USB Interface

Heather Cooper · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 18:09 (GMT) Post subject: USB Interface

I would like suggestions on what USB Interface I should purchase to replace my M-Audio Fast Track (I am fairly certain this is the source of my hiss). I noticed that my Fast Track is on clearance at Sweet Water and the reviews were not outstanding.
My budget is around $200.00 at the high end. I have a Shure SM58 Mic and Dell Dimension PC.

I appreciate all suggestions and advice!

Lance Blair · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 20:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Off the top of my head, Edirol gear just over $200 would work or maybe the ART stuff. In your budget range watch out for the E-MU gear: their higher-end stuff is better received, and I remember reading that their owners at Creative are basically eliminating them, so you might not get any support down the road. Just remember that with your dynamic mic you're going to need a preamp with a lot of clean gain.

Heather Cooper · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008, 13:57 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks for the information Lance! Is there a source were I can read up on these type of items?

When I was at the store last night the sales guy recommend the following two in my price range.

NI
Audio Kontrol 1
or
M-Audio Fast Track Pro

Thoughts? I am now hesitant of any M-Audio product. I never dreamed a product like the one I have would 'fail' after one year and two weeks........maybe I am just naive.

Oh, and if interfaces have been covered somewhere and I a not seeing it, please would someone direct me. I don't want to keep a thread going that has already been covered. Thanks!

Emmett Andrews · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008, 16:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008, 16:12 (GMT) Post subject:

I had a fairly higher end Edirol USB box a while back that I used with a dynamic mic and I was never happy. It hissed way too much when I had to crank it.

I use a M-Audio Delta 1010 PCI/BOB type setup now and I absolutely love it. It is more than you are looking to spend now, but the point is M-Audio stuff can be great.

I know other talents who use the Fast Track Pro and deliver very clean files.

Lance Blair · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008, 16:17 (GMT) Post subject:

Chris, I only heard about E-MU third hand through gearslutz or 3db or some such board. Basically, in a discussion of converters someone posted that their friend who works at Creative said that they were gutting E-MU and that they were only going to keep a bare-bones staff to deal with selling the remaining E-MU gear. I was really tempted to get a 1616M, but now I don't know if I should since I won't get support.

Then again, since I have the Presonus Firebox (blech), it's not like I get support anyhow with all of their faulty driver updates. Their support = a polite explanation of why their stuff doesn't work (Firebox is not and has never been a 96k device).

Erik, you're right that Edirol has weak preamps like the Presonus (I go line in on mine).

Heather Cooper · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008, 00:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Who else has good things to say about the Fast Track Pro?

Ok, I apparently overlooked a number of threads on USB Interface....just wasn't looking in the right place.
Sorry for being redundant! Embarassed

Thanks for everyones help!

Scott Paxton · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008, 21:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Heather,

I love my Fast Track Pro. The signal is silent and lots of head room. I am using it with a mic pre amp, but I can see the pre-amp on board is enough to get the job done. The Fast Track Pro lowered my noise floor tremendously.

Thanks,

Heather Cooper · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008, 03:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott,

Thank you so much for that information! Your vote along with a few others has really helped me make my decision on the Fast Track Pro.

Brad Venable · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 06:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Heather, I have two Fast Track Pros.

Love them with or without my Grace 101 pre.

Brad

Louis Tristan · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 15:57 (GMT) Post subject: USB

Got rid of my USB interface for that same reason. Back in the day when I got my first mic was experiencing a hiss and other weird sounds. I don't know why but there was always a hiss and some sort of electric echo. Then got a firewire interface and all was good..

Now I think the new OS 10.5 needs a patch or something because on one machine running 10.4 there is no ring and on another there is that similar sound one got when using a USB interface back in the day. Everyone has their preference me personally am content with the Maudio Firewire. Its simple and easy (well sort of went crazy the other day trying to get my USB Maudio Midi interface to work not realizing after like visiting a million forums that it was a driver update). A lot of folks are having that problem after the 10.5 update...

Heather Cooper · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008, 15:25 (GMT) Post subject:

I have my new Fast Track Pro! I am so excited about the deal I was able to get on this product. I found the item on Amazon for a shocking price of $151.00. Now, since I didn't want to wait any longer to have it in my hot little hands, I printed the page and took it with me to my local store. I asked them if there was any way they would match the price...and they did!! Woo woo As the saying goes...it never hurts to ask!

I am reading the quick start guide and getting set up. Any of you F.T.Pro users that have tips and/or suggestions fire away! Very Happy

Louis Tristan · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008, 18:13 (GMT) Post subject: m audio

Looks pretty cool....Nice!...

Heather Cooper · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008, 23:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Thank you for that Louis!

I wish the 'reviewer' would have gone into more installation detail! Wink

Sabrina Sterling · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 03:08 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Heather,
I like using a Tapco USB interface by Mackie, it costs less than $200 , comes with nice software and is very easy to use and reliable.
I also have a Studio Projects one, but like the Tapco better.

Hi I edited this as I accidently posted a picture of the Firewire Tapco instead of the USB one, as you can see they both look really similar. Sorry about the confusion. Thanks to Scott for spotting the mistake! I am a big fan of Mackie products and love the Tapco for its software and its very easy to use.

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