Audio Pro 8R manual Monitor Mixing, Software Output Signal Routing

Fast Track Ultra 8R User Guide

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Monitor Mixing

Fast Track Ultra 8R features four separate 16x2 monitor mixers. These four mixers are found in the Control Panel under the tabs labeled “Monitor 1/2”, “Monitor 3/4”, “Monitor 5/6”, and “Monitor 7/8” and route their mixed outputs to hardware outputs 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8, respectively.

Each of these mixers can be used to create a stereo, near-zero latency, “monitor mix” consisting of any combination of hardware inputs or software outputs. This is a very convenient feature to have while “overdub” recording since it allows you to easily set up customized monitor mixes for up to four different people. For example, you can create separate mixes for the vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer of a band and provide each member with an individual mix to suit their personal preference.

Furthermore, since monitor mixing is handled by the powerful MX Core DSP within Fast Track Ultra 8R, you do not have to worry about audio latency that may occur when monitoring through your audio recording application—all hardware inputs and all signals output by your recording software* can be mixed with virtually no latency and sent to the hardware outputs.

* Software Output Signal Routing:

When selecting output channels 1/2 from your audio application, the signal is not sent directly to the physical hardware outputs on the rear-panel of Fast Track Ultra 8R; The signal is first sent to the Monitor 1/2 section of the Control Panel.

By default, the monitor mixer on this Control Panel tab then passes the unaltered signal on to hardware outputs 1/2. However, this tab gives you additional control over signals sent to hardware outputs 1/2.

You can use the faders, pan knobs and other controls on the Monitor 1/2 tab to add and blend signals from the physical inputs 1-8 and from the remaining six software return channels and create a stereo mix that is then routed to the rear-panel hardware outputs 1/2.

The same principle applies when selecting output channels 3/4, 5/6 or 7/8 from your audio application. These signals are sent to their respective Control Panel tabs “Monitor 3/4”, “Monitor 5/6” and “Monitor 7/8”, mixed with other signals if desired, and then routed to their respective physical output pairs 3/4, 5/6 or 7/8.