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Today's Bonus:
- Ensure your recordings sound amazing with pristine, 24-bit/96kHz audio fidelity
- 4-input/6-output design lets you capture and play back multiple sources
- Inspire great performances using the near-zereo latency monitor mixer with built-in reverb and delay effects
- Verify that your mixes spund great-and translate well-by connecting up to 2 sets of studio monitors (or 1 set of monitors and a subwoofer)and easily switiching between them
- Get immediate access to the most commonly used controls: Master Volume and headphone output knobs, Speaker select and 1 assignable Multi button
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M-Audio managed to put together a stylish looking interface that works really well. I've never had a Fast Track before, but I used to have a PCI M-Audio interface (Delta 10/10lt) I was very pleased with. I have an Asus N61Jq-X1 laptop with a 1.6GHz i7 processor, 8GB memory (upgraded), Windows 7 and Cubase 5 on board. I picked C400 out of all USB interfaces because it's a 2011 fall model and it comes from a brand I personally trust. I considered a Focusrite for some time, but again I decided to pick the freshest and technologically superior device.The C400 packaging looks great and professional. Inside the box there is the interface itself, a USB cable, an installation CD (drivers + manuals), a quick-start guide and a Pro Tools SE copy (already uninstalled due to many limitations this version has).
The driver was installed fast with no hiccups. The interface is powered via USB port and is ready to use in about 2-3 seconds after you plug it in. The device itself is solid. The knobs, buttons and connectors look and feel sturdy but could have been seated more accurately (besides connectors). I like the fact that all controls are on top of C400 and not on the front side as usual. Also since it stands on my table I can easily see what I adjust because of the right angle this interface has. I find the peak meters very handy to adjust levels plus they look very cool on an overall black interface. Built-in DSP is a nice touch. The effects (reverb, delay and echo) are realistic and good enough to get a decent idea of how the end product will sound. The lowest latency you can get with C400 is 128 samples and it's usable with near zero pops/clicks when I don't load many CPU hungry plug-ins.
According to M-Audio web-site, C400 is compatible with USB 3.0. In my case it is partially correct because it started to work properly with the port ONLY after I switched it to EHCI mode (USB 2.0 speed) in BIOS. Since I don't need USB 3.0 speed but rather want to use a spare port, the solution works very well for me. Also I'd like to mention that C400 works fine with USB 2.0 ports right out of the box.
So my score is:
Design 5 stars (I love the way it looks)
Ease of installation 3 stars (for the USB 3.0 hassle I had)
Features 5 stars
Usability 5 stars
Price/Value 5 stars (I got it with an awesome Amazon promotion for 207.2 plus tax)
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Overall 4.6 starsI like this product mainly because it has input level meters and input monitoring with DSP effects (which I have not found on any comparable sound cards). However, after only a couple of uses, the interface stopped recording. It plays back audio, but does not record (no sound comes into the DAW from the audio interface. It is clear that no sound is coming from the interface itself as the input level meters do not move. I checked all my settings, and reinstalled drivers, but to no avail. I am trying to contact Avid support, as I am certain the unit has become defective. This is not a very reliable product, but I would buy it again because of the features. Hopefully, I will get decent support from Avid.
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1/26/2013
Changing my original review score from 3 stars to 1 star:
I received an RMA, returned the defective item (had to pay for shipping to send the item) and received a replacement--soon to find out that the replacement is also defective. Input channel 1 of the interface does not work. I took all the necessary steps to make sure the problem is with the interface and not my cable or microphone. I contacted Avid again, and they told me to contact the 3rd party company that they deal with that sent me the replacement. I called the 3rd party company and they said they would e-mail me another RMA, but I would have to pay for shipping again to return the defective replacement they sent me. I waited for a several days, but received no RMA. I contacted Avid customer support again and asked them to followup on my RMA with the 3rd party, and to waive the return shipping (I should not have to pay for shipping again!). He promised me he would follow up and get back to me. It's been about a week since I spoke to Jim at Avid. Until now, I have received no response from him and no RMA. In all honesty, this product is a joke and customer service is more of a joke.
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3/16/2013
Two months later after I requested my second RMA, I finally have a replacement on the way from Avid (haven't received it yet). Unbelievable lack of customer support, partly because Avid itself does not do the repair but deals with third party called Test Technology to handle their repairs (at least for the Fast Track). What delayed the process is that I got stuck dealing with both companies. So I kept getting asked the same questions over and over such as "What is the product serial number?", "Tell me again what is wrong with the product?" with a response by e-mail every few days to a week. It's true I could have called in and yelled at Avid, but I didn't because I simply switched over to using my older sound card while they took their sweet time to respond. I am uncertain why two units had the same failure, and I am concerned about the third unit eventually having the same problem. I have been recording for over 20 years and used multiple sound cards with my same configuration, so I am certain it is nothing on my end. In case it helps anyone here is a description of my system:
--Win 7 Professional 64 bit
--HP Elitboook 8540w Laptop
--Used only for Microphone recording with Phantom Power always on
--Usually left the Fast Track connected to laptop and laptop almost always on (or on standby)M Audio did a nice job with this unit. Physically it looks like a really nice interface on your desktop. It matched my monitors and looks beautifully. When i received this product it had a few scratches on the top where the gain knobs are. Its very sensitive in that area since its glass or some sort. The unit looks beautiful but the plastic makes me really uneasy because i know if the product was to drop it would break easily. I know a few people have had trouble with this unit but remember that shipping distance has a lot to do with your products arrival and it being defective. When i order my products i order them as nearly as possible to avoid the shipping carrier ruining my product. Just a thought! Anyways, Installation of the driver was super easy on my windows 7 64 bit. I had no use for Pro Tools SE since i already have a favorite DAW (Presonus Studio One Producer). Works well with my daw but that wasnt easy to set up. Took me a good 45 minutes to work well with it. The audio quality is great! Better than my old presonus audio box. I havent tested against others since i haven't used anything other than the presonus audio box before this and an old omega usb interface back in 2005. You can def use this for Pro or Home studio recordings. I recommend if your the type that takes good care of your products and want an upgrade in audio quality. I do not recommend to take on the road OR for those who dont treat there equipment nicely.I use this daily for recording my guitar and for monitor sound out. The levels take some adjusting and the +db button can over adjust the signal. I woud recommend this for the price.
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