M-Audio Fast Track Pro Review

So what actually is an audio interface?

Well first, here’s how you connect one to give you a better idea

So this is my audio interface, it is a Fast Track Pro.  It comes with 48V Phantom power to power up your condenser microphones.  This is a horrible product for $200.  The pre-amps on the M-Audio Fast Track Pro are absolutely horrible.  For condenser microphones or dynamic microphones, you have to literally crank the volume as loud as it can go to even hear yourself.

So in order for you to have louder vocals you are going to need a pre-amp.  I just recently bought a cheap pre-amp.  It is Behringer’s Tube Ultragain mic200.

I’ve always had problems with recording vocals with the M-Audio Fast Track Pro.  I’ve tried different microphones, mic cables, etc.  And to come to the conclusion that it was the M-Audio Fast Track Pro all along.  It doesn’t have enough power to make any mic go loud enough unless you literally turn the knob all the way.  But getting a pre-amp is the cheapest way out rather than buying a new audio interface.

 ***This is important***

When you buy your microphone, make sure you buy a condenser!  I bought a Shure SM58 which is a dynamic microphone!  A dynamic microphone is more for on stage because it will not pick things up as easily.  A condenser microphone picks up sounds very easily, even the sound you do not want!  Also, the Fast Track Pro has troubles power both dynamic microphones and condensers.

An audio interface is actually a USB sound card that plugs into your computer.  It allows you to have better sound quality and more accurate results, while at the same time helping take a load off your computer cause the sound goes through the audio interface rather than your motherboard soundcard.

If you don’t have a external sound card, you can help your computer by getting ASIO4ALL drivers — these get installed when you install FL Studio.  It really helps your computer a lot.

How To Connect a Subwoofer to your Audio Interface and Speakers

The purpose of an Audio Interface is to record vocals into your computer and control the volume of your speakers.  At first I was not very happy with the Fast Track Pro because of my dynamic microphone (ShureSM58).  I thought the Fast Track Pro just didn’t have enough power for the dynamic microphone.  Then I went and bought a condenser microphone, same thing, even with the Phantom Power on, it barely had enough power to make it work, unless you literally crank the knob.  So do not get a FAST TRACK PRO.

There are many other audio interfaces out there that are cheaper and better quality.  I own other M-Audio products and they are very nice, the Axiom 49 (2nd Gen) is a beautiful MIDI keyboard so far!

I bought it from www.kellysmusic.ca for about $200 and it has always been trouble.  Make sure you update the drivers off the M-Audio site so you get the best performance out of the Fast Track Pro.

Rating:

I give it 2 stars because of the preamps.  I think it should be able to fully power the Shure SM58 even though it is a dynamic microphone.  It even has troubles powering a condenser microphone.  There are ways around to get your voice louder by buying a seperate pre-amp like I explained above.  This is honestly a rip off for the price.  There are other audio interfaces like the Presonus Audio Box which is $50 cheaper.  (I’ve never tried the presonus, but i’ve heard that it’s good).