M-Audio Fast Track pro issue

[PaulT]

I always had issues with my Fast Track Pro suddenly and randomly being "unrecognized," for lack of a better word. I would have to unplug the USB and plug it back in, and after that it seemed fine. Additionally I couldn't get any sound out of my SM57 unless everything was cranked up.

After reading that the FTP's pre-amps weren't very good and the drivers are notoriously flaky, I started researching alternatives. Everybody lauded the Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, so I read up on it, waited for a good deal on eBay and picked one up. I've only had it a few weeks and haven't really pushed it yet but so far it's performed flawlessly. The drivers seem rock solid, which is what everybody says. They also say the pre-amps are great, and I can report that I definitely get a good signal with my SM57. It has a metal case and just feels like a more robust product overall. Some folks worry that USB 1.1 doesn't have enough bandwidth but from what I've read, that's not really a concern with only 2 inputs. No one was able to provide any evidence of that not being the case.

Got mine used for $125 shipped.

[larryhill41]

Thanks for the info I will look into focusrite. what to do with the fast track is the next question.

[4l7]

Hi,

I have a FTP and have seen similar communications "dropouts" , i say dropout because i have experienced both driver related issues and comms issues due to the USB interface. The correct recent online downloaded drivers in most cases solved any issues with software, but the usb port(on the pc-laptop, not on the FTP) and the cable thats used i have found to be the majority of problems iv had, iv put it down to noise on the usb bus most of the time, ie. having a pile of usb devices or even worse, an external usb hub all plugged in at the same time. some usb ports on pcs also have different controllers on the mainboard and thus operate at different speeds so perhaps try a different port, also if one device causes a problem it can cause all devices on the bus to operate at lower throughput, and length of cable is also a necessary spec with usb again due to noise(and resistance) and this occurs even with powered devices.
So just to out-rule any of this, maybe try getting a shorter and quality usb lead, removing any unnecessary usb devices(especially external hubs) from the pc-laptop and avoid using the usb ports on the front of a PC, use one in the rear when possible.
cheers,
4l7

[larryhill41]

Originally Posted by 4l7

Hi,

I have a FTP and have seen similar communications "dropouts" , i say dropout because i have experienced both driver related issues and comms issues due to the USB interface. The correct recent online downloaded drivers in most cases solved any issues with software, but the usb port(on the pc-laptop, not on the FTP) and the cable thats used i have found to be the majority of problems iv had, iv put it down to noise on the usb bus most of the time, ie. having a pile of usb devices or even worse, an external usb hub all plugged in at the same time. some usb ports on pcs also have different controllers on the mainboard and thus operate at different speeds so perhaps try a different port, also if one device causes a problem it can cause all devices on the bus to operate at lower throughput, and length of cable is also a necessary spec with usb again due to noise(and resistance) and this occurs even with powered devices.
So just to out-rule any of this, maybe try getting a shorter and quality usb lead, removing any unnecessary usb devices(especially external hubs) from the pc-laptop and avoid using the usb ports on the front of a PC, use one in the rear when possible.
cheers,
4l7

I got my ftp earlier this year. they havent updated the driver since 2010.