Soundcard : M-Audio Fast Track Pro
Soundcard : M-Audio Fast Track Pro Posted on: 05.04.2008 by Irvin Cee Anyone using this card ? How is the sound quality? I've heard that the output isn't really loud...is it true? Any drivers uses on mac? How is the latency? And mast question : what are the dimensions (wasn't able to find the information anywhere) thanks in advance ! | |
| anthony young 01.12.2008 |
Originally Posted by ToS
At this stage i can really only guess that vibration is causing the knob to turn which leads me to believe the VCI has frozen although it actually has not. But possibly the vibration is causing to many signals sent out from the AK1 which is causing the crash? I'll give it a run at the club with my new tweaks and see what happens. if i get a crash i will try putting a bed of foam under the soundcard as that is the only thing i have not tried at this stage. Until then thanks for the help all. If i do have trouble i'll post the original thread i started so we can continue on there otherwise i may be taking this 1 off track a little. |
| Hannes Deburchgraeve 19.09.2008 |
Originally Posted by ToS
...By the way, any update on how well you've avoided any crashes/sound stoppages since you started using your solution? |
| Xavier Emanuels 24.07.2008 |
Originally Posted by ToS
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| Allie Papadimitriou 15.05.2010 | Can anyone tell me how to set the fastrack pro up? I just switched from SL to traktor and I can't get the FTP to output the monitor signal to the headphone plug. When I switch the outputs in the Traktor menu it still outputs the main signal to the headphone plug. If i move the mix knob in traktor and change the setting I get nothing, if I move the mix knob on the FTP and change the settings I get nothing. What am I doing wrong? Thanks |
| anthony young 01.12.2008 |
Originally Posted by ToS
At this stage i can really only guess that vibration is causing the knob to turn which leads me to believe the VCI has frozen although it actually has not. But possibly the vibration is causing to many signals sent out from the AK1 which is causing the crash? I'll give it a run at the club with my new tweaks and see what happens. if i get a crash i will try putting a bed of foam under the soundcard as that is the only thing i have not tried at this stage. Until then thanks for the help all. If i do have trouble i'll post the original thread i started so we can continue on there otherwise i may be taking this 1 off track a little. |
| DJ MENSAH 01.12.2008 | Unplugginig your laptop is a good idea but not everyone has a 1hr set. Some of the DJs here work trough the evening with their gear . It is interesting that both VCI and AK1 gets frozen. There is still lots of room for a usb power problem (especially due to increased amp volume) but it sure can't be from the vibrations(or at least I believe so, correct me if I'm wrong). |
| Hannes Deburchgraeve 30.11.2008 | Hmm don't know about the freezes but keeps playing problem. I believe my issue was a bit different. I avoided the issue by always unplugging my laptop before my set. That way no ground loops or potential power surges. Sorry I'm not more help. |
| anthony young 30.11.2008 | Hey all i've got another thread which i believe is possibly the same problem with a different card. I've got the Audio Kontrol 1 and i'm having big problems with the whole system crashing. Rather than giving the thread i'll give u a better idea now that i have been DJing regularly at the club i am having trouble with and understand the problem more now. Basically everything runs fine for any set amount of time until when i believe the an increased bass line comes in it all turns to s#!t (The booth and desk is all ply and vibration is a problem although not enough to affect a standard home cd player at all). 1st of all my VCI 100 stops sending signals to traktor. I can try to reboot the vci in traktor but then traktor freezes also. Even if i don't try to reboot the VCI traktor freezes within a few seconds. The song(s) i have loaded and playing continue to play until track end (Possibly until whatever was loaded into ram is up although i haven't had any long mixes going). I then have to wack a cd on as backup while i reboot and start all over again. Suggestions given in the other thread were new thicker USB cables which i have tried and seemed to make some improvement with less crashes but i found during last evening s gig that as i increase volume a little or start to play heavier bass music it crashes on me. I have a foam bass under the VCI to stop it from sending out extra signals from vibration through the jogs which worked excellent. I put a couple of different surfaces under my laptop to see if that could be a problem as using foam under it would only cause an increase in cpu temperature due to airflow. It only dawned on me last evening that hey maybe it's the AK1 which is the problem either through vibration or now after reading this post it is just drawing to much usb power. Only problem is i don't believe there is a power supply available from the AK1. At this stage i will try for turning down the masters on the AK1 from a bit over halfway and increase the volume on the club amp. I'll be sure to post back hopefully with a story of success. |
| DJ MENSAH 22.09.2008 |
Have you tried an APC? Do you believe this would work as a solution as well?
...By the way, any update on how well you've avoided any crashes/sound stoppages since you started using your solution?
I ask other FTPro owners to tesify if they made this power conditioner and wether it work'd. |
| Hannes Deburchgraeve 19.09.2008 |
Originally Posted by ToS
...By the way, any update on how well you've avoided any crashes/sound stoppages since you started using your solution? |
| Xavier Emanuels 24.07.2008 |
Originally Posted by ToS
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| DJ MENSAH 24.07.2008 | Here is an article from my website, descripbing the whole path: http://tos.network.in.rs/pages/posts...k-problem6.php |
| Random X 16.07.2008 | You're really tweaking this one! Nice solution! |
| DJ MENSAH 08.07.2008 | Found a solution. At least works so far and passes my crash tests. I've add-ed two caps (2200uF) in paralel with usb power lines so they can filter anny jitter that is created by laptop-card interaction. I have done this by creating a small male-female usb cable so none of the original gear /caples is harmed. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do try this, note that when disconnecting the card, you should do it in this order: 1) disconnect the usb from fhe laptop 2) turn off the FTPro If you turn off FTPro or disconnect the usb cable from the soundcard you leave these capacitors charged and danglig. They might return their charge back to your USB port and damage something. (if I'm wrong, technicians, please correct me.) Dozen, I have not replied as that prevoius solution was not the final one. Hopefully this one is, and is quite easy to make. |
| owen ingram 27.05.2008 | What part do I not understand? All of it really I mean, I get it that there is some power spike that causes it to fail, but I do not understand how to guarantee this to not happen. |
| DJ MENSAH 27.05.2008 | EDIT&UPDATE: This fix helped partially, the #$%@ still manages to lock-up but not so often as it used to. I'm still searching for a solution to this problem. I guess there is no reason to build it if the fix is not finished. BTW, can you be more specific: what part you don't untherstand exactly? Would you need a list of parts? |
| owen ingram 27.05.2008 | ToS, I have the EXACT same problem wit my Macbook and FTPro and NO IDEA why it was happening to me (I'm totally new to all this). I'd be playing and my audio greenlight would go red and all sound would stop. I'd shut Traktor down and reopen it and all would be good again for a bit. So, is there any way you can DETAIL for a novice like me how you managed to build a fix for this? Thanks! |
| DJ MENSAH 08.05.2008 | Mine was 100eur....I guess I did well. |
| Irvin Cee 08.05.2008 | At first I wanted to get a fast track pro, which is 200 |
| DJ MENSAH 08.05.2008 | HERE BE THE REAL SOLUTION (or so I hope, it works for me) With a help of my friends I probably have found the solution to the "sound stops" problem. USB power from the computer is limited to the 500mA which, is not always 500mA but LESS(and this soundcard needs power). That made me go to the store and buy an universal DC power supply 1.5-12V 1000mA (aka wall wart). The wall wart (among many other things haven't helped) because it's output was not filtered and regulated(to the 9V). The link above is a cheap (and a bit dirty) solution to the problem of voltage regulation. Any electronics engeneer will probably build a better one, and I hope to hear what components should be changed. PLEASE DO NOT THROW YOUR Fast Track Pro away(as I was intending to) but try to build someting like this or get a wall wart with regulated output(yes, they are sold as regulated and unregulated). To put it simple, buy an expensive one. Hope I helped. EDIT&UPDATE: This fix helped partially, the #$%@ still manages to lock-up but not so often as it used to. I'm still searching for a solution to this problem... |
| DJ MENSAH 30.04.2008 | I did try line input, it works. Even better, you can use two mono inputs and mix it right into the main output therefore the card can be used as a mini mixer. The solution that i have posted before does not work. IDK if I got a faulty soundcard or the hardware that it is connected to is really bad but I can't get it to work a full hour while out of my home setup. I'm sad, shocked and appalled. Can someone help me please. In two weeks I have a nice gig (that can have an impact on my DJ career) but I can't do it with this hardware. My dj-self-esteem is lost...help pls. |
| Irvin Cee 29.04.2008 | has someone tried the line input of the card used as a live input in traktor ? |
| 29.04.2008 |
Originally Posted by Peter Willis
the converter i have does the opposite. this box converts analog signal to digital signal. Radio Shack Digital Series Toslink / PCM / S-Video Analog - Digital A/V Signal Converter model 15-1242 http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Shack-Di.../dp/B000HULNEK currently you can only find them on ebay... there are also digital to analog convertors out there as well, these are more common than the analog to digital ones... |
| DJ MENSAH 26.04.2008 | I Believe to have found the solution to the "vulnerability". The RCA connectors on the soundcard are (true) too sensitive. Happened to me that the soundcard freezes while performing on a live DJ gig(5-10 times in one evening ). I'm not TOTALLY sure about this solution but in few days I will have this confirmed.
SOLUTION is to avoid usage of RCA outputs in clubs/caffes and connect to TRS balanced 1/2 output. (I feel sorry for the people that need all four outputs.)
I also haven't tried connecting to the SPDIF out, maybe that too works as it should (stable). If you don't have balanced inputs on your gear (as many don't) feel free to convert blanced to unbalanced...I do it. Please double check everything before you do this. I am not and will not be liable for any damage that you induce on your gear . My FAST TRACK PRO soundcard works connected like this as I'm writing this article. |
| Lebone Letlape 26.04.2008 | Thanks man, but I just figured it out 2 days ago For some reason my monitor output is 1/2, and the master out is 3/4. It's all working now tho |
| Ben Strauch 26.04.2008 |
Originally Posted by piburr
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| Lebone Letlape 23.04.2008 | Hay guys, I have the Fast Track Pro and so far it's been working great, with one exception. In the world of DJing I am still extremely wet behind the ears, I've had the Love and Enthusiasm for this music for years and my head is just bursting with ideas and I've been dying to get them out and make it all real, so a few weeks ago I got a vci100 and traktor3.3 and the FTP, and I've been slowly teaching myself how to reconfigure traktor to work the way I want it to. I'm well on my way to getting the knack of oldschool beatmatching and I'm doing quite well with all the midi command rewriting and whatnot, but I just can't figure out how to hear the cue in my headphones. I'm entirely positive that it's something ridiculously basic but I can't put my finger on it. Could somebody please give me a step by step on how to headphone cue with traktor and the FTP? It would be much appreciated |
| Paul jonnathan navarro baldeon 11.04.2008 | Sorry... I'll start a new thread like you mentioned... thanx |
| Irvin Cee 11.04.2008 | it's a thread about the m audio fast track pro, so if you want to talk about an another soundcard, jsut create a new thread |
| Paul jonnathan navarro baldeon 09.04.2008 | From what I've been reading about, Behringer F-Control FCA202 looks like an affordable alternative...(Firewire, around $80US, 2in 2out...) Anyone used one before? |
| Irvin Cee 08.04.2008 | I'm also considering getting an echo audiofire 2, because it's firewire, much smaller, better build, and 50 |
| Bruno Silva 07.04.2008 | i have never had any problems with mine on a macbookpro 2.4 w/ 2 gigs. I actually one side out to the kaoss pad to use the beat looper and grain effects for drums and the output is only slightly lower than my other interfaces. That is a quik fix with the trim knob on the kaoss pad. I have never had any problems with drivers. I did however upgrade to the firewire 410 because of the software mixer and being able to send differant channels to the kaoss pad as a send/return. Any other interfaces you are considering? |
| Irvin Cee 08.04.2008 |
Originally Posted by corporation
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| 06.04.2008 | I really liked my FTP when i had one. I used it for djDecks running 2 decks of TC vinyl into it - one through the analog in, and one through the digital input (throught an analog to digital s/pdif convertor). Latency was really good through the asio4all drivers. i also used it with guitar rig, and had good results. over all i thought it was a good card for the price. I recently got rid of it when i got my Audio 8 dj / Scratch bundle - didn't need more than one soundcard in the family. |
| DJ MENSAH 06.04.2008 | Using it for the last 3 months. I've set it on 128 samples -> 2.5ms in Traktor and runs smoothly on a (bit tweaked)windows xp @ laptop hp compaq nx7300 (Celeron M 1.8GHz/1GB DDR2) Ground loops: I guess the card isn't made to isolate USB power from audio out(if that is even possible to engeneer in this price range). If you encounter some humming, try to connect the ext. power adapter(wall wart). That probably won’t stop the audio-hum until you cut the GND and +5V on the usb cable. It is "vulnerable" to the noise(some say via GND) that is comming BACK FROM the amp if the amp or power line that is amp connected-to tends to be problematic/noisy. Problem is beeing discussed in this community thread. Good soundcard but not for the people that want the hardware which "just works". |
| Ben Strauch 06.04.2008 | i'm using it about an year and it never let me down!the sound qality is wery good,yes the outputs are a little low but when you gain up the club mixer there is no problem,the earphones out is loud enough,i hawe it setted at the almost minimum buffer(256) and the latency is on 5,5ms(Win Xp) and no poping or clicking.Dimensions:19x4,5x14cm 0,2 kg |
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