M-Track Duo User Guide
Quick Start
macOS Users: No driver installation is needed for class-compliant operation with M-Track Duo.
iOS Users: The power available from an iOS device is not sufficient to power M-Track Duo. Use the Apple Camera Connection Kit (sold separately), a USB break-out cable (sold separately), and a USB power adapter (sold separately) which will provide an additional USB connector to power M-Track Duo.
Windows Users: Before connecting M-Track Duo to your computer, install the drivers:
- Go to m-audio.com/drivers and download the latest M-Track Duo driver for your operating system.
- Open the file you downloaded and double-click the driver installer file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.
Software: Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition and MPC Beats are included with your M-Track Duo to get started making music with professional software. Register your M-Track Duo on m-audio.com/softwaredownload and follow the install instructions in your User Account.
Virtual Instruments: Follow the instructions in your user account for installing the included virtual instrument plugins. Most DAWs will not load virtual instrument plugins automatically after installation. To access the virtual instrument plugins with Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition, you will need to choose the plugin folder for the software to scan:
- Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition (AAX) plugin folders:
- Windows (32-bit): C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
- Windows (64-bit): C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
- macOS: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins
Setting Up M-Track Duo
To set M-Track Duo as your default playback device, follow the directions below based on your computer's operating system.
Setting Up M-Track Duo with Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition
- Use the included USB cable to connect the M-Track Duo to your computer.
- Open Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition.
- Go to Setup > Playback Engine....
- Open the Playback Engine dropdown menu and select USB Audio Codec.
Note: You may need to save and restart your project.
- Select your Sample Rate and then click OK to close the Setup window.
You can now add tracks to send and receive audio from sources connected to M-Track Duo inputs and stream recorded audio back through the M-Track Duo outputs.
Setting Up M-Track Duo with MPC Beats
- Use the included USB cable to connect the M-Track Duo to your computer.
- Open MPC Beats.
- Go to Edit > Preferences....
- For Windows Users: In the Audio window, select ASIO under the Audio Device Type dropdown menu. In the Device dropdown menu, select M-Track Solo and Duo ASIO.
- For MacOS Users: In the Audio window, select USB Audio Codec under the Output and Input dropdown menus.
Note: You may need to save and restart your project.
- Select your Sample Rate and then click OK to close the Preferences window.
You can now add tracks to send and receive audio from sources connected to M-Track Duo inputs and stream recorded audio back through the M-Track Duo outputs.
Features
Top Panel
- Input Gain: Adjusts the input's gain level. Set this knob so the corresponding Signal/Clip LED (located below the knob) displays a "healthy" level during performance--but not so high that the LED "clips" or peaks, causing distortion in the audio.
- Signal/Clip LED: The LED will light up green when an input signal is detected. The LED will light up red if the signal level is too high which may cause distortion or "clipping". If this occurs, turn down the Input Gain and/or reduce the output level from your sound source.
- Headphone Level: Adjusts the output volume of the Headphone Output.
- Monitor Level: Adjusts the output volume of Main Outputs, which should be connected to your powered monitors or amplifier system.
- +48V (Phantom Power) LED: Lights up when phantom power is engaged.
Rear Panel
Illustration of the M-Track Duo rear panel, featuring a USB Type-B port (labeled '1') for computer connection and two 1/4" Main Outputs (labeled '2').
- USB Port (Type B): This connection will allow you to send audio to and from a computer. Use the included USB-B-to-USB-A cable to connect the M-Track Duo to a computer. The M-Track Duo requires a USB 2.0 connection (or higher).
- Main Outputs: Use standard 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these outputs to your powered monitors, amplifier system, etc. The mix you hear from these outputs will be determined by the Direct Mono/Direct Stereo/USB Switch. The level of these outputs is controlled by the Monitor Level knob.
Front Panel
Illustration of the M-Track Duo front panel, showing the Combo Input (labeled '1'), Line/Instrument Switch (labeled '2'), +48V Phantom Power Switch (labeled '3'), Headphone Output (labeled '4'), and Direct Mono/Direct Stereo/USB Switch (labeled '5').
- Combo Input: Connect a microphone, a guitar or bass with an active pickup, or a line-level device to this input. For microphones, use an XLR or 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS cable. For a guitar or bass with an active pickup, use a standard 1/4" (6.35 mm) TS cable.
- Line/Instrument Switch: Set the switch to Line when connecting a microphone, or keyboard. Set the switch to Instrument when connecting a guitar or bass.
- +48V (Phantom Power) Switch: This switch activates and deactivates phantom power. When activated (lit), phantom power supplies +48 volts to the Combo Input. Please note that most dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones do not require phantom power, while most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone's documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power.
- Headphone Output: Connect 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS headphones to this output. The mix you hear from this output will be determined by the Direct Mono/Direct Stereo/USB Switch. The level of this output is controlled by the Headphone Level knob.
- Direct Mono/Direct Stereo/USB Switch: This switch controls whether or not the mono direct input signal, the stereo direct input signal, or the USB stream return signal is sent to the Headphone Output and Main Outputs.
- When set to USB, only the USB audio playback from your computer will be heard.
- Set the switch to Direct Mono to monitor the direct input signal with all inputs summed and heard equally on each side. This is useful for monitoring a guitar or vocal mic signal. This switch does not affect the DAW playback or how your sound is recorded into your DAW; it only affects how you hear the input signal in the Headphone Output and Main Outputs.
- Set the switch to Direct Stereo to monitor the direct input signal with Input 1 in the left channel and Input 2 in the right channel. This is useful if you want to directly monitor a stereo mic setup such as a stereo signal from a keyboard, or overhead drum mics.
Technical Specifications
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Mic Input (balanced XLR) | |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.1 dB) |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 109 dB (A-weighted) |
THD+N | 0.003% (min. gain, 0 dBu out, A-weighted) |
Preamp EIN | -128 dBu (max. gain, 40 Ω source, A-weighted) |
Gain Range | Direct Mono: 0 dB to +54 dB Direct Stereo: 6 dB to +60 dB |
Line Input (balanced 1/4" [6.35 mm] TRS) | |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.1 dB) |
Sensitivity | -43 dBu |
THD | 0.002% (min. gain, 0 dBu out, A-weighted) |
Gain Range | Direct Mono: -10 dB to +44 dB Direct Stereo: -4 dB to +50 dB |
Instrument Input (unbalanced 1/4" [6.35 mm] TS) | |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.1 dB) |
THD+N | 0.005% (min. gain, 0 dBu out, A-weighted) |
Input Impedance | 1 MΩ |
Gain Range | Direct Mono: -10 dB to +44 dB Direct Stereo: -4 dB to +50 dB |
Main Outputs, L and R (impedance-balanced 1/4" [6.35 mm] TRS) | |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.1 dB) |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 109 dB (A-weighted) |
THD | 0.002% (0 dBu out, A-weighted) |
Max Output Level | +4 dBu |
Headphone Output (1/4" [6.35 mm] TRS) | |
Power | 60 mW/Ch, 32 Ω |
Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.5 dB) |
THD+N | 0.02% (A-weighted) |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 100 dB (A-weighted) |
General | |
Power | USB-bus-powered |
Dimensions (width x depth x height) | 7.5" x 4.4" x 2.1" / 19.1 x 11.1 x 5.5 cm |
Weight | 0.80 lbs. / 0.365 kg |
Trademarks and Licenses
M-Audio and AIR Music Tech are trademarks of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Macintosh and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Avid and Pro Tools are registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
All other product or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.