M-Audio Fast Track Pro - Can Anyone Confirm it works w 7.010

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:57 pm

Hi folks,

Thinking of grabbing an M-Audio Fast Track Pro
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Track-Mob ... 277&sr=1-1

Can anyone confirm it works w/ Live 7.010 and Leopard 10.5.4?

I am only asking b/c I know M-Audio can be slow w/ drivers and I have a PreSonus Firebox which has been a total pain in the ass to get to work w/ Leopard.

Can anyone share their experiences w/ this?

Thanks!

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:23 pm

M-Audio's drivers (imho, but shared by some others) suck dirty donkey balls. Therefore I would look long and hard at other alternatives before going this route.

I don't think the specs are anything to write home about the FastTrack Pro either. And I wouldn't recommend the FW410 either. M-Audio's USB and FW interfaces are really underwhelming products IMHO.

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:58 pm

I hear you - and don't disagree. However, I am SEVERELY underwhelmed by the PreSonus Firebox (which seemed to be the one most recommend). Took forever to get to actually sync and has only worked once or twice (and DIDN'T work at gig, was so pissed - hence needing something reliable) and their tech staff, though nice, seemed to not know what was up and will only work via email.

I just want a decent 2 in / 4 out USB interface for < $200 that is reliable.

Any suggestions?

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:18 pm

I would personally never choose a USB interface, I know you had issues with your Firebox I don't know if that was a driver issue or whatever too. USB interfaces typically are higher latency and less I/O than FW.

I would say spend a little more on something more proven, 200 dollars is not going to get you anything outstanding. 400-500 dollars will get you a much better FW interface. Sometimes stuff just doesn't work out, but keep on trying. SOmething like a MOTU Ultralite would probably be better if you could afford it, it is built with gig portability and useability in mind (although I'm sure some have had poor experiences with this too).

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:03 pm

Yeah, I am really paranoid about going Firewire. There are known issues w/ a certain era of MacBooks FireWire chipsets (the Lucenta chip) and mine is that era.

I dont have any issues w/ latency as is just running my outputs through the headphone jack so I am good to go w. USB.

Thank you Leeds, I appreciate you weighing in. I will look into the Ultralite but I think its out of my budget.

Does anyone have any experience w/ the Fast Track Pro, Leopard and 7.010?

Aequitas123 · Post by **Aequitas123** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:10 pm

I have the FastTrack Pro and it does the job. I haven't had any problems with it with both Live 6 and 7.

Although, i'm using it on PC.

IMHO, for the price, its a decent purchase.

dazzer · Post by **dazzer** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:33 pm

I had FW410 which was even dodgy with a PowerBook that had a TI chipset. OK, different interface, but it killed my love for M-Audio.

Currently using an Ultralite on a MacBook that's got (supposedly dodgy) Lucent chipset, works great.

Spend more now if you can, save yourself some hassles. Or wait until somebody chimes in saying the FTP works OK on a Mac with Leper. Or take your MB to a shop to try it out.

Aequitas123 · Post by **Aequitas123** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:40 pm

You could see if your local music shop rents it and try it out for a week.

clipperer · Post by **clipperer** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:50 pm

Markus · Post by **Markus** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 6:22 pm

works like a charm, can recommend it

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:36 pm

Leeds: Thanks mate!

Aequitas123: Thanks for chiming in.

Dazzer: Very interesting. Appreciate the advice. My experience w/ the FireBox (w/ the Lucent chipset) is that it's unpredictable. Using the same settings, programs. etc I get varying stability which needless to say is pretty damn annoying.

Cilpperer: I do know computers, I am a former Mac tech. There is a known issue w/ the Lucent chips. I agree that there are certain combinations thats why I specified what I am actually using.

Markus: Thanks! Are you indeed using the same setup? Leopard 10.5.4 and Live 7.010?

Thank you everyone for your opinions and experiences. FWIW, I don't expect audiophile quality, and I recognize that the $500-600 range would get me a lot more.

Markus · Post by **Markus** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:45 pm

ah sorry, didn't read that you meant mac os x, but on windows it works like it should

xrayfish · Post by **xrayfish** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:21 pm

contakt321 wrote:Yeah, I am really paranoid about going Firewire. There are known issues w/ a certain era of MacBooks FireWire chipsets (the Lucenta chip) and mine is that era.

I dont have any issues w/ latency as is just running my outputs through the headphone jack so I am good to go w. USB.

Thank you Leeds, I appreciate you weighing in. I will look into the Ultralite but I think its out of my budget.

Does anyone have any experience w/ the Fast Track Pro, Leopard and 7.010?

You might consider the Novation Nio 2|4. Its solidly built and has 2 in / 4 out, with 2 headphone sockets too. Plenty of switches and knobs to monitor your outputs. Nice set of guitar FX thrown in too!

yearlongyeti · Post by **yearlongyeti** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:38 am

I use it with PC and it works well. Little bit of leakage between the input channels. For the price I cant complain, never let me down.

clipperer · Post by **clipperer** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:57 am