M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Very good quality [...] I recommend!

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

The product Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 is efficient for studio recording because it has greater potential in the projects of recording media or musical material, that compared to other products. Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 is centuries ahead, it actually offers more performance and also better performance for a digital job well done, perfect for professional work agree with the highest quality.IT'S PERFECT FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS PERFECTION, it is suitable for those with greater professionalism.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I recently bought fast-track ultra. Its just a week now so my review is limited.

It is a a great product for everyday use and music industry. Many already talked about the smooth installation and easy to use etc..which i also agree. The great pros for the product is high quality audio(24bit/96KHz). However, I did noticed some problems in the software which i will count in as cons.

I am more of a programmer than a music person and so this testimonial is more from the standpoint of using it as a programmable device. The drivers for windows-7(64 bit) has some glitches and so when I went ahead trying ASIO i/f to test it I found that often the streaming would not stop even when the audio source is not requesting any. That even blocked me from changing the 96KHz freq. I was ultimately forced to re-install the driver. This may be only on the Windows-7(64bit) O.S.

There was no big functional breakdown due to this software problem and it went away I believe it is still a good product for the music industry but if you really want to control your music (writing mixers, controlling audio etc) then you must be prepared to buy more of their software bundles rather than relying on your programs to do so.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I use the Fast Track Ultra for site recording with a laptop, for adding vocals to my mixes, and for monitoring my mix-downs. It's an ASIO device providing digitization at up to 96k that has 6 channels of inputs (4 phantom-powered mike inputs, 6 line-level inputs) plus 2 SPDIF inputs. It can also accept 8 discrete channels from a DAW such as Sonar, Audition or Reaper. Though the sound quality is extraordinary, this is not a beginner's sound card -- it takes a little computer tweaking to get it working, but once it does, it works flawlessly. Support from m-audio is minimal but sufficient.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I have this in my home studio where I record acoustic-electric guitar, bass, and vocals. I have had not problems with latency or any other issues, but still haven't used all the features available have only had it for a week.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Use this card for home recording.
In Cubase 5 I get latency of approx. 6ms and hoped this would be lower.
When I set the driver software to high performance mode the computer crash. This is according to m-audio a known issue, but why don't they state this in the driver software??

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Just bought it a week ago, awesome product, simple instalation and can be powered only by usb... everything works great, incredible sound quality, many entries and interfaces.

All that i was looking for !

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I purchased the Fast Track Ultra after being disappointed by 96kHz support on Fast Track Pro. I am looking for a compact mobile recording device to replace my current obsolete interface. Overall, it seems to be a well-constructed device. Upon installation, and configuration of ASIO settings, I became displeased. I was very disappointed with the usability of the configuration software, and overall stability Windows XP/7:

- There is no numeric representation of the fader settings.
- The soft-controls are cumbersome (no keyboard control, few labels, little guidance).
- The DSP only allows you to exclusively select one effect at a time.
- My PC managed to freeze up several times while the device was connected.

I CANNOT speak on behalf of Mac OSX users. However, I attempted to use the interface on 3 PC's (one with a fresh OS install) with similar results. The E-MU software/driver implementation for the PC is far superior.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

This product works great, I use up to four channels simultaneously for recording live music, both vocals and instruments. I had difficulties setting it up on my MAC. Tech Service would only answer one question at a time, I eventually got it working after 3 separate calls, and then more work on my own. Still I have to reconnect the USB everytime I start up to get the mac to recognize the unit? It works well, and is easy to use now though. I don't like that the ear phone jacks for monitoring are for either ch 1 and 2 or ch 3 and 4, I had to buy adapters to listen to all channels at once.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I am a hobby musician/vocalist with a small home studio and baught the fast track ultra as a audio interface to input audio to my laptop DAW. This thing has got more inputs and outputs than i really need, but the USB2 is what got me hooked on this[...]

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I use this as the interface to my unibody Macbook, which has no FW. I owned a FW410 from M-Audio before my switch to this new system, so I kind of knew what to expect.

The Good:
Stellar sounding preamps that are hot enough to plug an instrument or dynamic mic into. Lots of inputs for the price range (although only 4 are controllable from the unit itself. Mature OSX64 drivers (probably the most important). I like the DSP engine internal to the unit so you can send some effect back to the headphone mix on the input (although the effects sound terrible, but the point is to put some reverb or delay on so you can actually hear yourself singing)

The Bad:
If you haven't used M-Audio interfaces before, then the UI is going to confuse you. I don't care if you have an MA from Berklee and a BSEE from MIT. It's just not very easy to setup. Once you can figure out how it works, then you're going to love this interface more than any others you've used.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Amazing for the money, but the output has not been as customizable as I would have hoped.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Use this product to record both live singers, speakers, as well as MIDI in the studio.
The product is flexible in that the interface is outside the computer. However, its response is a little slower than an equivalent PCI card, such as M-Audio Delta 1010LT.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I was not pleased with this product. I could not hear my microphone which is a pretty decent $400 mike, without turning the gain up so high that I could hear a lot of preamp noise. I read online about other users of this product having the same problem. [...] I don't think I will buy another M Audio computer interface.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I got this to replace my Tascam US-122. This is a step up in price range.
I record vocals and guitar, usually acoustic, so 4 mic inputs is more than enough by 1. This gives me plenty of room to experiment and fool around with mic setups.

This thing is gorgeous. It's solidly built, with solid-feeling switches and plugs, and a simple layout.
I was a little confused by the software at first, and how to set it up with Cubase LE 4, but a simple read through their clear 20ish page manual (available online) clarified everything for me. Once it was laid out, it made complete sense.

The thing comes with an awesome software mixer (that I use alongside Cubase for monitoring) and built in effects for monitoring. You get three different reverbs (maybe more, I don't remember), delay, echo, and other effects, each with adjustable parameters.

Perhaps most importantly, in contrast to many interfaces I have used, the drivers installed seamlessly and it functions perfectly with Cubase. The one difficulty I did have for a few moments was random clicks and pops; I found the fix easily on the website: I had to turn off my internet card.

Finally, clean, crisp preamps. I recently laid down a few tracks in a real studio, and I've been told the ones I've made at home are just as good quality (this speaks to my mics and acoustics as well, but certainly says positive things about).

Overall, fantastic. This thing has more features than I'll ever need, but they don't get in the way of the ones I do. I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase with this baby, but I can't imagine what more I'd want from an interface.
Great product.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Great product for the price! We would have had it up and running within minutes if we hadn't wasted our time with the "Live Lite" that came in the box. Absolutely worthless for use with the Ultra. We were doing 5-channel recording without any hiccups once we got used to the Ultra's sensitivity and GUI (using recording software of our own choosing). Excellent reproduction without applying any filters to the channels. You're only limited by the power of your own computer.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Just a few days spent with FTU, and I´m impressed with the sound quality. Made some sessions using 3 channels. No latency at all. Easy to install. If this thing keeps like this I'll return to click 5 stars.

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I use this to record my band and it works great for drums with the four preampsThe only problem is that the cd didn't come with the 64 bit drivers, so I went to m-audio's website to find itsimply a great product from a great company. B&H is sooo good with pricing [...]

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

I spent a lot of time studying options. I needed a USB interface, at least 2 low-Z microphone inputs and the ability to work with most recording software. Bottom-line, make sure your computer, sources ("mikes") and software are compatible and give you what you need. After breaking-in the "MAFTU" with on-hand dynamic and ribbon and electret condensor mikes I found a need for an external preamp when using my preferred dynamics and classic ribbons. My MAFTU is, therefore, primarily an A/D D/A interface during sessions. Not able to use the touted Octane preamps. If your setup includes condensor microphones you will be at an advantage, certainly a 'cleaner' studio. Nice gear if it's right for you!

Comments about M-Audio Fast Track Ultra - USB 2.0 Recording Interface:

Thank you M-Audio for making this. MY USE FOR THIS UNIT IS TO SOLELY WORK WITH 5.1 SURROUND MIXES ON VIDEO WITH SONY VEGAS 9.

LISTEN UP! (Don't worry as this is good news and I'm giving a little tech support as well).

ATTENTION WINDOWS EDITORS / USERS RUNNING WINDOWS ON MAC:

THIS IN THE O N L Y, I REPEAT, THE O N L Y DEVICE THAT BOOTCAMP WILL NOT GIVE YOU ANY HEADEACHE! Firewire interfaces for Mac running windows, FUGGETTABOUTIT!

I tried 11 (ELEVEN) different interfaces from several brands and manufacturers and they all crashed. Crashing was the pleasant part. I won't even mention the worse it can happen... Also, Focusrite Saffire won't even past driver install on Windows side. The old Firewire M-Audio "Firewire 410" was a disaster, it installs but very unstable drivers not to mention the embarrassement returning it to the stores 1 by 1 from the 11 I tried...

I am now able to do voiceovers via its XLR inputs straight into the timeline and the audio quality is nothing but awesome (assuming you have an expensive mic).
The M-Audio Fast Tracker Ultra USB device's driver is VERY stable and reliable. Side effects:(happens with all interfaces. You will lose the ability to control the volume from your keyboard. Once set, leave the volume control alone. if you touch it, then you will have to go to Windows "control Panel" and simply adjust the volume to max. From now on, adjust the volume using your amplifier's volume knob. This only affects the audio in other application such as media players, internet explorer, etc. Not your editing software as it has it's own volume controls. I have been trying to get my 5.1 mix back since 2007! Thank you m-audio! Thank you, thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you!!