External Audio (>=v1.1.0)

Overview

Track8 supports class-compliant USB audio interfaces for:

• Multitrack recording
• External FX routing (insert send/returns + 8 aux sends)
• Hybrid setups — mix external gear into the master chain

⚙️ Setup

Open SETTINGS → UTILITY → AUDIO:

• SOUNDCARD (Encoder 1): select the interface (must be class-compliant)
• MODE (Encoder 3): MULTI records multiple tracks at once, SINGLE is the classic one-track workflow
• MON (Encoder 5): internal monitoring — routes the main mix to Track8’s own headphone output (useful for rack interfaces). Locked ON for input-only interfaces
• RATE (Encoder 6): 48k / 44.1k (since v1.1.1)
• BUFFER SIZE (Encoder 7/8): some interfaces need a higher buffer. Push the encoder to switch to PERIODS (3-5, default 3) if you get crackles at your preferred buffer size (new in v1.2.1)
• Track Button 8 (APPLY): apply changes and restart the audio engine

⚠️ 44.1kHz is a last resort (since v1.1.1). Track8 always runs at 48kHz internally — at RATE 44.1k all incoming/outgoing audio is resampled (in the worst case input/send/return/output resamples 4 times). This degrades audio quality and costs performance. Only use it if your interface cannot run at 48kHz.

🔁 Routing

Configure the channel mapping with the Track Buttons on the AUDIO settings screen:

TRK IN

• Assign an input pair per track (in SINGLE mode: one SINGLE IN input pair)

INSERTS (renamed from Send/Returns in v1.2.1)

• Per-track insert send and insert return for external processing
• The insert send taps the track post volume/pan, pre track-FX
• The return is blended back in before the Track FX

SENDS (new in v1.2.1)

• Map each of the 8 aux send buses to a hardware output pair
• One channel mapped = mono, both = stereo; channels can be set to -
• Send levels are set per track on the Track Sends screen — see Effects & Mastering

EXTERNAL

• Assign up to 8 external input pairs for mixing external gear (grooveboxes, synths, mixers)

MAIN OUT

• Choose the main output channel pair
• Channels can be set to - to disable them, e.g. when using Track8 purely as a USB soundcard front-end (since v1.2.0)
• ALT METRON (Encoder 8, new in v1.2.1): route the metronome to separate output channel(s). When set, the metronome is removed from the main mix and only sent there — perfect for a drummer’s cue mix. One channel = mono, both = stereo

IO NAMES

• Give your interface’s inputs/outputs readable names — they show up in all mapping screens

🎚 External Inputs Screen

Press to cycle Master FX → Mastering → External Inputs (new in v1.2.1)

• Encoders 1-8: adjust each channel — push to cycle VOLUME → PAN → DELAY SEND → REVERB SEND
• Track Buttons 1-8: mute a channel
• External inputs are mixed with the 8 tracks before Mastering and can feed the Master Delay/Reverb via their sends
• Copy/Cut/Paste works on all 8 channels’ values; Cut resets to defaults, Paste restores (mute states are excluded) (new in v1.2.1)

🎧 Monitoring

• Internal Monitoring (MON) routes the main mix to the built-in headphone output
• Interfaces without outputs are supported (since v1.1.5) — internal monitoring is then always on, and the Inserts/Sends/Main Out pages are hidden
• If the USB interface disconnects, Track8 automatically falls back to the internal soundcard

⚙️ Modes

• Multi-track → record multiple tracks simultaneously
• Single-track → classic behavior, one configurable input pair

⚠️ Requirements

• Must support 48kHz (or use the RATE 44.1k fallback, see above)
• Bus-powered: <5W

🎛 Multitrack Recording Behavior

• Arm tracks first:
  • Hold Track Button + press Record
  • Only tracks with assigned inputs can be armed
• Recording:
  • All armed tracks start together

🎚 Return Mixing

For tracks with an insert return, the Audio Overview encoders gain two extra modes (push an encoder to cycle to them):

• RETURN LEVEL → level of the returned signal (-60 to 0 dB)
• RETURN MIX → dry/return balance (0% = track only, 100% = return only)

Both are also available in SINGLE mode (fixed in v1.2.1) and can be automated.