...and while I'm at it...

[NotherNewbie]

continuing with previous post a moment ago -- does anybody have any experience with comparing success of input via USB compared to Line-In? The M-Audio pre-amp lets me do either one.

[warble]

The Fast Track USB is a USB interface, which when connected is how the sound is transferred between the Fast Track and the computer it's connected to.

For all input of instruments/microphones, you'll be using the 1/4" line input for guitar, etc. and the XLR to record any vocals you might do (typically).

[NotherNewbie]

I understand that part of it (thanks for the answer, by the way.)

What's got me curious is that it *appears* this gizmo offers me the choice of output via USB *or* via Line-Out. I just wondered if anybody had any first-hand experience with both, to know if there's an advantage to either. Make sense?

[warble]

Originally Posted by NotherNewbie

I understand that part of it (thanks for the answer, by the way.)

What's got me curious is that it *appears* this gizmo offers me the choice of output via USB *or* via Line-Out. I just wondered if anybody had any first-hand experience with both, to know if there's an advantage to either. Make sense?

Sorry, wasn't exactly sure what you were asking.....

It does have line-outs (RCA jacks) which I would use to connect into a monitoring system (powered speakers/monitors, and amplifier, etc.). The USB port is just used to get the sound to the computer and to receive it from the computer. Hope that makes sense.

This is what you have, correct?
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...kUSB-main.html

[NotherNewbie]

Yes, that's what I've got (in fact, it's what I was looking at onscreen when I wrote a minute or two ago.)

Never (yet) having tried a USB connection on this stuff, and having read a lot around here about how mic-in is a sucky choice for recording vocals, just wondered if USB was good or bad. Guess I'll find out for myself, just wondered if anybody knew anything about USB input from experience, since it looks like it's a relative newcomer.

[NotherNewbie]

...and as long as you're being patient with a rookie, here's Dumb Question Number 874 for the day.

Is it possible to record to computer -- by whatever input connection *to* the computer -- from your basic ultra-cheap cassette recorder that appears to have only a headphones-out jack?

Just thought I'd ask *before* attempting to blow up the computer...

[Halion]

Basicly, and thing with a output that is NOT meant to be connected to a speaker directly (that would be a powered signal, which is dangerous) can be connected to an input. So yeah, a headphone out is pretty much always connectable to an input. Do keep in mind that the sound won't be far from horrible, because although it works, it's definately not meant to be used that way.