M Audio Fast Track Pro

[markgarrigan]

Has anyone had any experience with the http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackPro-main.html? It seems to be similar to the Edirol UA-5. Which is what I once used but sold it a while ago. I used the walmart dvd battery with my UA-5. Does anyone know if that battery would work for the Fast Track? Thanks for any info.

[RebelRebel]

yep, 9V DC. looks like it is just a matter of getting the battery and the right plug. it isnt standalone I dont think. The ua5 is able to be modded for standalone usage, without a PC to interface with.

you using it with a computer?

[markgarrigan]

Using with JB3 for live concerts and PowerBook G4 for podcasting. So the I/Os don't work unless attached to usb? Even the analog? I was using a stock UA-5 > jb3 (Analog). I just need a decent pre-amp that i can use in both the analog and digital domains.

[Jamos]

So the I/Os don't work unless attached to usb? Even the analog? I was using a stock UA-5 > jb3 (Analog). I just need a decent pre-amp that i can use in both the analog and digital domains.

I was going to get one of these, as I thought it would be a great unit to record into my Powerbook, but also to be able to use out in the field w/a MT 24/96...

I talked with tech support, and they assured me that it definitely will not function as a standalone unit...

I'm not sure if it could be modded to do so or not, but it won't do it right outta the box.

Bummer too, as it's an affordable unit w/lots of options...

[markgarrigan]

Damn... it does look like a nice unit to do exactly what I want it to do. What's wrong with making a unit just like this that has all I/Os available whenever you want them?

[branas]

I had this same problem because I wanted to use my MAudio Firewire 410 Card (very similar to the fast track) and you can't route the signal without being hooked to the computer. Bummer. All it needs is a button on the front panel that assigns output to SPDIF.

[poorlyconditioned]

I had this same problem because I wanted to use my MAudio Firewire 410 Card (very similar to the fast track) and you can't route the signal without being hooked to the computer. Bummer. All it needs is a button on the front panel that assigns output to SPDIF.

See if you can try it out in the store.

The docs definitely say it will run standalone!!! (I mean the Fasttrack pro.)

  Richard

[Jamos]

I had this same problem because I wanted to use my MAudio Firewire 410 Card (very similar to the fast track) and you can't route the signal without being hooked to the computer. Bummer. All it needs is a button on the front panel that assigns output to SPDIF.

See if you can try it out in the store.

The docs definitely say it will run standalone!!! (I mean the Fasttrack pro.)

  Richard

well i talked to m-audio tech support about a month ago, and asked this question specifically...the guy had to check it out and get back to me.  He said there was absolutely no way it would function standalone, which was the main reason I didn't buy one.

haven't looked into it since then, but maybe something's changed?

[poorlyconditioned]

I had this same problem because I wanted to use my MAudio Firewire 410 Card (very similar to the fast track) and you can't route the signal without being hooked to the computer. Bummer. All it needs is a button on the front panel that assigns output to SPDIF.

See if you can try it out in the store.

The docs definitely say it will run standalone!!! (I mean the Fasttrack pro.)

  Richard

well i talked to m-audio tech support about a month ago, and asked this question specifically...the guy had to check it out and get back to me.  He said there was absolutely no way it would function standalone, which was the main reason I didn't buy one.

haven't looked into it since then, but maybe something's changed?

Well, I would trust the docs more than a single tech/sales rep.  To be sure, just try it out next time you're in a music store that has one.  Plug the walwart in, but leave the USB off.  Then see if there is an SPDIF signal coming out of it.

  Richard

[cmoorevt]

Here is the line from the manual on standalone mode:

Stand-alone Mode
The Fast Track Pro can act as a stand-alone mic preamp with 24-bit/44.1kHz A/D converters. Inputs 1 and 2 are sent to the S/PDIF Out and analog Outputs 3 and 4 post inserts.

Does the jb3 even allow for 24bit recording?

[bconnolly]

Here is the line from the manual on standalone mode:

Stand-alone Mode
The Fast Track Pro can act as a stand-alone mic preamp with 24-bit/44.1kHz A/D converters. Inputs 1 and 2 are sent to the S/PDIF Out and analog Outputs 3 and 4 post inserts.

Does the jb3 even allow for 24bit recording?

The JB3 allows for up to 16/48.

[cmoorevt]

The JB3 allows for up to 16/48.

yeah, thats what I thought. thanks.  looks like the original poster won't get very far with this, but I'll give it a shot next time I get to the store that sells em around here.

[Jamos]

Here is the line from the manual on standalone mode:

Stand-alone Mode
The Fast Track Pro can act as a stand-alone mic preamp with 24-bit/44.1kHz A/D converters. Inputs 1 and 2 are sent to the S/PDIF Out and analog Outputs 3 and 4 post inserts.

friggin' M-Audio...
guess their tech support people don't even know what the hell they are talking about.  Honestly, after owning the Microtrack and a few other pieces of their gear, I don't know if I'd ever actually have confidence that their products do what they say they will do.

[azama]

I bought it and test it in standalone mode with a pair of Oktava Mc 012.
This is working well and this is a nice light box.

The preamps seems good to me but I think there won't be enough gain in some situations.

[poorlyconditioned]

I bought it and test it in standalone mode with a pair of Oktava Mc 012.
This is working well and this is a nice light box.

The preamps seems good to me but I think there won't be enough gain in some situations.

Great news!  Glad to hear it is working for you.

If you get a chancel, I would love to see the innards of this gear.  How easy is it to take apart?  If you can do it, snap some close up pics and post here.

Thanks,
Richard