[ddots-l] m-audio fast track ultra software
- From: "Campbell, Wiley L. (Portland)" <Wiley.Campbell@xxxxxx>
- To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:46:31 -0700
Hi Bryan:
I'm an analog dinosaur with really good PC skills, coming back to
recording after 25 years off. I've looked at many variables, with Fast
Track or 8R being options. I'm poised to start purchasing for a simple
home studio DAW and will strive for best accessibility even if it costs
a bit more. I'll use JAWS on my new Windows 7 PC, have some limited
experience with Adobe Audition but will switch to Sonar 8.5 and probably
CakeTalking.
On earlier thread regarding this Audio Interface (AI) topic you said,
"both high quality and accessible, there are options, but they will
either cost you in terms of money or setup complexity". Can you toss a
few suggestions as to what those other AI options might be?
-----Original Message-----
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Dave Hillebrandt
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 9:33 PM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Yeah, that's where I ran into trouble. Am sure once all of the inputs
and outputs are cranked up and checked, everything should be fine and
dandy.
Dave
----- Original Message
From: "Tom De Rosa" <TDEROSA1@xxxxxxxxxx
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 7:06 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
OK, I see the control panel is not accessible to jaws So for that step
I need to get sighted help. I'm going to the site and look for the
manual and see if I read that I can avoid some of the obvious
questions. You'll hear from me again, Thanks much.
Tom DeRosa
Original Message
From: "Dave Hillebrandt" <dave@xxxxxxxx
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 6:41 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Hi Tom, Well, you do have to go into options and then to audio. You will
find them listed in here, under drivers, advanced and in general there
are things you need to select and check. Dave
Original Message
From: "Tom De Rosa" <TDEROSA1@xxxxxxxxxx
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 6:24 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Hi guys, I just downloaded the fast track drivers and working on some of
these issues you guys have talked about here.
First issue; I go to the sonar project and in the input panel don't see
a specific choice for fast track. Does it show up in the menu as fast
track or is it one of the choices already there?
Tom DeRosa
Original Message
From: "Dave Hillebrandt" <dave@xxxxxxxx
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 8:17 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Hi Manny, It sure does and i appreciate it. unfortunately I can't
really tell if everything is up totally or maybe muted so waiting til
someone comes by that can look for me. Really need to make sure that
everything is cranked up. Appears as though only channel one is cranked
up currently. Thanks, Dave
Original Message
From: "Manny" <rivasma@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 2:20 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
hey dave.
it's manny, I read you're post saying that you can't hear sound of the
other headphone. I had that exact issue. you need to go to the m audio
link in you're control panel, and on monitors 3 and 4 you need to raise
the volume all the way up and make sure you're master volume is op
aswell. monitors 1 and 2 are the monitors on the back wher the
speakers go. the other four monitors are independent. they're volume
is controled by the knob on the speaker or should I say monitor.
monitors 3 and 4 are you're two headphone outputs, therefore you need
to ensure the volume levels are up so you could be able to listen out
of the both jacks. ok? hope that helps
manny
From: "Dave Hillebrandt" <dave@xxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 4:07 PM
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Hi Brian, no problem on the delay in your reply and appreciate the
good info. i feel pretty stupid but now have done a little reading on
the busses. Still a bunch more that i need to but slowly grasping the
concepts. Part of my problem is that had a virus of some sort a few
months ago and had my computer put into recovery mode. i believe it
messed up some drivers and found that certain projects i had already
recorded had bad latency while others did not and would get points
where the project would just freeze and say "drop out." Well, today i
totally reinstalled everything and no problems at all some probably a
corrupt file somewhere as happens from time to time. I appreciate the
info on the fast track ultra and think perhaps only thing I really need
to do in that control pannel is to make sure all of the channels are
turned up. it appears as though only one of my headphone outs works and
only one channel worth of input. Something is either muted or turned
down. My wife can see but didn't really know what to look for and
having no luck. Eventually get someone over
who knows what to look for. At least it is good to know that the whole
bussing thing will let me be able to record a few people together. i
enjoy doing it a track at a time but have a friend who can't do it and
has to even sing at same time as plays guitar.... Again, thanks for help
and so far so good. sometimes, just a total reinstall does the trick.
made sure that I even deleted the old cakewalk folders.... Dave
Original Message
From: "Bryan Smart" <bryansmart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 5:42 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Dave, sorry that your message got lost, and that it has taken me a
bit of time to respond.
No, you don't need the FastTrack control panel to record multiple
tracks. That all happens in Sonar.
In Sonar, on an audio track, the input column of the track provides a
pop-up menu that makes it possible for you to select the input that
will be used for that track. So, you can create 8 audio tracks in
Sonar, set each of their input settings to different inputs on the
FastTrack, arm those tracks, and then hit record to record from them
all at once.
Besides the buffer/latency setting, the FastTrack control panel has
settings for configuring digital I/O (for devices using SPDIF and
ADAT, for example), which I don't think that you have.
It also has settings for configuring direct monitoring features,
where you can monitor the FastTrack's inputs without routing audio
through Sonar. However, you have direct access to these features, at
least for the front-panel mic/line inputs, via controls on the front
of the FastTrack itself, so you don't need the control panel for
monitoring mic/instrument inputs.
As I told you above, assigning inputs to tracks for Sonar is handled
entirely inside Sonar.
So, the control panel is mostly useless on a daily basis.
Bryan
-----Original Message-----
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dave Hillebrandt
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 6:22 PM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Hi Bryan, I appreciate the good info and appologize if i sounded
short in my frustration with this Fast Track Ultra. I am obviously
missing something if what I'm understanding you say is true, but
seems like there is much more in fast track ultra that I'm not able
to get to besides buffer size. isn't the software where i'd go to
assign to specific tracks etc. it appears as though certain channels
are not checked or something and I'm unable to read any of that info.
is this something that i should be able to read with jaws from your
experience or not? I do understand that it is a good quality unit for
the price and not complaining as far as that goes. Do you know off
hand if my adk computer is setup with firewire or not. Don't know
what a firewire connection looks like to know if i have one or not
and if so, what particular type your company would have had
installed.
You are right in that i would not necessarily want to spend a bunch
more money but am willing to go more expensive to get something more
accessable than what i'm currently experiencing. You are right, that
noisey inputs would not be good and would best to avoid. Could either
go for a more expensive yet accessable usb unit, or perhaps a
firewire if you can think of any that would be easier to access.
As i say, its possible that this fast track is more accessable
than I realize and I'm just doing sometihng wrong, but jaws doesn't
appear to read much in its software at all. Have you or others you
know currently using this unit and if so, are they able to use its
software to assign channels to certain tracks? hopefully this
question makes since. Am mainly interested for the instance where may
wish to record more than one person at same time, and as far as i
know, would usually do this in its software unless i'm way off; which
could be admittedly.
If it turns out that would need sighted help to makes these
changes etc, then I would definitely be interested in antoher unit,
even if more expensive, in order to be able to take full advantage of
it. So far, been just recording one track at a time and where its
doing the trick, have a feeling would not be good if trying to record
a band.
Any suggestions will be very appreciated. Again sorry if this is
such a novice question that it comes off really stupid. Never used
firewire so just don't know if this computer has it or not. Would
think so since kind of the state of the art system from you all at
the time. Thanks in advance, Dave
Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Smart" <bryansmart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 12:27 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Dave, there are some Firewire interfaces that are reasonably
accessible, but you must have Firewire support on your computer, and
the Firewire controller must be produced by a specific manufacturer,
or you're likely to have problems. It is very difficult to promise to
people that these interfaces will work if they're using them on a
computer that they already own.
Some USB interfaces are accessible, also. However, while their
control panels are accessible, I've found that most of them are are
also lacking in major areas that aren't acceptable to me.
For example, Tascam sells some USB interfaces with completely
accessible control panel software. However, the drivers for those
interfaces are terrible. One major problem is that it is next to
impossible to use projects with different sample rates with one of
these interfaces. They absolutely hate switching sample rates, and
you must often reboot to make the change.
This isn't acceptable to me, as, if your interface isn't stable, then
all of the quality and accessibility in the world doesn't do you any
good. I'd feel embarrassed suggesting such a device to you, and
having you call me to explain why it stops working after you switch
between certain Sonar projects.
The Cakewalk interfaces have reasonably accessible control panel
software, and stable drivers, but the quality of the inputs is poor.
We never expect inexpensive interfaces to have pristine inputs, but
the Cakewalk interfaces have the frustrating tendency to pick up on
bus noise from your computer.
That isn't acceptable to me, as that compromises the quality of every
recording that you make.
Compromising performance or stability isn't acceptable for me.
Accessibility of the control panel is important, of course, but the
only major setting in there, the buffer size, has to be set once when
you setup your computer.
Getting access to that at the cost of something that will hurt you on
a daily basis isn't a good trade.
If you want something that is both high quality and accessible, there
are options, but they will either cost you in terms of money or setup
complexity. Most people that I speak with, that have a casual
interest in recording, are unwilling to spend more than about $200 -
$300, and don't have patience for a lot of technical hassles. That's
why I suggest the FastTrack, at the moment.
Bryan
-----Original Message-----
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dave Hillebrandt
Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 8:18 AM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Hi Tom, Thanks for response. Well, I had normally used Windoweyes til
getting into the pc recording game so not sure if its something that
i'm not doing correctly with jaws or if simply not accessable. have a
feeling its the software but couldn't say for sure and very few
replies yet. one thing i know for sure, most likely they sent you a
crummy driver with your unit so will have to go to their web site and
download most current version anyway.
Forget what it tells me when I install the original disk, but
something to the effect that this software will not load on my
computer and to go to the m-audio web page to get most current
driver. i did this with no problem and installed. Even with the
install it will tell you that this software did not pass microsoft
tests and asks if you want to install anyway and you choose yes.
At least if go to their web site, you won't have to open their
driver disks. One of them is just for the free program of Appleton
which is not really useful as far as i can tell; some sort of cheep
recording software.
hope you have good luck and then in return can tell me what you find
out about their software. like i say, its a pretty good unit for the
price; very low noise and not bad in latency department, but so far
do not know how to use that dern software. Even though its primary
interface that dancing dots sells, have found nobody replying who
uses it and nobody from dancing dots commenting on any way to use it
so either they've never tried to use it or they have with no luck. If
they knew it was not accessable, would have been real nice if they
mentioned it ahead of time so would have bought something else from
another company. May go up to local music store and try something
else. Wish i knew more people using interfaces like this locally that
i could compare to. This way could at least borrow the software to
see if it is useable. Will be very anxious to hear what you find. let
me know if anything I can do to help you out.
Am very new to pc recording and as i say, new to jaws too really,
but have a feeling its the software. Really bugs me too that they
can't pack a somewhat up to date driver with it too, as the one on
their web page is not especially new, but much newer than one they
pack that can't be used at all.
Please keep in touch. you will like this interface, especially if you
can get all of its functions working. Who knows, maybe everyone has
to come up with work arounds. You are first to contact me who
actually has this unit and yet even you haven't tried yet so odd that
more people on dancing dots list don't use this. Oh well, we will see
soon I guess. Take care, Dave
Original Message -----
From: Tom De Rosa <mailto:TDEROSA1@xxxxxxxxxx
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 1:22 AM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
Hey Dave, I just bought the same interface and haven't yet tried to
connect ot my lap top. I had no idea that reading the software would
be a problem.
I am glad you posted this message. I hope you get some advice it
will certainly be helpfull to me. If it's not accessible I can
return it if I don't open the discs to download the drivers.
Thanks tom
Tom DeRosa
URL www.myspace.com/tder08
Original Message -----
From: Dave Hillebrandt <mailto:dave@xxxxxxxx
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 1:21 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] m-audio fast track ultra software
Hello Friends, Would like to get some suggestions on interfaces that
have easily accessable software. i have the m-audio fast track ultra and
have not had
any luck being able to access its software in order to route signal
paths. i
know that if i want to record a few people at the same time on
different
tracks, there should be a way to route them on this software but do
not see
how it would be done when using jaws. If anyone has this interface
and have
luck using it, perhaps you can contact me off list so as to not bore
others.
i like the interface very much as far as being small and having very
low
noise but don't know what is required to read its software. Willing
to buy a
different interface from another company if easier to use their
software or
does everything onboard the unit. any ideas. Thanks much. Very much a
novice
and still trying to learn so could have overlooked something but
don't know
where to start. Right now can only use one input at a time cause
can't read the software. Dave
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