Question about M-audio FAST TRACK USB

[perthox]

So, after getting some info on the Behringer UCA200/202, I have decided to go for a better (and more expensive) interface. I am thinking of buying the fast track usb but I have some questions about it. First, I've read in another forum that it has no phantom power (which I need because I use a condenser mic) so I know I am going to need some kind of phantom power supply (How does this thing work anyway?). Second, when I record my guitar, I don't want to plug it into the 1/4" jack because I've also read that the fast track's 1/4" jack doesn't sound very clean. I'd like to plug my guitar into the xlr socket of the fast track instead so I also know I'm gonna need a Direct Box that makes it into an xlr cable. In short, this is my plan for the guitar:

Guitar >>1/4" jack cable>> Direct box >>XLR cable>>> Fast Track XLR socket

but I don't know how to make the condenser mic work...

Is there some kind of gadget I can buy that can be a direct box for the guitar AND can be a phantom power supply for the mic? thanks.

[KitC]

Samson makes a mic power supply that you can use inline between the condenser and your fast track. Read about it in this thread:

http://talk.philmusic.com/board/index.php/topic,90465.0.html

[Ninjek]

meron po ba niyan dito? parang kailangan ko rin eh.

[KitC]

meron po ba niyan dito? parang kailangan ko rin eh.

Contact Tarkuz Toccata of Audiophile for availability.

[Ninjek]

umm... may contact number po ba kayo? tnx.

[KitC]

Look for contact details in audiophilecomponents.com or try to PM Tarkuz.

[Ninjek]

ah ok tnx po

[perthox]

Samson makes a mic power supply that you can use inline between the condenser and your fast track. Read about it in this thread:

http://talk.philmusic.com/board/index.php/topic,90465.0.html

Thanks for the info sir Kit. So if I am able to buy this, I still need to buy a direct box that turns the cable of my guitar into an xlr cable right? Thanks,

[KitC]

Just an idea... why not get the Fast Track Pro which already has phantom power and accepts guitar/instrument levels without a need for a DI box? Try computing the total cost of the Fast Track+DI+Phantom power supply vs. a single Fast Track Pro.

EDIT: I guess I stand corrected... I just found out that the Fast Track accepts guitar levels with the press of a button. I guess then that you only have to worry about phantom power.

[perthox]

Just an idea... why not get the Fast Track Pro which already has phantom power and accepts guitar/instrument levels without a need for a DI box? Try computing the total cost of the Fast Track+DI+Phantom power supply vs. a single Fast Track Pro.

EDIT: I guess I stand corrected... I just found out that the Fast Track accepts guitar levels with the press of a button. I guess then that you only have to worry about phantom power.

because the fast track USB only lets me plug my guitar in the 1/4" jack. What I want to do is to plug it into the balanced xlr jack because they say the fast track USB's 1/4" jack has some noise issues.

[bloodshedd]

Then you should probably just get the Fast Track Pro...
It has the mic (with phantom power) / instrument inputs that you need...
                                   .......not to mention that you get 2 of them which gives you further flexibility if you want to track say guitar and bass at the same time or mic your guitar amp with two mics.
                The inputs also has inserts just incase you want to use some outboard gear. Its also a MIDI interface...
                I've tried this already and it seems fine to me...

[perthox]

Then you should probably just get the Fast Track Pro...
It has the mic (with phantom power) / instrument inputs that you need...
                                   .......not to mention that you get 2 of them which gives you further flexibility if you want to track say guitar and bass at the same time or mic your guitar amp with two mics.
                The inputs also has inserts just incase you want to use some outboard gear. Its also a MIDI interface...
                I've tried this already and it seems fine to me...

Oh sorry wasn't able to give my opinion about this in Sir KitC's advice. The thing about the Fast Track Pro is that it is too expensive for me. And it has some functions that I don't really need. For starters, I don't know how to use MIDI lol.

[bloodshedd]

almost 7k(fastrack usb) + 3-4k (a nice direct box) + almost 3k (phantom power supply) = roughly 12,700 to 13,500

FAST TRACK PRO = 13,260 (discounted) + you get more features...

Just think about it...

Rak!!!!

[KitC]

For starters, I don't know how to use MIDI lol.

Seriously, midi is not a problem. Once you get it to control your favorite midi-enabled multifx, you'll wonder why you never learned midi in the first place.

[perthox]

almost 7k(fastrack usb) + 3-4k (a nice direct box) + almost 3k (phantom power supply) = roughly 12,700 to 13,500

FAST TRACK PRO = 13,260 (discounted) + you get more features...

Just think about it...

Rak!!!!

The thing is, I could get the Fast Track USB for about 5k (2nd hand). The direct box for 1.5k (2nd hand)... but Audiophile said the pps is out of stock... Thanks for the calculation though. 

[perthox]

Seriously, midi is not a problem. Once you get it to control your favorite midi-enabled multifx, you'll wonder why you never learned midi in the first place.

Oh really?...... I guess I should start learning it then since my keyboard has usb midi.... thanks.

[inot1105]

hi all,

what do you think about the Fast Track USB with bundled Session sw music maker, ok ba yun?
how does is compare with other DAWs?

thanks so much,
good day,

in0t

[KitC]

what do you think about the Fast Track USB with bundled Session sw music maker, ok ba yun?
how does is compare with other DAWs?

Kinda reminds me of Acid because of it's loop handling capability - not sure if it does 'acidized' loops though. There's also no mention of vst support... could be a closed system.

[inot1105]

thanks sir KitC.

good day,

in0t