® Fast Track C600™ 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 C600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fast Track C600 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 About www.
Chapter 6. The Multi Button and Transport Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Multi and Transport Control Button Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 About Multi Button Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
chapter 1 Welcome to Fast Track C600 Thank you for purchasing the Fast Track® C600 audio interface. • Up to a total of six channels of input, using analog and digital inputs simultaneously Fast Track C600 is a 6-input, 8-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.
• Low Latency Monitoring (LLM) with adjustable balance between input and playback • On-board reverb and delay effects (useful for monitoring while recording vocals or instruments) • Assignable Transport buttons for controlling playback, recording, and other functions • Multi-function, assignable Soft button • USB 2.0 operation Fast Track C600 may not function properly if connected to a USB hub. Please connect directly to your computer's USB port whenever possible.
chapter 2 Fast Track C600 Hardware Overview Fast Track C600 Top Panel Features Figure 1 identifies the controls, indicators on the Fast Track C600 top panel. 48V Power LED Output Selectors Fast Track C600 Multi Button Level Meters Volume Knob Gain Input Selectors Pad Buttons Headphone Volume Transport Buttons Figure 1.
Pad Button About Phantom Power All analog input channels offer 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. Dynamic microphones (such as a Shure SM57) do not require phantom power to operate, but are not harmed by it. Most condenser microphones (such as M-Audio Solaris™) do require phantom power to operate.
Power LED The blue Power LED indicates that Fast Track C600 is receiving power from either the USB connection or included external power supply. Output Selector Buttons These buttons switch the pairs of back panel Outputs (A, B, and C) on and off independently. This is a useful feature if, for example, you wish to check a mix between multiple sets of speakers to ensure good “translation” of that mix on large and small speakers.
Fast Track C600 Back Panel Features Figure 2 identifies each port on the back panel of the Fast Track C600. Kensington Lock Connector S/PDIF Digital I/O Out 5 Power Supply Input 3 1 5VDC,2A USB Out MIDI In In S/PDIF 6 4 Line Outputs 2 4 3 2 1 Input 1-4 (Mic or Line) USB Port MIDI I/O Mic/Line Inputs Line Outputs Figure 2.
MIDI I/O Mic/Line Inputs The MIDI In and MIDI Out ports are standard 5pin MIDI connectors, each providing 16 channels of MIDI input or output. Each analog input channel provides combination XLR/TRS on the back panel.
Fast Track C600 Front Panel Features Figure 3 identifies each port on the front panel of the Fast Track C600. Instrument Inputs Headphone Output Figure 3. Fast Track C600 front panel The Fast Track C600 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 are controlled by the corresponding Input Gain knobs on the top panel.
chapter 3 Fast Track C600 Installation This chapter covers the Fast Track C600 installation for Mac and Windows. Installing Fast Track C600 Drivers Mac OS X To install the Fast Track C600 driver: 1 Make sure Fast Track C600 is not connected to your computer. Fast Track C600 may not function properly if connected to a USB hub. Please connect directly to your computer's USB port whenever possible. A Note for Mac OS 10.6.
Windows To install the Fast Track C600 driver: 1 Make sure Fast Track C600 is not connected to your computer. If you have connected the interface to your computer, please disconnect it before proceeding to step 2. 2 Download the latest Fast Track C600 driver from www.m-audio.com/drivers. If you do not have Internet access, locate the installer found on the Fast Track C600 Drivers and Documentation disc that ships with the product, and proceed to the next step.
chapter 4 Hardware Connections To hear audio recorded from Fast Track C600, you will need to connect headphones or an external sound system (such as powered monitors or a home stereo) to Fast Track C600. Sound from Fast Track C600 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 C600. For information about connecting specific audio sources, see “Connecting a Microphone” on page 12, and “Connecting Instruments to the Fast Track C600” on page 14. Each input section is located so that the hardware input jacks line up directly behind their corresponding input controls on the top panel. This makes it easier to locate channel input connections from the front.
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. Using a Mic with an XLR Connector To use a microphone that has an XLR connector: 1 Plug your microphone cable into one of the XLR Mic inputs on the back of Fast Track C600. Input 1 XLR connector 4 3 2 1 Input 1-4 (Mic or Line) Phantom Power XLR connector plugged into Input 1 Some microphones require power to operate.
Phantom Power switch Phantom Power switch 4 On the top panel of the Fast Track C600, begin by turning the Gain knob fully counter-clockwise. As your sound source (instrument, voice, etc.) is performing at its loudest levels, turn the gain knob clockwise until the input level meters are peaking within the yellow band of LEDs. The red “Clip” LED (at the top of the meters) should not illuminate as that means your signals have overloaded the converters.
2 Ensure that the Input Selector switch (on the Input 2 Input 1 (right channel) (left channel) top panel) is set to the “In” position. Input 1 Gain 1 2 4 3 2 1 Fast Track C600 connections for line-level stereo input source Input selector Input selector and Gain knob for Input 1 3 First, turn the Gain knob full counter-clock- wise. While your guitar (or bass) is playing at its loudest levels, turn the knob clockwise until the input level meters are peaking within the yellow band of LEDs.
Digital Input and Output Fast Track C600 provides digital inputs and outputs for S/PDIF format digital audio. These inputs and outputs can be used in conjunction with the four analog inputs and six analog outputs of Fast Track C600. This means the interface is capable of handling 6 inputs and 8 outputs simultaneously. Connecting Digital Devices To connect a S/PDIF device to Fast Track C600: 1 Be sure to use 75-ohm coaxial cables with male RCA connectors on both ends.
Monitoring MIDI Instruments with Fast Track C600 If you have a MIDI instrument that has analog outputs, you can connect its outputs to a pair of analog inputs of Fast Track C600 to monitor or record the instrument. To connect your MIDI instrument for monitoring in your recording software: Connect the MIDI instrument’s audio outputs to a pair of line (TRS) inputs on your Fast Track C600. Connect the left channel to the odd numbered Input of the pair, and right channel to the even numbered Input.
chapter 5 The Driver Control Panel Several features of Fast Track C600 can be accessed directly from the Fast Track C600 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. These additional features are available to you using the included Driver Control Panel application. To open the Driver Control Panel On Mac, launch System Preferences (Apple menu > System Preferences), then click Fast Track C600.
Presets The Preset section lets you load and save Fast Track C600 Settings files, which contain all settings of the Fast Track C600 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 C600 also features a variety of functions accessed by clicking buttons located in the upper-right area of the Control Panel: • Setup • Flow • About Setup Setup is where you define the hardware settings of the Fast Track C600. For example, you can set buffer size, sample rate, and clock source. Clicking the Multi-Button Settings button lets you configure the Multi Button as described in Chapter 6, “The Multi Button and Transport Buttons.
Hardware Settings The parameters in this section of the Control Panel govern the operation of the interface.
Launching a supported music application when this box is left unchecked, lets the software take control of the Control Panel's first stereo mixer. If you would prefer to maintain full manual control of the Fast Track C600 monitor mixer, make sure that this box is checked. Clock Source This setting determines the clock source to which Fast Track C600 is synchronized. Internal If you are using Fast Track C600 by itself (i.e.
will hear pops, clicks, and stuttering in your audio streams. On the other hand, if the buffer size is set too high, your computer will process audio without incident, but your software will feel sluggish and unresponsive. 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.
Flow Clicking the Flow button opens a display showing the signal flow from the inputs to the outputs of Fast Track C600. This is a useful reference for understanding the path of an audio signal flowing through Fast Track C600.
Monitor Mixes The monitor mixer allows you to create four different stereo mixes from 14 input sources consisting of any of the hardware inputs (4 analog and 2 digital inputs) and software returns (8 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 Master Solo 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 C600.
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 and Transport Buttons • Create New Track Overview • Save The assignable Multi and Transport Control buttons on your Fast Track C600 can be programmed to emulate “ASCII” computer key commands (or key combinations) in your software. This is useful because you can perform common tasks with a single button instead of using on-screen menu commands or having to remember keyboard shortcuts. Multi Button Soft button • Custom keyboard shortcuts you may have set up.
buttons are freely programmable, and can be assigned to control other functions, such as zoom in or zoom out, set locator, return to zero, etc. See “Configuring the Transport Buttons” on page 34. Multi and Transport Control Button Settings To configure the Multi button or Transport buttons, start by launching the Driver Control Panel. Next, click the Setup button in the upper right of the Control Panel window, and click the Multi-Button Settings button.
Keys These drop down menus contain options for the alpha-numeric and symbol keys that can be assigned to the Multi or Transport Control button. In the case of the save command this would be the letter “S” combined with the “Command” (Mac) or “Control” (Windows) modifier. Description The grey Scribble Strips are provided so that you can label each Step with a description of the function performed. X Buttons You can clear or deleted a Step by clicking the red “X” at the end of the row.
About Multi Button Macros A macro can be described as a combination of actions or functions used in performing a particular task. In the case of music creation, and example of one of the most common tasks involves recording a track, rewinding the song, and playing back what you’ve recorded. The Driver Control Panel lets you assign the Multi button to a corresponding key command for each Step of the task, such that each Step is performed as the button is repeatedly pressed.
Configuring the Multi Button (Building a Macro) Once you have decided what task you want the Multi button to perform, and which keyboard shortcut or collection of shortcuts the button will need to emulate, you can set up the configuration as described below. To configure the Multi button: 1 Locate the keyboard shortcut used for a func- 6 Repeat steps 1 through 5 of these instructions if you want to build a macro using as many of the remaining 7 Step buttons as required.
recording. The third time, saves your project. The fourth time returns the song to bar 1, and the fifth time you press the Multi button will begin playback. 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 execute the Record command the next time it is pressed.
chapter 7 Recording with Fast Track C600 This chapter covers basic workflows for recording audio and virtual instrument tracks with your Fast Track C600. It is assumed that your interface has been properly installed and connected as described in Chapter 3, “Fast Track C600 Installation”, and Chapter 4, “Hardware Connections.” This chapter covers the general concepts for recording audio and virtual instrument and cannot cover and cannot provide specific information for every music application.
• 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 C600, and the right output of your keyboard to the Mic/Line input connector for channel 2. • Connect your microphone to the Mic/Line input for the channel(s) you had chosen in step two.
Recording Instrument Tracks This section shows you how to record a software or virtual instrument track in your software. If you have configured the Multi button as described in “Configuring the Multi Button (Building a Macro)” on page 33, you will also be able to use this functionality when following the workflows in this chapter. 4 Press the record enable button for that track.
appendix a Troubleshooting Fast Track C600 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 C600 Drivers Music Software Configuration While it is technically possible to use your Fast Track C600 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/drivers 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 CE Compliance (EMC and Safety) Avid is authorized to apply the CE (Conformité Europénne) mark on this compliant equipment thereby declaring conformity to EMC Directive 2004/108/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC.
Important Safety Instructions 17) The equipment shall be used at a maximum ambient temperature of 40° C. 1) Read these instructions. 2) Keep these instructions. 3) Heed all warnings. 4) Follow all instructions. 5) Do not use this equipment near water. 6) Clean only with dry cloth. 7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
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.