M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio Interface

Start recording with the M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB audio interface. M-Audio Fast Track Pro is affordable and compatible with all popular audio software. 110 People rated this product:

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zZounds' Take on M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Interface

The name says it all: if you want to dive headlong into high-fidelity recording, the M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB is the perfect hardware platform. Beautifully clear microphone preamps, professional audio connections throughout, and better-than-CD digital audio quality with one simple USB connection. Compatible with just about all popular audio software and priced for anyone who wants to get into recording, M-Audio Fast Track Pro is your express route to making amazing recordings!

Connections For Hobbyist And Pro-Level Gear

Just about every computer sold today has at least one USB port. By connecting an M-Audio Fast Track Pro to that port you suddenly have a complete set of studio inputs and outputs that can handle a wide variety of professional recording gear. On the front panel you'll find the two XLR-1/4-inch combination jacks. These "combi" inputs accept either 1/4-inch instrument plugs for connecting keyboards, guitars, or basses, or three-pronged, balanced XLR cables for connecting just about any microphone on the market. Because the Fast Track Pro also provides true 48-volt phantom power (switchable on or off), you'll be able to connect anything from un-powered "dynamic" microphones to sensitive "condenser" microphones which require phantom power for operation. Along the back you'll also find balanced 1/4-inch TRS outputs for hooking up a pair of studio-quality reference monitor speakers, as well as RCA inputs and outputs for the ability to connect just about any audio gear (DJ mixers, CD players... lotsa stuff). Perhaps the most exciting feature for aspiring audio professionals is the Fast Track Pro's "insert" jacks on the input channels. These handy connectors allow you to place compressors, exciters, and other outboard gear where they're supposed to be in the signal chain--between the microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converters--and they're rarely found in interfaces at this price. The inclusion of MIDI input and output ports and S/PDIF digital I/O rounds out the M-Audio Fast Track Pro as a complete audio interface for your burgeoning studio.

Pristine Fidelity

You'll notice the M-Audio Fast Track Pro's most important feature as soon as you make your first recording: the sound! The pro-level fidelity on this USB interface is due both to its high-quality microphone preamps and its stable, high-resolution analog-to-digital converters. The converters are capable of digital recording resolutions of up to 24-bit, 96kHz. For comparison, CD Audio is encoded at 16-bits and 44.1kHz. With the Fast Track Pro's 24/94 resolution capability you'll capture more detail during recording and be able to mix with more accuracy during playback. Anyone who's ever used a microphone preamp knows how much they can contribute to--or detract from--the sound of your microphone. The preamps on M-Audio's Fast Track Pro have been engineered to work with as wide an array of microphones as possible by introducing minimal "color" into your signal and by, well, just plain sounding great!

Near-Universal Software Compatibility

The included drivers allow the M-Audio Fast Track Pro to work flawlessly with audio editing software on both Mac OSX and Windows PC platforms. Whether you use destructive editors like Bias Peak or Wavelab, or non-destructive Digital Audio Workstations like SONAR, Logic, or Cubase, the Fast Track Pro will tap into your software's recording potential. Best of all, the Fast Track Pro is compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered, a sophisticated edition of the professional standard in digital audio recording especially configured for use with M-Audio USB and FireWire interfaces.

Manufacturer's Description for M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio Interface

The M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB audio interface delivers all the mobile recording flexibility of the Fast Track USB, plus even more professional features. You get 2 front-panel mic/line inputs complete with phantom power for condenser microphones, inserts for outboard effects balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, S/PDIF digital I/O, MIDI I/O, and more. The M-Audio Fast Track Pro also features near-zero latency direct hardware monitoring and low-latency ASIO software monitoring, plus an A/B source switch and dual output pairs for DJ-style cueing. The M-Audio Fast Track Pro is compatible with most popular PC and Mac music software. USB connection and bus power along with class compliancy for Mac OS X* make it a breeze to set up.

* Class compliancy supports up to 16-bit/48kHz 2 x 4 operation on OS X 10.3.9 and higher. Driver installation required to access more I/O.

Get Professional Recording—Anywhere, Anytime

M-Audio Fast Track Pro is designed to let you record with professional results whenever and wherever you want. A single USB connection gives you access to all the I/O you need for microphones and instruments like guitars, as well as MIDI- and S/PDIF-equipped digital audio gear. The microphone inputs are even phantom powered to accommodate the studio-quality condenser microphones like the M-Audio Luna and Solaris. M-Audio's time-tested driver software gives you total routing control over the 4 x 4 I/O—including setting up an effects loop with external devices.

Monitoring Galore

One of the hallmarks of a great audio interface is its monitoring flexibility—and M-Audio Fast Track Pro delivers. The Fast Track Pro features a powerful headphone amp with volume control. Hardware direct monitoring eliminates the latency or delay inherent in even the best internal circuitry while listening to your input and existing tracks. You can also listen to your input complete with effects while recording by using extremely the low-latency ASIO monitoring we’ve perfected over the years. Two pairs of analog outputs let you connect to a DJ mixer and use the front-panel A/B source switch to audition cues.

inTone - Express Bundle Included

Creative Software Applications for M-Audio Hardware Products. Your M-Audio hardware is compatible with a suite of creative applications that enable you to start making music right away. Designed by leading audio effects provider Audiffex, the inTone series provides a broad array of tools--from guitar and bass stomp boxes to virtual mixers and much more. Each software program lets you arrange channel routing and effects in a variety of ways, so you can develop a sound that's truly unique.

Pro Tools SE

Pro Tools SE music recording and creation software delivers many of the same powerful features that studio professionals use to create Grammy(R) award-winning albums, Emmy(R) award-winning television shows, and Academy Award(R)-winning films. This easy-to-use software lets you create pro-sounding music with up to 24 audio and virtual instrument tracks. It also includes over 100 virtual instruments to build out your mixes, plus EQ, reverb, and other effects to make your music sound professionally produced. zZounds is an authorized dealer of M-Audio products.

-24-bit/96kHz audio interface
- 2 balanced outputs (1/4 in. TRS)
- 4 unbalanced outputs (RCA)
- S/PDIF coaxial I/O with w/ 2-channel PCM
- S/PDIF out also supports pass-through of AC-3/DTS surround-encoded content
- 1 x 1 MIDI I/O with activity LEDs
- headphone output (1/4 in. TRS) with level control
- headphone A/B source switch for DJ-style cueing
- input/playback mix control for hardware direct monitoring
- mono switch for input/playback direct monitoring
- master output level control
- near zero-latency hardware direct monitoring
- low-latency ASIO software monitoring
- USB connection to computer
- powered via USB or optional AC power adapter
- Kensington lock port
- Mac and PC compatible; class compliant with Mac OS X 10.3.9 and higher
- up to 16-bit/48kHz 2 x 4 operation is class-compliant. Driver installation required to access more I/O.

2 front panel mic/instrument preamp inputs (Neutrik XLR/ 1/4 in. TRS) with:
- Gain controls
- Signal/peak lights
- Pads for each input
- Insert jack (1/4 in. TRS) for outboard processors

Compatibility:
- WDM
- ASIO 2
- Core Audio

User Manual

M-Audio Warranty

M-Audio Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 626-633-9050

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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "zZounds somehow manages to deliver both competitive pricing and stellar customer service, a rare accomplishment these days." - customer on February 9th, 2012

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5 (110 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 24 M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio Interface Reviews

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. "Excellent product."

Sound: The sound is clear and free from audible noise at low levels. However, at high gain levels, the noise floor begins to come up a little bit, especially if you're using it with equipment that already has a lot of intrinsic noise. Feature: Two XLR inputs, to TRS inputs, insert ports, TRS, RCA, and S/PDIF outputs, a headphone port, phantom power, I would say this little box is fairly full-featured, especially considering the price range it is in. Ease of Use: Honestly, I am not sure how so many other people managed to have so many problems. After installing the drivers and plugging the unit in, it worked perfectly. There were some recording errors at first, but increasing the latency eliminated them completely. I have been recording with Adobe Audition 3 without any further errors or hicups at all. Quality: Despite being made of plastic, the product is hefty and feels solidly built. I would not worry too much if I dropped it. The only things that bug me are the small plastic switches for the A/B, pad, etc, and the iffy gain controls. Just one millimeter too far and whoa, watch out. Value: Given the amount of features offered, this is an excellent value. Manufacturer Support: I haven't had to deal with support, because the product has worked almost perfectly. The information I needed to fix the aforementioned recording error was provided in the online manual. The Wow Factor: The colorful design was somewhat attractive. Overall: I expect this product to fulfill my recording needs for the foreseeable future.

Style of Music: Classical

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"GREAT SOUND GREAT PRICE !! good For both DJs and Producers !"

Sound: It sounds pretty good I can get some pretty sweet rich sounding electric guitar, and the mic preamps sound great ! I like the 24 bit depth it offers, which is pretty rare for this price you usually get 16 bit. I think the output signal could be a little louder but its a small detail Feature: I love that It can be used to DJ (two outputs) and to Produce music, and that you can change it up for the occasion, like turn on and off some inputs and outputs, this way I havent had any latency problembs, If find its pretty flexible for the price Ease of Use: Its Really Easy to use...if you download their ASIO driver from their webpage.... I didn´t at first and it was all weird working, but then when I downloaded their driver for windows 7 X64 after that I got it working in no time, so do it straight away and there should be no problem then you have to learn how to control the Inputs and Outputs, with this little driver control tab that appears when the driver is in use, its really simple Quality: It looks pretty solid but, its plastic so you still have to treat it with care, but mine has taken some falls and its working fine. the knobs and buttons have a good feel the Mic/Inst inputs aren that solid But if you treat them with care there is no problem Value: I think its the best for any artist/home producer thats tight on a budget, you get alot for what you pay Manufacturer Support: Ive never had an issue other than needing a driver for my computer which I downloaded from their site. they have lots of support there. Overall: This interface is great if you are producing music at a Beginner/Intermediate level, and It works great for DJing as well I like this interface alot and the best thing is that I think it will be a while untill I grow out of I, since I don´t intend Recording Live performances nor Drums (you can still use two overheads but Its not that good) I´m great with just Two inputs!!

Style of Music: Alternative, Electrohouse, and New Age

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Read all 24 M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB Audio Interface Reviews