® Fast Track C400™ User Guide
Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2011 by Avid Technology, Inc., with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid. Avid, the Avid logo, Fast Track, M-Audio and Pro Tools are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
contents Chapter 1. Welcome to Fast Track C400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fast Track C400 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 About www.
Chapter 6. The Multi Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Multi Button Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Multi Button Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Configuring the Multi Button (Building a Macro). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
chapter 1 Welcome to Fast Track C400 Thank you for purchasing the Fast Track® C400 audio interface. • Up to a total of four channels of input, using analog and digital inputs simultaneously Fast Track C400 is a 4-input, 6-output audio interface that connects to your computer through USB 2.0. The interface features high-quality analog and digital connectivity, MIDI ports, sophisticated monitoring and control functionality, and pristine audio quality at sample rates up to 24-bit/96 kHz.
System Requirements and Compatibility Conventions Used in This Guide Fast Track C400 can be used with qualified Windows or Mac computer running Pro Tools or qualified third party software. The following symbols are used to highlight important information: A DVD drive is required to install the drivers and software provided with this product. User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
chapter 2 Fast Track C400 Hardware Overview Fast Track C400 Top Panel Features Figure 1 identifies the controls, indicators on the Fast Track C400 top panel. 48V Power LED Output Selector Input Meters Volume Knob Gain Pad Multi Button Input Selector Headphone Volume Figure 1. Fast Track C400 top panel The Fast Track C400 top panel provides the following: Front/Rear Input Selectors When these buttons are set to the “In” position, the corresponding front panel Instrument Input is active.
Pad Button Each analog input channel offers a Pad button. If your input signal is too high or “hot” even with the Gain knob at a low setting, press that channel’s Pad button to reduce the input signal by approximately 20dB. Gain Controls These knobs adjust the input gain levels of their corresponding Input channels. Turn a knob clockwise to increase the gain, and counterclockwise to decrease it.
Volume Knob The Volume knob adjusts the output level of the analog line outputs on the back panel. It can be configured to control outputs 1-2, 3-4, or 1-4 in the Control Panel. Refer to “Master Volume Knob” on page 21 to learn how to do this. Multi Button The Multi button can be programmed to emulate and execute up to eight different computer key commands or key combinations in your software, as described in Chapter 6, “The Multi Button.
Fast Track C400 Back Panel Features Figure 2 identifies each port on the back panel of the Fast Track C400. Kensington Lock Connector USB Port MIDI I/O S/PDIF Digital I/O Monitor Outputs Mic/Line Inputs Figure 2. Fast Track C400 back panel The Fast Track C400 back panel provides the following: USB Port This standard USB port is used to connect Fast Track C400 to a USB 2.0 port on your computer using the USB cable included with your interface.
Line Outputs These pairs of outputs (A and B) support balanced (TRS), or unbalanced (TS), 1/4-inch connections. These outputs can be connected to a mixing board or directly to a monitoring system, such as powered monitors, a stereo power amp, or another stereo destination. Mic/Line Inputs Each analog input channel provides combination XLR/TRS on the back panel.
Fast Track C400 Front Panel Features Figure 3 identifies each port on the front panel of the Fast Track C400. Instrument Inputs Headphone Output Figure 3. Fast Track C400 front panel The Fast Track C400 front panel provides the following: Instrument Inputs These 1/4-inch inputs are for connecting an electric guitar, bass, or other instrument-level signal. The levels for these inputs is controlled by the corresponding Input Gain knobs on the top panel.
chapter 3 Fast Track C400 Installation This chapter covers the Fast Track C400 installation for Mac and Windows. Installing Fast Track C400 Drivers A Note for Mac OS 10.6.7 Users The Keyboard Setup Assistant will appear first time you connect Fast Track C400 to you computer. Please close the window, and do not click “Continue.” Mac OS X To install the Fast Track C400 driver: 1 Make sure Fast Track C400 is not connected to your computer.
2 Download the latest Fast Track C400 driver from www.m-audio.com/drivers. If you do not have Internet access, locate the installer found on the Fast Track C400 Drivers and Documentation disc that ships with the product, and proceed to the next step. 3 Double-click on the installer icon and follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation is complete, restart your computer and connect your Fast Track C400 to an available USB port on your computer.
chapter 4 Hardware Connections To hear audio recorded from Fast Track C400, you will need to connect headphones or an external sound system (such as powered monitors or a home stereo) to Fast Track C400. Sound from Fast Track C400 cannot be played through your computer’s speakers or your computer’s sound output.
Connecting Audio Inputs This section describes the analog inputs available on Fast Track C400. For information about connecting specific audio sources, see “Connecting a Microphone” on page 13, and “Connecting Instruments to the Fast Track C400” on page 14. Each Input section has three analog input jacks (the Mic and Line are on a single, combo jack): Mic For XLR microphone cables. Line (TRS) For 1/4-inch Tip-Ring-Sleeve cables from keyboards, mixers, and other line-level sources.
Connecting a Microphone Mic Cables and Connectors Microphones should be connected to Fast Track C400 using XLR cables. The Fast Track C400 can only supply power through a microphone cable with an XLR connector (the 1/4-inch TRS portion of the rearpanel Combo connector does not carry phantom power regardless of how the 48V switch is set). If you are not sure about the phantom power requirements for your microphone, refer to your microphone’s documentation or contact the manufacturer.
3 If your microphone requires phantom power, make sure the microphone is connected, then press the Phantom Power switch (labeled 48V) on the front of the Fast Track C400. This switch sends 48V to both mic inputs. The 48V LED on the front of the Fast Track C400 will light when phantom power is being supplied. Phantom Power switch Phantom Power switch 4 On the top panel of the Fast Track C400, begin by turning the Gain knob fully counter-clockwise. As your sound source (instrument, voice, etc.
2 Ensure that the Input Selector switch (on the 2 Ensure that the Input Selector switch (on the top panel) is set to the “In” position. top panel) is in the “Out” position. Input 1 Gain Input 1 Input 2 Input selector Input selector and Gain knob for Input 1 Input selector Input selector Input selector and Gain knobs for Inputs 1 and 2 3 First, turn the Gain knob full counter-clock- 3 Set your instrument’s volume to its optimal wise.
Digital Input and Output Fast Track C400 provides digital inputs and outputs for S/PDIF format digital audio. These inputs and outputs can be used in conjunction with the two analog inputs and four analog outputs of Fast Track C400. This means the interface is capable of handling 4 inputs and 6 outputs simultaneously. Connecting Digital Devices To connect a S/PDIF device to Fast Track C400: 1 Use 75-ohm coaxial cables with male RCA connectors on both ends (purchased separately).
Monitoring MIDI Instruments with Fast Track C400 If you have a MIDI instrument that has analog outputs, you can connect it to Fast Track C400 to monitor or record its output. To connect your MIDI instrument for monitoring in your recording software: Connect the MIDI instrument’s audio outputs to the Line (TRS) inputs on your Fast Track C400.
chapter 5 The Driver Control Panel The Fast Track C400 Driver Control Panel lets you configure settings for your audio interface for use with qualified audio applications that support CoreAudio Drivers (Mac) or ASIO Audio Drivers (Windows). Several features of Fast Track C400 can be accessed directly from the Fast Track C400 top panel, such as input gain, phantom power, and output levels. But there are many additional parameters that cannot be accessed from the top panel.
Presets The Preset view lets you load and save Fast Track C400 Settings files, which contain all settings of the Fast Track C400 Driver Control Panel. This is useful if you'd like to save various configurations so that you do not have to manually reconfigure your system each time you work on a different type of project. Horizontal (Meters Only) The Meters Only layout emphasizes pre-fader hardware input and software return metering, but does not provide access to the stereo mixers.
Vertical (Meters Only) Additional Functions Fast Track C400 also features a variety of functions accessed by clicking buttons located in the upper-right area of the Control Panel: • Setup • Flow • About Setup Fast Track C400 Driver Control Panel (Vertical (Meters only) shown) The Meters Only layout emphasizes pre-fader hardware input and software return metering, but does not provide access to the stereo mixers Setup is where you define the hardware settings of the Fast Track C400.
Hardware Settings The parameters in this section of the Control Panel govern the operation of the interface.
Clock Source This setting determines the clock source to which Fast Track C400 is synchronized. Internal If you are using Fast Track C400 by itself (i.e., without other digital devices or an external clock), select the Internal option for the interface to work properly. S/PDIF If you have connected a S/PDIF device to your Fast Track C400 and would like to use that device as the master clock source, select the S/PDIF option. This will make Fast Track C400 clock to the external device’s clock.
To find your system’s optimum buffer size setting, begin with a high setting and gradually reduce the size until you begin to hear clicks, pops, or other audible glitches in your audio. Then, raise the buffer size setting until these glitches disappear. You may need to stop playing audio any time you change this setting and certain applications will require you to relaunch the program before the new buffer size settings become active. This menu only appears on Windows systems.
Flow Clicking the Flow button opens a display showing the signal flow from the inputs to the outputs of Fast Track C400. This is a useful reference for understanding the path of an audio signal flowing through Fast Track C400.
Monitor Mixes The monitor mixer allows you to create two different stereo mixes from 10 input sources consisting of any of the hardware inputs (2 analog and 2 digital inputs) and software returns (6 software returns). This allows you to set up nearzero latency cue mixes in which the performers hear a “customized” mix while recording.
Using the Monitor Mixer The Monitor Mixer is located in the main view of the Driver Control Panel and is divided into four main sections: • Hardware Inputs • Software Returns • Effects • Master Hardware Inputs Software Returns Signal Meter Pan Solo Master Mute Channel Fader Channel Label Link Effects 26 Hardware Inputs Software Returns The Hardware Inputs section is where the Mic/Line and Instrument inputs are monitored, as well as the S/PDIF input of Fast Track C400.
Pan Link The Pan knobs control the position of a channel’s audio signal in the stereo image of the monitor mix (double-click the knob to return pan to center). The Link buttons connect stereo pairs of knobs or faders (and also links the corresponding FX Send knobs), so that adjusting either channel (left/right) adjusts the other side identically.
Effect Status Indicators The Effect drop-down menu is used to select the effect to be applied to the Hardware Inputs and/or Software Returns. There are eight available reverb types: Three room reverbs, two hall reverbs, a plate reverb, delay, and an echo.
chapter 6 The Multi Button The Multi button can be programmed to emulate and execute up to eight different computer key commands or key combinations in your software. These commands can be used to perform each operation as part of a macro with each press of the Multi button. This lets you perform common tasks with a single button instead of using on-screen menu commands or having to remember keyboard shortcuts.
The following table shows examples of some key commands from three of the various qualified recording applications, however you should refer to your software documentation for more information. For list of qualified third-party recording applications: visit: www.m-audio.
Multi Button Settings To configure the Multi button, access the Multi Button Settings by launching the Driver Control Panel as described in “To open the Driver Control Panel ” on page 18. Once the window is open, click the Setup button in the upper right of the Control panel window, and click the Multi-Button Settings button.
Configuring the Multi Button (Building a Macro) Once you have decided what task you would like to use the Multi button for, and which keyboard shortcut or collection of shortcuts the button will need to emulate, you can set up the configuration as described below. Refer to you software documentation for more information about the available default keyboard shortcuts, as well as how to create custom shortcuts to which you can assign the Multi button.
Macro Step Macro Function 1 Start Record 2 Stop or Stop Record 3 Save 4 Go to Beginning or Return to Zero 5 Play If you have configured the Multi button as described above, make sure you disengage the track Record Enable button once you have finished recording. Once the Multi button has performed Step 5 of the Macro, it will jump back to Step 1 and perform the Record command.
chapter 7 Recording with Fast Track C400 This chapter covers basic workflows for recording audio and virtual instrument tracks with your Fast Track C400. Recording Audio Tracks To record an audio track: It is assumed that your interface has been properly installed and connected as described in Chapter 3, “Fast Track C400 Installation”, and Chapter 4, “Hardware Connections.
• For a stereo keyboard, plug the cable coming from the left output of your instrument to the Mic/Line input connector for channel 1 on the back panel of Fast Track C400, and the right output of your keyboard to the Mic/Line input connector for channel 2. 6 Select the appropriate input from the Input selection options for the track. • Connect your microphone to the Mic/Line input for the channel(s) you had chosen in step two. nel.
Recording Instrument Tracks This section shows you how to record a software or virtual instrument track in your software. To record an instrument track: 1 If you are using a MIDI controller, make sure you have made the correct MIDI connections as described in “MIDI Connections” on page 16. If you are using a USB-based MIDI controller such as an M-Audio Axiom® or Oxygen keyboard from Avid, make sure you have properly installed and connected the device as described in the User Guide for that product.
appendix a Troubleshooting Fast Track C400 has been designed and tested under a wide range of systems and operating conditions to give you high performance and professional quality audio. However, there is a virtually limitless number of operating scenarios that could affect your system’s performance. Although this chapter cannot cover all issues you may encounter, it does offer some suggestions for dealing with common problems.
Check the Fast Track C400 Drivers Music Software Configuration While it is technically possible to use your Fast Track C400 as a class-compliant interface (using the drivers already built into the computer's operating system), we advise against this, as it does not provide the best performance or complete access to all of the product's features (such as monitor mixers or Control Panel). We suggest that you download and install the latest drivers from the MAudio website at www.m-audio.com/drivers.
Before Updating Your System Before You Call Avid Support Please check www.m-audio/support for a compatible driver before installing Microsoft or Apple operating system updates. Register Your System Before new device drivers are released, they are tested for use with operating system versions that are available at that time. When updates for an operating system are released, all M-Audio device drivers have to be re-tested and possibly updated to ensure proper operation.
appendix b Compliance Information Environmental Compliance Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union Proposition 65 Warning This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Perchlorate Notice This product may contain a lithium coin battery.
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) Avid declares that this product complies with the following standards regulating emissions and immunity: • FCC Part 15 Class B • EN 55022 Class B • EN 55024 Class B • AS/NZS CISPR 22 Class B • CISPR 22 Class B FCC Compliance for United States Australian Compliance N1709 Canadian Compliance This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Korean EMC Regulations Japan VCCI Compliance 14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the equipment has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the equipment, the equipment has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
appendix c Warranty Avid warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for terms and limitations applying to your specific product.
Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 5795 Martin Rd. Irwindale, CA 91706 USA Visit the Online Support Center at www.m-audio.com/support For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.
