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M-Audio Fast Track Ultra High-speed 8 x 8 USB 2.0 Interface with MX Core DSP Technology | 
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| Brand: M-Audio
Category: Musical Instruments
List Price: $449.00
Buy New: $290.00
You Save: $159.00 (35%)
New (22) Used (1) from $288.99
Rating:  1 reviews
Sales Rank: 1971
Color: black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 12.7 x 10.9 x 2.8
The Fast Track Ultra 8 x 8 audio/MIDI interface takes M-Audio's acclaimed mobile recording line to the next level with high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, MX Core DSP mixer and four preamps with award-winning Octane technology. Featuring both analog and digital I/O, it allows recording on all eight channels simultaneously with pristine 24-bit/96kHz fidelity?while M-Audio's mature low-latency drivers ensure rock-solid stability and performance. The on-board MX Core DSP mixer processes eight hardware
MPN: 9900-52469-00
Model: Fast Track Ultra
UPC: 612391440510
EAN: 0612391440510
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | high-speed USB 2.0 interface | | • | MX Core DSP technology | | • | 4 preamps with award-winning M-Audio Octane technology | | • | compatible with Mac and PC | | • | 6 balanced analog outputs |
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Product Description
Fast Track Ultra-USB 2.0 audio interface, 8-in/8-out SPDIF I/O, MIDI I/O, 2 headphone outputs, Pro Tool Compatabile, Mac and PC compatible.
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| Customer Reviews:
DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM!! November 17, 2008
Jaykayess (Bombay, India)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
I want to start off by warning all prospective buyers NOT to buy this item. There are known issues with the software driver that the manufacturer has not been able to resolve, and several buyers (including me) have been forced to return the unit.
Let me state that I am forced to make this recommendation even though the unit had every feature that I was looking for and met my exact needs. My usage scenario: I do a lot of amateur live recordings and needed an interface that was portable, had 4 microphone inputs, and had the capability to record directly to my PC via the USB port without going through my PC's sound card. The M-Audio Fast Track Ultra had it all, came from a reputed manufacturer, had excellent specifications, and was extremely affordable.
I had done a lot of research before narrowing down to this particular model and bought it during a recent visit to USA (I live in Bombay, India). On my return to Bombay, I was extremely disappointed to find out about this major flaw that RENDERS IT COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. Unfortunately, the user forums on the manufacturer's website were not active when I did my research, so I had no advance warning of this flaw.
The flaw is as follows: When you install the driver on any machine (Windows XP, Vista, and Mac), it works OK for the first use. After that, the driver just disappears from your PC - your PC simply does not recognize this device, and it does not show up on the device manager. You have to REINSTALL THE DRIVER EACH TIME YOU WANT TO USE THIS UNIT!! This is obviously ridiculous and unacceptable.
I checked the online forums on the manufacturer's website, and they have recommended a whole set of steps to be taken to fix this problem. These are very drastic steps - disable your anti-virus, disable your firewall, disable the sound card, disable wireless, disable modem, disable Vista Aero graphics, disable power management from all USB root hubs, and then reinstall the driver. Well, I was so desperate that I actually did all this, re-installed the driver, kept all these features disabled, and tried again - but it still showed the same problem.
I noticed that several other owners of this unit have faced exactly the same problem and have been forced to return the unit. M-Audio is a reputed manufacturer, and none of their other models seem to have any problem, so it was very surprising to find this type of a problem with this model.
From the forums, it appears that M-Audio is genuinely trying their best to solve this problem, but has not found any solution so far. Sadly, this leaves me with no choice but to return the unit and give this rating, because I can't wait forever until they find a fix.
EXCEPT FOR THE PROBLEM WITH THE SOFTWARE DRIVER, THIS UNIT DESERVES 4 OR 5 STARS.
But if you buy something which cannot even be used for its intended purpose, 1 star is the only choice.
If you want to take a chance and buy the unit - just in case the fix works for you - make sure you have an easy way to return the unit in case it doesn't work. As for me, I'm still struggling to find a way to return the unit, because I bought it in Seattle and I live in India. If I don't succeed, it's $350 down the drain...
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