M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface
If you make music with GarageBand, Fast Track USB is the easy and professional way to add guitar, vocals, and more to your computer music experience. Just connect Fast Track USB to the USB port of your computer and you're ready to rock. Fast Track USB has an input for instruments like guitar, bass and keyboards, plus a microphone input for recording vocals or other acoustic sounds.
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Overview
Features:
- Easy to connect and use
- Professional 24-bit/48kHz sound
- Dynamic microphone input (XLR) with gain control and signal LEDs
- Switchable instrument/line input (1/4")
- Stereo headphone output (1/8")
- Stereo output jacks (RCA)
- Level control for headphones and main outputs
- USB bus-powered
- Compatible with GarageBand
- USB class compliant (OS X 10.3.5 and higher) for plug-and-play operation
- Direct hardware monitoring for synchronized overdubs
- Mono switch sends input signal equally to left and right channels
- Includes GT Player Express software:
- Professional effects
- Guitar amp and stomp box modeling
- Plays standard audio files with variable speed playback
- Standalone operation, ReWire or VST plug-in
System Requirements:
- Minimum G3* 300MHz/G4* 350MHz
- Mac OS X 10.2.8 or greater, 128MB RAM
- Native USB port required; G3/G4 accelerator cards not supported
- ASIO 2
- WDM
- Kernel Streaming
- Mac OS X Core Audio
Most Useful Reviews
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M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface
This thing is Great!!!
Written by TC from Margate City
Apr 4, 2006
This should have 10 Stars.
I just received it in the mail this morning, plugged in to the USB port on my Mini Mac.In the Fast Track user guide they instruct you (1. Under the Apple menu, select System Preferences / Sound. 2. Select Fast Track under input & output tabs to choose the Fast Track USB as your default audio device.) I only selected Fast Track under the input tab. The output tab I left that set (Built-in Audio). I don't have Monitor Speakers plugged into the Fast Track RCA outputs so I'm going through my computer speakers.
I opened GarageBand. Plugged my Guitar into Fast Track. In New Track Selected (Real Instrument), selected (Guitars), selected (Modern Rock). Then In the Monitor: tab selected (On). Then click on (Create). I was playing away in less then ten minutes
from the time I open the package.
I unplugged my guitar and plug in an old Yamaha keyboard that's from the 80's.
No MIDI. Just a 1/4" jack. Works great.
I then installed GT Player. this thing is a MONSTER!!! At first there was a little delay.
In GT Preferences, Under Audio I lowered the Buffer Size. My guitar sounds great.
I uses a Digitech GSP 2101 Studio Tube Preamp/Processor when play live or in the studio. It's a lot of equipment to set up all the time. With the GT Player on my computer, I now have a lot of great sounds to play with. I might buy GT Player 2.5. …More274 of 354 people found this useful
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M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface
Read BEFORE you write...
Written by MV from Naples
Jan 1, 2007
Some info-its NOT a preamp its simply a unit to give you guitar and microphone inuputs into your computer. It also gives you RCA outs for monitors. Thats awesome considering Im using an ibook. Ofcourse the knobs on the front dont do anything! - Their not for use when recording guitar. And your not gonna get stero sound simply by pushing the button - if your using an unbalanced input such as guitar. The knobs do as follows from right to left-- output (headphone volume) , Mix Volume (main volume IF you use monitors through the rca outs), Input volume (only for microphone). If its too quite when recording guitar just go buy a cheap tube preamp and your set! It also comes with Ableton Live--big plus in my book …More
238 of 319 people found this useful
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M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface
Great Product, But Difficult To Get Started
Written by CF from Austin
Oct 23, 2005
I bought my M-Audio FastTrack USB a few days ago. I tried to plug it in after installing GT Player Express and didn't get any sound. I read the instructions which don't help at all. I finally quit GT Player which is terrible and used GarageBand which is absolutely amazing. When recording straight from a guitar with GarageBand, first plug in the FastTrack and then under System Preferences, click Sound, select Input tab, click FastTrack USB, and set Input volume to full volume. Then, on the FastTrack unit itself, put output to full volume and mix and mic all the way down and set the switch to Guitar. On your guitar or bass set the volume and tone all the way up. In the GarageBand Preferences, Select Input as FastTrack and then create a new track. Select Real Instrument and put a check next to Monitor so you can hear yourself through the computer speakers. Otherwise plug some headphones into the FastTrack and switch Input to Mono. A few of the digital pre-amp effects in GarageBand don't really work such as the Bitcruncher. Without GarageBand this thing would be dead in the water. …More
215 of 286 people found this useful
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Most Recent Reviews
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M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface
Great inexpensive piece!
Written by LA from Irvington
Nov 11, 2009
The M-Audio FastTrack was given to me by a friend and I am so greatful. It does everything I need it to do. I am able record any kind of instrument. I haven't used it for vocals yet, but when I do I will use a preamp to boost the signal.
Remember people this is only $99 and I think it gives more than what it costs. Great piece! …More5 of 5 people found this useful
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M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface
Set-up
Written by DT from BELMONT
Jul 11, 2009
IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO LOAD ANY DISCS THAT COME WITH THE DEVICE
1. Connect M-Audio Fast Track USB to appropriate USB port on computer.
ex. MacBook Pro - use forward port (port furthest away from display)
Also, see note 2 for M-Audio knowledge base, support etc...
2. Open System Preferences and:
-Select M-Audio Fast Track USB icon
-Select "About" button and note Audio Firmware version
-Select "Updates" to open M-Audio web site
-Select: USB Audio Series<Fast Track USB< MAC OS 10.5.7 (or appropriate operating system)
-Note version number of latest drive and download if
necessary to update your M-Audio
- Select "Sound" in Hardware row of System Preferences
-Select "Input" button and select M-Audio Fast Track USB
- No need to change "Output" regardless of how you want to listen to playback!
3. Connect guitar to M-Audio box (a pre-amp will boost output, but is not necessary)
- Make sure button on rear of M-Audio box is selected properly for guitar
4. Open Garage Band (Do Not open Garage Band prior to connecting M-Audio)
- Select New Project - Electric Guitar
5. Open Garage Band Preferences
- Select "Audio/MIDI" button
-Audio Output select:
- "Built-in Output" to use computer's speaker or headphones/speakers connected directly to computer OR
- "M-Audio Fast Track USB" to listen to headphones/speakers
connected directly to M-Audio box (use Mix knob and Output knob on front of M-Audio box to control ouput if choosing this set-up)
-Audio Input select:
-"M-Audio Fast track USB"
6. Choose an Amp model in Garage Band
- Double-click picture of amp (this displays rear picture of amp and access to settings)
-Select: Input Source : Mono2(M-Audio Fast Track USB) NOT MONO 1!
of if using Mic and guitar : Stereo2 (M-Audio Fast Track USB)
7. Record
…More42 of 45 people found this useful
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M-Audio FastTrack Recording Interface
People obviously don't know anything about this product.
Written by RF from Farmington
Apr 13, 2009
I have been using the M-Audio Fast Track for several years on both a PC and Mac(Same one never bought a new one).
I have never had an issue with it, Ever!
Either you people can't read the Box when you buy it or the manual(Install drivers first, And its plug and play on certain OSX Versions, This is updated by M-Audio Regularly), Or your to impatient to try and figure it out so you go shouting how bad it is or "It doesn't have Phantom power for condensers" Read the Box or description!!!!! And BTW M-Audio Updates their site regularly on drivers and updates.
This to anyone just looking for an interface is a great place to start. Input for guitar or keyboard and a mic input for a dynamic mic. Great place to start.
Also an important note that can be found in the manual, If your using a Macbook plug the interface into the front port furthest from the screen, For some reason the back port has an issue with all audio interfaces.
RTFM People! …More50 of 55 people found this useful
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Questions & Answers
Most Interesting
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Can this interface record on two seperate tracks in Garageband?
- Asked by JB from Gothenburg
- Nov 12, 2009
Best Answer
Yes it can. One channel using an XLR mic and the other using a line-in or instrument (guitar) in.
- Answered by GG from Patterson
- Nov 27, 2009
- 5 of 5 people found this useful
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Can the fast track Pro work with logic pro 8
- Asked by AM
- Oct 23, 2009
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in addition to previous question, does it work with Logic Express?
- Asked by JR
- Nov 16, 2009
Most Recent
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Does this interface work with Garage Band '09?
- Asked by OR from Oakland Gardens
- Dec 1, 2009
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in addition to previous question, does it work with Logic Express?
- Asked by JR
- Nov 16, 2009
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Can this interface record on two seperate tracks in Garageband?
- Asked by JB from Gothenburg
- Nov 12, 2009
