M-Audio ProFire 2626

M-Audio is usually known for their small mic pres, but they also have some very high quality rack gear that works great. This device features 24 bit/192 KHz audio, 8 analog inputs, 8 XLR mic inputs, 8 TRS inputs, 2 TS inputs, S/PDIF, 16 x 16 ADAT, 8 TRS balanced line outputs, 2 headphone outputs, MIDI, a proper world clock for setting up I/O, master volume knob, an onboard DSP mixer, and it should work with pretty much any of today's DAWs.

UTILIZATION

M-Audio did a great job setting this whole thing up. The interface itself is nicely laid out, and everything is easy to use. I'm especially happy that they used Firewire for this. While they make comparisons on the USB page stating how USB is theoretically faster than Fiewire, that's not the case in real life. There are some major flaws with USB 2.0 when compared to Firewire, and I always found it a bit dishonest when they tried to claim USB 2.0 was faster. Keep in mind that you'll probably want some sort of rack to mount this in. On top of that, it has a few breakout cables for some of the features, and I'm not really a fan of breakout cables.

GETTING STARTED

I never had a single compatibility issue when using this device. It's a very easy to use and straightforward device. There's no need to even read the manual because everything is laid out in an easy to use and understand manner. Simply plug in the devices to their corresponding ports, and you'll be good to go. I was able to use this in Logic without any hiccups, and it sounded awesome.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're one of those people who enjoy rack interfaces and want one of the better ones out there, check this out. This has some really nice and clean converters that sound great. It also has MIDI and tons of other features. I just wish it didn't have all those annoying breakout cables for certain features, but then they'd have to make it 2U, so I can see why they did it.

(Originally written by Bapsite/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Look at M-audio's website for information. I will stick to my experience:

8 ins/outs

8 preamps

ADAT in/out

Standalone operation.

UTILIZATION

No installation problems

Comprehensive user's manual.

GETTING STARTED

No drivers problems, no drop outs

6 ms latency with 44.1 kHz sample rate and 256 samples (if I recall correctly)... It's not that important, the main thing is that the latency is short enough for good monitoring with Cubase.

When I bought it I wanted to record a band at home and to have more channels available... But it sounded perfect when I used it.

It worked 45 min. straight without interruption using all 8 preamps without a single hitch.

I've been using it for almost everything I've recorded ever since.

I cannot compare it to anything else right now, but the preamps seem to sound very transparent like most modern Chinese preamps.

Wide dynamic range and frequency response, I can't hear any sound alteration. It's exactly what I was looking for.

The PAD function is very convenient (other products should follow this example...) and it definitely influenced my purchase (it's a must have feature for drums recording).

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for one month (I will update this review if I change my opinion).

I checked all other available products before buying it and nothing else was as interesting... I thought I'd sell it again after recording that first band but I'm not sure anymore ^^

Excellent product with professional quality (considering a professional is someone who KNOWS how to use and set the gear).

I will upload the link to the band's recording if they allow me to. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me for more information

- What technical specifications have motivated your choice?
Interface with 8 and 2 among pramplis / O ADAT
- For what purpose?
Studio recording
- What is your config (Map mother / CPU / Ram / Hard, ...)?
MacBookPro 2,13Ghz 2GB
- Which instruments or systems (console, prampli, DTD ...) you use it and how connections ...?
ADI8-DS converters

USE

- Installation is it done without problem?
Yes, like a flower OSX 10.4.11
- Have you encountered the incompatibilits?
Not
- Is Gnrale configuration is easy?
Yes, especially since I had already a firewire 410 whose system is similar.
- Is the manual is clear and sufficient? ...?
No need to book

IMPLEMENTATION

- Are the drivers stable?
Yes, OSX, no worries
- Are they often put day?
Difficult to say because it is trsrcent.
- What software do you use most often?
Protools m-powered
- What you get lag?
Trslgre not gnante for recording
- How many tracks you record / play simultaneously ...?
For now, I record 12 tracks simultaneously, but I think I can go 14 or 16 when I have external pramplis supplmentaires I will connect my converter

NOTICE GLOBAL

- How long have you use it?
15 days
- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
Plus, 8 pramplis of very good quality.
Least, the gain potentiometers do not seem to be very strong
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
M-Audio Firewire 410
- How do you report qualitprix?
Very good, a very good way to make a little home studio and record in good conditions.
- With the exprience, you do again this choice ...?
Yes, no problem

What caractristques tech. have motivated your choice?

-First, It is available in 8 audios among XLR and 1/4 and its 8 outputs 1/4.
-Then Is that it plugs into Firewire, so it's more reliable than the usb!
-The Eight audio outputs can be assign virtual instruments.
-The Possibility to be connected in two sets!
-capacit to record 192 kHz


Which instruments and systems (console, prampli, DTD ...) you use it and how connections?

I use it with a mixer Behringer eurorack 12 entries. To which the instruments, I use with electric guitar, a keyboard Technic, mixer DJ SCS.1m a Korg synthesizer Er mkii and m-audio microphones.

to which the connection I almost only uses XLR cable. I love the fact that he provided a cable panouis.


For what purpose?

I record in the studio and the fact that it is not too big will allow me to record directly from the musicians! I record guitarists and bassists, pianists, a singer / vocalist,

I also use it as a card for his DJing, the 8 audio outputs rvlent be very useful.
Especially since it has its quality compar to map outputs made for DJing who has only RCA output! That having output and input XLR or 1/4 are so expensive, often on top of $ 1,000,00.

When I connect Mixe all outputs to input my Behringer Mixer and-controlling EQs is better than a dj program.


What is your config (Map mother / CPU / Ram / Hard, ...)?

I use it with a vista laptop and macbook pro 2011 0SX; 6.8.6




USE

Are the drivers stable? Are they often put day

The drivers are very stable, they have never permit me tomb.
They are put - days from time to time ... I remember the last time have!



What software do you use most often?

Pro Tools 10
Traktor
Ableton Live
FL Studio 9
Kontakt

if sometimes I use

Adobe Audition
Adobe Soundbooth
Torq 2.0


What you get lag?

I never touch because it never made me default!


How many tracks you record / play simultaneously?

I never try more than 8 tracks.




IMPLEMENTATION

The installation being done without problem?
Installation is very simple and requires no Gnis be a computer!

Is Gnrale configuration is easy?

yes enough for a basic registration. Otherwise there has read the manual (a lil flies only) to understand all the functionalities of the DSP Mixer if we are not very familiar with the sound hardware.
By the way, the suit mixer (blender) DSP is so useful once you understand how it works!


Have you encountered the incompatibilits?

yes with Sony Sound Forge to record if not for reading that's ok.


Is the manual clear and sufficient?

yes the manual is very well and explains very well the operation of the machine.


One bmole! Is having to have the computer shut down or in sleep to be able to connect but otherwise everything is great!


NOTICE GLOBAL

How long have you use it?

I've had a year bientt and she never made me default.
physically or computationally!

Contrarement and many other advice I have read, none of my knobs did ramolit or breakage.


Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

but not the sound engineers that I know and sound technician me about the l. So I have to rent a one week then I realized c'tait excelling for the offered price.

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The +:
My much: his Standalone mode.

-Its Among eight combined XLR to 1/4 among.
-His DSP suit mixer.
-Its Reliability.
-The 8 1/4 TRS outputs
-The Cable included with Panous. (Midi i / o, WC i / o, SPDIF)
-2 X I / O ADAT (for plugging another audio interface of its kind Profire 2626)

The -:

- It is the duty to have the computer shut down or in sleep to be able to connect the computer.

How do you report qualitprix?

Excelling, after having store for a year of sound cards on the web and on the forums is the one that was giving the best performance for its price and its characteristics.

I told myself that even if it's more than looking cards with only 2 or 3 among audio, it's worth it because it will never plant if very rarely! (Unless one seeks to plant obviously!)

With experience, you do again this choice?

Yes very definitely! Btw I'll buy a SECOND.