Problems using M Audio Fast Track with Garageband

Question

Problems using M Audio Fast Track with Garageband

According to the blurb, the M Audio Fast Track (USB) 'is class compliant in Mac OSX offering true plug-and-play operation. Just plug in, and you're ready to start recording'. This is why I bought it, but I am experiencing no end of problems actually getting it to register with Garageband '08.

The problems are (a) I cannot hear any sound coming 'through' the Fast Track and Garageband (b) I can hear the guitar if I plug the headphones into the Fast Track, but nothing is recorded in Garageband (c) my mic, which is plugged into the line socket intended for guitars because I don't have the larger connection, reports no sound at all.

Any ideas, or tips to how others have managed to set up this 'plug-and-play' device would be greatly welcomed.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Dec 30, 2008 8:47 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 30, 2008 10:07 AM in response to Spencer Taylor1

Okay, so I can now detect the sound of a mic by listening directly through the headphone socket on the Fast Track. In order for this to happen, I have had to run the mic through a pre-amp (which defeats the object of buying the Fast Track but never mind). I can now hear both guitar/mic by listening in this way.

BUT, Garageband is still not registering the sound. I am also unable to use the effects etc on the Garageband program. Surely it shouldn't be this complicated? Are there any Apple users who have successfully linked M Audio Fast Track to Garageband?

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Answer 2

Feb 18, 2009 4:18 PM in response to isteveus

Did you ever get this to work? I just today bought a Fast Track Pro. I have it hooked to my MBP via USB. I can see in control Panel two inputs:

M-Audio Fast Track Pro UDB: Line Input
M-Audio Fast Track Pro UDB: S/PDIF

Problem is, there is no sound registering on the Input Level on either choose.

I have the Power On and have tried both Input 1 & 2, bith in stereo and mono mode.

(Just to be clear, I connect the electric guitar directly to the Fast track pro, correct?)

I have read the owners manual but it is worthless. I thought this would be easy to set up.

Also note that GarageBand preferences the Audio Output and Input are selected to Fast Track Pro.

What am I doing wrong?

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Answer 3

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Feb 18, 2009 7:21 PM in response to James Coley

The blue light means you have power, so far so good. The red light next to it is phantom power don't want that it's to power a condenser mic.

With the guitar plug into channel 1 you want the top button out for instrument and the pad button on I think thats in. The gain knob start at 12 o'clock. When you strum the guitar the green light should come on if the red one comes on turn down the gain.

Midi does not matter, that is for a midi device like a keyboard.

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Answer 4

May 9, 2009 1:18 PM in response to Spencer Taylor1

I have also been dealing with fast track headaches. First, open your GB preference pane and make sure Fast Track is set as your input device. Use whatever output you like. I use the internal set up. Another user said he got better results by adding an adapter that let him plug his guitar into the mic jack on the back of the Fast Track. (higher signal volume in GB) I have a 900 MHz G4 and there is a noticeable lag in GB when I play live. Soon, I will be getting a new Mac Pro and iLife '09. I hope there's better support for my gear with the newer version.

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Answer 5

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Dec 30, 2008 8:56 AM in response to Spencer Taylor1

Did you select the fast track in Garageband preferences?

Did you select the correct input channel?

Turn the input gain up on the Fast track.

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Answer 6

Dec 30, 2008 9:46 AM in response to isteveus

Audio input on Garageband is set to the Fast Track. The mic input is on full whack, but beyond the sound of hissing there is no mic sound.

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Answer 7

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Dec 30, 2008 12:14 PM in response to Spencer Taylor1

Did you start a new real instrument track and make sure the track in record enabled? And mack sure you have the correct input channel routed to the track.

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Answer 8

Feb 18, 2009 4:48 PM in response to James Coley

Also, I just plugged a headphone into the front and I cannot hear anything. Clearly something is wrong.

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Answer 9

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Feb 18, 2009 5:53 PM in response to James Coley

Are you using a real instrument track? Is the track record enabled?

Do you have the Pad button on? Does the green signal LED light?

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Answer 10

Feb 18, 2009 6:01 PM in response to isteveus

Both the red and Blue lights are on. I do not see a green light. There is a MIDI in and MIDI out light but they are not on.

Am I doing something wrong?

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Answer 11

Feb 18, 2009 6:31 PM in response to isteveus

BTW I have real instruments on.

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Answer 12

Feb 18, 2009 7:22 PM in response to isteveus

I do not get any green light. So does that mean the device is defective?

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