M-Audio Fast Track Ultra User Manual page 8

Fast Track Ultra
8 Using Fast Track Ultra
Monitoring
The internal monitor mixer allows you to monitor any combination of sources from its hardware inputs, along with eight
channels of audio from your DAW. The Control Panel gives you access to a 16 x 8 channel monitor mixer, allowing you
to send any input or DAW return to any output. Four independent monitor mixes can be created for outputs 1/2 through
7/8. Headphone outputs 1 and 2 are tied to line outputs 1/2 and line outputs 3/4, respectively.
For more information on using the internal monitor mixer, refer to the section on the Control Panel.
Digital Effects Processing
The internal monitor mixer includes a built-in digital signal processor which allows you to add reverb or delay to your
monitor mix. This is useful when overdubbing and setting up monitor mixes. Any input or software return channel can be
routed to this internal DSP effects unit via the Control Panel.
For more information on using the DSP effects, refer to the section on the Control Panel.
Working with Fast Track Ultra
The following sections address a number of real-life situations that you may encounter while using your Fast Track Ultra.
These brief tutorials should help guide you through them.
Also check the M-Audio website from time to time for additional tutorials or FAQs.
Setting Up Your Recording Levels
Using the Mic, Line or Instrument Inputs
Connect your microphone, instrument or line level source to the front or rear panel Mic/Line/Inst inputs
Make sure the associated channel's front/rear switch is set to the correct position for your chosen inputs, and that the
input gain is turned fully counter-clockwise to the lowest level. If you are using a condenser microphone, be certain
to activate the Phantom Power switch
level until the LED Level Meter shows input with a fairly steady green signal while audibly testing your input levels
(i.e., strumming the guitar, or speaking into the mic). If your microphone input signal is too hot (LED Level Meter lights
steadily red), pull out the Mic Input Gain knob
• NOTE: When recording with microphones, it is best to keep the mic at some distance from the main speakers, or
use headphones to monitor. Feedback may occur when microphones are too close to speakers.
Using the Coaxial S/PDIF Input
Connect the S/PDIF output of your external audio device to the rear panel S/PDIF Input
you receive at the S/PDIF In will be the signal level that you record. Any adjustments to that signal level must be
made at the source. If you have an output level control on the device that you've connected to the S/PDIF inputs,
adjust that output level control to change the recording level. Most recording software will allow you to add gain to a
recorded track that was made at a level that is initially too low, but be careful that the recording level is not reaching
digital clipping (signal going into the red) while recording.
You will also want to configure the sync source to "external. " Refer to the section below on the Control Panel and
your software's documentation for more information.
(after connecting the microphone to the XLR input). Slowly raise the input
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to activate the 20dB pad and lower the input level.
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User Guide
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. The signal level that
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