My m-audio fast track ultra essentially died. The power-light started flashing continuously and if speakers are connected and on audio noises in sync with the blinking occur. I fast turned off speakers to prevent damage to them. Tried powering from power adapter alone and the same blinking occurs. This sucks big time as now i can't record anything on my computer and i use it also for my sound card as well to go out to krk rockit 5 monitors. So in meanwhile i can't hear any audio on my computer.
Its not under warranty but i am going to have it looked at by local music electronics guy. If its ends up to be pricy to fix i could probably get a used one of same model for less but am also thinking of getting a new interface like a Steinberg UR44 or Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 . Those are two that i found that seem pretty decent, good reviews, compatible with win 7 and i'd maintain having 4 mic pre's and at least 2 more line inputs in the back like my current broken recording interface. A bonus to me on those all 4 xlr inpits on front are combo jacks (xlr or 1/4)which would be handy while my fast-track ultra only 1st two are combo jacks.
Partial good news, I just found an extra 1/8" stereo jack to L and R rca cord and my speakers have rcs inputs (which i had forgotten about). I enabled my computer's internal sound card which i'm relieved works. So I now got sound back and can playback audio on my computer for the time being as long as internal sound-card doesn't die too. Sound quality is fine(better then expected honestly). Also tried headphones into computer headphone jack which works too (that was going to be my last resort work around option).
I dropped off my m audio fast track ultra recording interface earlier today. It could be a week or more depending on existing volume of work the repair guy has. If its simple repair the bench fee will cover it ($65) if not i will have to decide whether the cost is worth repairing it.
some internal sound cards are even fine for recording via RCA to 1/8" adapter from a mic preamp with RCA outs. just saying, some sound cards work better than you'd expect for ins too.
Sound quality is fine(better then expected honestly). Also tried headphones into computer headphone jack which works too (that was going to be my last resort work around option).