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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
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.
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.
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.
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.*
**Compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered 7.4 with downloadable update. 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.
Specifications
Line Inputs (Balanced)
| Mic Inputs (Balanced) at Min Gain, No Pad
| Inst. Inputs (Unbalanced) at Min Gain, No Pad
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Line Outputs (Balanced)
| Headphone Outputs at Maximum Volume into 32 Ohm Load
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Product 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 ¿¿ instrument inputs and standalone operation. ProFire 2626 is compatible with most major audio software, including Pro Tools M-Powered¿.* * Compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered 7.4 with downloadable update. Please visit m-audio.com for update availability. 96kHz and 18 x 18 I/O maximum with Pro Tools M-Powered.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
A few months ago, i decided to update my MOTU 828 mkii firewire interface with something that has better DAC converters, so i did some research and i decided to purchase the M-Audio Profire 2626.
When i plugged this unit in my studio and listened to it, i was taken by the clarity of the DACs, i also did some testing of the preamp mics, and they are clean sounding and uncolored.
So, I thought i had a great deal.. a 192/24 firewire 8x8 interface for around $500. Unfortunately, as i started using the unit more and more in my studio, i realized the many problems m-audio has been infamous for: bad drivers and unreliable software.
1-The biggest problem with the unit is that the latest ASIO M-Audio 2626 Windows XP drivers will blue screen some XP workstations when changing the audio resolution from 96k back to 48k or 44k in a DAW or some other program that uses the unit's driver. There is a thread in the M-Audio's forum about this, and quite a few people are experiencing this problem. As of January 10th 2010, the problem is still unresolved.
The funniest and saddest thing of all, is that when i use the free ASIO4ALL drivers with the Profire-2626, they do not crash Windows when switching audio resolutions. This should tell you how bad M-Audio drivers are.
2-The marketing literature for the M-Audio is basically incorrect and will lead you to believe the digital mixer offers true mixing flexibility (like MOTU's CueMix software) of all inputs and outputs.. which is FALSE. You can use the digital mixer's faders to control the analog inputs coming into the unit, ONLY if the inputs are connected to the preamps via XLR plugs.. if you use TRS 1/4" jacks to connect to inputs 3-8, the signal bypasses the mic preamps and cannot be controlled in the digital mixer. How stupid is that?
I had to go out and order 1/4" to XLR adapters to connect some of my synths to be able to control their input in the digital mixer
My older MOTU 828 mkii unit never had this inconvenience...
3-Want to use the 2626 inputs and outputs to send digital signals from your DAW to an analog box and back into your DAW?
Good Luck.. it took me a while to figure out how to do it (nevermind i used to do this in the MOTU 828 mkii all the time) and then i wasn't able to monitor the return signals without listening to the return signal mixed with the send signal!
Yep.. you can't monitor return signals without going through the mixer unless you are using the XLR inputs.. because if you use the TRS inputs you cannot control or mute the signal!!
2010-02 UPDATE
4-About 10 months ago, a user in the m-audio forums discovered that the Profire 610 and the Profire 2626 are not sample accurate when recording. What does this mean? it means if you want to record a band playing together, the tracks are going to be out of sync with each other, and you will need to synchronize them by hand in your DAW.
M-Audio confirmed this was a problem with their drivers, but after 10 months of waiting a fix hasn't been released yet.
All this problems with M-audio's unreliable and poorly written software have lead me to eventually replace this unit with something that offers better software and hardware quality, like the RME fireface 800.. the thing stopping me is the price.. the RME Fireface goes for about twice the price of the Profire 2626.. and for a good reason.
The experience with the profire 2626 has taught me a lesson: Don't buy another M-Audio product ever again.
But, don't just take my word for it.. point your browser to M-audio's profire forums and you will see all the problems users are having with this unit..
When i plugged this unit in my studio and listened to it, i was taken by the clarity of the DACs, i also did some testing of the preamp mics, and they are clean sounding and uncolored.
So, I thought i had a great deal.. a 192/24 firewire 8x8 interface for around $500. Unfortunately, as i started using the unit more and more in my studio, i realized the many problems m-audio has been infamous for: bad drivers and unreliable software.
1-The biggest problem with the unit is that the latest ASIO M-Audio 2626 Windows XP drivers will blue screen some XP workstations when changing the audio resolution from 96k back to 48k or 44k in a DAW or some other program that uses the unit's driver. There is a thread in the M-Audio's forum about this, and quite a few people are experiencing this problem. As of January 10th 2010, the problem is still unresolved.
The funniest and saddest thing of all, is that when i use the free ASIO4ALL drivers with the Profire-2626, they do not crash Windows when switching audio resolutions. This should tell you how bad M-Audio drivers are.
2-The marketing literature for the M-Audio is basically incorrect and will lead you to believe the digital mixer offers true mixing flexibility (like MOTU's CueMix software) of all inputs and outputs.. which is FALSE. You can use the digital mixer's faders to control the analog inputs coming into the unit, ONLY if the inputs are connected to the preamps via XLR plugs.. if you use TRS 1/4" jacks to connect to inputs 3-8, the signal bypasses the mic preamps and cannot be controlled in the digital mixer. How stupid is that?
I had to go out and order 1/4" to XLR adapters to connect some of my synths to be able to control their input in the digital mixer
My older MOTU 828 mkii unit never had this inconvenience...
3-Want to use the 2626 inputs and outputs to send digital signals from your DAW to an analog box and back into your DAW?
Good Luck.. it took me a while to figure out how to do it (nevermind i used to do this in the MOTU 828 mkii all the time) and then i wasn't able to monitor the return signals without listening to the return signal mixed with the send signal!
Yep.. you can't monitor return signals without going through the mixer unless you are using the XLR inputs.. because if you use the TRS inputs you cannot control or mute the signal!!
2010-02 UPDATE
4-About 10 months ago, a user in the m-audio forums discovered that the Profire 610 and the Profire 2626 are not sample accurate when recording. What does this mean? it means if you want to record a band playing together, the tracks are going to be out of sync with each other, and you will need to synchronize them by hand in your DAW.
M-Audio confirmed this was a problem with their drivers, but after 10 months of waiting a fix hasn't been released yet.
All this problems with M-audio's unreliable and poorly written software have lead me to eventually replace this unit with something that offers better software and hardware quality, like the RME fireface 800.. the thing stopping me is the price.. the RME Fireface goes for about twice the price of the Profire 2626.. and for a good reason.
The experience with the profire 2626 has taught me a lesson: Don't buy another M-Audio product ever again.
But, don't just take my word for it.. point your browser to M-audio's profire forums and you will see all the problems users are having with this unit..
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
So... I purchased this unit about 2 moths ago for a location recording session and it came through like a champ! The location and circumstances did not permit me to bring along a bunch of out-board gear so I had to depend on the on-board pres and they worked great. Nice and quiet w/ lots of headroom. I was using a ribbon for my M/S and was a little worried that I wouldn't get enough gain but was surprised to find that the 2626 gave more than enough. As far as DAW integration... Flawless! I use Logic on my Macbook Pro and had no issues. Drivers were solid as well. Mac's coreMIDI is a bit of a bugger but once it was on, it was on.
I used the 2626 to run 16 inputs to Logic as well as run a house mix and headphone mix and no probs. There are better interfaces out there but for the money you really can't go wrong. I also realize that some people have had issues with the drivers and such but most have been addressed by now and like anything that you get that is a tech toy you will have integration issues from time to time. You can check any manufacturer forums and you will likely see a host of complaints about usability and integration. What made the decision for me was the price to features ratio. The 2626 is a great interface at a great price.
and yes, you can record 26 channels. you just can't use the dsp mixer. you need to use the mixer in your DAW if you want to go higher than 16+2SPDF. Not really an issue if you're running PT LE or MP since you're limited to 16 tracks anyway. For Logic or DP or Reaper you just have to use your in-DAW mixer. The DSP mixer is more for monitoring anyway and if you've got your channels mapped out right also a non issue.
In my opinion this is a quality budget interface from a quality manufacturer. If you're looking for Jack Joseph Puig or Bruce Swedien sound Your gonna need a boat load more cash but if your looking for a versatile interface for quick location, live and the occasional studio use...
I used the 2626 to run 16 inputs to Logic as well as run a house mix and headphone mix and no probs. There are better interfaces out there but for the money you really can't go wrong. I also realize that some people have had issues with the drivers and such but most have been addressed by now and like anything that you get that is a tech toy you will have integration issues from time to time. You can check any manufacturer forums and you will likely see a host of complaints about usability and integration. What made the decision for me was the price to features ratio. The 2626 is a great interface at a great price.
and yes, you can record 26 channels. you just can't use the dsp mixer. you need to use the mixer in your DAW if you want to go higher than 16+2SPDF. Not really an issue if you're running PT LE or MP since you're limited to 16 tracks anyway. For Logic or DP or Reaper you just have to use your in-DAW mixer. The DSP mixer is more for monitoring anyway and if you've got your channels mapped out right also a non issue.
In my opinion this is a quality budget interface from a quality manufacturer. If you're looking for Jack Joseph Puig or Bruce Swedien sound Your gonna need a boat load more cash but if your looking for a versatile interface for quick location, live and the occasional studio use...
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
I bought this unit for building a portable 24 track recorder. ( I use a separate system for mixing and editing. ) The name 2626 suggests 26 track recordings are possible. But, DSP of this unit is capable of recording up to only 18 tracks. M-Audio site actually indicates this, but in an obscured manner. At the sampling rate of 88.2 or 96 kHz, the unit can record only up to 12 tracks instead of 18 tracks.
Combination with ADAT preamps, M-Powerd 8 and dual 2 GHz, XP, notebook PC works fine. 3 star rating instead of higher rating is due to confusing naming and obscured descriptions in their site.
Combination with ADAT preamps, M-Powerd 8 and dual 2 GHz, XP, notebook PC works fine. 3 star rating instead of higher rating is due to confusing naming and obscured descriptions in their site.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Product!
Like the title say, it's great. Feels solid. Lots of preamp gain (I'm using separate pres though). This is a big upgrade from my M-audio Fast Track Ultra. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Steven C. Earl
Awesome interface!
The ProFire 2626 is very easy to setup and use and produces fantastic quality. The firewire is very convenient and further makes the quality better, and the expansion capabilities... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jake M.
Excelente ratio de calidad/costo
Dentro de las prestaciones que ofrece el profire 2626, es excelente, uno queda bastante satisfecho por su compra. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Fredy Gabriel
Great unit for use in standalone mode
This may only be helpful for a few of you:
I can't comment too much on how the Profire2626 performs as an interface, other than the fact that I noticed no problems the... Read more
I can't comment too much on how the Profire2626 performs as an interface, other than the fact that I noticed no problems the... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Andrew Henderson
Excellent! I'm very happy with it
This interface is excellent, not only works with most of the audio software, but does it very well with ProTools. I'm a satisfied customer.
Published on February 12, 2010 by V. Donaire
M-audio Profire 2626 (8 Octane Preamps)
First of all, the seller had the best price at the time for this product. It arrived at the house as scheduled and the package was in excellent condition(bought it during... Read more
Published on February 1, 2010 by Robert H. Russell
Quality Interface!
This Profire IS all it's cracked up to be. Solidly built, quality components make it up. And versatility is the name of the game... Read more
Published on April 22, 2009 by C. Brenneman
Great price on a great interface
I moved from a Presonus Firepod/FP10 setup to the Profire, and I couldn't be happier. The preamp quality is noticeable better on the Profire, and the DSP mixer provides great... Read more
Published on March 18, 2009 by N. Wright
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