M Audio Computer Monitor SESSION User Manual

User Guide  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
2
What’s in the Box?  
Your M-Audio Session with Fast Track USB bundle should contain the following  
items:  
M-Audio Fast Track USB audio interface USB cable  
M-Audio Session DVD-ROM  
This User Guide  
If any of the above listed items are missing, please contact the retailer where you  
purchased the product.  
About This Guide  
This guide covers installation of the Session music-creation software for Windows  
and the setup and features of the Fast Track USB audio interface for Windows  
and Macintosh OS X. The Fast Track USB audio interface contained in this bundle  
can also be used with many Macintosh and Windows third-party music software  
applications like GarageBand, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live. Consult your software’s  
documentation for more information on this.  
Minimum System Requirements  
Windows XP  
Windows XP (SP2) or higher *  
1.6 GHz processor  
(CPU speed requirement may be higher for laptops)  
512MB RAM  
4 GB free HD space for complete installation of Session  
DVD drive  
AGP 4X or faster graphics **  
32MB video RAM  
1024 x 768 video resolution (1280 x 1024 recommended)  
One native USB port  
Windows Vista (edition) 32-Bit  
Windows Vista (edition) 32-Bit  
1.6 GHz processor  
(CPU speed requirement may be higher for laptops)  
1024 MB RAM  
4 GB free HD space for complete installation of Session  
DVD drive  
AGP 4X or faster graphics **  
128MB video RAM  
1024 x 768 video resolution (1280 x 1024 recommended)  
One native USB port  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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Windows XP (SP2) or higher *  
Intel Pentium / AMD Athlon 1 GHz or higher  
512 MB RAM  
DVD drive  
One native USB port  
Windows Vista (edition) 32-Bit  
Windows Vista (edition) 32-Bit  
Pentium III – 1 GHz or higher  
1024 MB RAM  
DVD drive  
One native USB port  
Macintosh OS X  
G4 1 GHz or higher  
Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later  
512 MB RAM  
One Native USB port  
*Home and Professional Edition only. Windows Media Center Edition is not  
currently supported.  
**Session does not support video cards based on any of the following chipsets:  
S3/VIA UniChrome, SiS EL315, Matrox  
Please also check the minimum system requirements for third party software  
applications that are to be used with your new M-Audio hardware, as they may be  
greater than the above.  
Installation and Setup Overview for Windows  
It is important that installation and setup take place in the following sequence (these  
steps are explained in detail in following chapters):  
1. Install the Session music creation software. This software enables support for  
the Fast Track USB audio interface, and must be installed before Fast Track  
USB is connected.  
2. Connect the Fast Track USB audio interface. This device not only serves as a  
high performance USB audio interface, but also as the copy protection key for  
Session. Fast Track USB must be connected for Session to launch.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
4
Session Installation for Windows  
NOTE: If you have already connected your Fast Track USB audio interface to your  
computer, please disconnect it before beginning the Session software installation.  
Leave the Fast Track disconnected until instructed to connect it.  
1. Insert the M-Audio Session DVD-ROM into your computer’s DVD-ROM drive.  
2. The computer will automatically display the install screen If your computer fails  
.
to launch the installer, manually start it by clicking on Start > My Computer >  
Session.  
3. Follow the software installer’s on-screen direction prompts.  
4. Session comes with a  
large library of loops and  
instrument samples for  
music creation, known as  
Session Content. During the  
installation process, you will  
be asked if you would like to  
install this content, as well  
as the Session Application,  
and the driver for the Fast  
Track USB audio interface.  
You must select the Session  
Application and the Fast Track  
USB options in order to use  
Session.  
NOTE: Session’s Factory Content Library requires approximately 4 GB of disk  
space and may take as long as 30 minutes to install. This behavior is normal.  
If you do not have 4 GB of disk space available, you can choose not to install  
the Session Content, but you will then have to place the Session DVD in your  
DVD-ROM drive whenever you run Session. Accessing Session’s content via  
the DVD-ROM drive results in slightly slower computer performance, and if the  
required hard drive space is available, installing the Session Content on your  
computer’s hard drive is recommended.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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5. At various points in this installation process, 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 Continue Anyway or Install to proceed with  
installation.  
6. Click “Finish” once the installer has completed the installation. See chapter  
"Connecting the Fast Track USB Audio Interface" to proceed with the hardware  
installation.  
N O T E : To get the most out of your Session music creation software, please refer to  
the program’s built-in User Guide under Help > Manual, where you will find detailed  
instructions and 12 in-depth tutorials on using the Session software.  
M-Audio Fast Track USB - Macintosh Driver Installation  
The included M-Audio Session software is for use with Windows computers only.  
However, the Fast Track USB hardware can be used on Macintosh computers with  
applications like GarageBand, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live.  
Fast Track USB functions as a class-compliant device. This means your Macintosh  
computer will recognize Fast Track without the need to install additional drivers. This  
gives immediate access to all audio inputs and outputs. However, if you wish to use  
your Fast Track USB with Pro-Tools M-Powered software, you need to download and  
Installing Fast Track USB drivers on your Macintosh computer:  
NOTE: Do not connect your Fast Track USB to your computer until the appropriate  
driver files have been copied to your hard drive. Be sure to leave your Fast Track  
disconnected until instructed to connect it below.  
1. Download the latest Macintosh driver for Fast Track USB from  
2. Once the driver has finished downloading, double-click the file to run it.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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3. The driver installer will launch.  
Follow the on-screen direction  
prompts. During Installation,  
Mac OS X will ask you to enter  
your user name and password.  
Enter this information and click  
OK to confirm. If you have not  
configured a password for your  
computer, leave the password  
field blank and click OK. If  
you are not the computer’s owner, ask the owner or your Administrator for the  
missing information.  
4. Click “Restart” once the installer has completed the installation.  
5. Connect your Fast Track USB to your computer using the USB cable provided.  
6. Your Fast Track USB audio interface is ready to use.  
Connecting the Fast Track USB Audio Interface  
Fast Track USB is compatible with Windows and Macintosh class-compliant USB  
drivers, and will function as soon as it is connected to your computer. However, for  
the best low-latency performance in Windows, you will need to install the M-Audio  
drivers.  
Once you have completed installing the Session software in Windows, connect the  
M-Audio Fast Track USB to an available USB port on your computer. Your computer  
will recognize the new hardware and Windows computers will briefly display a Found  
New Hardware message. You may be prompted with a message 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 Continue Anyway or Install to proceed with  
the installation.  
You may also see a Windows prompt asking if you would like to search the Internet  
for a driver. If so, click No and continue.  
Mac users can simply connect the Fast Track USB interface and start using the  
device.  
NOTE: In order to hear the audio signal produced by Fast Track USB, you must  
either:  
1. Connect the two RCA outputs (located on the Fast Track USB rear panel) to  
powered monitors, an amplifier, or a mixer.  
Or  
2. Connect headphones to the headphone output, located on the front panel.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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The Fast Track USB Audio Interface  
Front Panel Controls  
1
Input Level – Adjusts the gain level for the rear-panel XLR input (14).  
2. Peak LED – Indicates presence of peak input level from the XLR input. Lights  
when input signal approaches –3dB before overload.  
3. Signal LED – Indicates presence of input signal from the XLR input. Lights  
when input signal level approaches –40dB.  
4. Input/Playback Mix Control – Controls the ratio of input signal to playback  
signal from your recording software. (When you record, you should mute the  
track you’re recording. Otherwise, you’ll hear the analog input signal AND  
latency delayed recorded signal.)  
5. Mono Switch – When pressed, this switch sums the input signals to mono for  
direct monitoring.  
6. Headphone Output – Standard 1/8” stereo headphone output.  
7. Output Level – Adjusts overall output volume level. This control affects both the  
rear panel RCA outputs (11) and the headphone output (6).  
8. Power LED – Lights when the unit is powered on.  
Rear Panel Controls  
9. Kensington Lock Connector – Connect a standard laptop-style cable locking  
device here to protect your Fast Track USB from theft or accidental breakage.  
10. USB Connector – Connect the included USB cable here, and connect the  
other end to your computer’s USB port.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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11. Line Outputs – Left and Right stereo outputs. Connect these outputs to  
powered monitors such as the M-Audio DX4s, or to the inputs of your stereo  
amplifier or receiver.  
12. Input Level Switch – Input level selector for the 1/4” TRS input (13). When  
connecting a balanced line level input here, the switch should be set to the  
LINE position. When connecting an instrument, the switch should be set to the  
GUITAR position.  
13. Guitar Input – TRS 1/4” input for line/instrument level input sources. The input  
level is determined by the Input Level Switch (12).  
14. Mic Input – Balanced XLR input for connecting a dynamic microphone.  
The Software Control Panel  
In Windows XP and Vista, double-click the red M-Audio icon in the system tray to  
access the Fast Track USB Control Panel. To access this Control Panel on a Mac,  
click the Apple icon, and open System Preferences. In the "Other" section, you  
will find the M-Audio Fast Track USB icon that you can click on to open the Fast  
Track USB Control Panel. The control panel is only available if the optional drivers  
have been installed on your Mac and will not appear when using the device via the  
Operating System's built-in class-compliant drivers.  
The Fast Track USB Control Panel is divided into separate pages, each accessible  
by clicking on the corresponding tab. The Control Panel shows details about the  
installed driver version, lets you select the Sample Bit Depth (Mac OS X only), and in  
Windows, you can adjust the audio buffer size (latency).  
About Tab  
This tab will show you the current Control Panel, driver and firmware versions, and  
allow you to connect to the M-Audio website for updates. The Fast Track USB  
Control Panel also provides helpful links to the M-Audio website’s knowledge base,  
manuals, support, and registration pages.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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Latency Tab (Windows Only)  
The Latency Page allows you to adjust the Fast Track USB buffer size in order to  
achieve optimal balance between system stability and audio latency. When recording  
to your computer, you will experience a short delay between the time you create a  
sound and the time you hear it in your headphones or monitors. This is due to the  
time it takes for your input signal to pass through your audio software and appear  
at the outputs, and is referred to as Latency. Using the slider on this page, you can  
control the amount of latency you experience by changing the buffer size. Smaller  
buffer sizes result in lower latency, but may not function well with slower systems.  
The default buffer size setting may adequately serve your purposes, but if you wish  
to, you can experiment with lower settings. If you experience stuttering or crackling in  
your audio playback, try using a larger buffer size.  
Performance Tab (Mac OS X only)  
This tab allows you to set the sample bit depth Fast Track USB uses for operation.  
The 16 Bit setting is equivalent to the dynamic capabilities found on audio CDs. The  
24 Bit setting allows for higher dynamic resolution as commonly used in professional  
digital recording studios. In Windows XP and Vista, the sample bit depth is selected  
from within the recording application.  
Getting Started Making Music with Session  
NOTE: The Fast Track USB audio interface acts as an authorization key for the  
Session software. Session will not run unless Fast Track USB is connected and its  
drivers installed.  
1. Turn down the Mic Input and Output knobs on the Fast Track USB and  
connect a microphone or instrument to the appropriate rear-panel input on  
the Fast Track USB.  
2. Double-click the Session shortcut icon that was placed on  
your desktop during installation. If this icon does not appear,  
go to Start > All Programs > M-Audio > Session > Session  
to open the application.  
3. Click the button labeled “New” in  
the Session Startup window.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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4. A New Composition dialog box will appear  
enabling you to choose a Name, Time  
Signature, Key Root, Key Scale, and Tempo  
for your composition. After these choices  
have been made,  
click OK.  
5. The “What would you like to do?” dialog box will now  
appear. For this example, select Sing and Record Vocals/  
Instruments, and click OK.  
6. The Session window will now appear.  
7. Click the Track Properties button  
and select the Right or Left input depending  
on whether you are using the XLR Microphone jack (Left input), or the 1/4" Instrument  
Input (Right input).  
8. Turn the Mic Input and Output knobs up to a reasonable level.  
9. Click the Record button (located at the top of the Session window) and speak or  
sing into the microphone, or play your connected instrument. The sound you are  
recording will appear as a waveform in the Session window. When recording using  
a microphone, it is recommended that any connected speakers are muted, and  
monitoring is done through headphones. This prevents feedback which can be  
damaging to your speakers and harmful to your hearing.  
Enjoy your music making experience with Session.  
NOTE: To get the most out of your Session music creation software, please refer to  
the program’s built-in manual under Help > Open User Manual, where you will find  
detailed instructions and 12 in-depth tutorials on using the Session software.  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
11  
Fast Track USB Specifications  
All audio specs measured at 48kHz sampling rate, unless otherwise stated.  
Mic Input (A/D)  
Maximum Input Level  
SNR  
-2.2 dBu (0.6 Vrms) @ minimum gain  
-100 dB, A-weighted  
Dynamic Range  
THD+N  
100 dB, A-weighted  
0.005% (-86 dB) @ -1 dBFS, 1 kHz  
22 Hz to 22 kHz, +/- 0.1 dB  
45 dB  
Frequency Response  
Pre-amp Gain  
Instrument Input (A/D)  
Maximum Input Level  
SNR  
+8.3 dBV (2.6 Vrms)  
-97 dB, A-weighted  
Dynamic Range  
THD+N  
97 dB, A-weighted  
0.005% (-86 dB) @ -1 dBFS, 1 kHz  
22 Hz to 22 kHz, +/- 0.3 dB  
Frequency Response  
Line Input (A/D)  
Maximum Input Level  
SNR  
+2.3 dBV (1.3 Vrms)  
-98 dB, A-weighted  
Dynamic Range  
THD+N  
98 dB, A-weighted  
0.005% @ -1 dBFS, 1 kHz  
22 Hz to 22 kHz, +/- 0.2 dB  
Frequency Response  
Line Outputs (D/A)  
Maximum Output Level  
SNR  
+2.0 dBV (1.2 Vrms), unbalanced  
-105 dB, A-weighted  
Dynamic Range  
THD+N  
105 dB, A-weighted  
0.004% (-88 dB) @ -1 dBFS, 1 kHz  
22 Hz to 22 kHz, +/- 0.1 dB  
Frequency Response  
Headphone Output (D/A)  
Maximum Output  
Working Range  
Sampling Rates (k):  
-2.3 dBV at THD < 0.05% into 32-Ohms  
32 to 600 Ohms  
44.1kHz, 48kHz  
 
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Session with Fast Track USB User Guide  
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Additional Information and Support  
More information about your new Session software can be found in Session’s built-in  
stories, FAQs, and technical support. We recommend checking this site regularly to  
ensure you have the most current information about your M-Audio products.  
Warranty  
Warranty Terms  
M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship,  
under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered  
specific product.  
Warranty Registration  
Immediately registering your new M-Audio product entitles you to full warranty  
coverage and helps M-Audio develop and manufacture the finest quality products  
updates and for the chance to win M-Audio giveaways.  
Fast Track USB  
Tested to comply with  
FCC standards  
FOR HOME OR STUDIO USE  
WARNING: 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.  
© 2007 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications,  
system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid,  
M-Audio, Session, DX4 and Fast Track USB are either trademarks or registered  
trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the  
property of their respective owners.  
 
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