[LAU] M-Audio Fast Track Pro: unreliable, distorted recording

[Christopher Arndt]

Am 02.08.2018 um 17:04 schrieb Ketil Thorgersen:
> Den 2018-08-02 13:42, skrev Christopher Arndt:
>>
>> For a band I would take a look at the MIDAS MR18, for example.

> Am I right in assuming that it can record 18 tracks simultaneously?

Yes, you can switch between two modes, where it either acts as a
two-channel audio interface (presumably with potentially less latency)
or a 18-channel one.

> Can you even utilise the built in effects under linux?

Yes, the effects work independently of the audio interface, think of
this device as a digital mixer without a hardware control interface,
wich also happens to be a 2or 18 channel audio interface.

> And it works flawlessly under linux?

So far I had no complaints. With my my system (a 5 year old intel i5
laptop), I use a Jack frame size of 256 for the 18-channel mode.
Admittedly, this isn't super low-latency and not ideal for
multi-tracking and overdubbing, but for tracking a band it's adequate, I
think.

The thing is that you control this device totally via OSC (Open Sound
Contro) and Behringer/MIDAs provides a GUI control interface (which
talks OSC to the device via Ethernet or WiFi) for Windows, OS X, Linux
(64-bit), iOS and Android. For the latter there are even third-party
control apps, which provide a slightly better user experience. You can
even send OSC messages incapsulated into MIDI sysex messages to the
devices via the standard DIN-MIDI interface (i.e you could program a
MIDI controller floor board to turn on/off channels or effects).

But once you have programmed your routing, you can use these devices
also as standalone (sub-)mixers, e.g. as a mixer for the the whole band
in the rehearsal room, as a keyboard submixer, or a monitor mixer.


BTW, the MIDAS MR18 is almost the same device as the Behringer XR-18,
except that the latter has two inputs, which also can accepts instrument
(guitar) level), and the former has better Neutrik XLR sockets with
locking mechanism.


Cheers, Chris