Blog 4:M-Track Eight by M-Audio

                  Hello every one and welcome to the fourth installment of Infidel Audio's Blog and this week I am going to talk about the M-track Eight by M-Audio. This eight-input USB 2.0 audio interface enables you to track large music ensembles, record the band, or mic an entire drum set with pro-grade audio components and a myriad of connections. Eight combo XLR+1/4" inputs accommodate nearly any source, from phantom-powered microphones to your favorite guitar, and eight dedicated outputs offer versatile playback options. The XLR inputs are designed to work with microphones and other Lo-Z sources, and the phantom power switch enables you to use condenser microphones by delivering 48v phantom power to the XLR inputs (Channels 1-4; 5-8). M-Track Eight also has two conveniently located inputs on the front panel that can be switched to allow instrument-level signals, so you can plug your electric guitar or bass directly into M-Track Eight and start recording. Individual gain knobs with meters help ensure the proper input level by providing real-time visual feedback. M-Track Eight features pristine and precise audio recording with up to 24-bit/96 kHz resolution.

 Each input channel is equipped with a high-headroom input that features M-Audio's sought-after Octane Preamp Technology. The result is a robust signal path for clean, professional sound. In addition, each input comes with dedicated line-input circuitry so you can record and track with your favorite external preamps. The M-Track Plus software suite also includes an impressive selection of plugin effects from Waves Audio Ltd. TrueVerb delivers a broad, natural reverb with an easy-to-use interface. AudioTrack offers a remarkable EQ, plus gating and compression. Plus, you can add a professional touch with the Eddie Kramer Effects Channel, created with legendary audio guru Eddie Kramer. World-renowned, L1 Ultramaximizer offers look-ahead peak limiting, level maximization, and high resolution re-quantization in one powerful plugin. Add depth & dimension while enhancing the groove with Manny Marroquin Delay. This is a unit that can be for an engineer that is just starting out and wants a nice clean unit that is an upgrade from older M-Audio units or this can be used in a traveling rack for a professional engineer or producer. The unit starts at a price of just $399 so it is a very affordable unit. 

Features

• 8-channel USB 2.0 audio interface
• 8 XLR+1/4″ combo inputs with individual metering
• Pristine and precise audio recording with up to 24-bit/96 kHz resolution
• High-headroom inputs with Octane Preamp Technology
• Dedicated line-input circuitry for clean, professional recordings
• 2 front-panel instrument inputs for easy access
• Selectable phantom power (Channels 1-4; 5-8) for using condenser microphones
• Dual headphone outs with selectable source for custom mixes and monitoring
• 8 balanced 1/4″ outputs and dedicated control room output
• Zero-latency monitoring with USB/Analog Direct Balance control
• Standard 1U 19" rack size with durable metal construction
• Includes Cubase 7 LE for out-of-the-box music creation and up to 8 channels of simultaneous audio recording
• Use the included Waves plugin bundle (AudioTrack, Eddie Kramer Effect Channel, TrueVerb, L1 Ultramaximizer, and Manny Marroquin Delay) to add a professional finish to your production