M-Audio Fast Track Pro & Virtual Beat Maker

Why You Need An Audio Interface?

If you're going to start making your own beats, there will come a time when you want to invest in your own gear setup. In my several articles, I will talk about what equipment, both hardware & software, is need for you to get the most out of your production. This applies to all types of producers, not just hip hop, but electronica, pop, rock, and everyone out their who produces their own music. Mind you, this is not a professional review, rather just my 2 cents!
Today we will look at the M-Audio Fast Track Pro. This device, manufactured by M-Audio, is designed to give you the best hi-fidelity recording on a limited budget. It includes 2 microphone preamps as well as other Audio and CD connections that will give you sound quality better than most CD's. On the back it includes MIDI and outputs if you want to hook up your hardware keyboard synthesizer or workstation.


It also has 2 RCA outputs(unbalanced) and 1 TRS output(balanced) and TRS input. This is useful to those who want to hook up their studio monitors to their PC, and most studio monitors are going to include either TRS or RCA, or both. This device, however, does not carry XLR, but it shouldn't be a problem now these days because thanks to companies like radioshack, you have endless types of adapters. Just getting a XLR to TRS converter and you're set.

Beat makers and music producers are not the only ones who benefit from having an audio interface! If you're a DJ and you need to find a way to hook up your decks and mixer to your laptop, then this will help if you want to record your music in a live setting. The old age of vinly is gradually starting to wear out, although there are still veterans out there who will never leave their turntables (which is perfectly fine). Things are becoming digital these days and now DJ's don't need much but a laptop, a DJ midi controller (or any controller, including keyboards), an audio interface, and they're set for gigs.

Here are some quick Specs:

• 4x4 24-bit/96kHz audio interface
  
• Two front panel mic/instrument preamp inputs (XLR)
  
• Two balanced outputs (1/4" TRS)
  
• 4 unbalanced outputs (RCA)
  
• 2x2 S/PDIF digital I/O
  
• 1x1 MIDI I/O with activity LEDs
  
• 1 Headphone output (1/4" TRS)
  
• Mac and PC compatible; class-compliant with Mac OS 10.3.9 and higher

This audio interface is a great addition to home studios, travelling musicians, or DJ's who need to record music straight to their computer with the highest sound quality possible on a budget. Starting at around $199 USD, I say this gives you more than enough for the buck. Cheers to M-Audio!

Get started making your music right away with virtual beat machine!