M-Audio Fast Track Ultra Audio Interface $349

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The Fast Track Ultra from M-Audio is a true powerhouse. The convenient combo and XLR I/O combined with the controls and dual headphone jacks make the front panel a joy to use. The rear of the unit truly shows the flexibility of this audio interface. The included software makes custom routing a snap.

 

 

 

 

 

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The M-Audio Fast Track Ultra is an impressive audio interface. The fast Track Ultra features an 8x8 audio I/O with XLR inputs, SPDIF I/O, ¼” inputs/outputs, mic preamps and phantom power. In addition the Fast Track Ultra also has one in and one out MIDI connections.

The first four inputs are located right on the front panel along with the gain and pad controls. These input jacks have some really nice qualities. For example inputs one and two are combination inputs that allow you to connect either a balanced XLR cable or an unbalanced ¼’ TS cable. So in practice what does this mean? If you have a stereo guitar processor you can connect its outputs directly to the first two inputs. If you have two mics on you amplifier you can connect those to inputs 3 and 4. With the first four connections on the front you will not have to pickup and move the interface or struggle to identify the right input on the rear panel just to quickly connect a microphone to your interface.

The gain controls are also well thought out and easy to read. All four gain controls are in a single row making it an easy task to identify which knob is the right one to quickly turn down the input if someone is distorting. Pulling the gain knobs on the mic/instrument inputs will activate a 20 db pad. This is very useful if you have a very hot signal from a keyboard or effects processor.

On the rear are the remaining connections like MIDI, SPDIF and eight balanced outputs. On the input side there are 6 balanced/unbalanced inputs so you can connect just about anything. 

Finally there is a feature we really like, an insert point. Many audio interfaces forget this addition. By having an insert point you can drop an external device like a compressor into the signal path, after the preamp but before the A/D converter. This may seem a bit techy but look at it this way, if you want that perfect vocal take not to be permanently recorded with digital clipping take our advice and use the compressor inline using the insert point. It’s an invaluable insurance policy.

The connection to the PC is made via a single USB cable. This is a USB 2.0 device, which means you will have extremely fast data transfer and actually be able to take advantage of all the inputs at once while recording at CD quality. USB 1.0 is fine but for many tracks of audio to record  at once you need USB 2.0 and M-Audio has provided that with the Fast Track Ultra. If you have a PC with only a USB 1.0 connection you can still use the Fast Track Ultra but you may find the performance is degraded, as the advantages of USB 2.0 cannot be harnessed.

Monitoring your mix via headphones is a breeze using the headphone jacks on the front. Yes we said jacks there are two of them both ¼” and they also have separate volume controls. Now you do not have to go to Radio Shack and use one of those fiddly splitters that just add crackles and pops to the signal.

While we are on the subject of the headphone outs here’s another well thought out feature. You can add reverb and delay to the headphone outs using built in MX Core DSP Technology. Why is this so great? Two reasons, first every singer loves to hear themselves in a massive room and second and probably more important, you can give the singer all the verb they want without adding additional load on your PC or DAW!

The audio specs are very high end with 24-bit/96kHz audio on all I/O at once, the on board DSP, an included mixing app, pre amps and so much more. Finally it is worth noting that the Fast Track Ultra will run on a Mac or PC as it supports WDM, Core Audio, ASIO 2.0 and MME. This means it will work with just about any DAW out there including M-Powered.

Top Features:

• high-speed USB 2.0 interface > simultaneous 8 x 8 24-bit/96kHz audio

• MX Core™ DSP technology > flexible channel routing, monitor sub-mixing and effects processing

• 4 preamps with award-winning M-Audio Octane™ technology > premium input circuitry

• compatible with Mac and PC > works with most audio production software*

The Fast Track® Ultra 8 x 8 audio/MIDI interface takes M-Audio’s acclaimed mobile recording line to the next level with high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, MX Core™ DSP mixer and four preamps with award-winning Octane™ technology. Featuring both analog and digital I/O, it allows recording on all eight channels simultaneously with pristine 24-bit/96kHz fidelity—while M-Audio’s mature low-latency drivers ensure rock-solid stability and performance. The on-board MX Core™ DSP mixer processes eight hardware inputs and eight software returns to the eight hardware outputs, delivering flexible routing and monitoring with delay and reverb. Compatible with most major audio software*, Fast Track Ultra lets you record the way you want—in the studio or on the go.

*Compatible with all ASIO- and Core Audio-based applications.

High-speed USB 2.0 Technology

The next generation of mobile recording interfaces has arrived—the Fast Track Ultra features high-speed USB 2.0 technology for advanced performance. Like FireWire, USB 2.0 delivers the bandwidth for 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution throughout the recording and monitoring process. The increased data speed lets you enjoy exceptional fidelity on all of your inputs and outputs simultaneously.

Speed Comparisons in Mbps

Connection    Maximum Speed

USB 1.1         12Mbps

USB 2.0         480Mbps

FireWire 400   400Mbps

Built-in Effects Processing

Tired of tracking vocals and instruments dry? Fast Track Ultra features MX Core DSP technology that gives you reverb and delay on the headphone outputs with separate sends for every channel. Adding effects is an easy way to inspire creativity and infuse a performance with new energy—without taxing your CPU resources.

Make the Connection

Fast Track Ultra provides a complete recording solution, with six channels of analog inputs and outputs plus 2-channel digital S/PDIF I/O. Unlike most USB interfaces, it features two dedicated inserts on the first two channels, giving you the ability to insert outboard processing before A/D conversion. Easy connection via a single USB 2.0 cable delivers both audio and MIDI communication with your computer. Compatibility with most major audio software, means seamless integration into any studio setup.

MX Core DSP Technology for Sophisticated Channel Routing

The Fast Track Ultra makes it easy to create multiple monitor mixes when recording other musicians. The robust MX Core™ mixer employs an array of eight individual DSP cores to deliver near-zero latency and a matrix for sophisticated channel routing options—accessible via an intuitive control panel that utilizes a separate mixer for each pair of outputs. The mixer expands the total I/O to an impressive 16 x 8 configuration, allowing you to connect synths and outboard gear to any of the interface’s hardware inputs, then mix them with the eight audio streams coming from your computer.

Professional Octane Preamp Technology

The quality of your recordings is only as good as the initial signal. The Fast Track Ultra features four preamps with multi-award-winning M-Audio Octane™ technology, creating a premium front end that delivers amazing audio clarity. You get professional, low-noise, high-gain preamplification with enough channels for a variety of miking applications. Features include +48V phantom power for condenser mics, signal/peak LED indicator lights and a pull-out gain knob that activates a 20dB pad for recording at high volumes. See why world-class artists choose the M-Audio Octane preamp.

Dual Headphone Amp

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

ull Features:

• 24-bit/96kHz professional audio on all I/O simultaneously

• high-speed USB 2.0 interface

• MX Core™ DSP technology

•     * digital effects processing with assignable parameters

•     * flexible channel routing options

•     * expands DSP mixing interface to 16 x 8

• -4 preamps with award-winning M-Audio Octane™ technology

•     * 4 XLR microphone inputs—including 2 XLR/TRS combo jacks for mic or instrument level inputs

•     * 20dB pad on each preamp

•     * signal/peak LED indicator lights

•     * phantom power

• -6 balanced line inputs

• -6 balanced analog outputs

• -2 analog inserts

• -S/PDIF digital I/O

• -built-in 1 x 1 MIDI interface

• -2 independent headphone outputs with individual volume controls

• -full ASIO 2.0, WDM, MME, and Core Audio support

• -compatible with most major audio production software*

• -USB bus power**

• *Compatible with all ASIO- and Core Audio-based applications.

• **USB bus power enables analog channels 1 and 2, S/PDIF I/O, and headphone output 1; included power supply required for full 8 x 8 operation

Compatibility

• WDM

• Core Audio

• ASIO 2.0

• MME

System requirements

M-Audio suggests that you also check the minimum system requirements for your software, as they may greater than the hardware requirements.

Macintosh	Windows
Mac OS X 10.3.9, 10.4.11, 10.5.1 USB 2.0 port 512 MB RAM 1 GHz CPU	DirectX 9.0c or higher (included in XP) USB 2.0 port Windows Vista (32-bit versions) 1.6 GHz processor (CPU may be higher for laptops) 512 MB RAM* * Windows Vista Home Premium, Business and Ultimate require 1 GB RAM.