[ddots-l] Re: m-audio fast track ultra software
- From: Bryan Smart <bryansmart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 12:27:54 -0400
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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