@GhoulardiKris Haven't tried it, though I can't see a reason why it can't.

[Skullbastard]

@GhoulardiKris Yes you can.

[billabongboy2]

@GhoulardiKris yes you can mate i use one of these select left channel in for the mic and right channel in for the guitar and it allows you to play two inputs i.e vocals and guitar at the same time but in two seperate recording tracks, which will be better for audio mixing down. it works great with cuebase.

[wookster77]

I have an issue with this device. The headphone monitoring volume is quite low when recording. It's perfect when playing back. Also, when using a dynamic mic, I noticed that I have to have the mic gain up really high, which produces some noise. Anyone notice this?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@wookster77 Yes, and I have some suggestions.

1: Don't connect headphone to the M-Audio. I consider its headphone input poor. Go directly to the computer.

2: If you're recording with GarageBand add Noise Gate to your instrument and set it to around 60. That should help with base noise. Set the M-Audio Mic Gain to about the 3 o'clock position and use GarageBand's gain settings instead.

In other words, let the software do the heavy lifting.

[wookster77]

@mistermarcusgmail Thanks for your reply. Is there a way to monitor the recorded sound on a computer? I have delay issues when I try to do this.

Also, I have the option of swapping this unit for the old fast track usb, which in my experience worked better. The only thing it doesn't have is phantom power. But the PP on this is weird. Everytime I make a sound the waveform seems to ripple as it dies down. This isn't noticable when you listen but its evident on the waveform. Did you notice this?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@wookster77 For the delay, sometimes GarageBand does not load with the audio sync'd up properly.  If you relaunch GarageBand a few times, eventually it will get it right. That's a known issue.

I haven't used the Phantom Power setting so I can't speak to that.

[xxElite94xx]

Hey did you need to connect your mic through a pre amp or straight to the interface?

[mistermarcusgmail]

@xxElite94xx No, the device itself acts like a pre-amp.

[MorireDaSolo3]

What type of mic are you using? sounds great

[mistermarcusgmail]

@MorireDaSolo3 It's a Samson, bought at Best Buy. Labeled as "Vocal". Beyond that I couldn't tell you.

[MorireDaSolo3]

Its most likely the samson co1u. Know wonder I like it so much, its the same one I use.

[BRIGHTSSSS]

This is a great review. Thanks for the good work!!

[xxsladedethxx]

im gettin a new audio card, but none have a usb input, would it record the guitar based on the audio cards quality? cuz i heard you need a good enough audio card for good guitar sound into a pc.

[mistermarcusgmail]

@xxsladedethxx Not sure I understand the question. Your audio card doesn't need a USB input. This isn't using your audio card at all - it IS the audio card. All audio is piped through the M-Audio and then transferred via USB to the recording software. And yes, it will handle guitar just fine. Suggest using XLR for the best results.

[demonj00]

And Phantom Power is for condensor mics that require it to work, if the mic doesn't need phantom power it simply won't use it.

[mistermarcusgmail]

@demonj00 Good to know. I will say again that the documentation for this device is quite poor.

[demonj00]

USB Audio Interface is a good thing to call it. =)

[StzRevolution]

nice review!!!!thankssss