Avid Technology Fast Track Solo User manual

Fast Track Solo™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 Solo, 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 9329-65277-00 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 Solo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Fast Track Solo 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 Solo Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Hardware Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 4. Using Fast Track Solo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setting the Output Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Recording Microphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Recording Instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setting 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 Solo User Guideiv

Chapter 1: Introduction to Fast Track Solo 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Fast Track Solo
Welcome to the Fast Track Solo™audio interface
from Avid®. Fast Track Solo provides your iPad or
USB 2.0-equipped computer with two channels of
analog audio input and output, phantom power,
and headphone monitoring. Fast Track Solo in-
cludes a professional-quality microphone preamp,
an instrument-level input, and 24-bit/48 kHz ana-
log-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters.
Fast Track Solo integrates seamlessly with
Pro Tools®software, and is compatible with
third-party audio applications that support the
Core Audio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows) standard.
Fast Track Solo Features
• 1 front panel XLR input connector for micro-
phone input with 48V phantom power for con-
denser microphones
• 1 front panel 1/4-inch input connector for instru-
ment-level input (such as from an electric guitar
or bass)
• 1/4-inchstereoheadphoneoutputwithdedicated
volume control
• Up to 24-bit, 48 kHz operation
• RCA stereo line-level outputs
• Direct Monitor button
• Front panel Signal and Clip indicators for each
channel
• USB bus powered operation
• Class compliant operation
• Pro Tools compatible
• Core Audio and ASIO support

Avid Fast Track Solo 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
Fast Track Solo can be used with an Avid-quali-
fied 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 Solo 3
About www.avid.com
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best
online source for information to help you get the
mostoutofyour Avidaudiosystem.Thefollowing
arejustafewoftheservicesandfeaturesavailable.
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 Solo User Guide4

Chapter 2: Controls and Connectors 5
Chapter 2: Controls and Connectors
Front Panel
1 – Microphone Input Gain
Control
Adjust this knob to control the input gain for the
Microphone input when setting recording levels.
2 – Instrument Input Gain
Control
Adjust this knob to control the input gain for the
Instrument input when setting recording levels.
3 – Output Level Control
Adjust this knob to control the Main and Head-
phone output level.
4 – Microphone Input
This jack is used for connecting a microphone us-
ing a standard XLR cable.
5 – Instrument Input
This jack is used for connecting a 1/4-inch instru-
ment cable.
6 – Direct Monitor Button
ThisbuttonswitchesDirectMonitoringonand off,
which provides a latency-free mix of the input sig-
nal and the output of your music software. When
Direct Monitoring is switched off, you must use
the monitoring option in your music software.
7 – Headphone Output
Connect your stereo headphones to this 1/4-inch
output. Set the volume using the Output Level
control.
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Avid Fast Track Solo User Guide6
8 – 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 control for the
channel.
9 – Signal Indicators
The green LED indicates the presence of an audio
signal at the corresponding input. If you are send-
ingsignaltothe input and the Signal indicator does
not light, try increasing the Input Gain control for
the channel.
10 – Phantom Power Indicator
(48V)
This red LED illuminates when the Phantom
Power switch on the back panel is set to the “on”
position.
11 – Power Indicator
This green LED indicates that Fast Track Solo is
receiving power from the connected host com-
puter. When using Fast Track Solo with an iPad,
you will need to power Fast Track Solo 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 Solo 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 microphone
panel input. Enable phantom power for condenser
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 Solo to
an iPad.
4 – USB Port
This port is used for connecting Fast Track Solo to
your host computer, using the supplied USB cable.
If you are using Fast Track Solo with an iPad, use
this port to connect a USB power adapter.
5 – Line Outputs
Use this stereo pair of RCA jacks to connect
Fast Track Solo 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.
1234 5
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 Solo User Guide8

Chapter 3: Installing Drivers and Making Connections 9
Chapter 3: Installing Drivers and Making
Connections
Installing Fast Track Solo
Drivers
Mac OS X
Fast Track Solo is a class-compliant device for
Mac OS X, so no drivers are required.
iOS
Fast Track Solo is an iOS-compliant device for
iPad, so no drivers are required.
Windows
To install the Fast Track Solo driver:
1Ensure that Fast Track Solo is not connected to
your computer.
2Download the Fast Track Solo driver from
www.avid.com/drivers.
3Locate and double-click InstallAvid Fast Track
Solo.exe.
4Follow the on-screen instructions.
5Once the installation is complete and your
computerhasbeenrestarted,connectFastTrack
Solo 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 Solo connected to your computer.
You may be notified that the driver being in-
stalled has not passed Windows Logo testing,
oraskedwhether the programyouwish to run
is a trusted application. Click “Install.”

Avid Fast Track Solo User Guide10
Hardware Connections
Connecting Fast Track Solo to a
Computer
Once you have installed the driver (Windows
only), connect Fast Track Solo to any available
USB port on your computer. Fast Track Solo is
powered over the USB bus from your computer.
Connecting Fast Track Solo to
an iPad
Connect your iPad to the Tablet port on the back
panel of Fast Track Solo.
When using Fast Track Solo with an iPad, you will
need to power Fast Track Solo using the USB
poweradapter that was included with your iPad(or
with a USB power adapter purchased separately).
Connecting a Microphone
Connect a microphone to the Microphone input on
the front panel of Fast Track Solo using a standard
XLR microphone cable. If you are connecting a
microphone that requires phantom power, be sure
to enable the 48V switch on the back panel of Fast
Track Solo.
Connecting an Instrument
Connectaninstrument (suchasanelectric guitaror
bass) to the Instrument input using a standard 1/4-
inch instrument cable.
Connecting Headphones
Connect stereo headphones to the 1/4-inch TRS
Headphone output on the front panel.
Connecting Speakers
ConnecttheLineOutput jacks on the back panel of
Fast Track Solo to the inputs of a mixer, stereo
poweramplifier,or powered studio monitors using
RCA cables (note that RCA to 1/4-inch or XLR
adapters may be required).
Fast Track Solo supports USB 1.1 or higher.
However, on computers running Windows 7,
be sure to connect Fast Track Solo to a USB
2 port. USB 3 is not currently supported with
Fast Track Solo 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 Solo to a host computer or iPad
and Fast Track Solo is fully powered on.

Chapter 4: Using Fast Track Solo 11
Chapter 4: Using Fast Track Solo
Setting the Output Level
Once the Fast Track Solo 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
Connect a microphone using a standard XLR mi-
crophone cable to the 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 the
front panel input.
In your audio software, select the appropriate Fast
Track Solo input (1) as the source for the track you
will be recording to. Adjust the Input Gain control
until you have sufficient audio signal without clip-
ping.
Recording Instruments
Connect an electric guitar, bass, or other instru-
ment using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable.
In your audio software, select the appropriate Fast
Track Solo input (2) as the source for the track you
will be recording to. Adjust the Input Gain control
until you have sufficient audio signal without clip-
ping.
Setting Recording Levels
To set the gain levels for an input channel, turn the
corresponding Input Gain control 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 Solo 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 Solo 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
Solo. This delay, called latency, is caused by the
computer processing required to convert and re-
cordaudio.Sincethisdelaycanbe distracting, Fast
Track Solo 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-
nalismixedwith the output signal from your audio
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 Solo 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 Solo 13
Choosing a Buffer Size
Use the lowest possible buffer size to minimize
latency while recording. However, you may want
toincreasethebuffersizefor larger mixes with lots
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
OnWindows,usetheAvidFastTrackSolocontrol
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 Solo.
2Select the sample rate (44100 or 48000) from
the Sample Rate pop-up menu.
3Setthebuffer size withthePreferredBufferSize
slider.

Avid Fast Track Solo 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 Solo 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.