I am having a really hard time trying to find ANY specifications for that unit and there are a ton of bad reviews saying it doesn't even give the mics enough power. It says it's an interface but I can't find what bit depths or samplerates it can handle which is very standard info. I would keep looking. Google M-Audio Fast Track Pro Ultra to see what a real interface looks like and what the specifications should be. You are not going to get anything good for $50. This is a minimum $100 investment. $150+ if you want something decent.

And I'm pretty sure I gave you a whole pile of interfaces to look at in the lower price range in that earlier thread. Go look at that again.

Hi,
 
The phantom power boxes are only for your condensor microphones. They will power those microphones to be used with a preamp.  The key piece is what you will plug your microphone and other input devices for your DAW into. This is generally done by an audio interface that will also act as your sound output device for your DAW. 
 
These generally come with specifically designed drivers that allow it to interact with your music making software and your computer.  They are specifically designed for the music creation process. While it is possible and is done (using the onboard sound card) these devices can give you options, control and flexibility that an onboard card can not. 
 
I hope this helps.....

While I won't argue that using an external audio interface will make things sound a lot better, it should certainly be possible to get your system running without one. Your audio device surely has a microphone input and it can be used (though you'll probably have all sorts of background noise).

I made music all last summer on my laptop using only headphones and the onboard mic port. Not studio quality but usable enough to have some fun and explore musical ideas.

Equipment is expensive. Once you get the interface you'll need either good headphones, good powered monitors or a good sound system. It quickly adds up. Not everyone has money overflowing their pockets. Doesn't mean you can't make music. Or learn how Sonar works in the meantime.

Ceasar Haphazard

Bub

Well there's your problem right there ... you're too close to Mason City. There's something in the water there ya know.

If you are just dragging an existing .wav file in to Sonar ... make sure you have your Import settings set to 32 Bit. It will make the file larger, but it can help prevent some odd problems like this.

It's under Preferences/File/AudioData

Good luck.

lol I know there is issues with mason city,  I took the family out of there for a good reason.  and it gives me time to get frustrated with this without having to worry about robberies or homicide haha you from the area or familiar with it?

Oh ... I'm all too familiar with Mason City. I'm from Iowa, just moved to MO a few months ago.

I worked for one of the biggest crooks on the planet that has a business in MC. Of course, I didn't know it at the time I went to work for him, but I sure found out once I got there and even more so after I left. This guy had such a reputation that I heard stories about him from employers I interviewed with for jobs in other states! LOL!

If you get a decent USB interface it will be first and foremost an interface that works using ASIO drivers AND.... it will have phantom power built in.....don't go the other way around. 

Get a good interface.....everything will work out well from that point forward. 

I urge you to make sure whatever interface you decide on has published DRIVERS for Windows 8, otherwise you may find it will not work at all or reliably on your computer - since you indicated that you are running Windows 8.


Bob Bone

Ceasar Haphazard


also, just now I was hearing myself in the audio of my wav file I imported and I was able to record but when I play back, I get this super high screeching back at me.  im more lost than before I opened this.  its frustrating

This 'super high screeching' noise can also be caused by close proximity to one's spouse, generally caused by your wanting to do something for yourself, like recording music.  :)

Bob Bone

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/nady-smps-usb-phantom-power-supply-and-usb-audio-interface more like this?  you said earlier I needed phantom power for the mic earlier.  so if that's needed something like this maybe?

You'd be better off getting a preamp that has phantom power. Then you could run the line out of that into your audio card. 


The XLR to USB cable is a bad idea. Sonar treats USB connected mics like its a soundcard and that messes everything else up. 

The Desktop Music Handbook