M-Audio ProFire 2626 High-Definition FireWire Audio Interface

M-Audio ProFire 2626 High-Definition FireWire Audio Interface Description

Building on a legacy of award-winning FireWire audio interfaces, the M-Audio ProFire™ 2626 brings next-generation performance to your PC or Mac host-based recording system.

This powerful interface delivers 26 x 26 simultaneous I/O, complete with an onboard DSP mixer sourced from up to 52 audio streams.

It features every kind of connection you need—including award-winning Octane™ preamp technology on all eight analog inputs, ADAT, S/PDIF, word clock and MIDI. Critically acclaimed JetPLL jitter elimination technology ensures pristine audio quality and reliable synchronization all the way up to high-definition 24-bit/192kHz resolution.

In addition, ProFire 2626 offers easy FireWire connectivity, extremely low latency, dual headphone outputs, front-panel ¼” instrument inputs and standalone operation. Pro Tools M-Powered™ compatible.*

Please visit m-audio.com for update availability. 96kHz and 18 x 18 I/O maximum with Pro Tools M-Powered.

Full Features

• Up to 24-bit/192kHz for high-definition audio
• Eight analog inputs sourced from:
  • Eight XLR mic inputs with phantom power
  • Eight ¼” TRS balanced line inputs
  • Two ¼” TS instrument inputs
• Optical I/O in the form of:
  • 2 x 2 S/PDIF (on optical port B) or
  • 16 x 16 ADAT (8 x 8 in S/MUX II mode, 4 x 4 in S/MUX IV mode)
• 2 x 2 coaxial S/PDIF (via included breakout cable)
• Eight ¼” TRS balanced line outputs
• Two ¼” TRS headphone outputs
• 1 x 1 MIDI I/O (via included breakout cable)
• Word clock I/O (via included breakout cable)
• Eight preamps with award-winning Octane technology
• User-assignable master volume knob
• Flexible onboard DSP mixer:
• Select from any of the 26 hardware inputs and 26 software returns as sources for its 18 input channels
• Create up to eight stereo mixes

Award-winning Octane preamp technology

The quality of your preamps is critical to how your music sounds. Embraced by reviewers and audio professionals alike, M-Audio set a new standard with the 8-channel Octane™ preamp. The ProFire 2626 delivers the same award-winning Octane technology with its eight onboard mic preamps, giving you pristine audio fidelity right from the start of your signal path. In addition to exceptional sound, each preamp has a generous 75dB gain range, 48V phantom power, and a -20dB pad.

User-assignable master volume control

The ProFire 2626 interface delivers a new level of flexible control via the customizable master volume knob. It’s assignable to any or all of the four analog output pairs, so you can choose which output pair will feed your main monitors. You can also choose whether the master volume knob influences either or both of the two headphone outputs, or operates independently of them. In addition, you can assign the master level control to all four output pairs to uniformly attenuate up to a 7.1 surround mix.

High-definition 192kHz sound and solid performance

The ProFire 2626 employs high-quality converters to deliver sampling rates up to 192kHz for pristine, high-definition sound quality. The unit also features critically acclaimed JetPLL technology to provide extremely stable synchronization and eliminate jitter that can degrade audio quality. In addition, the ProFire 2626 allows master or slave operation via internal clock, ADAT optical, S/PDIF and word clock. M-Audio’s mature, stable drivers deliver solid performance and ultra-low latency. Complete with Octane preamp technology and premium A/D-D/A converters, you won’t find a better sounding or more flexible host-based audio interface.

Pro Tools M-Powered Compatible

The ProFire 2626 is an extremely powerful interface for Pro Tools M-Powered. Flexible I/O, top-quality sound and low latency round out an incredible recording environment that is file-compatible with many other pro and project studios around the world.*

Please visit m-audio.com for update availability. 96kHz and 18 x 18 I/O maximum with Pro Tools M-Powered.

Onboard DSP mixer and router

Customize your setup and record the way you want thanks to the power and flexibility of the ProFire 2626 onboard DSP mixer and router. Use the router to select from up to 52 audio streams and send them to any of the 26 hardware outputs.* The adaptable onboard DSP mixer allows you to select from any of the 26 hardware inputs and 26 software returns as sources for any of its 18 input channels—allowing you to create up to eight stereo mixes. You can also create presets and instantly recall these setups at a later date.

*Routing in stereo pairs.

Standalone operation

The ProFire 2626 doubles as a standalone 8-channel preamp, 8-channel A/D-D/A converter and digital format converter. In standalone mode, the eight analog inputs route to the first eight ADAT optical output channels. This facilitates use of the line, instrument and mic ins—including the preamps—with other digital gear. Similarly, the first eight ADAT optical input channels feed the eight analog outputs to provide D/A functionality. You can also disable the D/A conversion to allow the analog input channels to route to both the analog and ADAT optical outputs—transforming the ProFire 2626 into a standalone 8-channel mic pre with eight discrete analog outputs plus 8-channel ADAT output. When the second optical port is not used for A/D conversion, the ProFire 2626 can also convert coaxial S/PDIF to optical S/PDIF.

Professional connectivity for the most demanding projects

The ProFire 2626 features essential connectivity for any studio, delivering rock-solid stability and optimal sound quality. Analog inputs are sourced from the eight combo jacks as either XLR mic or ¼” TRS balanced line inputs. In addition, analog channels 1 and 2 provide easily accessible ¼” TS instrument jacks on the front panel. Eight ¼” TRS connectors provide balanced line outputs for monitoring and interfacing with other outboard gear. Digital I/O is available via 2 x 2 S/PDIF and 16 x 16 ADAT Lightpipe. The two front-panel headphone jacks feature separate sources and independent level controls for additional cue mixing flexibility.