Which M-Audio Should I Go With?

Livewire · #1 12-06-2010, 05:53 PM

Looking to get myself some recording software. Looking at the M-Audio Movie Pre and the M-Audio pro tools setup shown below:

http://www.amazon.com/Tools-Recordin...1046789&sr=1-7

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MobilePre2/

What do you guys think? Which should I go with? Not looking to spend more than $150. I basically just want to be able to record my bass directly into my laptop. Also will this setup work with amplitube 3 so I can connect my bass to my laptop? Thanks!

80'sRocker · #2 12-06-2010, 05:55 PM

Think about/look into a Line 6 Interface, more functions than the M-Audio - real nice piece

seamonkey · #3 12-06-2010, 05:58 PM

Sweetwater is one of those companies you should call. They will usually give you a better price than their web, or toss in some extra thing. And they'll talk you through why one interface is better than the next for whatever DAW software you plan to use.

MysterMunky · #4 12-06-2010, 08:06 PM

I have the M-Audio Fast Track Pro and its pretty awesome and easy to use. Works great on my laptop!

BillJarrett · #5 12-06-2010, 08:08 PM

M-Audio is fine if youre absolutely all you want to work on is Pro-Tools/Avid.

There are TONS of quality USB/Firewire interfaces that come with bundled DAW software though, and offer just as many, if not more features than the M-Audio for the money.

.02 cents

Ivan M · #6 12-07-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysterMunky

I have the M-Audio Fast Track Pro and its pretty awesome and easy to use. Works great on my laptop!

SAME here and it works wonderful and easy to use, no regrets from with the PRO.

yrock · #7 12-08-2010, 12:41 PM

Yes, the M-audio works great with Amplitube 3, that is the setup I have been using.

dave_p · #8 12-08-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillJarrett

M-Audio is fine if youre absolutely all you want to work on is Pro-Tools/Avid.

There are TONS of quality USB/Firewire interfaces that come with bundled DAW software though, and offer just as many, if not more features than the M-Audio for the money.

.02 cents

this is not true. the m-audio stuff will work with any daw.
there are better options though for the money, of that there is no doubt.

Livewire · #9 12-08-2010, 02:42 PM

anyone care to mention a few?

Atoz · #10 12-08-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysterMunky

I have the M-Audio Fast Track Pro and its pretty awesome and easy to use. Works great on my laptop!

This.

Linux-friendly, too, if that's important to you.

MNAirHead · #11 12-08-2010, 03:12 PM

I sold mine after being sick of being tethered in options

ksandvik · #12 12-08-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_p

this is not true. the m-audio stuff will work with any daw.
there are better options though for the money, of that there is no doubt.

Weakest link in M-Audio audio interfaces are their software drivers -- I've lost count how many bugs Iv'e filed against sleep mode problems and so on...

MX21 · #13 12-09-2010, 12:29 PM

I just used the M-Audio Fast Track Pro for running a theater show using audio outputs and MIDI control. Worked great with my sound cue software in Windows 7. Never a glitch once Windows 7 is cleaned up. It was $160 at Amazon.

ACRX · #14 12-10-2010, 06:57 AM

I have the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. I love it and it (now) works great with a pretty old laptop running XP. I did not like the 4-track limited Abelton Live that was included and I had problems with latency with the Audacity drivers. I use Reaper and have had no problems.

MNAirHead · #15 12-10-2010, 08:27 AM

Contrary to what folks say here..

I've had stellar results with a Lexicon.. My band just did a demo using Audacity and an Omega --- sounded equal to our last studio recording.

As with all interfaces.. you need to learn how to set it up and pair it to the software.

Rick Brienzo · #16 12-10-2010, 08:54 AM

I have been using M-audio interfaces for years. They have always worked great. They have outlasted 4 computers and multiple operating systems running different DAW software with little to no problems. They are so good I don't ever have to think about them.

uhdinator · #17 12-15-2010, 08:09 PM

Pro tools M powered for M audio is not included with M-Audio devices, PT9 works with anything now ($599), no upgrades from PT-LE either.
So M audio gives really no incentive as there is no bundled software (Abelton Lite is not that great, limited tracks)

I'm impressed with the Mackie BlackJack for $199
Best 2 track specs I have seen:
2-60 db onyx pre amps, USB 1.1
Cirrus Logic converters, no software included, but Reaper is free,

most other 2 channel interfaces at that price point can't compare
(I am not affiliated with any vendor of any brands) but I have been in the music sales biz off and on and have been in the manuals and keep up on specs and such and am blown away by the specs vs. price.

There are a lot of interfaces in the $300-500 range that have lower specs on pre amp gain, dynamic range, and digital converters! I would have been psyched to get something this good for $200, (except I needed 16 tracks so I got the Onyx 1640I instead)

rob2966 · #18 12-18-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhdinator

Pro tools M powered for M audio is not included with M-Audio devices, PT9 works with anything now ($599), no upgrades from PT-LE either.

Just a correction, I just upgraded from PT-LE (version 8) to PT9 for about $260.

Later
Rob

Swift713 · #19 12-21-2010, 03:20 PM

Hey, could you kind folks help me out? I just got an M-audio Fast Track, the older single channel type from evil-bay. The line/guitar button doesn't seem to make any difference and I have to turn up my preamp (PJB Bass Buddy) to get a decent signal into Garage Band. If I use the xlr out of my pre and into the Fast Track it's a bit hotter. It all works, but I couldn't do anything without a pre in front of the Fast Track. I could have sworn when I had a friend's Fast Track (2 channel model) that I plugged my bass in direct. Should I try to return this one?

98dvl · #20 12-21-2010, 04:19 PM

I think one of the most bang-for-the-buck interfaces is the Line 6 KB-37... You not only get a decent interface (I can't comment on it's quality compared to others, because I've only used line 6 stuff), but you also get the Pod Farm plug-ins, and keyboard for MIDI inputting stuff.

I use mine with Reaper, and haven't had any issues.

I usually record a dry sound, then use plug-ins (like SVX) to shape the tone I want...

These songs were recorded (bass and electric guitars) with a Line 6 interface and plug-in amp simulators (drums are MIDI based as well)... I'm a bit partial, but I think they sound great:

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=9793664

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=9793663