Review: M-Audio's Fast Track gets you in


M-Audio's Fast Track USB is a simply compact and (relatively) low-cost way to get your voice, guitar or, for that matter, just about any instrument into GarageBand. At $130 (SRP) direct or $99 from Other World Computer (OWC), here's a widget that won't break the bank in your quest for digital audio gold.

Billed as "the easiest way to record your guitar with professional results," Fast Track USB offers 1/4-inch (unbalanced) and cannon (mic) inputs, as well as 1/8-inch and RCA outputs. One of the few fully bus-powered USB pre-amps available, it's well-suited for mobile recording.

For the practicing guitarist--and when does that end--M-Audio has bundled GT Player Express, a suite of virtual stomp boxes. Because this digital rig is AAC, MP3 and WAV compatible, practicing or just jamming to your fave tunes is easy.

Of course, the enterprising guitarist could use an M-Audio Fast Track USB, GT Player Express software and Apple portable for his live rig.

A simple GarageBand recording of the results one can achieve with Fast Track USB and GarageBand can be heard here. The drums and bass are Apple Loops (Live Edgy Drums, Liverpool Skiffl), and the guitar a Gibson Les Paul Studio (view this page with Firefox).

I stacked up two rhythm tracks and a solo:
• Glam rock guitar that follows the bass line,
• British Invasion guitar on the seventh chords, and
• Arena Rock for the lead.

And, the hiss? It's not coming from the Fast Track--I badly need a new chord and a new set o' strings couldn't hurt either.

Nevertheless, at $99, the M-Audio Fast Track is a low-cost and easy-to-use device for getting audio in and out of GarageBand. Two thumbs way up!

What're you using to get live instruments into your Mac?