AVID FastTrack C400 User Guide
®
Fast Track C400™ 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.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and
availability are subject to change without notice.
Guide Part Number 9329-65108-00 REV A 05/11
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contents
Chapter 1. Welcome to Fast Track C400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Fast Track C400 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chapter 2. Fast Track C400 Hardware Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Fast Track C400 Top Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Fast Track C400 Back Panel Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fast Track C400 Front Panel Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 3. Fast Track C400 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installing Fast Track C400 Drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 4. Hardware Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connecting Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connecting a Sound System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connecting Audio Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Connecting a Microphone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Connecting Instruments to the Fast Track C400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
MIDI Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 5. The Driver Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Additional Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Monitor Mixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Using the Monitor Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Contents iii
Chapter 6. The Multi Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Multi Button Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Multi Button Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Configuring the Multi Button (Building a Macro). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Chapter 7. Recording with Fast Track C400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Recording Audio Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Recording Instrument Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Appendix A. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Check Your Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Check the Fast Track C400 Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Music Software Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Before Updating Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Before You Call Avid Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Appendix B. Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Environmental Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Appendix C. Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Book Titleiv
chapter 1
Welcome to Fast Track C400
Thank you for purchasing the Fast Track® C400
audio interface.
Fast Track C400 is a 4-input, 6-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.
Fast Track C400 Features
Fast Track C400 provides the following:
• Two channels of analog audio input with
high-quality microphone preamps and switchable 48V phantom power
• Analog input jacks include two back panel
XLR/TRS combo-jacks and two front panel
1/4-inch TS jacks
•XLR/Line or Instrument input selector for
each input channel
• Switchable Pad to prevent loud signals
from overloading the analog inputs
• Two channels of S/PDIF digital input and output
• S/PDIF inputs and outputs can be configured to mirror any of the analog output
pairs or used as their own independent inputs and outputs
• Up to a total of four channels of input, using
analog and digital inputs simultaneously
• Independent gain controls and level meters
for each analog input channel
• One MIDI In and one MIDI Out port, providing 16 MIDI input channels and 16 MIDI output channels
• Four balanced 1/4-inch TRS analog line-level
outputs
• Two Output Selector buttons for quick and
easy switching between multiple pairs of
speakers
• 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, supporting
sample rates up to 96 kHz
• Low Latency Monitoring (LLM) with adjustable balance between input and playback
• 1/4-inch (TRS) stereo headphone output with
adjustable level control
• On-board reverb and delay effects (useful for
monitoring while recording vocals or instruments)
• Multi-function, assignable Soft button
• USB 2.0 operation
Fast Track C400 may not function properly
if connected to a USB hub. Please connect
directly to your computer's USB port whenever possible.
Chapter 1: Welcome to Fast Track C400 1
System Requirements and Compatibility
Conventions Used in This Guide
Fast Track C400 can be used with qualified Windows or Mac computer running Pro Tools or
qualified third party software.
A DVD drive is required to install the drivers and
software provided with this product.
Avid can only assure compatibility and provide
support for hardware and software it has tested
and approved.
For complete system requirements and a list of
qualified operating systems and third-party recording applications, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility
The following symbols are used to highlight
important information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your system.
Important Notices include information that
could affect your data or the performance of
your system.
Cross References point to related sections in
this guide.
About www.avid.com
The Avid® website (www.avid.com) is your best
online source for information to help you get
the most out of your Fast Track C400. The following are just a few of the services and features
available.
Product Registration Register your purchase
online at www.avid.com/support.
Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer
Success (technical support); download software
updates and the latest online manuals; browse
the Compatibility documents for system requirements; search the online Knowledge Base.
Products and Developers Learn about Avid
products; download demo software or learn
about our Development Partners and their plugins, applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Avid.
Fast Track C400 User Guide2
chapter 2
Gain
Input Selector
Multi Button
Vol um e K no b
Output Selector
Power LED
48V
Vol um e
Headphone
Pad
Input Meters
Fast Track C400 Hardware Overview
Fast Track C400 Top Panel Features
Figure 1 identifies the controls, indicators on the Fast Track C400 top panel.
Figure 1. Fast Track C400 top panel
The Fast Track C400 top panel provides the following:
Front/Rear Input Selectors
These buttons select either the front panel Instrument Inputs (TS) or rear panel Mic/Line Inputs (XLR/TRS combo) for each channel.
When these buttons are set to the “In” position,
the corresponding front panel Instrument Input
is active. When they are set to the “Out” position, the corresponding rear panel Mic/Line Input will be active.
Chapter 2: Fast Track C400 Hardware Overview 3
Pad Button
Each analog input channel offers 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.
Although phantom power can be used
safely with most microphones, it is possible
to damage some ribbon microphones with
it. Always turn off phantom power and wait
at least ten seconds before connecting or disconnecting a ribbon microphone.
Gain Controls
These knobs adjust the input gain levels of their
corresponding Input channels. Turn a knob
clockwise to increase the gain, and counterclockwise to decrease it.
Signal/Clip LED Meters
The 8-segment LED meters illuminate to help
you set correct gain levels when recording instruments or vocals. These meters receive signals
from the Fast Track C400's analog-to-digital
converter and are very precise. If the red LED (at
the top) illuminates, it means that your signal
has overloaded (or “clipped”) the converter and
that your recording may contain audible distortion. If the red LED does illuminate, decrease the
input level using the channel's Gain Knob to
prevent any additional clipping.
48V Switch and LED
Phantom power is activated by the switch labeled 48V on the top panel of Fast Track C400.
The LED, when lit, indicates that 48V phantom
power is active on both XLR Mic inputs.
About Phantom Power
Dynamic microphones (such as a Shure SM57)
do not require phantom power to operate, but
are not harmed by it. Most condenser micro-
phones (such as M-Audio Solaris™) do require
phantom power to operate.
When using phantom power, Fast Track
C400 can provide up to 4 mA of current per
channel (or up to 8 mA if only one channel
is used). T his is more than enough to power
most modern microphones, as well as many
vintage microphones.
If you are not sure about the phantom power requirements for your microphone, consult your
microphone’s documentation or contact the
manufacturer.
Power LED
The blue Power LED indicates that Fast Track
C400 is receiving power from the USB connection.
Output Selector Buttons
These buttons switch the pairs of back panel
Outputs (A and B) 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.
The green LED to the right of each button illuminates whenever the corresponding pair of
outputs is active.
Fast Track C400 User Guide4
Volume Knob
The Volume knob adjusts the output level of the
analog line outputs on the back panel. It can be
configured to control outputs 1-2, 3-4, or 1-4 in
the Control Panel.
Refer to “Master Volume Knob” on page 21
to learn how to do this.
Multi Button
The Multi button can be programmed to emulate and execute up to eight different computer
key commands or key combinations in your
software, as described in Chapter 6, “The Multi
Button.” Depending on your software, these can
include keyboard shortcuts used for functions
such as Start/Stop Record, Toggle Marker Locations, and Save, as well as any custom keyboard
shortcuts you may have set up.
Refer to the documentation provided with
your recording application for further information about the available keyboard shortcuts.
Headphone Volume
This knob adjusts the output level of the headphone output. The headphone output always
mirrors line outputs 1-2.
Chapter 2: Fast Track C400 Hardware Over view 5
Fast Track C400 Back Panel Features
USB Port
MIDI I/O
S/PDIF
Digital I/O
Monitor
Outputs
Mic/Line
Inputs
Lock Connector
Kensington
Figure 2 identifies each port on the back panel of the Fast Track C400.
Figure 2. Fast Track C400 back panel
The Fast Track C400 back panel provides the following:
USB Port
This standard USB port is used to connect
Fast Track C400 to a USB 2.0 port on your computer using the USB cable included with your interface.
Fast Track C400 is powered through the USB
connection, and the top panel Power LED will illuminate indicating that the unit is receiving
power.
MIDI I/O
The MIDI In and MIDI Out ports are standard 5pin MIDI connectors, each providing 16 channels of MIDI input or output.
S/PDIF Digital I/O
S/PDIF is a connection protocol that lets you
digitally connect Fast Track C400 to external devices that also have S/PDIF ports (such as CD
players, DAT recorders, or external AD/DA converters).
S/PDIF sends and receives signals over unbalanced phono (RCA) cables at up to 24-bit, 96kHz
resolution when used with Fast Track C400.
To avoid RF interference, use 75-ohm coaxial cable for S/PDIF transfers and keep the
cable length to a maximum of 10 meters.
The S/PDIF input and output channels are available in addition to the two channels of analog
audio input. This lets you use Fast Track C400 as
a 4-in/6-out digital audio interface.
Fast Track C400 User Guide6
Line Outputs
These pairs of outputs (A and B) support balanced (TRS), or unbalanced (TS), 1/4-inch con-
nections. These outputs can be connected to a
mixing board or directly to a monitoring system, such as powered monitors, a stereo power
amp, or another stereo destination.
Mic/Line Inputs
Each analog input channel provides combination XLR/TRS on the back panel. These balanced/unbalanced analog audio inputs support
the following input levels:
• Mic (microphone) for XLR inputs
• Line (TRS) for line level signals on TRS or TS
inputs
On the top panel, the input signal is adjusted by
the Gain control for each channel.
The input source (back panel Mic/Line, or front
panel Instrument) is chosen using the corresponding Front/Rear Input button for each
channel.
Kensington®Lock Connector
This connector is compatible with standard laptop-style Kensington® security cables for theft
prevention.
Chapter 2: Fast Track C400 Hardware Over view 7
Fast Track C400 Front Panel Features
Instrument Inputs
Headphone Output
Figure 3 identifies each port on the front panel of the Fast Track C400.
Figure 3. Fast Track C400 front panel
The Fast Track C400 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 is controlled
by the corresponding Input Gain knobs on the
top panel.
Headphone Output
Use the Headphone Output to connect stereo
headphones with a 1/4-inch stereo connector.
The level for this output is controlled by the
Headphone Volume knob on the top panel.
Fast Track C400 User Guide8
chapter 3
Fast Track C400 Installation
This chapter covers the Fast Track C400 installation for Mac and Windows.
Installing Fast Track C400
A Note for Mac OS 10.6.7 Users
The Keyboard Setup Assistant will appear first
time you connect Fast Track C400 to you computer. Please close the window, and do not click
“Continue.”
Drivers
Mac OS X
To install the Fast Track C400 driver:
1 Make sure Fast Track C400 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 C400 driver
from www.m-audio.com/drivers. If you do not
have internet access, locate the installer found
on the Fast Track C400 disc, and proceed to the
next step.
3 Double-click on the installer icon and follow
the on-screen instructions.
When the installation is complete, restart your
computer and connect your Fast Track C400 to
an available USB port on your computer.
Mac OS 10.6.7 - Keyboard Setup Assistant
Windows
To install the Fast Track C400 driver:
1 Make sure Fast Track C400 is not connected to
your computer.
If you have connected the interface to your
computer, please disconnect it before proceeding to step 2.
Chapter 3: Fast Track C400 Installation 9
2 Download the latest Fast Track C400 driver
from www.m-audio.com/drivers. If you do not
have Internet access, locate the installer found
on the Fast Track C400 Drivers and Documentation disc that ships with the product, and proceed to the next step.
3 Double-click on the installer icon and follow
the on-screen instructions.
When the installation is complete, restart your
computer and connect your Fast Track C400 to
an available USB port on your computer.
You may be notified that the driver being installed has not passed Windows Logo Testing, or asked whether the program you wish
to run is a trusted application. Click “Install” to continue the installation.
4 Once the installation is complete and your
computer has been restarted, connect your
Fast Track C400 to an available USB port on
your computer.
Fast Track C400 User Guide10
chapter 4
1/4-inch
Headphone jack
Headphone Volume
Outputs B
Outputs A
Hardware Connections
To hear audio recorded from Fast Track C400,
you will need to connect headphones or an external sound system (such as powered monitors
or a home stereo) to Fast Track C400. Sound
from Fast Track C400 cannot be played through
your computer’s speakers or your computer’s
sound output.
Please refer to your audio application's documentation to learn how to route signals to
and from Fast Track C400
Connecting a Sound System
The Line Outputs on your Fast Track C400 are
grouped in pairs that correspond to the toppanel Output Selector buttons A and B.
These connections support 1/4-inch balanced
TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve), or unbalanced unbalanced TS (Tip, Sleeve) connectors. These outputs
can be connected to any amplification system:
powered speakers, a home stereo system, or an
audio mixer.
Connecting Headphones
On the front panel of the Fast Track C400 is a
1/4-inch jack to connect headphones. The volume level of the headphone signal is controlled
by Headphone Volume knob on the top panel.
Headphone jack on Fast Track C400 front panel
Home stereo systems often use RCA connectors. You can use adaptors or a cable to convert from the Line Output connectors on
Fast Track C400 to the RCA connectors on
your home stereo.
Fast Track C400 Stereo outputs A and B (back panel)
Chapter 4: Hardware Connections 11
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