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Computer Audio > Audio Interfaces > USB Audio Interfaces > M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R

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M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R

Item ID: FastTrackU8R

USB Audio Interface with Eight Octane Preamps, MX Core DSP Technology, 2 Analog Inserts, S/PDIF Digital I/O, 1 x 1 MIDI Interface, 2 Headphone Outputs, and 24-bit/96kHz Resolution

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M-Audio has informed us that this item has an unusually long shipping delay. Be assured we'll get it as quick or quicker than anyone else. Call your Sales Engineer, who can give you the most up to date details and possibly offer you alternatives that would ship sooner. We have a great relationship with M-Audio and we'll receive this item as soon or sooner than anyone else in the country. We have the best service team in the industry, and free tech support for everything we sell. Call now. We promise you'll have it soon.

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From Our Research Team:

A Flexible Interface with Award-winning Octane Mic Pres!

M-Audio's FastTrack 8R is a high-speed USB 2.0 interface boasting eight of M-Audio's acclaimed Octane preamps, so you can easily record an entire band at 24-bit/96kHz resolution with great results. Plus, the FastTrack 8R's onboard MX Core DSP technology offers you flexible channel routing, monitor submixing, and even effects routing, all for ultra-affordable price.

M-Audio FastTrack 8R at a Glance:
  • Eight high-quality mic pres for full-band recordings
  • MX Core DSP technology for even more monitoring versatility

Eight Octane mic pres
M-Audio's Octane mic pres have received critical acclaim for their excellent, high-quality sound. The FastTrack 8R is equipped with eight of them, giving you enough inputs to capture an entire band, and make a solid recording at sparkling 24-bit/96kHz resolution. The eight mic inputs are actually combo jacks, giving you the flexibility to choose between mic and line level inputs, and each pre features a 20dB pad, as well as 48V phantom power for use with any condenser mic. Two front panel 1/4" instrument inputs add to the FastTrack 8R's convenience, making it easy for you and your bandmate to just plug-in your guitars and start recording!

Onboard MX Core DSP technology
The FastTrack 8R features MX Core DSP technology that allows you to monitor with effects while you're recording, so you can enjoy the polish and sheen reverb and digital delay add to your tracks. Plus, the MX Core DSP technolgoy actually processes eight hardware inputs and eight software returns to the FastTrack 8R's eight hardware outputs, expanding its mixing I/O to an impressive 16 x 8 configuration.

M-Audio FastTrack 8R Features:
  • 8 x 8 USB 2.0 interface
  • 8 Octane mic preamps
  • 8 XLR/TRS combo jacks for mic or line-level inputs
  • 20dB pad on each preamp
  • signal/peak LED indicator lights
  • 48V phantom power
  • 2 front-panel 1/4" instrument inputs
  • 8 balanced TRS analog outputs and 2 analog inserts
  • S/PDIF digital I/O
  • Built in MIDI interface
  • 2 independent headphone ouutputs with individual volume control knobs
  • rugged, lightweight chassis
  • 24-bit/96kHz resolution
  • MXCore DSP technology expands mixing interface to 16 x 8
  • Monitor recording with effects
  • Comes with Ableton Live Lite recording software
  • Fully ASIO 2.0, WDM, MME, and Core Audio compatible

With the M-Audio FastTrack 8R you can record your entire band!

Fast Track Ultra 8R Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Computer Connection Type USB
Form Factor Rackmount
A/D Resolution 24-bit/96kHz
Built In DSP/FX Yes
Number of Audio Inputs 14
Audio Inputs Types 8 x Combo (Mic/Line), 2 x 1/4" (Hi-Z), 2 x 1/4" (Insert)
Number of Audio Outputs 10
Audio Output Types 8 x TRS, 2 x TRS (Headphone)
Number of Digital Inputs 2
Digital Input Types 1 x S/PDIF (Breakout)
Number of Digital Outputs 2
Digital Output Types 1 x S/PDIF (Breakout)
Number of Preamps 8
Phantom Power Yes
MIDI I/O In, Out
Bus Powered No
Rack Units 1U
Manufacturer Part Number 9900-65142-00

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Reviews

based on 4 reviews

M-Audio Fast Track Ultra *R

by Dane from Montana
September 6, 2010
Music Background:
I purchased this back in Dec. 09. I had a software glitch 5 days after I got it. M-Audio took it back sent me a new one and payed the shipping. This one has never missed a beat. Works great no probl... read more [+]ems at all. close [-]

Solid Piece of Gear, Perfect for Enthusiast

by Tcoz from NYC
December 19, 2011
Music Background: Semi-pro musician and student.
I'm not a pro recording engineer, I'm a guitar player that over the years has developed some skill at putting out recordings, primarily as assigned work (Berklee jazz classes and such) and demo materi... read more [+]al. Formerly, I was using a Line 6 interface, which is actually something I see in a lot of studios. I needed more inputs though for basic band capture, as well as midi for my electronic drum kit. I did my research, talked to some engineers I know, and the most frequently mentioned piece of gear within my price range was the Fasttrack Ultra 8r. I went for it, and am happy with the purchase. The unit is solid and the quality of my recordings got better without doing anything other than switching the interfaces (possibly due to the quality of the Octane technology preamps). The device just works and works well; all I do is plug it into a Mac laptop running Logic and I'm good to go. Again I'm not a pro engineer, but I can't imagine anybody would be unhappy with this device, I see no reason why I would ever have to buy another interface for years to come unless I wanted to do some serious pro work and got very particular about what I was looking for, but at that point I don't think a few hundred bucks would do the trick anymore, the next step up from this would probably be far more money.

The only reason I give 4.5 is, that although I'm completely satisfied with the unit build and performance, I'm not exactly sure what would qualify as a "5", which to me, means, "absolutely without equal", and I couldn't honestly say I know that for a fact. close [-]

Excellent mixer and pro-audio unit

by David Hoffman from Royersford, PA
April 9, 2010
Music Background: Hobbyist
Everything about the Fast Track is quality. Even the box it comes in has a nice sexy look to it.

The overall quality of the hardware is excellent, the input jacks, knobs and buttons are... read more [+] well made and feel solid. Nothing about this unit feels or looks cheap.

Setup is a breeze. I first tried it without installing the software drivers. Only inputs 1 and 2 are functional only using the hardware controls. Inputs 3-8 require you to use the software to control the volume. That's not a complaint, just a statement of how the unit functions.

I hit M-Audio's website and quickly found the latest drivers. A driver disc ships with it, but the installation instructions recommend hitting their web site to get the latest and greatest drivers. Their web site is well done and it was easy to find the drivers I needed. I'm running Windows XP and it was a quick and painless install and everything worked the first time. The software is well written, graphically well done, and very intuitive to use. There are printed installation instructions and the manual is a PDF that comes on the driver CD. The manual PDF is also available on their website. The software has an excellent "Flow Tab" with a diagram that visually depicts the routing configuration.

I'm running Cakewalk Sonar 8.5 and the Fast Track integrated perfectly with Sonar.

The only "trouble" I had was when I hooked up the MIDI cable. I really had to jam my MIDI cable into the break-out cable using more force than I would have expected to.

Overall I couldn't be happier with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone looking for a "small" 8 channel input, pro-audio card for a studio. I replaced both my 16 channel mixer and pro-audio card with this unit.

Sweetwater also has the nice touch of throwing some candy in their packaging. close [-]

Live use of the Fast Track Ultra 8R

by Bill Bradley from Newbury Park, CA
September 27, 2011
Music Background: Semi-Pro Hobbyist
I used this interface on a live gig and it performed admirably. Using all 8 inputs, it handled transferring all the audio to my Dell Laptop/ProTools 9 rig flawlessly. I use a Digi 02 interface in my... read more [+] demo studio at home and this unit keeps right up if not surpassing in quality of converters and preamps! Definitely a good value. I have heard a few complaints about the headphone output being weak. I have to crank it 75% to hear it, but so far it is adequate. It could stand to use a boost though. close [-]

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See Also: USB Interfaces , M-Audio , M-Audio USB Audio Interfaces

M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R

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