A great audio interface does more than just get sound in and out of your computer -- it provides you with tools that encourage your creative process. The M-Audio Fast Track C600 is a 6-in/8-out USB audio interface, a monitor controller, and a transport control surface all rolled into one. Its intuitive top panel has transport buttons for your DAW, an assignable Multi button, a fat volume knob with selector buttons for up to three monitor pairs, and independent volume knobs for two headphone mixes. You'll also find 8-step ladder LED meters for instant visual feedback on your four microphone preamp input channels, plus S/DIF and MIDI I/O for expanded connectivity in your studio. More than just a sleek black box, the Fast Track C600 is here to help you move through a recording or mix session -- and with Pro Tools SE included, the C600 comes with the software you need to get started right away.

Four Analog Inputs at up to 96 kHz/24-bit over USB

The audio interface is the heart of your computer recording setup -- so shouldn't it be a piece of gear you love to use? That's what the folks at Avid must have had in mind when they designed the M-Audio Fast Track C600. There's generous space between all the knobs and buttons on the face of the C600, resulting in an ergonomic design that looks great and fits comfortably on your desk, at 13 inches wide and just over 5 inches deep. On the back, you'll find four XLR-1/4" analog inputs, six 1/4" analog outputs for your monitors, S/DPIF and MIDI I/O, while the front panel has two standard 1/4" headphone jacks and two 1/4" instrument inputs ready for you to plug in your guitar or bass. The Fast Track C600 can accept up to 4 simultaneous analog inputs at up to 96 kHz/24-bit resolution. But the real advantage to this Fast Track audio interface is its hands-on control and monitoring flexibility.

Get a great overview of the Fast Track C-series with this video from Avid:

Gain Hands-On Control of Your DAW

As you set up your session and set levels, the C600's four gain knobs, four pad buttons, and pair of phantom power switches are within easy reach. As you listen back to takes and record overdubs, the transport controls let you navigate through your DAW session with less mousing around. The Speaker Select buttons let you switch between three pairs of studio monitors, helping you build better, more translatable mixes. And the assignable Multi button saves you time: tap it once to start rolling, twice to stop recording and return to where you started, and again to try another take. You can program the Multi button to a shortcut, or even an eight-step series of commands. Simply follow M-Audio's instructions to set your Fast Track C600's buttons to work with Pro Tools, Ableton Live, or your DAW of choice.

Two Low-Latency Headphone Mixes with Reverb/Delay

Thanks to the C600's onboard DSP and powerful software mixer, you can dial in any of eight types of delay or reverb to the headphones -- without bogging down your computer's processor -- and without affecting the "dry" mix you hear in your own monitors or headphones. That means you get two low-latency headphone mixes with independent control over reverb/delay -- inspiring better performances from the artists you record. For even more monitoring flexibility, the Fast Track C600 has three pairs of balanced analog 1/4" outputs, so you can feed three stereo monitor pairs, or even a separate headphone amp. The C600's four analog and two S/PDIF inputs can be routed to any of its physical outputs before ever touching A/D converters, so the signal is latency-free. And if you happen to be using mixing in 5.1, then yes -- you can adjust your entire surround mix's volume with the C600's one big volume knob.

Features:

- 96 kHz/24-bit USB audio interface with 4 analog XLR-1/4" inputs, S/PDIF and MIDI I/O
- Sleek black surface with easy-to-use top panel controls for DAW transport, volume, and assignable Multi button
- Three selectable monitor output pairs to help you build mixes that translate better
- Power supply included for full 6-in/8-out functionality; bus-powered as a 2x2 interface
- Hardware DSP for near-zero-latency reverb and delay in two independent headphone mixes
- Powerful software mixer lets you route inputs and software returns to any outputs or headphone mixes, bypassing A/D converters for ultra-low latency
- Comes bundled with Pro Tools SE, a simplified edition of the industry-standard recording, editing, and mixing software, including built-in tutorials
- Works with Pro Tools MP 9, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, GarageBand, and more zZounds is an authorized dealer of M-Audio products.

- Compatibility: WDM, Core Audio, ASIO II, MME

- Minimum System Requirements (PC):

- Fast Track C400 (hardware only) :

- Windows Vista 32/64 or Windows 7 32/64:

- Pentium 4 2.0 GHz

- 1 GB RAM

- USB 2.0 port

- Pro Tools SE software:

- Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, or Windows 7 Ultimate:

- 1.8 GHz multi-core processor (Intel or AMD)

- 5400 RPM drive

- 2 GB RAM for Windows 7 64-bit;1 GB RAM for Windows 7 32-bit

- Adobe Flash Player 10

- Minimum System Requirements (Mac):

- Fast Track C400 (hardware only):

- Mac OS X 10.5.8 or greater, or 10.6.3 or greater:

- Intel processor

- 1 GB RAM

- USB 2.0 port

- Pro Tools SE software:

- Mac OS X 10.5.8 or greater, or 10.6.1 or greater:

- 1.8 GHz multi-core processor (Intel)

- 5400 RPM drive

- 1 GB RAM

- Adobe Flash Player 10

Product Description

The next-generation M-Audio Fast Track C600 redefines the role of the audio interface in your creative process. With re-assignable transport controls and an assignable Multi button, you'll stay in the creative flow by performing critical tasks without touching a mouse. For example, press the Multi button once to start recording, a second time to stop and return to where you started, and a third time to capture another take. Imagine the possibilities of programming any sequence of up to eight steps -- for any software program that supports ASCII key commands -- or use the convenient preset workflows with Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, Live, and Reason.

Capture Inspiring Recordings with Built-in MX Core DSP

Tired of tracking vocals and instruments dry? To inspire great performances without taxing your CPU, the onboard MX Core DSP technology gives you reverb or delay on the headphone outputs with the turn of a single knob. Setting up inspiring headphone mixes has never been easier. The MX Core mixer also provides sophisticated channel-routing options -- accessible via an intuitive control panel.

Ensure Your Mixes Sound Great -- and Translate

If you've been looking for an easy way to A/B your mixes on multiple sets of speakers, Fast Track C600 is the answer. There's no need to purchase additional hardware -- the built-in monitor management system makes it easy to audition your mixes on up to three sets of studio monitors (or two sets of monitors and a subwoofer). So you'll know that your final mixes will sound great on any speakers.

Exceptional Sound Quality

The M-Audio Fast Track C-series leverages technology from M-Audio's higher-end products to deliver the best-sounding M-Audio interface line ever. They paid attention to every detail -- from the shortest possible signal paths to boutique-quality preamps, superior converters, and other high-end components -- to ensure that your sound will remain true to the source.

Dual Headphone Amp

Whether you usually track vocals or an ensemble, you're likely to need multiple headphone mixes. The M-Audio Fast Track C600 has two completely independent headphone outputs so you can take advantage of the DSP mixer's powerful routing and effects options to create the right mix for your performers -- complete with reverb and delay.

Get Started with Pro Tools SE

The included Pro Tools SE software makes it easy to create polished productions with 24 audio and virtual instrument tracks, over 100 virtual instruments, and EQ, reverb, and other effects.

Features:

- 6 x 8, 24-bit/96 kHz audio interface: capture and play back multiple sources with pristine audio fidelity
- Top-panel controls and assignable Multi button" get immediate access to the most commonly used functions of your software
- Built-in monitor management system: verify that your mixes sound great -- and translate well
- Near-zero latency monitor mixer with built-in reverb and delay effects: inspire great performances