Fast Track Ultra USB 2.0 Review

I paid just a little over $280 for this audio interface, and that is a really good price. This machine:
-is USB 2.0
-has 4 inputs in the front for an XLR cable or 1/4" jack (mic and guitar)
-supplies phantom power (essential if you use a condenser microphone)
-has really good quality pre-amps
-has two separate inputs for the headphones (which you can control separately, if you want)

Also, it comes with a version of Ableton Live Lite.

In general, it is easy to install (I use Windows XP) and to operate.

The control panel is not particularly useful if you use Ableton, since you can control everything from Ableton.
By the way, the only glitch I encountered was that the control panel did not open properly, so I called support and they told me it is a problem they are trying to fix. If you encounter the same problem, it can be resolved this way:
Start > Run > type 'regedit' > scroll down on the left of the window until you find 'M-Audio' > open 'MAUSBFTUCpl' > delete 'MAUSBFTUCpl'.

P.S. I had to contact the support after I switched to a new laptop running Windows 7, and I must say their online customer support is simply awful. I think they are awful on purpose, so one will call their phone support. In fact, after the first 30 after purchase, all calls to customer support are $2.50/minute. Ridiculous.

Then open Control Panel > double click on M-Audio Fast Track Ultra, and the control panel will open just fine.

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Product Description:
The Fast Track Ultra 8 x 8 audio/MIDI interface takes M-Audio's acclaimed mobile recording line to the next level with high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity MX Core DSP mixer and four preamps with award-winning Octane technology. Featuring both analog and digital I/O it allows recording on all eight channels simultaneously with pristine 24-bit/96kHz fidelity--while M-Audio's mature low-latency drivers ensure rock-solid stability and performance. The on-board MX Core DSP mixer processes eight hardware inputs and eight software returns to the eight hardware outputs delivering flexible routing and monitoring with delay and reverb. Compatible with most major audio software Fast Track Ultra lets you record the way you wan--?in the studio or on the go.

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Alicia's Keys - VIRTUAL Piano Sample Library Review

This is a fantastic plugin. It works standalone and in your favorit DAW, such as ProTools. It sounds like if you were sitting at a real (good) piano. The light tones sounds like a real piano where the string almost have no sound, and the deep tones are really nice and deep.
My girl wouldnt play any other pianos cause they didnt sound real. Even ProTools piano (that is quit allright), werent good enough.
The folks from Native Instruments have done a fantastic job. Thumps Up.

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Product Description:
Together with Danish sample specialist Thomas Skarbye (better known by his company name Scarbee) and impulse response expert Ernest Cholakis, Alicia Keys has created a virtual piano that meets her professional standards and embodies the soulful sound that has become her trademark as a superstar. This is the piano sound that has helped Miss Keys win multiple Grammys and reach the top of the charts. ALICIA'S KEYS was sampled from her own playing, recorded in the artist's own studio under the supervision of her trusted engineer, Ann Mincieli. The instrument samples come from Alicia Keys' very own Yamaha­TM C3 Neo grand piano. This unique and highly-sought after instrument was built to celebrate Yamaha's 100th anniversary in 2002 and represents the very top of the Conservatory Collection line. The exquisite and unique sound of the C3 Neo were painstakingly captured by Thomas Skarbye, Kontakt script wizard Nils Liberg, and Grammy-award winning engineer Ann Mincieli - making this exclusive instrument available to everyone. Using vintage microphones and preamps and through detailed analysis of Alicia's playing, the team succeeded in capturing the warm, soulful and inspiring sound of the C3 Neo all the way down to the finest nuances. Alicia herself says, "I feel confident that we came up with the best virtual piano you've ever heard and I am excited to introduce it to you! Ann, Thomas and Nils are a brilliant team!" Great effort was put into making ALICIA'S KEYS as authentic as possible. Designed with incredible precision, and incorporating subtle details such as mechanical release noises, a specially developed sympathetic resonance and release system, and even the sound of fingers hitting keys (optional), this unique instrument delivers plenty of lively realism. So much in fact, that Alicia Keys herself used it exclusively on her latest album The Element of Freedom.

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M-Audio DCP-300 Advanced Digital Console Piano (Rich Walnut) Review

After reading reviews of similar items this one addressed some issues that were identified as disappointing. It is heavily built and there are no plastic foot petals - they are metal. It has an 11 inch deep top shelf that will hold a lamp (the key board extends out another 8 inches). It has a fold-up music stand. It is very handsome and appears solid and 'meaty' as a furniture piece. The sliding lid is solid. The finish is rich and textured. There is a full sized 'modesty panel' that is also a structural advantage in stabilizing the legs. The metal foot petals are fixed with heavy plastic covers to protect them and provide a wearing surface. The set-up is simple - but its Heavy so prepare two people to lift the top piece. We assembled ours upside down on the couch where we could protect it and then roll the finished piano over on its feet. The components are also 'meaty' (I'm growing to hate the word Robust and refuse to use it). Its components are simple and direct. It has associated composing software and will accept MIDI files, etc.It SOUNDS GREAT. The notes last like piano notes do and all play together without interrupting one another. The keys are weighted realistically. The two speakers fill the room we have it in - I'm not going to address the finer qualities of sound because I'm not a musician. The M-Audio WEB site has a demo. I'm very, very pleased with the quality of construction and the person playing it thinks its a wonderful way to enjoy the piano.

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Product Description:
Advanced Digital Console Piano - Rick Walnut

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Williams Symphony Elite Digital Piano Review

My 8 year old son has been taking piano lessons for almost 2 years and has a real talent for it.His piano teacher uses a Casio keyboard that has a foot pedal attached.She kept advising me that he needed a pedal for his keyboard to sustain notes.His Casio "Magic Light" keyboard was purchased 10 years ago as a birthday present for my husband (which he never used). It works great, but doesn't support a foot pedal.Also, the cheaper keyboards do not duplicate the "hammer-action" weighted response of keys on a real piano.Lastly, a full-size keyboard is 88 keys, but ours had only 60 something. I was having a discussion with his piano teacher as to my options.Buying a new piano was out of the question; we're talking 10-20 thousand dollars.However, you can purchase second hand pianos for a few thousand dollars, or "adopt" a used piano for nothing but the cost of having it delivered.A guitar teacher overheard us and offered a wonderful alternative: a digital piano.As he said, "It looks like a real piano, it sounds like a real piano, but it doesn't cost as much as a real piano."He advised us to visit a Cafe next store which had a digital piano in the back.We did, and it was a Yamaha digital piano.It had a brown wood finish and an understated beauty.I immediately was excited and would have gone out that day to buy one.My son was not equally excited, however.It did not look like a real piano to him (which he still wanted).I went online and looked at other brands of digital pianos and noticed the "Williams Symphony Elite Digital Piano."My son was hooked when he saw this one.It looks very much like a real piano.I purchased it online (it costs $899 at virtually any site you order it from).There are two other models: the Williams Console digital piano, which looks to be a regular digital piano with no bells and whistles and it looks like black wood; the next level one is the Williams Overture 88-key digital piano.It has all sorts of digital effects and also has the black wood.The Williams website compares the "Overture" model and the "Symphony Elite" model as the difference between driving a Cadillac and a Bentley. You're paying a few hundred extra for the glossy black finish, more digital effects, etc.Not knowing much about the technical details, I decided to go with the "Bentley" of the Williams line, the Symphony Elite.I would rather spend a little extra and have a piano that will last my son for several years as he expands his technical knowlege.The piano arrived two days ago.My husband said it was delivered curbside by UPS Roadway.This is because the box is quite heavy.He had to open the box in our sunporch and carry pieces upstairs to our second floor individually. I wasn't home when he assembled the piano, but he had no complaints of it being difficult.When he called me at work after assembling it, he referred to it as being a "monstrosity".It measures approximately 55 inches across the top. It has a glossy black finish like a grand piano.The music rest is gorgeous.It has a stainless steel "W" logo on it.There are two shiny brass little wands that can be pulled up to support your songbook or music sheets.This is a great improvement over the steel wire that didn't hold up much of anything on his old Casio Magic Light.Also, there is the delightful keyboard cover that slides out over the keys, again, just like a real piano.Finally, there are the three foot pedals identical to a real piano.Just as a piece of furniture, it is aesthetically beautiful.I don't pretend to know all of the technical details (you can find them listed under the piano picture above), but it has over a hundred voices, effects, demos, computer connectivity via USB, and the ability to record yourself. Hidden discreetly under the piano to your left are jacks for using headphones,USB/MIDI and to plug in a microphone. It also has a metronome.My son sounds great when he uses the church organ voice.The beauty of this piano is not only in its appearance, but in the freedom to enjoy the various effects of a keyboard.When my son plays this piano, it looks like I should put a candelabra on top of it!He is very happy, because he feels like he is playing a real piano.

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Product Description:
The Williams Symphony Digital Piano combines realistic voices with excellent playability. Players can choose the clear tone of 138 different instruments or use among 100 different rhythm styles for fully orchestrated compositions. The Symphony Piano provides an endless source of musical enjoyment in a luxurious black gloss finish cabinet with sliding key-cover.

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M-Audio DCP-200 Digital Console Piano with Premium Sounds, Graded Hammer Action and Built in USB Interface Review

For the past 4 months I had been searching for a reasonably priced digital piano that interfaced well with a computer and finally I settled on M-audio's dcp200 and I couldn't be happier.I really took a gamble on this piano because all I could find was one very short review of the piano.A couple of years ago I had a yamaha clavinova and while I really liked the piano, this piano is better in so many ways.

First off, the piano looks beautiful; I have the darkgrain model and it blends in with my house really well and it looks very rich.When we first got the piano put together I was slightly dissapointed with the key action, my wife assured me that it just needed to be played a little bit and it would feel better.Boy was she right, I've had the piano for 3 weeks now and it feels great, the hammer action is just right.

The sound on this piano is phenominal as well, I was skepital of 20 watt speakers but this piano gets nice and loud and still sounds great.There are 8 different instruments you can play on it which is slightly dissapointing, they probably could have included more for not too much more cost, but the instruments all sound good.The response of the piano is great and allows you to really feel the music you are playing and let you forget that you are not playing an acoustic piano.

If the piano had just the features I had talked about it would still be a great but this piano has much more. The piano comes with a cable to hook it up to your computer as well as software to record your music on the computer. It also comes with a cable to hook up a mp3 player directly to the piano and it has a knob to control the volume of the music input so you can easily play along with your favorite music.It also has 2 headphone jacks.

The piano is simple enough for beginners but advanced enough for people that know a lot about computers and electronics.It also comes with an incredibly detailed guide to show you how to use all the advance features this piano has.

I truly cannot give this piano enough praise, if you are reading this and haven't decided on a piano buy this one. Also I recommend the m-audio piano bench, its super comfortable and looks great. I promise I'm not affiliated in anyway with M-Audio and am not being paid to write this review.Buy the piano and write your own review, you won't be dissapointed.

Also right now M-audio has a mail in rebate where they will send you a set of headphones (retail is over [...]) as well as 3 music books of your choice.I'm still waiting to get mine but am excited nonetheless.

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Product Description:
The M-Audio DCP-200 digital piano brings the beauty of a classic instrument into your home, classroom or house of worship. The elegant console design incorporates a premium audio system and powerful speakers that convey every note with exceptional detail--from resonant bass to delicate highs. Realistic TruTouch II graded hammer action makes it a pleasure to play the authentic acoustic and electric piano sounds, as well as harpsichord, organ, strings and bass. The built-in USB computer connection gives you instant access to the world of music software for education, recording, notation and more--making DCP-200 a superior investment that will grow with your family. This expressive digital console piano upholds the best of music tradition while embracing today's new creative technologies.


Bring the beauty of a classic instrument into your home, classroom or house of worship.Click to enlarge.
Dark Woodgrain finish.
Includes Sibelius First software--the easy-to-use application from the industry leader in music notation.
20 Years of Innovation
M-Audio is celebrating 20 years of critically acclaimed music technology innovation. Professional musicians and recording studios rely on M-Audio products such as industry-leading USB MIDI controller keyboards and Studiophile studio speaker systems. M-Audio digital pianos build on this legacy of quality and dependability, fusing years of expertise in digital keyboard technology and high-fidelity audio with world-class sounds. M-Audio digital pianos are sophisticated, expressive instruments equally suited for today's homes and houses of worship.
Authentic Sound and Feel
The M-Audio DCP-200 digital piano features premium onboard sounds meticulously sampled from some of the world's finest instruments, including the classic Steinway Model D concert grand piano. This remarkable instrument boasts a finely crafted 88-note keyboard with graded hammer action and escapement to reproduce the feel of an acoustic piano--from a lighter touch on the high notes, down to a firm response on the lows. The powerful combination of authentic sound and realistic touch provides an inspiring playing experience for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
USB Computer Compatibility--Access the World of Music Software
All M-Audio digital pianos feature built-in USB MIDI interfaces to connect to most PC and Mac computers. A single USB cable lets you plug into a wide range of music software for education, notation, recording and more. Your DCP-200 even includes Sibelius First software--the easy-to-use application from the industry leader in music notation. Just press record and your computer transcribes what you play into professional-grade sheet music.
Write, Compose and Arrange
Want to create your own music? The DCP-200 digital piano features eight different popular instrument sounds you can play right from the keyboard: acoustic pianos, electric pianos, harpsichord, church organ, strings and upright bass. Work out song ideas, then connect to a computer via USB and use the included Sibelius First software to print out the score.
Perfect for Piano Lessons
Looking for the perfect instrument for your kids' music education--or perhaps to further your own childhood piano lessons? The affordability, realism and compact size of the M-Audio DCP-200 digital piano make it an ideal choice. You and your family will experience the joy of playing the piano--either through the high-fidelity internal sound system or privately with headphones. In fact, there are two headphone jacks to accommodate teacher and student. The built-in note recorder lets you record and play back your practices and performances for evaluation. Unlike many digital pianos, DCP-200 gives you all three of the pedals found on grand pianos--including sostenuto. And a simple USB computer connection provides access to self-paced music education software like Sibelius Groovy.
A Musical Director's Best Friend
If you're the musical director for a house of worship, school chorus or similar group, the DCP-200 digital piano gives you a new reason to rejoice. This handy performance instrument never needs tuning--and the included Sibelius First software lets you print your own musical arrangements for your group to rehearse and perform.
The Piano That's Easy to Live With
The piano has a longstanding tradition of bringing music enjoyment and education into the home. Now with today's digital technology, it's never been easier to make this beautiful instrument your own. Digital pianos are made with modern manufacturing techniques so they don't cost a fortune. They fit the sound of a concert grand and other instruments into a spare corner of the room. They enable family members to entertain guests or play privately using headphones. And digital pianos never need costly tuning or repair--or a skilled piano mover when you relocate. The M-Audio DCP-200 brings all the advantages of today's technology to the instrument you know and love.
What's in the Box
DCP-200 Piano (assembly required), 1/8-inch TRS to 2x RCA adaptor cable, User Guide, Assembly Instructions, Sibelius First CD-ROM, USB Cable, IEC Power Cable, A4 Laminated Sheet showing additional keybed functions, Piano Bench

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M-Audio SP-2 US65010 Sustain Pedal Piano Style Sustain Pedal for Keyboards Review

I had been using the 'pedal' which came with the keyboard for the Privia px-100 keyboard which is nothing like a pedal on a normal piano.I purchased the M-Audio pedal to replace it.

At first I was thrilled with this pedal, but when I bought a stand for my digital piano I discovered a problem.This pedal is very long, 10.5".With the stand against the wall there was no room to push the pedal far enough back to place into a normal playing position.I had to move the stand about 8 inches from the wall to put the pedal into place.

Before buying just beware of how you have/want to arrange your keyboard and be sure you'll have the room to use the pedal comfortably.

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Product Description:

M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal--Play as Passionately as You Want

The M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal is the perfect product for keyboard players who want the most realistic pedal action. The SP-2 model is used in the same manner as the sustain pedal on an acoustic piano. This classic-style pedal works with any M-Audio keyboard. Designed to work and feel just like an acoustic pianos sustain pedal, it has a specially designed rubber bottom that grips the floor and stays put while you play.


Feels as good as an acoustic piano pedal.

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Yamaha YPG535 88 Key Portable Grand Piano with Power Supply Review

Nice keyboard, nice sound, feels like a real piano and it's got all the keys. I like that it includes a nice, stable music rest, keyboard stand, footswitch and power adaptor.

Lots of features too: fun sounds, (drum, maracas, bongos, etc. plus sound effects like phone, ufo, dog barking, etc)

It has a super metronome which you can adjust the tempo of, set the number of beats per measure, adjust volume, etc.

It records your performance which is nice, so my piano teacher can play something she wants me to learn, record it, then I can replay that when I'm practicing.

More features, too many to mention... If you'd like to start with something smaller or something less expensiv, I'd check out a Casio keyboard. Casio CTK4000 Premium Pack with Power Supply, Keyboard Stand and Professional Closed Cup Stereo Headphones, Casio LK100 Lighted Keyboard with Premium Accessories Package (this is the first one I got)

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Product Description:
The Yamaha YPG535 88 Key Portable Keyboard gives to the sound and feel of a grand piano in a portable package at an affordable price. The YPG535 offers a graded soft touch action that everyone from the beginner to the professional will love. The YPG535 also includes a stand along with a sustain pedal and power adapter. For the beginner, the built-in interactive lessons provide a user definable tempo that allow for learning at your pace. Yamaha YPG535 Features 88 piano-style keys with Graded Soft Touch 6-track sequencer allows you to record your own music USB & Flash ROM to download new Songs and Styles for playing 5 types preset Master EQ Interactive Lessons: Your Tempo mode helps you learn to play Backlit LCD, panel lights, pitch bend wheel Portable Grand Button: industry's best piano Yamaha XGlite/GM voices plus Sweet!, Cool!, Split & Dual voice Performance Assistant guarantees a rewarding music experience Music Database 267 keyboard setups by song title Piano Centric Features The Yamaha Portable Grand, YPG535 has an easy to use panel, a wealth of piano-centric features including 88 piano-style keys, Graded Soft Touch (GST) action with different levels of resistance, high resolution stereo piano sample and comes with an attractive matching stand, PA-150 energy saving power adapter and sustain pedal. Lyric, chord and notation display Have you ever played a song and wondered what it would look like as sheet music? The YPG535 can display the score to a song whether it comes from the Internet, the internal selections or ones that you record yourself, and the pages scroll automatically when a song is played back - no more page turning! And for singers, the screen also displays chords and lyrics to XF compat

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Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand Piano Review

Before detailed remarks, here is my reference point.Having been spoiled with playing real pianos (I should say "acoustic", for PC :), I wanted a keyboard just to enjoy some classical music on my own, at my amateur level.I wanted it to be like a piano (in how it feels and sounds) but small and inexpensive.

PROS:

PORTABILITY - especially for an (almost) full-size keyboard.I really didn't want another piece of furniture.NP30 just lies on the table, which (to my own surprise) ended up as the deciding factor for me.YMMV.

SOUND.All the voices (including grand piano, organ, harpsichord) are well done and beautiful.(But see "CONS" below.)

KEY WEIGHTING.NP30's keys are something like "semi-weighted" and "touch sensitive" (but consult the official specs on this) and somewhat easy to press.But see "CONS" below.BTW I researched this "weighted" topic quite a bit and tried several options, but my practical conclusion is this.If you care about the feel, go more high-end or get the real thing (an acoustic piano, that is).Otherwise you will likely get used to what you have, even though it isn't perfect.

SIMPLICITY.The controls are few and quite intuitive.

PRICE.It's all relative, of course, but compared to other full-size keyboards out there, it's among the cheapest - $300 at Best Buys.(And that's without any sale discounds - Best Buys felt kinda thin on sales to me.)

CONS:

KEY WEIGHTING.While offering you an approximation of an acoustic piano's feel, NP30's keys are not quite there.First, they are hard to press if you place your fingers far from the edge of the key (i.e. towards the back of the keyboard) - I have never noticed this on an acoustic.Second, in some cases when I press several keys at once, NP30 doesn't sense one or two of them, whereas an acoustic piano would.I have to re-adjust the pressure to get NP30 to play them.

SOUND.While individual sounds are beautiful, their combinations may not parallel the richness of an acoustic piano's.This is probably because there is no is no resonating effect between the various strings.(Which is quite understandable at this price level.)

FEATURES (missing).The ones I cared about: additional voices (NP30 only got 10) and the 12 keys for the full-size 88-key keyboard.Again, it's all about a trade-off against portability and price.

ACCESSORIES (missing).Power adapter and the sustain pedal are not included, and Best Buys charges $25-30+ for each.This is a RIP-OFF, people.For power, look around; maybe you have a compatible one already (12V, 1500 mA, negative is outside) - or use rechargeable batteries.And maybe you are fine without the pedal (I am still to answer that question for myself).

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Product Description:
The Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand is an easy-to-carry piano that features Advanced Wave Memory stereo sampled piano sounds for incredible sound quality.A entirely new take on the digital piano, offering quality, value and portability with a lighter touch. Featuring 76 Graded Touch keys and stereo-sampled pianos. Also, 10 voices like Organs and Strings plus 32 notes of polyphony. Another great feature for the home recording artist is that it performs as a MIDI controller too. The built in speakers allow you to play it anywhere since it operates on six AA batteries.Ultra-Portable Digital PianoThe new NP-30 Portable Grand delivers Yamaha digital piano sound and simplicity in a new lightweight, compact design like nothing else you've seen... all at a price point you won't believe.Its super slim design and minimal weight of 12 pounds makes it the most compact performer in the digital piano family of instruments. And 6 AA batteries are all you need to power up and start playing immediately.Do you have questions about personal keyboards?Click on the image for product comparisons and FAQs!Graded Soft Touch Action - NEWBecause of its similarity to acoustic pianos, a graded action is one of the primary features sought by pianists in their digital instruments. While technically a non-weighted action, the new Graded Soft-Touch keyboard is the first of its kind bringing different levels of resistance without the extra

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