M-Audio Fast Track Ultra as Standalone

[k brown]

FTU has no official Standalone mode; on it's own all it will do is mic (or line) 1/2.

But if you power it with the DC jack, connect to a computer and set it up the way you want, press the Save button on the Control panel to store the setup in the firmware, then just disconnect the USB cable, all the settings remain and the unit is fully functional; the computer can then be shut down and put away (providing one doesn't need the software mixer). Of course if power is interrupted, "poof".

Can be had quite cheap used these days, and for the money, a pretty powerfull little unit. Can be battery powered; only requires a 5v batt pack. Inputs 1-4 can be any combination of Octane (THAT1510) preamps or true line ins (not pads before the preamps). Plus there's an additional pair of dedicated line inputs, and SPDIF in, which can all be mixed to the SPDIF out. And very compact and lightweight.

 

[micolas]

FTU has no official Standalone mode; on it's own all it will do is mic (or line) 1/2.

But if you power it with the DC jack, connect to a computer and set it up the way you want, press the Restore button on the Control panel to store the setup in the firmware, then just disconnect the USB cable, all the settings remain and the unit is fully functional; the computer can then be shut down and put away (providing one doesn't need the software mixer). Of course if power is interrupted, "poof".

Can be had quite cheap used these days, and for the money, a pretty powerfull little unit. Can be battery powered; only requires a 5v batt pack. Inputs 1-4 can be any combination of Octane (THAT1510) preamps or true line ins (not pads before the preamps). Plus there's an additional pair of dedicated line inputs, and SPDIF in. And very compact and lightweight.

Does this procedure also work in Windows 10,11?

 

[k brown]

Does this procedure also work in Windows 10,11?

I don't know, I only have the Mac drivers on an old Mac. I don't think drivers for Win 10 were ever released.

 

[micolas]

I don't know, I only have the Mac drivers on an old Mac. I don't think drivers for Win 10 were ever released.

Ah, I understand.
Thank you!

 

[k brown]

I'll also add, the big Achilles Heel of the FTU is the crummy little DC jack that no DC plug (or plug adapter) in my possesion fits properly; it must be a very non-standard size (I didn't get the factory AC adapter with it).

What I've done (and suggest to anyone wanting to use this in unofficial Standalone) is to install a more standard size and more robust panel-mount DC jack in the back panel space below the USB port.

 

[micolas]

I'll also add, the big Achilles Heel of the FTU is the crummy little DC jack that no DC plug (or plug adapter) in my possesion fits properly; it must be a very non-standard size (I didn't get the factory AC adapter with it).

What I've done (and suggest to anyone wanting to use this in unofficial Standalone) is to install a more standard size and more robust panel-mount DC jack in the back panel space below the USB port.

That means DIY!

 

[Estomagado]

FTU has no official Standalone mode; on it's own all it will do is mic (or line) 1/2.

But if you power it with the DC jack, connect to a computer and set it up the way you want, press the Save button on the Control panel to store the setup in the firmware, then just disconnect the USB cable, all the settings remain and the unit is fully functional; the computer can then be shut down and put away (providing one doesn't need the software mixer). Of course if power is interrupted, "poof".

Can be had quite cheap used these days, and for the money, a pretty powerfull little unit. Can be battery powered; only requires a 5v batt pack. Inputs 1-4 can be any combination of Octane (THAT1510) preamps or true line ins (not pads before the preamps). Plus there's an additional pair of dedicated line inputs, and SPDIF in, which can all be mixed to the SPDIF out. And very compact and lightweight.

Hi K!

I'm sorry, but I did not understand.
I have one, and I am intrigued.

When you say "standalone", what do you mean?
Of course I know what "standalone" is in this context, I just don't get what would be a useful thing to do with it.
You mean, use all four pres as pres only, outputting them through the line outs? So you skip the converters?

I tend to use it the other way round: as an interface, but bypassing the (noisy) pres. I use my console's input strips as pres, strip direct outs directly into the line ins of the FTU. An old WinXP notebook with Reaper, a small 8 ch console, a bucha mikes, cables and power strips, all thrown together in a suitcase, is a killer mobile record setup for small groups.

EDIT:
I see you are mixing to the SPDIF out. That's a neat idea!
I should finish reading the whole post before writing anything...

Only thing you should note is that you can't use SPDIF in and out at the same time. The clock sources are incompatible, you have to use only SPDIF IN (and sync the FTU from the ADC) or only SPDIF OUT (and sync de DAC from the FTU). You can't do both. That's stated on the manual.

 

[k brown]

Not sure what you are mis-interpreting in the manual (something about ADAT, maybe?).

All you need to do to use SPDIF In and Out simultaneously is to set the Clock setting in the software control panel to "External", so that the FTU will clock to the device connected to the SPDIF input. This is true of every interface I've ever used; I've daisy-chained up to three interfaces (plus the recorder) this way. Of course, to use it on it's own with nothing connected the SPDIF In, you must go back to the software and put it back to Clock > "Internal".

What you say is true of the M-Audio Profire 610, which has an official Standalone mode: Mic 1/2 are routed to Line outs 1/2 and SPDIF; SPDIF In is routed only to Line outs 3/4.

Yes, I never record to a computer (I did it once and hated the experience); always dedicated recorders.

Many interface preamps are noisy when used at high gains with dynamic mics, but I use only condensers, and find the FTU preamps not noticeably noisier than anything else, when used with condensers.