recording with M-Audio Fast Track USB Audio Interface

Do you have the track muted? You need to have the little headphones off.

Also, here are some tutorials and other support stuff that might help:
http://www.apple.com/support/garageband/

What are your speakers/headphones plugged into the Mac or the interface?

I have a couple interfaces right now and HAD a FastTrack for about a week (sold it) - one thing I discovered about them is that you need to plug your computer speakers/headphones, whatever, into the interface and set up your mac to use it for INPUT and OUTPUT - it basically becomes your soundcard when it's set up properly. I went through Audio/Device setups, etc., but when I did it like the way I stated it all worked great.

I actually just picked one up and this is what the process is...

I must reiterate the first line... Do not install any of the packaged software as it does not help, or do anything beneficial... just use Garageband.

This is to record a plug in guitar.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO LOAD ANY DISCS THAT COME WITH THE DEVICE

1. Connect M-Audio Fast Track USB to appropriate USB port on computer.
ex. MacBook Pro - use forward port (port furthest away from display)
Also, see note 2 for M-Audio knowledge base, support etc...

2. Open System Preferences and:
-Select M-Audio Fast Track USB icon
-Select "About" button and note Audio Firmware version
-Select "Updates" to open M-Audio web site
-Select: USB Audio Series<Fast Track USB< MAC OS 10.5.7 (or appropriate operating system)
-Note version number of latest drive and download if
necessary to update your M-Audio

- Select "Sound" in Hardware row of System Preferences
-Select "Input" button and select M-Audio Fast Track USB
- No need to change "Output" regardless of how you want to listen to playback!

3. Connect guitar to M-Audio box (a pre-amp will boost output, but is not necessary)
- Make sure button on rear of M-Audio box is selected properly for guitar

4. Open Garage Band (Do Not open Garage Band prior to connecting M-Audio)
- Select New Project - Electric Guitar

5. Open Garage Band Preferences
- Select "Audio/MIDI" button
-Audio Output select:
- "Built-in Output" to use computer's speaker or headphones/speakers connected directly to computer OR
- "M-Audio Fast Track USB" to listen to headphones/speakers
connected directly to M-Audio box (use Mix knob and Output knob on front of M-Audio box to control ouput if choosing this set-up)
-Audio Input select:
-"M-Audio Fast track USB"

6. Choose an Amp model in Garage Band
- Double-click picture of amp (this displays rear picture of amp and access to settings)
-Select: Input Source : Mono2(M-Audio Fast Track USB) NOT MONO 1!
of if using Mic and guitar : Stereo2 (M-Audio Fast Track USB)

7. Record


This saved me from throwing the thing out the window... It works well now!

Thanks, AdamSea. This run-through really helped me out. I got things up and running after reading your post!
Hank R.

hi, you seem to know some stuff...my problem sounds the same, not getting any sound out of my headphones while using a usb interface. mine's a behringer uca200, super basic.
tried all that you said there (3X) and still nothing. i see the sound's there and playing, but not thru phones till i remove usb.
if you have any other tips, i'd love to hear them!

Click Garageband > Preferences > Audio/Midi and choose built in for output.

i bought the m-audio fast track usb and I'm having a volume problem when recording.Can't get the guitar loud enough, the meters barely register? I can hear ok, just the recording levels are to low? What can I do?