User manual M-AUDIO FAST TRACK PRO

[. . . ] Fast Track Pro User Guide Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2010 by Avid Technology, Inc. , with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid Technology, Inc. Avid, M-Audio and Fast Track Pro are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Guide Part Number 9329-65014-00 REV A 05/10 Documentation Feedback At Avid, we are always looking for ways to improve our documentation. [. . . ] Balanced Outputs 1 and 2 (TRS Outputs 1/2) ­ These are balanced 1/4" TRS jacks. The output signal to these jacks is controlled by the front-panel Output Level (10), and Input/Playback Mix Level. Inserts 1 and 2 (Insert 1 / Insert 2) ­ These 1/4" TRS jacks are configured to connect to an analog outboard effect (compressor/ limiter, delay, reverb, etc. ), inserting the effect between the preamp and the A/D converter. These inserts are only active when a connector is inserted, and are otherwise bypassed. The TRS jack is configured as follows: Tip=Send; Ring=Return; Sleeve=Ground. 5> Hardware Connections < Connect the Fast Track Pro's Balanced Outputs 1 and 2 to your amplifier, powered monitors or mixer. < onnect your outboard effects units or dynamic processors to the Fast Track Pro's Insert 1 and Insert 2 jacks, using an insertC configured Y-cable (balanced TRS-to-dual 1/4-inch mono). < onnect your S/PDIF digital equipment (DAT or CD recorder, etc. ) to the Fast Track Pro's S/PDIF digital in and out connectors. C (NOTE: the S/PDIF output is only active when Outputs 3 and 4 are activated in the control panel. ) < Connect your headphones to the Fast Track Pro's front-panel headphone output. < onnect a microphone (using XLR or TRS/TS connector) or instrument (using TRS/TS connector only) such as an electric guitar C or bass to the front-panel Mic/Inst input channels 1 and 2. If connecting a 1/4" connector, make sure the Inst/Line button is set to the correct input level. < Connect your MIDI device's MIDI output to the Fast Track Pro's MIDI input. < Connect your MIDI device's MIDI input to the Fast Track Pro's MIDI output. 5 6> The Software Control Panel This section will explain the features of the Fast Track Pro's Control Panel. Bandwidth Tab Fig 7. 01 ­ Windows Control Panel ­ Bandwidth Tab Fig 7. 02 ­ Mac Control Panel ­ Bandwidth Tab 6 Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Fast Track Pro icon in the Windows Control Panel. On the Mac, click on the Fast Track Pro icon in the System Preferences pane. In most digital audio applications, you may also access the Control Panel via the program. In Windows, the Control Panel shows three tabs: Bandwidth, Latency and About. Descriptions of the functions within each tab are detailed in this section. Channels In this field, you can activate and deactivate input and output channels. Based on the number and configuration of channels selected, the Maximum Sample Rate will change to reflect the maximum sample rate available at the selected setting. Sample Depth In this field you can choose between 16-bit or 24-bit operation. Based on the setting you choose, the Maximum Sample Rate field will change to reflect the maximum sample rate available at the selected setting. Maximum Sample Rate This field will change to reflect the maximum sample rate available, based on the sample depth selected in the Sample Depth section, and the number of inputs and outputs selected in the Channels section. Note that the Maximum Sample Rate field is a display-only field. Configurations At 16-bit operation, the Fast Track Pro operates as a four-in, four-out device at a maximum sample rate of 48kHz, with analog and digital inputs available: < Analog Input 1 & 2 and S/PDIF input < Analog Output 1 & 2 (available on both TRS and unbalanced Outputs 1 and 2) < S/PDIF Output (mirrored at unbalanced Outputs 3 and 4) At 24-bit operation, the Fast Track Pro operates as a two-in, four-out device or a four-in, two-out device at a maximum sample rate of 48kHz, with analog OR digital inputs available: < Analog In 1 and 2 or S/PDIF < Analog Out 1 & 2 (available on both TRS and unbalanced Outputs 1 and 2) < S/PDIF Out (mirrored at unbalanced Outputs 3 and 4) Or < Analog in 1 and 2 < S/PDIF In 1and 2 < Outputs 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 At 24-bit operation, the Fast Track Pro can also operate as a two-in or two-out device at sample rates of 88. 2 and 96kHz. Analog or S/PDIF can be selected for input or output. 7 Latency Tab (Windows XP only) Fig 7. 03 ­ Windows Control Panel ­ Latency Tab Latency In this field, you can regulate the latency you wish to work with. (Latency is defined as the time it takes for your input signal to pass through your audio software and appear at the outputs). The slider settings 80 through 2048 represent varying degrees of latency, with 2048 being the longest and 80 the shortest. A shorter latency time is achieved by utilizing a smaller buffer size, while increasing the buffer size creates a longer latency time. Shorter latency is always more desirable, but working with smaller buffer sizes may make some slower systems unstable. This setting may adequately serve your purposes, but you can experiment with lower settings if you wish. [. . . ] It has been tested under a wide range of systems and operating conditions. However, there are a virtually limitless number of operating scenarios, any of which could affect your system's performance. Though this section cannot cover all possible issues you may encounter, we would like to offer you some suggestions for dealing with common problems. The USB bus is a dependable protocol that is ideally suited for digital audio. [. . . ]