Track MKII - Voice recorder M-AUDIO - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	USB Audio Interface / Voice Recorder
Brand	M-Audio
Model	Track MKII
Power	USB Bus (USB 2.0)
Microphone Inputs	2 combo XLR/TRS (6.35 mm) inputs with +48V phantom power
Instrument Input	1 TS 6.35 mm input (via input 2 with Inst/Line selector)
Headphone Outputs	1 TRS 6.35 mm output with dedicated volume
Main Outputs	2 TRS 6.35 mm outputs (left and right) controlled by Monitor button
Connectivity	USB 2.0
Direct Monitoring	Yes, via Monitor Mix button (Direct/USB)
Display	Input level display
Security	Kensington lock slot
Maintenance and Cleaning	Clean with a dry, soft cloth
Main Functions	Audio recording, latency-free monitoring, gain control, phantom power, instrument selector

Frequently Asked Questions - Track MKII M-AUDIO

How to connect a microphone to the M-Track MKII?

Use an XLR cable to connect your microphone to one of the combo inputs (input 1 or 2). If your microphone requires phantom power, activate it with the Phantom Power button (+48 V). Be sure to consult your microphone's documentation.

How to activate phantom power?

Press the Phantom Power button on the front panel. The indicator lights up when +48V power is active. Caution: Only activate if your microphones (condenser) require it. Dynamic and ribbon microphones do not need it.

How to adjust input gain?

Turn the Input Gain knobs corresponding to the input you are using. Adjust so that the level in your audio software is sufficient without clipping (distortion). The display shows levels to assist you.

How to use direct monitoring?

Use the Monitor Mix knob to adjust the blend between the direct signal (inputs) and the USB signal (computer). Turn towards Direct for latency-free monitoring while recording, or towards USB to listen to playback from your software.

What cables to use to connect a guitar?

Plug your guitar into input 2 with a TS 6.35 mm (1/4") cable. Set the instrument selector to Inst for impedance suited for passive pickups. If you have active pickups, use Line.

How to connect the M-Track MKII to a computer?

Use the supplied USB cable to connect the USB port on the back panel to a USB 2.0 port on your computer. On Windows, first install the drivers from m-audio.com/drivers. On macOS, it is normally recognized without a driver.

How to adjust headphone volume?

Plug your headphones (TRS 6.35 mm) into the Headphone Output. Use the Headphone Volume knob (one per output) to adjust the audio level.

What to do if the audio signal is distorted?

Check that the input gain is not too high. Adjust the Input Gain knobs to avoid clipping (red indicator). If the problem persists, reduce the buffer size in your software or increase it and use direct monitoring.

How to use the instrument selector?

The selector is located under the gain knob of input 2. Line position for microphone or line signals (standard level). Inst position for high-impedance instruments like electric guitars or passive basses.

How to secure the device with a Kensington lock?

The back panel has a Kensington Lock slot. Thread a lock cable through this slot and a fixed point (table, stand) to prevent theft.

USER MANUAL Track MKII M-AUDIO

User Guide (English)

Introduction

Box Contents

M-Track (MKII) User Guide

USB Cable Safety & Warranty Manual

Software Download Cards

Support

For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit m-audio.com.

For additional product support, visit m-audio.com/support.

Quick Start / Connection Diagram

Windows users: Before connecting M-Track to your computer, install the drivers:

1. Go to m-audio.com/drivers and download the latest M-Track driver for your operating system.
2. Open the file you downloaded and double-click the driver installer file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers. (You may be asked to connect M-Track to your computer during the installation process.)

Note:

• Remember to select M-Track as your interface in the Preferences, Options, Device Setup, etc. in your digital audio workstation (DAW).
• When recording a microphone or a guitar or bass with an active pickup into Input 2, set the Instrument Selector to Line. If your instrument uses a passive pickup, set the selector to Inst.
• Use the +48V Switch only if a microphone requires phantom power. Dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones do not require phantom power, but most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone's documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power.

Features

Front Panel

1. Display: This display shows the signal level of the inputs. The edges of the display will light up when M-Track is powered on.
2. Inputs 1 and 2: Connect microphones, line-level devices, or guitars to these inputs with an XLR or 1/4'' (6.35 mm) TRS or TS cable. For microphones, use an XLR cable. For line-level signals, use a 1/4'' (6.35 mm) TRS cable. For instrument signals (for Input 2 only), use a 1/4'' (6.35 mm) TS cable. View the input signal levels in the display.
3. +48V Switch: This switch activates and deactivates phantom power for Inputs 1 and 2. When activated (lit), phantom power supplies +48V to the XLR mic inputs. Please note that 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.
4. Input Gain: Adjusts the input's gain level. Set this knob so the corresponding level meter in your DAW displays a "healthy" level during performance—but not so high that the meter "clips" or peaks, causing distortion in the audio.
5. Instrument Selector: When the switch is in the Line position, Input 2 will accept microphone- or line-level signals. When this switch is in the Inst position, Input 2 will serve as a high-impedance input for connecting guitar or bass instruments.
6. Monitor Mix: Blends any amount of zero-latency signal from all your inputs (Direct) with the output of your computer (USB).

This knob is useful during recording when dealing with the "buffer size" and "latency." The computer takes a short amount of time to process the incoming audio before sending it back out; this time is determined by the buffer size setting. Latency is the resulting delay between the incoming sound (playing your instrument, singing, etc.) and outgoing sound (when you hear it in the DAW). Higher buffer sizes result in higher latency.

If your computer is powerful enough, you may be able to set your buffer size low enough such that you may never need direct monitoring. In this case, set the knob all the way to the USB position to monitor only the audio output of your DAW.

In other cases, though, low buffer sizes can consume a lot of your computer's CPU and cause audio glitches, so you may need to use a higher buffer setting, resulting in latency. In this case, use a higher buffer size and turn the knob more towards the Direct position to monitor your incoming signal without latency. When listening to the playback, turn it all the way to the USB position.

1. 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 Monitor Mix knob.
2. Headphone Volume: Adjusts the output volume of the Headphone Output.
3. Monitor Level: Adjusts the output volume of Main Outputs L and R, which should be connected to your powered monitors or amplifier system.

Rear Panel

1. USB Port: This connection will allow you to send audio to/from a computer. Use a USB cable to connect the M-Track to a computer. The M-Track requires a USB 2.0 connection.
2. Main Outputs L and R: Use standard 1/4'' (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these outputs to your powered monitors, an amplifier system, etc. Their levels are controlled by the Monitor Level knob.
3. Kensington Lock Slot: You can use this Kensington lock slot to secure M-Track to a table or other surface.

Assistance technique

Technical Specifications

All specifications are measured at 20kHz bandwidth. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Mic Inputs 1-2 (balanced XLR)
Frequency Response 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+0.1 dB) _
Dynamic Range	104 dB (A-weighted)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 104 dB (1 kHz, +1.4 dBu, A-weighted)
THD+N	0.003% (1 kHz, +2 dBu input, -0.8 dBFS)
Preamp EIN	-133 dBu (max gain, 40 Ω source, A-weighted) -126 dBu (max gain, 150 Ω source, unweighted)
Sensitivity -53 dBu
Gain Range	55 dB

Line Inputs 1-2 (balanced \( 1/4 \) " [6.35 mm] TRS)
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.1 dB)
THD+N 0.004% (1 kHz, -1 dBFS)
Sensitivity	-43 dBu
Gain Range 55 dB

Inst Input 2 (unbalanced \( 1/4 \) " [6.35 mm] TS)
Frequency Response	\( {20}\mathrm{\;{Hz}} - {20}\mathrm{{kHz}}\left( {\pm {0.1}\mathrm{\;{dB}}}\right) \)
THD+N 0.022% (1 kHz, -1 dBFS)
Sensitivity	-47 dBu
Input Impedance	1 MΩ
Gain Range	55 dB

Main Outputs, L and R (impedance-balanced 1/4" [6.35 mm] TRS)
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.3 dB)
Dynamic Range / Signal-to-Noise Ratio 102 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N 0.008% (1 kHz, -1 dBFS)
Max Output Level +2.86 dBu

General
Power	USB-bus-powered
Dimensions (width x depth x height)	9.4" x 4.8" x 2.1" / 23.9 cm x 12.2 cm x 5.3 cm
Weight	2.4 lbs. / 1.1 kg

Trademarks and Licenses

M-Audio is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Kensington and the K & Lock logo are registered trademarks of ACCO Brands. All other product or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

m-audio.com