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M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R £333
If you want to record multiple sources simultaneously, this rack-mountable interface is a winner
Jono Buchanan, Fri 25 Jul 2008, 11:24 am UTC
Sound and summary
The supplied Octane preamps sound bold, clear and ever so slightly warm without being too coloured – somehow better than much of the competition out there. What's more, the whole operation of the 8R is child's play - you'll be making quality recordings with it in no time.
M-Audio has a well-deserved reputation for building quality interfaces and the Fast Track 8R isn't going to do it any harm. It sounds clean, it offers plenty of flexibility and, compared to the other interfaces in the Fast Track family, it has I/O to burn.
Principally, the additional four XLR inputs and more rugged housing are the main differences between the 8R and the standard Fast Track Ultra. So, if you need an interface that will let you record drums one day and a vocal session the next, the 8R comes thoroughly recommended.
Verdict
If you need eight quality mic inputs with preamps, this is an elegant solution.
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MusicRadar rating
Pros
Eight mic/line inputs. MX Core DSP software. Logical and flexible layout.
Cons
Doesn't support USB 1.1.
Verdict
If you need eight quality mic inputs with preamps, this is an elegant solution.
Review Policy
All MusicRadar’s reviews are by independent product specialists, who are not aligned to any gear manufacturer or retailer. Our experts also write for renowned magazines such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music, Future Music and Rhythm. All are part of Future PLC, the biggest publisher of music making magazines in the world.
Specification Show
Fast Track Ultra 8R
- Price:
- £333
- Country of Origin:
- USA
- Description:
- High-speed 8 x 8 USB 2.0 Interface with 8 Preamps and MX Core DSP
- Features:
- esigned for comprehensive studio work, the Fast Track® Ultra 8R audio/MIDI interface delivers 8 x 8 I/O, high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, MX Core™ DSP mixing/effects and eight preamps with award-winning Octane™ technology. Record drum kits and full bands on all eight inputs simultaneously—with superior 24-bit/96kHz fidelity. The on-board MX Core DSP mixer processes eight hardware inputs and eight software returns to the eight hardware outputs, expanding the total I/O to an impressive 16 x 8 configuration and delivering flexible routing and monitoring with delay and reverb. With reliable, low-latency M-Audio drivers and compatibility with most major recording software, the Fast Track Ultra 8R puts the core of your powerful project studio in a single rack-mount unit.
- Year:
- 2008
- Additional Requirements:
- Not USB 1.1 Compatible
- Available Inputs:
- 8 x Balanced XLR mic inputs, Left/Right 1/4 inch TRS instrument inputs, MIDI
- Available Outputs:
- MIDI out, USB 2.0
- No. of Inputs (XLR Mic):
- 8
- No. of Outputs (1/4-inch):
- 8
- OS Requirements:
- Apple Mac OS 10.4.4 or later, Microsoft Windows XP
- Platform:
- Mac or PC
- Power Supply:
- Mains, USB
- Interface:
- USB 2.0
- No of Inputs:
- 8
- No of Outputs:
- 8
- Phantom Power:
- true
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