Jacques_nasi
I've been after a Guitar / Recording interface for a while now, and saw the M-Audio Fast Track pro going quite cheap at Musician's Friend with a considerable saving compared to buying it locally.. now this might be a real dumb ass question, but I was just wondering if this would be exactly the same spec unit as I would buy over the counter here in SA? with it being USB powered I suppose electrical power wouldn't be an issue, how about software licences etc? I'm I just being paranoid or should I just go ahead and buy it? ???
Jacques_nasi
I sent MF an e-mail with basically the same question, and this is the reply:
Response Via Email(Ryan) - 07/07/2013 01:45 PM
Dear Jacques,
Thank you for your recent inquiry.
All electronic items are built to USA electronics specifications and may need additional modifications or converters to be used in countries other than the USA and Canada. Also, all DVDs are encoded for USA and Canadian use. However, the M-audio fast track pro can be U.S.B. powered. The AC adapter should not be necessary for the unit to function.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
So I think its safe to buy it then?
FruitarGeek
I have this unit. Although bought mine in SA.
It is indeed USB powered. So yes, you can literally just plug in and play. I never checked out the software it came with, but you can get most of it online. All you really need is ASIO and you good to go
Warren
I have one too. Nice unit, although it's a bit of a pain to track down the correct drivers for it. You can PM me if you struggle.
AlanRatcliffe
Didn't M-Audio change hands again recently? If so, that could have implications either way on driver availability.
Jacques_nasi
Thanks for tie input guys, I think I will go ahead and buy it, I see them locally going for between 2.5 and 3K on various websites, and MF has them on sale for $79.00, so I think its worth it, the latency issues of my normal onboard card is driving me nuts! ?
If I buy it now, I will only get it end of September though, MF doesnt have shipping options for that unit to SA, but I have relatives visiting other relatives in the USA between Augusust and September, so I can use them as a mule!! ?
AlanRatcliffe
If you have "other relatives" in the US, why not have it shipped to them and then get them to ship it to you?
deefstes
On the power supply, I have one which I bought in SA and it did not even come with a power supply. It is true that it is USB powered so for the most part it's a non-issue but if you want the interface to provide phantom power to a condenser mic, you will need a power supply. I simply went to a local general shop run by a Polish lady and got myself a universal power supply which can be set to different voltages and has different connectors. Works like a charm.
FruitarGeek
deefstes wrote:
On the power supply, I have one which I bought in SA and it did not even come with a power supply. It is true that it is USB powered so for the most part it's a non-issue but if you want the interface to provide phantom power to a condenser mic, you will need a power supply. I simply went to a local general shop run by a Polish lady and got myself a universal power supply which can be set to different voltages and has different connectors. Works like a charm.
Erm . . . I dont have PSU and my phantom power works i.e. I'm able to power up my condenser no problem
deefstes
Adrian Rogowski wrote:
deefstes wrote:
On the power supply, I have one which I bought in SA and it did not even come with a power supply. It is true that it is USB powered so for the most part it's a non-issue but if you want the interface to provide phantom power to a condenser mic, you will need a power supply. I simply went to a local general shop run by a Polish lady and got myself a universal power supply which can be set to different voltages and has different connectors. Works like a charm.
Erm . . . I dont have PSU and my phantom power works i.e. I'm able to power up my condenser no problem
Probably depends on the mic then but my Rode NT1-A definitely won't work without the device being powered externally.
Warren
Adrian Rogowski wrote:
Erm . . . I dont have PSU and my phantom power works i.e. I'm able to power up my condenser no problem
My phantom power works fine as well with my condenser mic...interesting. ???
deefstes
ShreddySmurf wrote:
Adrian Rogowski wrote:
Erm . . . I dont have PSU and my phantom power works i.e. I'm able to power up my condenser no problem
My phantom power works fine as well with my condenser mic...interesting. ???
Weird! What then would the purpose of an external power supply be, you think?
Jacques_nasi
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
If you have "other relatives" in the US, why not have it shipped to them and then get them to ship it to you?
Allen, I'd Rather wait the extra couple of weeks and at least be sure to get the package
FruitarGeek
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
If you have "other relatives" in the US, why not have it shipped to them and then get them to ship it to you?
Allen Alan, I'd Rather wait the extra couple of weeks and at least be sure to get the package
*fixed 8)
Warren
deefstes wrote:
Weird! What then would the purpose of an external power supply be, you think?
Some machines don't push enough power through the device to turn it on at all, in which case you'd need the external. However, if the unit does turn on and is otherwise functional, I don't see why your phantom power wouldn't work...does the little red LED come on when you press the button at the back?
Jacques_nasi
Adrian Rogowski wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
If you have "other relatives" in the US, why not have it shipped to them and then get them to ship it to you?
Allen Alan, I'd Rather wait the extra couple of weeks and at least be sure to get the package
*fixed 8)
Thanx, occupied with work as well!!! ?, Sorry Alan!!! ?
AlanRatcliffe
Just be aware that USB devices have a very limited current supply (and use a fair whack of it themselves, plus any other USB devices on the same controller also draw from the same supply), so won't have much available to drive mics. With reduced current, most mics will still work, but lose headroom and sensitivity and in some cases be more prone to interference.
As I understand it, most interfaces step up the USB voltage from 5V to 12V, but available current is reduced in the process. Plus the 12V supplied by USB interfaces is only 1/4 of the voltage of the 48V phantom standard - which is OK in most cases, but also means that the mic will try pull even more current to compensate and, if the current is not available, will further reduce headroom and/or sensitivity.
If you run into problems with phantom power, you can get phantom power boxes that add decent, stable 48V phantom power to any XLR line.
AlanRatcliffe
Jacques_nasi wrote:
Thanx, occupied with work as well!!! ?, Sorry Alan!!! ?
I'll live. ?
I'm used to every possible spelling and pronunciation of both my names. Once you've been called "Ellen Rothford" a few times, everything else pales into insignificance...
Kalcium
Just a note about an issue that was irritating me for a while with the M-Audio fast track pro... When I would open Reaper it would often give me the following error:
"The ASIO sample rate is not supported by one of the USB interfaces! Please check your sync settings in the Control Panel."
This was fixed simply by not having the M-Audio set as my default playback device in windows. So when Im not using Reaper it is my default device so that everything plays through the m-audio and then I make my onboard soundcard default when I want to use Reaper.
A lot of people had this "sample rate not supported" error and I didn't see a solution online but this method works
Attila
find a copy of an ASIO4ALL driver should sort out yer problem, I had some beef with mine - high latency's this driver sorted that and the reaper issue as well
