Quick Start Guide • Fast Track Ultra - M-Audio

Fast Track Ultra 

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Quick Start Guide


Introduction 

Quick Start Guide ‣ 1 

Thanks for choosing M-Audio Fast Track Ultra, the professional, portable audio and 

MIDI interface for your Windows or Macintosh computer. Using the convenience and 

dependability of the industry-standard USB 2.0 bus, Fast Track Ultra offers unequalled 

routing power and versatility, high-resolution, 24-bit audio at sampling rates up to 

96 kHz, sixteen channels of MIDI in and out and on-board DSP for flexible routing/mixing 

and a useful selection of reverb and delay effects. 

This Quick Start Guide is designed to give you a basic overview of Fast Track Ultra, to 

get you up and running quickly. Even if you are an experienced computer user and digital 

recording enthusiast, we suggest you take the time to read the accompanying User 

Guide, included on the Fast Track Ultra CD. It will help you get the most out of your 

Fast Track Ultra. 

What’s in the Box 

Your Fast Track Ultra package contains the following: 

‣ Fast Track Ultra 

‣ Printed Quick Start Guide 

‣ Fast Track Ultra CD, including drivers and the User Guide 

‣ Ableton Live Lite CD 

‣ USB Cable 

‣ 5VDC 2000mA power supply 

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2 ‣ Quick Start Guide 


Compatibility 

Windows 

Fast Track Ultra is supported under Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later, or 

Windows Vista (32-Bit editions). It is not supported under Windows Media Center 

Edition, Windows 2000, Windows 98, 98SE or Windows ME. 

Mac 

Fast Track Ultra is supported by PowerPC-based Macs running Mac OS X 

10.3.9 / 10.4.10 or later, as well as Intel-based Macs running Mac OS X 10.4.10 

or later. 

Please see the User Guide for specific Minimum System Requirements. 

Important Note about Bus Power: Fast Track Ultra can be powered via the 

included AC power supply or via bus power from the host computer. However, 

when running on bus power, Fast Track Ultra will be limited to four inputs and 

four outputs. These are mapped to inputs 1 and 2, outputs 1 and 2, and the 

S/PDIF I/O. 

Important Note about USB 1.1 Ports: Fast Track Ultra has been designed as 

a USB 2.0 device. It may be used with a USB 1.1 port, but will only function as a 

2-in/2-out device with sample rates limited to 44.1 and 48kHz. This is due to the 

limitations of the USB 1.1 bus bandwidth. 

If your computer does not have a native USB 2.0 port, you will see the following 

alert during the installation process: 

“Because this computer has no USB 2.0 ports, 

Fast Track Ultra functionality will be limited.” 

Important Note about System Upgrades: Please check the M-Audio driver 

download page at http://www.m-audio.com/drivers for the availability of an 

updated driver before you decide to install operating system updates. 

Before new M-Audio device drivers are released, they are tested for use with the 

operating system versions that are available at that time. When updates for an 

operating system are released by Microsoft or Apple, all M-Audio device drivers 

have to be re-tested and possibly updated to ensure proper operation. 

M-Audio recommends refraining from installing operating system updates until a 

driver has been posted to the M-Audio website for that specific operating system.


Installing Fast Track Ultra 


Installation Instructions For Windows XP and Vista 

PLEASE NOTE: Make sure Fast Track Ultra is detached from your computer 

when beginning the installation. The following instructions will indicate when you 

should connect the interface to your computer. 

1. We recommend that you download the most recent Fast Track Ultra drivers 

by going to the Support > Drivers page at www.m-audio.com. This ensures 

that you have the newest drivers available. If you do not have Internet access, 

insert the Fast Track Ultra CD-ROM into your computer to install the drivers 

that came with the interface. 

a. If you are installing drivers from 

the Fast Track Ultra CD-ROM, the 

computer will automatically display 

the interactive install screen 1 

when the CD-ROM is inserted. If 

your computer fails to launch this 

application, you can manually start it 

by clicking on Start > My Computer* 

> Fast Track Ultra. Next, select Fast 

Track Ultra from the menu and click 

“Install.” 

*My Computer” is named “Computer” in Windows Vista. 

b. If you are installing drivers from www.m-audio.com, simply double-click the 

file once it has finished downloading. 

2. Follow the driver installer’s on-screen instructions. 

3. At various points in this installation process, you may be notified that the driver 

being installed has not passed Windows Logo Testing (Windows XP), or 

asked whether the program you wish to run is a trusted application (Windows 

Vista). Click Continue Anyway 2 or Install 3 to proceed with installation. 

2 

1 

3 

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4. Once the installer has completed, click “Finish.” 

5. Connect Fast Track Ultra to a power outlet and to an available USB 2.0 port 

on your computer. 

6. Turn on Fast Track Ultra. If you are using Windows Vista, your Fast Track Ultra 

installation is now complete. If you are using Windows XP, proceed to 

steps 7-10. 

7. Windows XP will identify the interface and will ask if you want to search the 

Internet for a driver. Select “No, not this time” and press “Next.” 4 

8. Windows XP will display a Found New Hardware Wizard. Choose “Install the 

software automatically” and click “Next.” 5 

9. Once the Wizard has completed, click “Finish.” You may be presented with a 

second Found New Hardware Wizard. If so, then repeat steps 7-10. 

10. When the installation is complete, you will see a message stating “Your new 

hardware is installed and ready to use.” 

4 5 

Installation Instructions For Mac OS X 

1. We recommend that you download the most recent Fast Track Ultra drivers 

by going to the Support > Drivers page at www.m-audio.com. This ensures 

that you have the newest drivers available. If you do not have Internet access, 

insert the Fast Track Ultra CD-ROM into your computer to install the drivers 

that came with the interface. 

a. If you are installing drivers from the Fast Track Ultra CD-ROM, a CD-ROM 

icon will appear on your desktop once the disc is inserted into your 

computer. Double-click this icon to view the contents of the disc. Next, 

double-click “Open Me.” Finally, select your product from the drop-down 

menu on the welcome screen 1 and click “Install.” 

b. If you are installing drivers from www.m-audio.com, the downloaded file 

should automatically mount and display its contents on the desktop. If this 

file does not mount automatically, simply double-click the file once it has 

finished downloading to view its contents. Next, double-click the installer 

application.



2. Follow the driver installer’s on-screen instructions. During installation, 

Mac OS X will ask you to enter your user name and password. Enter this 

information and click OK to confirm. If you have not configured a password 

for your computer, leave the password field blank and click OK. If you are not 

the computer’s owner, ask the owner or your Administrator for the missing 

information. 

3. When the installer has completed, click “Close.” 

4. Connect Fast Track Ultra to a power outlet and to an available USB port on 

your computer. 

5. Turn on Fast Track Ultra. 

Using Fast Track Ultra 

Recording Analog Inputs 

Connect microphones or electric instruments via the front-panel inputs, or line level 

sources via the rear-panel line inputs, making sure the front/rear selector switches 

are set to the correct input type. Use the gain pots to set the recording levels, 

making sure that the LED level meters are never lit red. Engage phantom power via 

the rear panel slider if using condenser microphones. If using the line inputs, the 

gain pots for the associated mic inputs should be turned down to avoid unwanted 

noise. See the User Guide for more information on recording input sources. 

Recording Digital Inputs 

Connect a digital S/PDIF source to the rear-panel S/PDIF input. Go to the 

Settings tab in the Fast Track Ultra Control Panel and select S/PDIF as the clock 

source to ensure proper digital clocking. See the User Guide for more information 

on digital synchronization. 

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Adjusting the Output Level 

Connect the Fast Track Ultra rear panel line outputs to a mixing console, amplifier 

or powered monitors. Outputs 1 and 2 can be directly controlled by the front-panel 

main output level knob. Other outputs are controlled via your DAW application or 

the Fast Track Ultra Control Panel. 

Headphone Monitoring 

The two front-panel headphone outputs are assigned to line outputs 1/2 and 3/4, 

respectively. Select the Monitor 1/2 or Monitor 3/4 tab from the Fast Track Ultra 

Control Panel and adjust the monitoring levels for the desired hardware input 

channels and for signals returning from your recording software (software returns). 

Adjustments made here will only affect monitoring (listening) levels. Recordings are 

not affected by level settings made in the Fast Track Ultra Control Panel. 

Warranty 

Warranty Terms 

M-Audio 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. 

Warranty Registration 

Immediately registering your new M-Audio product entitles you to full warranty 

coverage and helps M-Audio develop and manufacture the finest quality products 

available. Register online at www.m-audio.com/register to receive FREE product 

updates and for the chance to win M-Audio giveaways. 

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. 


Tested to comply with 

FCC standards 

FOR HOME OR STUDIO USE 

© 2007 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, 

system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, 

M-Audio and Fast Track Ultra are either trademarks or registered trademarks of 

Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their 

respective owners.

M-Audio USA 

5795 Martin Rd., Irwindale, CA 91706 

Technical Support 

web: www.m-audio.com/tech 

tel (pro products): (626) 633-9055 

tel (consumer products): (626) 633-9066 

fax (shipping): (626) 633-9032 

Sales 

e-mail: sales@m-audio.com 

tel: 1-866-657-6434 

fax: (626) 633-9070 

Web www.m-audio.com 

M-Audio U.K. 

Floor 6, Gresham House, 53 Clarenden Road, Watford 

WD17 1LA, United Kingdom 


e-mail: support@maudio.co.uk 

tel:(Mac support): +44 (0)1765 650072 

tel: (PC support): +44 (0)1309 671301 

Sales 

tel: +44 (0)1923 204010 

fax: +44 (0)1923 204039 

Web www.maudio.co.uk 

M-Audio France 

Floor 6, Gresham House, 53 Clarenden Road, Watford 

WD17 1LA, United Kingdom 

Renseignements Commerciaux 

tel : 0 810 001 105 

e-mail : info@m-audio.fr 

Assistance Technique 

PC : 0 0820 000 731 

MAC : 0 0820 391 191 

Assistance Technique 

e-mail : support@m-audio.fr 

mac@m-audio.fr 

fax : +33 (0)01 72 72 90 52 

Site Web www.m-audio.fr 

M-Audio Germany 

Kuhallmand 34, D-74613 Ohringen, Germany 


e-mail: support@m-audio.de 

tel: +49 (0)7941 - 9870030 

fax: +49 (0)7941 98 70070 

Sales 

e-mail: info@m-audio.de 

tel: +49 (0)7941 98 7000 

fax: +49 (0)7941 98 70070 

Web www.m-audio.de 

M-Audio Canada 

1400 St-Jean Baptiste Ave. #150, Quebec City, 

Quebec G2E 5B7, Canada 


email: techcanada@m-audio.com 

phone: (418) 872-0444 

fax: (418) 872-0034 

Sales 

e-mail: infocanada@m-audio.com 

phone: (866) 872-0444 

fax: (418) 872-0034 

Web www.m-audio.ca

Quick Start Guide • Fast Track Ultra - M-Audio

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