M-Audio fast track USB - Records with two tracks or one?
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Posted on Oct 12, 2007 05:48 am
Kojakafro
Member Since: Oct 12, 2007
Hi everyone,
I'm looking at getting an M-Audio Fast Track USB, but what I need to know first is when I record the guitar and vocal simultaneously through it, will it deliver this to my pc software as two separate tracks, so I can then apply effects to the guitar and vocals individually, or will it be mixed together in one track.
I've looked at the manufacturers website and all their faq'a etc, but they don't seem to quite explain how the recording is delivered to your pc.
The software I would be using, will be either Ableton Live Lite, which comes with it, or Cool edit Pro, which I've already got.
Hope someone can help.
Many thanks,
Jon
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Oct 12, 2007 09:59 am A couple of sites list it as only having one output. That can be confusing because if it's a stereo output then you can usually split it into two parts in your software.
Out of interest - why the fast track and not Toneport or Inspire or something else in that market ??
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 12, 2007 07:12 pm Just checked the M-Audio site and it will use both the line input and mic input at the same time.
The one drawback I do see is if you are using a condenser mic you do not have phantom power on that unit. So you would be strictly limited to a dynamic mic for vocals.
The UX-1 or UX-2 would be a better choice, depending on exactly what and how you want to record.
Oct 12, 2007 07:39 pm It will take two outputs but it only refers to a single output though that is likely stereo.
Tony
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 12, 2007 09:39 pm It has a left and right outputs for stereo. See the RCA connections on the back of the unit. But yes I guess you can call it a single stereo output as well. But it is 2 channels, left and right.
And you can set the output to either mono or stereo according to their website and the little button on the unit.
Oct 13, 2007 12:10 am I'm sure you are right but I haven't read anywhere that says, as a USB interface you can record each channel separately to different tracks. I'm sure you can but I hate to tell a potential buyer than you can and then be wrong :)
Toneport marketing blurb says "Output two separate channels over your USB connection" This one says "Outputs a single stereo channel (switchable to mono)"
It's not exactly precise.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 13, 2007 02:44 pm Ya, I see what your getting at tony. Though it would be odd of them to limit its recording ability like that it might just be something they would do to save a buck.
Oct 15, 2007 07:06 am Thanks for all your responses, guys.
So you think that the left and right stereo channels can be split to have the guitar input on one and vocal input on the other? That would do the job fine.
Bit more background - I've got a singer and a guitarist I want to record, and they work best performing together.
So I was just looking for a way of getting two separate inputs recorded onto my pc at the same time.
We've got a single Samson USB mic at the mo, but we really need to move to two separate inputs.
So I was just looking at the fast Track cos we've got a tiny budget.
If I got another USB mic, is there some software that would pick them up as two separate simultaneous inputs to record from?
Many thanks,
Jon
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 15, 2007 08:58 pm To be honest, I don't think that the USB mic's will work in unison like that. But don't quote me on it. I would suggest hitting the Samson tech support and asking them first hand.
triproloPslam 34:8Member
Since: Dec 04, 2004
Oct 16, 2007 05:35 pm Correct me if I'm wrong but to record separate tracks at the same time, you have to have a soundcard that can split the traks.
Now, I use the fast track and I have yet to find a way to split the signal. But if you do, please let me know.
Oct 16, 2007 09:01 pm Fast Track USB IS a soundcard. All these USB devices act as a soundcard and can use ASIO drivers to split the tracks.
triproloPslam 34:8Member
Since: Dec 04, 2004
Oct 17, 2007 06:09 pm Makes sense!!!
