M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface
The Fast Track Pro from M-Audio was designed to provide a professional, portable audio and MIDI interface for a Windows or Macintosh laptop or desktop computer. Using the USB bus, the interface delivers exceptionally flexible, routing power and versatility, while delivering high-resolution 24-bit audio to and from the computer at sampling rates up to 96kHz.
The unit has two high-quality microphone/instrument preamps accessed via convenient front panel hybrid XLR/TRS inputs that can accommodate balanced or unbalanced line or instrument levels. Switchable phantom power and individual -20dB pads are included, as are sixteen channels of MIDI in and out.
The rear panel offers insert points for inputs one and two, two balanced TRS analog outputs and four unbalanced RCA connectors, as well as dedicated S/PDIF inputs and outputs, for a total of four inputs and four outputs. The Fast Track Pro is housed in a sleek, rugged, lightweight and highly portable enclosure.
Note! AC adapter sold separately
- 24-bit/96kHz audio interface with dual mic/instrument preamps
- Balanced/unbalanced analog input and output
- Digital connectivity via S/PDIF coaxial as well as MIDI I/O
- Mono switch for input monitoring
- Headphone output with level control and A/B source switch (1/4" TRS phone)
- Functions as a stand-alone 24-bit/44.1kHz A/D converter
- Mac and PC compatible. Class compliant with Mac OS X 10.3.9 and higher
- Driver support for WDM/MME (Windows XP,) CoreAudio (MacOS X v10.3.9 or later) and ASIO2
- Includes Pro Tools M-Powered Essentials software
| Converters | 24-bit |
| Sample Rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz (sample rate will govern the I/O operation of the unit) |
| Analog Input |
2 x Neutrik XLR-1/4" TRS combo 2 x 1/4" TRS phone SEND and RETURN inserts |
| Analog Output |
2 x 1/4" TRS phone (balanced) 4 x RCA phono (unbalanced) 1 Please Note:RCA outputs 1 & 2 mirror the 1/4" outputs. RCA outputs 3 & 4 mirror the S/PIDF digital outs close |
| Digital Input | 1 x RCA S/PIDF coaxial |
| Digital Output | 1 x RCA S/PIDF coaxial |
| MIDI In/Out | Yes |
| Sync In/Out | S/PDIF |
| Headphone Output | Yes |
| THD + N | 0.005% (-86dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz |
| Dynamic Range |
Microphone: 101dB, A-weighted Instrument: 100dB, A-weighted |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.1dB @ 48kHz sample rate |
| System Requirements |
Mac: G3 800/G4 733MHz (higher speed may be necessary for laptops) OS X 10.3.9 or later 256MB RAM PC: |
| Specialties | Individual instrument/line level and -20dB pad switches |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 45 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
89%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Compact (34)
- Easy to use (33)
- Good audio (31)
- Lightweight (30)
- Versatile (23)
Cons
- Limited functions (6)
- Poor sound quality (3)
Best Uses
- Home studio (34)
- Amateur recording (26)
- Pro audio / DJ / mixing (15)
- Performances (14)
- Professional recording (14)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (18), Novice (14), Professional musician (10)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great Product
I use this unit in doing direct to disc recording during video shoots. The product came bundled with Ableton Lite, which is of limited value. It IS however, a nice bonus! The Fast...Read complete review
I use this unit in doing direct to disc recording during video shoots. The product came bundled with Ableton Lite, which is of limited value. It IS however, a nice bonus! The Fast Track Pro interfaces with just about any of the current generation of software used in audio recording. I am partial to Reason and Digital Performer but this could apply equally well to Logic, etc. Very nice, easy to use, clear sound. The website gives the most current drivers.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not As Advertised
Microphone pre-amp is not as strong as advertised. As a result, I had to buy a separate mic pre-amp.
Noise was evident in headphones when usb bus was attached to computer.
Microphone pre-amp is not as strong as advertised. As a result, I had to buy a separate mic pre-amp.
Noise was evident in headphones when usb bus was attached to computer.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 45 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Excellent balance price/performance
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
i needed a audio interface to connect my speakers and my midi controller to my computer, it did just that perfectly and fast. it only took around 6 or 7 minutes to install. I LOVE IT!
Pros
- Compact
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
- Mobile DJ
- Performances
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
I have several A/D D/A convertors and interfaces, but for traveling light, this is the best. It doubles as a MIDI interface for those backwards places that have no USB keyboard, and fits into a backpack easily. Awesome. Not the greatest conversion, but if small and easy is what you're looking for, this can't be beat.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
- Performances
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
I really like this compact recording/MIDI solution. it works for DJing and recording out and about, as well as production work on my laptop at home. my only problem is that i had to tweak the drivers a bit to cut out the clicks and pops, but that wasn't too much trouble at all. i'm on WinXP with an older laptop by the way, so i expected to have to dumb down the software so that my computer could handle it. all in all great product.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
- na
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
- Performances
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
[...] I hooked up my Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface to my MacBook Pro and it works like a charm. Easy setup overall - Disc was easy to install and my software recognized the product easily as well. Great job B&H
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
- Limited Functions
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
If you want something professional without spending thousands this is exactly what you need. You get 2 front-panel mic/line inputs complete with phantom power (+48v) for condenser microphones, inserts for outboard effects balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, S/PDIF digital I/O, MIDI I/O, many many ways to use this interface. Perfect for Home Studio projects and small productions.
Just limited if you need to record alive more than 4 inputs.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Durable
- Versatile
Cons
- Big Learning Curve
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Composing
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
I am a composer using Sibelius, and I use the Fast Track Pro as an external sound card and as a midi input for my keyboard. It takes a little playing with to get the settings where you need them, but well worth it in the end.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
- Performances
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Used as an audio interphase to cnnect my laptop to the analog and digital mixing consoles.
Simple and efficient
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Limited Functions
Best Uses
- Home Studio
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Is easy to use, but for windows 64 bits you need to download the controller, the software included is really limited
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
i use the fast track pro for voice work, and it works just fine...once you are finally able to download the correct drivers. if you have windows 7, be aware the CD that comes with the product is useless--you'll need to go to their website to download the driver you need.
Pros
- Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
works well with almost all audio software
Pros
- Asio
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Economic
- Lightweight
- Many features for money
- MIDI activity light
- No latency monitoring
- Small
- Up to 96khz
- Versatile
Cons
- Limited Functions
- Not full 96khz cappable
- Setup problems possible
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
- On a budget recording
- Performances
- Professional Recording
- Soft synths live
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Let's face it . . . if you are looking for this product, you are shopping on a budget. That being said, there is bang for the buck here, and plenty. The specifications give you that information already, what the specifications don't give you however is the fact that setting at 96khz will only give you either in or out, not both through TRSs (not a problem since it has direct hardware monitoring through 1/4 jack for headphones), and only one stereo pair (not both). To use both simultaneusly (OUTs, or IN & OUT), you have to come down to 48khz or even 44.1khz if using the RCA digital. Other than that, it is a great interface that does what it claims, even if it does it with these restrictions. Powering through USB is nice if you are mobile (my case), then again for some odd reason, it only works fine on one of three USB ports on my laptop. I know what you are thinking . . . 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 . . . not the case this time. All three ports on my laptop are 2.0 and have the same milliamperage (come out of the same board on the right side of the laptop), yet the interface would RANDOMLY fail (introduces digital noise temporarily, and or permanently after working fine for a few seconds/minutes) if I don't connect to the one particular USB port where it likes to work. I tried installing the driver while connected to another port, and then tried using the other (2 ports) after that. It always wants to work on the one port regardless. What gives, it works fine once this issue was circunvented. Having a MIDI light is a nice feature since it confirms signal at that level. I use it to play live with soft synths triggered with a wind controller, 6.5ms overall latency at 96khz reported by the driver, in reality however it is giving me 4ms ( bad!). I think it is great for the money, and if I want to play along with the other output, I can direct the backing tracks to one output, and the synths to another in order to mix at the external mixer, and obtain more accesible "on the fly" means to adjust. Same can be done for recording, albeit only at a maximun of 48khz. If you are recording only however, you can bump it up to 96khz, no problem. All in all, I'd recommend it for certain uses. It is like a little Swiss Army interface of sorts.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Just wanted something I could use to easily record ideas I have.
It's super portable, super easy to use, and sounds great.
It comes with a lite version of Ableton - Live. I didn't care for it too much, but use your favorite editing software and you're good to go. Just install the drivers.
The only thing I didn't care for too much, and it's probably me being picky is everything is plastic. I'm rough on stuff, so I am afraid I'll break it.
Overall, I love it.
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Limited Functions
Best Uses
- Performances
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
This unit did not do what I need. Support for this product, although they were prompt answering my questions, really did not help me.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
First off, installation took <5mins and I was up and running! My computer is running XP/sp3. It has plenty of inputs and outputs. I have been running my line out from my amp to the front pre-amps and getting excellent results.
It seems well made, knobs all turn nicely (with a small amount of resistance) and the pre-amps sound really good. It has a lot of capability for a unit in it's price range! NO LATENCY ISSUES AT ALL!!!I am totally happy! I would buy this again!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
- Cheap plastic feel
- Fails occasionally
Best Uses
- Home Studio
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Great interface, probably the best value for the money. I didn't have any problem installing the drivers. Its too bad it doesn't have a line in input. The digital in/out is very frustrating to use since almost none of my equipment gives out a digital signal.
Pros
Cons
- Poor Sound Quality
- Unreliable
Best Uses
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
When submitting multiple MIDI note commands at once multiple times, some notes get "stuck" and continue to play. Known bug, multiple threads on the web.
Overall volume of the outputs is very low.
Powering down the card while OS was running, froze the machine.
Tried 9V power adapter (as opposed to suggested USB powered, hence no power cord in the package) - no difference.
Comp. specs: Windows 7, i7 proc., 4GB RAM, latest greatest drivers.
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Great product w/ great results. I definately reccomend it!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Yet another usb device
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
This is a great piece for the money. I got it from B&H for [$] and everywhere else it was [$] retail, and they also threw in a free M-audio broad cast mic that was worth 30.00!! I am using it for my home studio where i run ableton live along with an m-audio axiom 49 and an APC-40. I needed to upgrade my sound card from an old audiophile 24/96 and this thing works great. Clear sound, very little latency, easy to plug and play (mics & etc)
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio/MIDI Interface:
Great product for mobile recording and a very great price with B&H.
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Cables
- Price: $14.95
Digital Cables
- Price: $15.99
Headphones
- Price: $119.88
Monitors
- Price: $88.24
Software
- Price: $414.00
What's in the Box
- 6' USB Cable
- Driver Software CD ROM
- inTone Software
- Pro Tools M-Powered Essentials Software
- GT Player Express
- ProSessions Drum Loops
- One (1) Year Warranty to Original Purchaser
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