127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)
Harmony Central Summer NAMM 2005 Coverage
Indianapolis, Indiana: July 22-24
Summer NAMM Home | User Picks | Complete Coverage
PRESS RELEASE

NAMM: Fast Track Pro USB Interface

July 24, 2005

Fast Track pro
(Click for a close-up)

New from M-Audio is the Fast Track Pro mobile audio/MIDI interface for use with PC and Mac computers. The Fast Track Pro builds on its sibling, the Fast Track USB, adding even more professional features.

The Fast Track Pro features 4 x 4 audio I/O at 24-bit/44.1kHz fidelity, with routing controlled via the host application or M-Audio's software control panel. The unit offers two mic/instrument preamps on front-panel Neutrik connectors (XLR/1/4" TRS), each with gain control, signal/clip LEDs, pads and 1/4" TRS inserts for external processing. The front panel also presents a master volume control and 1/4" stereo headphone output with dedicated volume control.

Rear-panel analog outputs include a pair of 1/4" TRS balanced jacks and two pairs of RCA unbalanced jacks. The two output pairs can be connected to a DJ mixer for use with the front-panel A/B source switch for DJ-style cueing. Alternately, users can drive two sets of monitors or simultaneously feed a mix-down device while monitoring.

The rear panel of the Fast Track Pro also houses S/PDIF I/O on RCA connectors, ideal for digital transfers or external effects loops. MIDI In and Out jacks work in conjunction with the USB connection to provide integral USB MIDI interface functionality.

Fast Track Pro also features near zero-latency direct hardware monitoring with mono button and input/playback mix control. Users can also record while monitoring software effects via low-latency ASIO software monitoring.

Fast Track Pro can be powered via its USB bus connection for mobile use. Alternately, it can derive power from the optional AC power supply for use with a hub or as a standalone DI box.

The unit is compatible with WDM, ASIO 2, and Core Audio, making it work with most popular music software. It operates on both PC and Mac platforms, and is class-compliant on Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher. (Class-compliancy supports 2 x 2 operation. Driver installation is required for additional I/O.)

Fast Track Pro also ships with Ableton Live Lite 4 real-time production software and GT Player Express virtual guitar rig software.

The Fast Track Pro is expected to ship in August at an MSRP of $249.95.

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.midiman.net/.

62 readers say this product rates (out of 5):
3.45
Vote on this product!
Based on the article, what do you think of this product? (1-boring 5-cool)
1 2 3 4 5   

Recent Midiman headlines

More Midiman Headlines

Similar Products at Musician's Friend

Email: webmaster@harmony-central.com | © 1995-2009 Harmony Central, Inc. All rights reserved.