The M-Audio M-Track Quad is a popular compact USB interface with professional connections for home and on-the-go producing. Need to connect a number of additional USB devices to your computer? That is even easier with the hub on the M Track Quad.

I know that the question can't be answered without proper measurements but I wonder if this old interface:

M-Audio M-Track Quad

could be any good to make some basic measurements (thd+n, dinamic range, etc...) on a dongle dac\amp I'm waiting to be delivered.

Specs says:

Since I'll have to learn from scratch how to do it, I'd want to know if the interface can be useful, otherwise I'll not even bother wasting time on the matter.

Thanks.

• 2

It's inputs seems to have a SINAD in the 80's. Wouldn't be of any use.

Why don't you try a loopback first?

• Thread Starter

• 3

  It's inputs seems to have a SINAD in the 80's. Wouldn't be of any use.

Thank you very much! As said I never approached REW before, I'll see how to do it and post results as soon as i can.

• 4

  Thank you very much! As said I never approached REW before, I'll see how to do it and post results as soon as i can.

There's an easier way for such measurements,just download and install Multitone Analyzer and copy the settings on the left and the bar above the chart as in my pic. You just have to choose your own device (on top,under the test frequency) instead of EMU,set the play gain higher or lower (start low so you don't clip) and also keep input gain from M-Audio to the lowest.

• 5

Settings in REW are similar so you can double check

(this one is with Khadas as your's as DUT)

• Thread Starter

• 6

Oh nice, never heared of Multitone Analyzer, seems pretty straight and useful, I'll go with it. In regard of REW, for the intended scope do I have to make the initial interface calibration\level check\spl calibration as explained and onward? Or it doesn't matter when you only use RTA window with your dac\amp as output?

Many thanks again.

• Thread Starter

• 7

Ok, i managed to get a loopback from the interface, setting Multitone Analyzer just as you showed, but with these specific setting for my hardware:

- output channel: 4 (3 and 4 are fixed line level, so nothing to regulate) - input channel: 4 (chosen random) - set to mic\line - 48V OFF - input 4 gain knob: minimum as you adviced

It seems to confirm the specs, so not a very useful interface for testing presumably (and hopefully) better hardware.

Just want to say that i used a stereo 3.5mm trs cable with stereo 3.5 to 6.3 adapters on both ends to make connections, since at the moment don't have mono cable\adapters, don't know if it can affect the result.

I tried selecting as output my Khadas TB, tbh i connected the output of the Sabaj A10h (set at unity gain, -0db) to the interface, and rerun the test, the result is pretty similar while Khadas and Sabaj both having => 110 db sinad, si If I didn't messed up something, it confirms that the interface can't be used:

I'll test the new dongle anyway, it's pretty unknown and cheap, so at least i'll see if it measures worse of this level and so if it is garbage.

Thank for the support, I learned something useful.

• 8

Yes,that seems to the ceiling of the interface. Short cables without adapters will do much better. Also try Khadas on it's own,that will show you ever higher.

But it's really good you got through the measurements,that may help you big time down the road!

You're welcome!

• Thread Starter

• 9

  Yes,that seems to the ceiling of the interface.

It's old and i got it for free some times ago, can't complain much

Short cables without adapters will do much better.

I should have them somewhere, just wanted to make the test as soon as i could.

Also try Khadas on it's own,that will show you ever higher.

Watching to Amir's measures of the Sabaj and the Khadas i supposed otherwise.

But it's really good you got through the measurements,that may help you big time down the road!

I'll surely go further with Multitone Analyzer, maybe i can get a better interface from an acquaintance, or, who knows, one day buy one by myself.

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  It's old and i got it for free some times ago, can't complain much

I should have them somewhere, just wanted to make the test as soon as i could.

Watching to Amir's measures of the Sabaj and the Khadas i supposed otherwise.

Try to up the level to the point before clipping (or 1-2db lower) so you can get near -3 to -1db,interfaces like an input voltage 1-1.5V usually.

Measuring combined devices as Khadas with Sabaj is tricky,lots of levels and gains involved,you will have to find the sweep spot which is not always at unity.

If you're interest in measurements on a budget keep an eye for a used E1DA Cosmos ADC,that can measure just about everything in terms of noise and distortion)

(Multitone's author @pkane is a member here,and there's a nice thread about it too)

• Thread Starter

• 11

  Try to up the level to the point before clipping (or 1-2db lower) so you can get near -3 to -1db,interfaces like an input voltage 1-1.5V usually.

I already tried rising the input gain until getting about -1,5 db with no noticeable differences in the results. The output of the M-track was already at max since out 4 is fixed. I measured it with a multimeter playing a 0dbfs tone via REW tone generator and it outs 2.0V, so the played signal was 2V -3db (as set in Multitone Analyzer "play gain").

Measuring combined devices as Khadas with Sabaj is tricky,lots of levels and gains involved,you will have to find the sweep spot which is not always at unity.

Understood. Anyway I measured the Sabaj output too at unity gain with a 0dbfs tone and it was the exact full output of the Khadas at 2,2V, so measurements were made with 2,2V -3db input signal.

If you're interest in measurements on a budget keep an eye for a used E1DA Cosmos ADC,that can measure just about everything in terms of noise and distortion)

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.

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.