Avid Technology Fast Track Duo User manual

Fast Track Duo™Guide

Legal Notices
© 2013 Avid Technology, Inc., (“Avid”), all rights reserved.
This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without
the written consent of Avid.
Avid, the Avid logo, Fast Track Duo, 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.
This product may be protected by one or more U.S. and non-
U.S. patents. Details are available at www.avid.com/patents.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and
availability are subject to change without notice.
Guide Part Number 9329-65276-00 REV A 02/13
Documentation Feedback
At Avid, we are always looking for ways to improve our
documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or
suggestions regarding our documentation, email us at
[email protected].

Contents iii
Chapter 1. Introduction to Fast Track Duo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Fast Track Duo Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conventions Used in This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2. Controls and Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chapter 3. Installing Drivers and Making Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installing Fast Track Duo Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Hardware Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 4. Using Fast Track Duo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setting the Output Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Recording Microphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Recording Instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setting Your Recording Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Direct Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Sample Rate, Buffer Size, and Bit Depth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Appendix A. Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Environmental Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Safety Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Contents

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guideiv

Chapter 1: Introduction to Fast Track Duo 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Fast Track Duo
Welcome to the Fast Track Duo™USB audio inter-
face from Avid®. Fast Track Duo provides your
iPad or USB 2.0-equipped computer with two
channels of analog audio input and output, phan-
tom power, and direct monitoring using the head-
phone output with a dedicated monitoring level
control. Fast Track Duo includes two professional-
quality mic preamps and 24-bit/48 kHz analog-to-
digital and digital-to-analog converters.
Fast Track Duo integrates seamlessly with
Pro Tools®software, and is compatible with third-
party audio and MIDI applications that support the
Core Audio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows) standard.
Fast Track Duo Features
• 2 channels of analog input
• 2 front panel “Combo” input connectors
(XLR or 1/4-inch)
• 2 back panel 1/4-inch TRS line-level inputs
• 2 “Front/Back” input selector switches
• 48V Phantom power for condenser micro-
phones
• Front panel Signal and Clip indicators for
each channel
• 2 back panel 1/4-inch TRS Balanced line out-
puts with dedicated output volume control
• 1/4-inchstereoheadphoneoutputwithdedicated
volume control
• Direct Monitor button
• Up to 24-bit, 48 kHz operation
• USB bus-powered operation
• Class compliant operation
• Pro Tools compatible
• Core Audio and ASIO support

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide2
Registration
Review the enclosed Registration Information
Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly
register your purchase online. This is one of the
most important steps you can take as a new user.
Registering your purchase is the only way you can
be eligible to receive:
• Information regarding technical support
• Future upgrade offers
• Limited warranty on hardware
Hardware Warranty
Your warranty can be found on the Registration
Information Card.
System Requirements and
Compatibility
FastTrack Duocan be usedwith anAvid-qualified
computer running Pro Tools software or third-
party Core Audio- or ASIO-compatible software.
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 computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility
Conventions Used in This
Guide
All of our guides use the following conventions to
indicate menu choices and key commands:
:
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings
that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight
important information:
Convention Action
File > Save Choose Save from the
File menu
Control+N Hold down the Control key
and press the N key
Control-click Hold down the Control key
and click the mouse button
Right-click Click with the right
mouse button
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.
Shortcutsshowyouusefulkeyboardormouse
shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in
this guide and other Pro Tools guides.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Fast Track Duo 3
About www.avid.com
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best
online source for information to help you get the
mostoutof yourAvid audiosystem.Thefollowing
arejust afew oftheservices andfeatures available.
Product Registration Register your purchase
online.
Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer
Success (technical support); download software
updates and the latest online manuals; browse the
Compatibilitydocumentsforsystemrequirements;
search the online Knowledge Base or join the
worldwide Avid audio community on the User
Conference.
Training and Education Study on your own using
courses available online or find out how you can
learn in a classroom setting at a certified Pro Tools
training center.
Products and Developers Learn about Avid
products; download demo software or learn about
our Development Partners and their plug-ins,
applications, and hardware.
News and Events GetthelatestnewsfromAvidor
sign up for a product demo.

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide4

Chapter 2: Controls and Connectors 5
Chapter 2: Controls and Connectors
Front Panel
1 – Channel Gain Knobs
Adjust these knobs to control the input gain for the
corresponding input channels when setting record-
ing levels.
2– Clip Indicators
The red LED indicates “clipping” or distortion on
the input of the corresponding input channel. If the
LED lights, reduce the Input Gain for the channel.
3 – Microphone/Instrument
Inputs
These connectors accept either a standard XLR mi-
crophone cable, or 1/4-inch instrument cable.
4 – Output Level Control
Adjust this knob to control the output level of the
back panel Line Outputs.
5 – Headphone Level Control
Adjust this knob to control the Headphone output
level.
3256
8
1
7
124
78 9 10 11

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide6
6 – Phantom Power Indicator
(48V)
This red LED illuminates when the Phantom
Power switch on the back panel is set to the “on”
position. 48V phantom power is sent to both of the
front panel microphone inputs when enabled.
7 – Front/Rear Input Buttons
These buttons let you select either the front or back
panel inputs for each channel. When the button is
out, Fast Track Duo uses the front panel input.
Whenit ispressedin, FastTrack Duousesthe back
panel input.
8 – Signal Indicators
The green LED indicates the presence of an audio
signal at the corresponding input. If you are send-
ingsignal tothe inputand theSignal indicatordoes
not light, try increasing the Input Gain control for
the channel.
9 – Direct Monitor Button
Thisbutton switchesDirect Monitoringon andoff.
When Direct Monitoring is on, Fast Track Duo
provides a latency-free mix of the input signal and
the output signal of your music software. When
Direct Monitoring is off, you must use the moni-
toring option in your music software.
10 – Headphone Output
Connect your stereo headphones to this 1/4-inch
output. The headphone monitoring signal mirrors
the Line Output signal. Set the volume using the
Headphone Level control.
11 – Power Indicator
This green LED indicates that Fast Track Duo is
receiving power from the connected host com-
puter. When using Fast Track Duo with an iPad,
you will need to power it using the USB power
adapter that was included with your iPad.

Chapter 2: Controls and Connectors 7
Back Panel
1 – Lock Port
Use this port to secure Fast Track Duo using a
Kensington-style security lock.
2 – 48V Phantom Power Switch
When this switch is in the “on” position, 48V
phantom power is sent to the front panel micro-
phone inputs. Enable phantom power for con-
denser microphones that require external power.
The Phantom Power Indicator LED illuminates
when phantom power is on.
3 – Tablet Port
This port is used for connecting Fast Track Duo to
an iPad.
4 – USB Port
This port is used for connecting Fast Track Duo to
your host computer, using the supplied USB cable.
If you are using Fast Track Duo with an iPad, use
this port to connect a USB power adapter.
5 – Line Outputs
Use this stereo pair of 1/4-inch TRS jacks to con-
nect Fast Track Duo to either a pair of powered
studio monitors, a mixer, or stereo amplifier. The
level for these outputs is controlled by the Output
Level control on the front panel.
6 – Line Inputs
Use these 1/4-inch TRS jacks to connect line-level
input sources (balanced or unbalanced). The vol-
ume level for each input is controlled by the Chan-
nel Gain knobs on the front panel.
123 4 5 6
Although phantom power can be used
safely with most microphones, it is possi-
ble to damage some ribbon microphones.
Always turn off phantom power and wait
at least ten seconds before connecting a
ribbon microphone.
Refer to the documentation for your
microphone for more information about
its power requirements.

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide8

Chapter 3: Installing Drivers and Making Connections 9
Chapter 3: Installing Drivers and Making
Connections
Installing Fast Track Duo
Drivers
Mac OS X
Fast Track Duo is a class-compliant device for
Mac OS X, so no drivers are required.
iOS
Fast Track Duo is an iOS-compliant device for
iPad, so no drivers are required.
Windows
To install the Fast Track Duo driver:
1Ensure that Fast Track Duo is not connected to
your computer.
2Download the Fast Track Duo driver from
www.avid.com/drivers.
3Locate and double-click InstallAvid Fast Track
Duo.exe.
4Follow the on-screen instructions.
5Once the installation is complete and your
computerhas beenrestarted,connect FastTrack
Duo to any available USB port on your
computer.
6When the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog
appears, select “Install the software automati-
cally” and click “Next.”
7Click “Finish” once the software has been
installed.
Do not start this procedure with your Fast
Track Duo connected to your computer.
You may be notified that the driver being in-
stalled has not passed Windows Logo testing,
or asked whether the program you wish to run
is a trusted application. Click “Install.”

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide10
Hardware Connections
Connecting Fast Track Duo to a
Computer
Once you have installed the driver (Windows
only), connect Fast Track Duo to any available
USB port on your computer. Fast Track Duo is
powered over the USB bus from your computer.
Connecting Fast Track Duo to an
iPad
Connect your iPad to the Tablet port on the back
panel of Fast Track Duo.
When using Fast Track Duo with an iPad, you will
need to power Fast Track Duo using the USB
poweradapter thatwas included withyour iPad(or
with a USB power adapter purchased separately).
Connecting a Microphone
Connect a microphone to either input on the front
panel of Fast Track Duo using a standard XLR
microphone cable. If you are connecting a micro-
phone that requires phantom power, be sure to
enable the 48V switch on the back panel of Fast
Track Duo.
Connecting an Instrument
Connectaninstrument(such as anelectricguitaror
bass) to either input on the front panel using a stan-
dard 1/4-inch instrument cable. For line-level
sources, such as a synthesizer or DJ mixer, connect
the cables to the rear 1/4-inch inputs.
Connecting Headphones
Connect stereo headphones to the 1/4-inch TRS
Headphone output on the front panel.
Connecting Speakers
Connectthe LineOutput jackson theback panelof
Fast Track Duo to the inputs of a mixer, stereo
poweramplifier, orpowered studiomonitors using
1/4-inch TRS cables.
Fast Track Duo supports USB 1.1 or higher.
However, on computers running Windows 7,
be sure to connect Fast Track Duo to a USB
2 port. USB 3 is not currently supported with
Fast Track Duo on Windows 7.
When connecting speakers, make sure that
the speakers are powered off. Turn your
speakers on only after you have connected
Fast Track Duo to a host computer or iPad
and Fast Track Duo is fully powered on.

Chapter 4: Using Fast Track Duo 11
Chapter 4: Using Fast Track Duo
Setting the Output Level
Once the Fast Track Duo Line Outputs have been
connected to a mixer, amplifier or powered moni-
tors, the overall output volume is controlled by the
Output Level control on the front panel.
Recording Microphones
Use the Front/Back Input buttons to select the cor-
responding front-panel input connection. Then
connect a microphone using a standard XLR mi-
crophone cable to the corresponding front panel
XLR input.
If you are using a microphone that requires phan-
tom power, activate the back panel 48V Phantom
Power switch after connecting a microphone to
one of the front panel inputs.
k D
In your audio software, select the appropriate Fast
Track Duo input (1 or 2) as the source for the track
you will be recording to. Adjust the Channel Gain
knobuntil you havesufficient audiosignal without
clipping.
Recording Instruments
Use the “Front/Back Input” buttons to select a
front panel input connection or a back panel input
connection. Then connect an electric guitar, bass,
or other instrument using a standard 1/4-inch in-
strument cable (use a TS cable for instrument level
signals or TRS cable for balanced line level sig-
nals).
In your audio software, select the corresponding
Fast Track Duo input channel (1 or 2) as the source
for the track you will be recording to.
Setting Recording Levels
To set the gain levels for an input channel, turn the
corresponding Channel Gain knob fully counter-
clockwise. While the sound source is playing at its
loudest levels, slowly turn the knob clockwise un-
til the green LED of the Signal Indicator for the
channel begins to illuminate. Adjust the control so
that the green Signal indicator remains lit, but so
that the red Clip indicator does not light. At this
point, you should be ready to record with the opti-
mum gain setting.
Be sure to turn down all monitoring levels
before powering on your Fast Track Duo and
using it with headphones or loudspeakers.
Although phantom power can be used
safely with most microphones, it is possi-
ble to damage some ribbon microphones.
Always turn off phantom power and wait
at least ten seconds before connecting a
ribbon microphone.
Refer to the documentation for your
microphone for more information about
its power requirements.

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide12
Direct Monitoring
When recording an audio signal into your audio
software, there is often a slight delay before it
reaches the outputs of the software and Fast Track
Duo. This delay, called latency, is caused by the
computer processing required to convert and re-
cordaudio. Sincethisdelay canbedistracting, Fast
Track Duo provides a direct monitoring path from
the inputs to the outputs, which is activated by
pressing the Direct Monitor button.
When Direct Monitoring is enabled, the input sig-
nalis mixedwith theoutput signalfrom youraudio
software, and routed directly to the Line and Head-
phone outputs. This lets you hear the “live” inputs
without latency.
The Direct Monitor button has no effect on what is
being recorded by your software. When using the
Direct Monitor feature, make sure any software
monitoring option for direct (or “low latency”)
monitoring is disabled. Disabling Low Latency
monitoring prevents “double-monitoring” of input
audio signals when using the Direct Monitoring
feature.
When “double-monitoring” occurs, there will be
an increase in volume and an undesirable “phas-
ing” sound. For more details about its monitoring
function, refer to the documentation for your audio
software.
Sample Rate, Bit Depth, and
Buffer Size
Fast Track Duo can operate at two sample rates
(44.1 kHz or 48 kHz) and two different bit depths
(16 bit or 24 bit) to accommodate a variety of proj-
ects. You should decide on a sample rate and bit
depth for your project before recording, to maxi-
mize fidelity and avoid time-consuming format
conversions.
Choosing Sample Rate and Bit
Depth
The following guidelines should help you choose
appropriate sample rate and bit depth settings for
your recording:
Music Projects
If the final mix will be played back on CD, or in
MP3 format, a 24-bit resolution with a sample rate
of 44.1 kHz is recommended.
Video Projects
If the final mix is intended for DVD, film or TV, a
24-bit resolution with a sample rate of 48 kHz is
recommended.
The final output file will have to be converted
to 16 bit/44.1 kHz for playback on CD and
some audio player applications.
It is not possible to raise the fidelity of
previously recorded audio by increasing its
bit depth or sample rate.
Always use the highest possible settings that
are appropriate for your project.

Chapter 4: Using Fast Track Duo 13
Choosing a Buffer Size
Use the lowest possible buffer size to minimize
latency while recording. However, you may want
toincrease the buffersize forlargermixes withlots
of plug-ins to avoid pops and clicks in the audio
output.
Configuring Settings
Mac OS X
On Mac OS X, use the Audio MIDI Setup applica-
tion, or your audio application preferences or set-
tings, to configure the device sample rate, hard-
ware buffer size, and bit depth.
iOS
On iOS, use the system preferences for your audio
app to configure the device sample rate, hardware
buffer size, and bit depth.
Windows
On Windows, use the Avid Fast Track Duo control
panel to configure the Sample Rate setting and
Buffer Size for the device.
To configure the Fast Track control panel:
1Choose Start > Control Panel > Fast Track Duo.
2Select the sample rate (44100 or 48000) from
the Sample Rate pop-up menu.
3Setthebuffersizewith thePreferredBufferSize
slider.

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide14

Appendix A: Compliance Information 15
Appendix A: Compliance Information
Environmental Compliance
Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users
in the European Union
This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this
product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it
is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by
handing it over to a designated collection point for the
recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The
separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at
the time of disposal will help conserve natural resources and
ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human
health and the environment. For more information about
where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling,
please contact your local city recycling office or the dealer
from whom you purchased the product.
Proposition 65 Warning
Perchlorate Notice
This product may contain a lithium coin battery. The State of
California requires the following disclosure statement:
“Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply, See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.”
Recycling Notice
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.

Avid Fast Track Duo User Guide16
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
FCC Compliance for United States
Radio and Television Interference
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules.
Australia and New Zealand EMC
Regulations
Canadian Compliance
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les
exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
CE Compliance
(EMC, Safety, and RoHS)
Avid is authorized to apply the CE (Conformité Europénne)
mark on this compliant equipment thereby declaring
conformity to EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, Low Voltage
Directive 2006/95/EC, and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
(Recast).
Japan VCCI Compliance
Korean EMC Regulations
Communication Statement
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
inaresidentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or locate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
Any modifications to the unit, unless expressly approved by
Avid, could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.