M audio m track eight review

A great, compact desktop interface with decent input selection, separate selectable headphone feeds and simple direct monitoring.

Pros

• + Tactile surface with clear single button or knob functionality.

Cons

• - No metering for DAW outputs.

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M-Track 8X4M is the latest C-Series USB audio and MIDI interface from M-Audio.

It’s a mid-sized eight-in, four-out desktop unit with a simple one-knob-per-function design and looks pretty basic. However, the slick black surface comes to life on power up, as a bunch of coloured button labels appear alongside large four-part LED signal meters. However, lights mean power, and the 8X4M is not USB bus powered (you’ll need the included PSU). Given the switch designs and overall shape there’s something retro about the 8X4M’s looks.

Even so, in technical terms it’s all but retro, with up to 24-bit 192kHz operation, M-Audio’s transparent Crystal mic pres and USB C connectivity (they’ve included both USB C and USB A terminated leads). It’s class-compliant for OS X, but for use with Windows 7 and up you’ll need to download/install the M-Audio driver.

For input connectivity, the 8X4M comprises four rear-mounted balanced combi mic/line inputs, two front-mounted unbalanced instrument inputs, and two rear-mounted balanced line level inputs. All but the pair of line inputs include individual gain knobs, and for the mic inputs phantom power is switched in pairs. There are four rear-mounted balanced (1⁄4” TRS) outputs and two front-mounted (1⁄4” TS) headphone outputs.

The 8X4M worked well with a small buffer size, making DAW-based software monitoring OK where appropriate

Each headphone out gets its own Volume control and source Output selector (1&2 or 3&4). Meanwhile the large Monitor Level knob controls main outputs 1&2, with 3&4 following DAW levels. Finally, there’s MIDI In/ Out via 2” mini jacks (a pair of 5-pin DIN converter leads are included). As expected, the 8X4M comes with a software bundle, and this one is pretty decent (Ableton Live Lite and Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, plus Eleven Lite guitar amp and a combo of AIR Music instrument/effects, including Mini Grand and Strike).

The 8X4M worked well with a small buffer size, making DAW-based software monitoring OK where appropriate. For situations where even minor latency is a problem (vocal overdubbing for example), or when you simply can’t run a small buffer size, there’s onboard zero latency monitoring. This simple, one-knob option balances between any inputs and your DAW outputs 1&2. By default, inputs are hard-panned in pairs, however there’s a mono/stereo button that lets you centre just the input sources (the DAW output remains stereo).

The only thing to bear in mind here is that the balance control influences both the main monitor outputs and the headphones. So, to achieve zero latency monitoring for your performer’s headphones and separate balance for monitors, make use of outputs 3&4. Minor gripes-wise, the input LED metering is excellent, but alas there is no metering for the outputs. And maybe it’d have been nice to include mono and mute options for outputs too.

Overall, though, the M-Track 8X4M ticks a lot of boxes, and while it lacks the monitoring flexibility of software enhanced interfaces, the ease-of-use, solid build and stylish tactile surface are major positives.

It works perfect. I use a MacBook pro running Logic. I've run the eight channels simultaneously and have had no issues. It overloads my available memory sometimes but I think that has more to do with my older lap top than this interface. It does run a little hot but I knew that going into it and it doesn't bother me.

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Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2020

Every function is great. Very helpfull for home studios. I would definitely recommend it to anyone trying to get a professional recording system.

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2020

So nice I like it

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2020

Bought this thing brand new and it didn't work at all. When I returned it, I never got my refund.

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2015

Needed a new USB interface for my DAW and have always been pleased with M-Audio's gear (I've got one of their MIDI's as my primary keyboard in the studio) so I figured I would try out this unit. Very pleased overall. Does it's job, audio remains crystal clear as if it never passed through a unit. I like that it has an eco friendly mode that conserves power, because having a lot of rack mount units hooked up starts to pull a lot of extra power, and every bit saved is worth it. The display is nice, well organised and easy to read. Only drawback is that the unit gets hot fast, not like fry an egg hot and no where near enough to impact performance or damage the components, but just enough to make if uncomfortable to put your hand on top of the unit for more that 15 seconds. Of course any good rack setup has a cooling fan, so just place it directly above or below the unit and you won't ever run into the heating issue.

Overall, a great unit, and when I need to replace some of my others I'll definitely be getting a few more of these.

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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2015

better than i expected!

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Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2014

The product itself is well built and quite capable especially with the added phantom power option. It does get hot so keep it in a ventilated. I play the drums and I bought this to record the covers I would do for songs. Unfortunately, my computer and the 2 others I have in my house don't recognize the system. The first was with a Windows Vista. The software download was fine but the computer would not recognize it. Second was with a Windows 7. Here the software had issues downloading and again the computer would not recognize it. At first I thought, the USB could be the issue, but even after going out and buying an new USB to try with, it again was not recognized by the computer. Lastly, with no hope, I went to my old Windows XP. And to my expectations, it again was not recognized.

The reason for the 2 star is because the inputs and output ports do work and also do have great options but again, the lack of ability to receive computer signal (which is the prime reason I bought this product) renders it useless. I even tried contacting customer service through email but the guy on the other end never offered having the product inspected even after asking.

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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2019

I bought this to record vocals with studio one on a windows 8 computer and it works great. I have also tried it on my laptop which runs on windows 10 and it also works great. Never had an issue with the drivers as most people say. Finding and installing the drivers was easy as well. Knobs feel solid and smooth as you turn them. This big knob for your monitor playback volume is very nice design! LED lights are accurate and cool looking. I am only giving it 3 stars because the interface can get a bit warm, really wish they would have added vents on the sides or back to keep the interface cool. And I also couldn't figure out how to find the waves vst plugin bundle that comes with the interface packaged. It never gave instructions on how to claim them with the purchase. And I was bummed out because of it. The M Audio driver hasn't been updated either really wish they would even tho I haven't had any problems with the drivers it's still nice to have your drivers updated. But overall aside from the cons I was very surprised with the look and design of this thing and I think you will too!. Oh and the sound, Sound great!

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2014

The media could not be loaded.

Sound:

Overall, I'd say the sound quality is pretty superb for a unit under a thousand bucks. The preamps are quite generous with accurate capture of sound. What goes in, is what you are hearing go in and nothing less. I spend very little time adjusting software EQ, post tracking. Only slight adjustments need to be made and I'm well within the desired range of sound I'm seeking out of my instruments/vocs.

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Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2016

This is a potentially excellent product spoiled, as are so many of M-Audio's products, by buggy Windows drivers. Just look at M-Audio's own support forum or search online for M-audio Drivers Crash to see the scale of the problem.

It's very clear that M-Audio really needs to get its act together and hire driver experts to resolve the niggles before what should be trivial issues drag the company's reputation down the pan.

The 'tech support' staff really don't help - they just try to point the finger at anything else they can think of other than an obvious problem with M-Audio drivers.

Whatever the root cause, if drivers installed on otherwise smooth running machines from a wide range of users and situations cause them to fall over repeatedly and frequently, then the drivers are not fit for purpose.

Writing reliable drivers is perhaps one of the toughest software jobs to do, but that is what we are paying good money for, not a pile of bundled software tat that we could get as a cheap add-on if we really wanted it.

Good software drivers cope with real situations on real machines, day-in day-out. Sadly for those of us who have bought into the promise of their hardware, M-Audio's current drivers for the M-Track Eight do not do this.

The unit also gets very hot in use (and takes a lot more power than ought to be necessary). The line inputs go into clipping at rather low levels for 'professional' hardware.

Is M

M-Audio is one of the most revered names in music computer interface and studio integration solutions, keyboard and controller products, and essential musical hardware from microphones to studio monitors.

What does M

M-Track offers ultra-low latency monitoring of the input signal—either through the speakers or via headphones. The monitor mix knob adjusts the balance between the direct inputs and the playback from your computer software.

Is M

USB class compliant (Mac OS X 10.3. 5 and higher) for plug-and-play operation. ASIO and WDM support for Windows XP, compatible with GarageBand and most other music software. Direct hardware monitoring for synchronized overdubs.

What is the use of M

The Fast Track from M-Audio is a USB audio interface for both Mac and Windows computers. It enables you to transform your computer into a mobile recording studio that's capable of capturing, editing, and mixing excellent sounding music.