Professional Documents
Culture Documents
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Sample Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Standalone Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
ProFire 2626 User Guide
About. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Additional Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Digital Clocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
ProFire 2626 User Guide 3
1 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the ProFire 2626 audio interface. ProFire 2626 is part of M-Audio’s award winning
series of FireWire-based digital recording solutions and features solid hardware design, robust driver technology, and
a powerful Control Panel application—all designed to deliver professional connectivity, exceptional fidelity, and next-
generation performance.
Even if you are experienced with digital recording, please take a moment to read through this guide. It provides detailed
information about the ProFire 2626 interface and will help you get the most out of your new purchase. You may also
want to refer to your audio software’s documentation to better understand how ProFire 2626 can be integrated with the
application. Your experience with the interface will be greatly enhanced by a good working knowledge of your equipment.
▶ Breakout cable with MIDI, Word Clock, and coaxial S/PDIF connectors
The ProFire 2626 interface is a super-highway of audio inputs and outputs for your computer. Like a highway, there are
a certain number of “audio lanes” going to and from your computer—these “lanes” are referred to as streams. ProFire
2626 gets its name from the fact that there are 26 streams going into the computer and 26 streams returning from the
computer. This means you can record up to 26 separate audio channels while simultaneously playing back an additional
26 audio channels if you use all of the analog and digital connections available on the interface.
ProFire 2626 has a variety of audio connections on its front and back panels. The back panel features eight analog
combo jacks. These multi-purpose jacks accept either XLR or 1/4” balanced/unbalanced inputs and can be used to
record microphone or line-level sources. The eight XLR inputs are routed to preamps featuring the same technology found
in the award-winning M-Audio Octane with controls for gain, phantom power, and 20dB pad on the front panel.
Next to the combo jacks are eight 1/4” TRS line-level outputs. These balanced outputs can be used in a number of ways
including monitoring the outputs of your audio software or sending tracks to an external mixer or effects processor. Since
ProFire 2626 has eight analog outputs, it can also be used for surround mixing in formats up to 7.1 (seven satellites and
one subwoofer). The Master Volume knob on the front of the interface can be configured to adjust the output level of any
combination of output pairs (i.e., 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, or 7/8) for stereo mixes or up to all eight outputs simultaneously—perfect
for surround mixing.
On the front panel of ProFire 2626, you’ll find two 1/4” (TS) instrument input jacks. You have the option of using these
two jacks as inputs instead of using the first two combo jacks on the rear of the interface. These two jacks differ slightly
from those on the rear of the interface since they are optimized for instrument-level signals and can be used to record
the direct output of an electric guitar or bass. Like the rear panel XLR connectors, these inputs can also be routed to the
preamps.
The front panel also features two 1/4” headphone jacks with an independent volume knob for each output. The first
headphone output is sourced from audio routed to analog outputs 1/2 while the second headphone output is sourced
from audio routed to analog outputs 3/4.
The remaining inputs and outputs on the interface are for digital signals. ProFire 2626 supports both coaxial (RCA) and
optical S/PDIF formats as well as the multi-channel ADAT standard (including high resolution S/MUX II* and S/MUX IV*
modes).
The Control Panel software allows users to scale the active I/O channels to preserve system resources, determine the
format and number of digital input and output channels that will be available to your audio software, as well as set the
order of the input ports as they appear in your software. The Control Panel also includes an 18-input, 16-output DSP
mixer allowing you to create near-zero latency monitor mixes.
ProFire 2626 also includes MIDI and BNC Word Clock inputs and outputs for connecting external MIDI instruments and
synchronizing multiple pieces of digital audio gear to the same clock.
* To use high resolution S/MUX II or S/MUX IV modes, the device connected to ProFire 2626 must also support
S/MUX II or S/MUX IV operation.
ProFire 2626 User Guide 5
▶ Eight XLR/TRS combo jacks on rear panel supporting mic or line-level signals
▶ Phantom power, 20dB pads, and signal/clip LED indicators for all mic preamps
▶ Jet PLL synchronization technology provides robust clocking between digital devices
▶ Windows XP/Vista drivers for ASIO, MME/WDM, DirectX and GSIF2 protocols
Mac OS X drivers for Core Audio and Core MIDI
▶ Standalone operation as eight channel mic preamplifier, A/D, and D/A converter
5 System Requirements
PC:
Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista** (32-bit)
Pentium 4 1.6GHz
** Home and Professional Edition only. Windows Media Center Edition is not currently supported.
Mac:
Mac OS X 10.4.10 Macintosh G4***
***G4 accelerator cards not supported/G5 required for sample rates above 96kHz.
*M-Audio recommends that you check your software’s minimum system requirements, as they may be higher.
Compatibility
ASIO, DirectX, MME, GSIF2, Core Audio
PC:
Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista (32-bit)
Pentium 4 2GHz
1GB RAM
Mac:
Mac OS X 10.4.10
Macintosh G5 2GHz
1GB RAM
Front Panel
1. Instrument Inputs (Channels 1/2): These unbalanced 1/4” jacks are used for connecting high impedance
instrument-level signals (i.e., electric guitars and basses) to ProFire 2626. When using these inputs, make sure that
the Mic/Inst (2) button is set to its “in” position in
order to route the associated instrument input to NOTE: The 1/4” line input section of the combo
the preamp. connector (on the rear of the interface) is never sent to
2. Mic/Inst Buttons: These buttons determine the preamp, however, the interface does sum the 1/4”
whether the channel’s XLR input (rear-panel line-level portion of the combo jack and front-panel
combo jack) or the 1/4” instrument input (on the instrument-level input. While the summing of these two
front panel) will be routed to the preamp. When 1/4” inputs does not affect either input’s impedance or
this button is set to the “out” position, the combo signal level, it does make it possible to record audio
jack’s XLR connection will be active and the front from both inputs simultaneously. If you have connected
panel input will be ignored. Conversely, when this a line-level device to the rear of the interface but only
button is set to the “in” position, the channel’s intend to record from the corresponding instrument
1/4” front panel input will be active and the combo input on the front, please make sure that the connected
jack’s XLR connection will be ignored. device is not outputting any audio (or is powered off).
7. Headphone Jacks: Connect headphones to these jacks. The first headphone output is sourced from audio routed
to analog outputs 1/2 while the second headphone output is sourced from audio routed to analog outputs 3/4.
10. Power Indicator: This LED illuminates when the interface is powered on. It remains continuously lit when the
unit is receiving power and a valid digital clock signal (internal or external); the LED blinks when the interface is not
synchronizing properly to digital clock.
ProFire 2626 User Guide 9
Rear Panel
11. Power Supply Connector: Connect the included power supply here.
Use only the power supply provided with the interface or an equivalent NOTE: The power supply must
power supply with the same rating and polarity. always be used when operating
ProFire 2626. The interface
12. FireWire Port: Connect the ProFire 2626 interface to your computer cannot be bus powered through
using one of the supplied FireWire cables. Note that ProFire 2626 has the FireWire connection.
two FireWire ports. Connect either one of these ports to your computer
only; the second port can be used to connect another FireWire device
(such as a hard disk, etc.) to your computer.**
▶ I MPORTANT: The FireWire cable should only be connected or disconnected when the interface is
powered off.
13. Optical Connectors: There are two optical input ports and two optical output ports on the back of ProFire 2626.
The format and sample rate are determined within the Control Panel software. See the “Control Panel Application”
section of this guide to learn more about the Control Panel.
14. Breakout Cable Connector: Connect the supplied breakout cable to this port. The multi-pin breakout cable
provides MIDI, Word Clock and coaxial (RCA) S/PDIF input and output connectors.
15. 1/4” TRS Line Outputs: These eight jacks output balanced, line-level signals for monitoring, mixing, or external
effects processing.
16. Combo Jacks: These eight inputs accept signals from XLR (microphone-level) or 1/4” (line-level) sources. The XLR
inputs are routed to the preamps whereas the 1/4” line-level inputs bypass the preamps and are not influenced by
the Gain Adjustment Knobs (4).
** If your computer has a second FireWire port, M-Audio recommends connecting any additional FireWire devices to
that port instead of daisy-chaining them to ProFire 2626. Alternatively, if your computer includes an additional PCI
or PCMCIA FireWire expansion card, we recommend connecting additional FireWire devices to the ports on that
card while ProFire 2626 should remain connected to the computer’s built-in FireWire port. Operating ProFire 2626
and other FireWire peripherals on separate FireWire busses should help to prevent potential bandwidth overload and
other possible FireWire bus related conflicts between devices.
ProFire 2626 User Guide 10
ProFire 2626 is much more than a simple audio input and output device. Its high quality signal path, DSP mixer, and
flexible router allow the interface to become the central nervous system of your studio. The block diagram below
illustrates audio signal flow within ProFire 2626 and demonstrates the relationship between various components within
the interface (each of the blocks in the diagram are described in detail further below):
K(Z /PERATION -AC 0#
-AC 0#
!UDIO !PPLICATION
2OUTER
3ELECT SOURCE FOR EACH HARDWARE OUTPUT
(ARDWARE /UTPUTS
Hardware Inputs – These are the physical audio inputs on ProFire 2626 including the eight analog combo jacks, two
instrument inputs, two ADAT ports, and the S/PDIF connector. All signals that enter the interface through the hardware
inputs can be sent to the Mac/PC, DSP Mixer, and Router (all described below).
Mac/PC – This block represents your computer and its DAW software. All signals received at the hardware inputs can
be sent to your computer and made available for recording and mixing within the audio application.
ProFire 2626 User Guide 11
Software Returns – This block represents the audio
outputs of your audio application. Software returns About Software Returns:
can be routed to the DSP Mixer and the Router (both
described below). The term “Return” has its roots in analog recording,
where input sources (Microphones, Instruments, etc.)
DSP Mixer – This is the 18 input, 16 output DSP are connected to large format mixing consoles, routed
mixer contained within the ProFire 2626 interface. to multi-track reel-to-reel tape machines for recording
The block features a dashed line because the DSP and then returned to the mixing desk. This allows the
mixer can be completely bypassed by the user if recording engineer to hear the recorded signal from tape
desired. while the recording is still in process. This way, problems
with the recording (e.g. tape imperfections, or distorting
As shown in the illustration above, the mixer’s 18 input signals) can be detected in real-time.
channels accept signals from any of the hardware
inputs or software returns. See the “Mixer” section of While recording systems have evolved greatly over the
the “Control Panel Application” chapter to learn how years and DAW applications have become more popular
to configure and use the DSP mixer. for recording and playback, the concept of returning
signals from your recording device has not changed. In
In cases where the computer is unable to run with the case of the ProFire 2626, the output of your audio
sufficiently small buffer size settings (i.e., the software software (the recording device) is returned to the ProFire
monitoring latency is too high), the DSP Mixer can be 2626 Router section – hence the term “software returns.”
used instead to achieve near-zero latency monitoring Signals returning from your software to ProFire 2626
of your input signals. can then be sent to the DSP mixer and/or any hardware
output of your choosing.
Router – The Router is a device that lets you select
the source of each hardware output on ProFire 2626.
These sources include any pair of hardware inputs,
the main output of the DSP mixer or any of its seven Why use the DSP Mixer?
auxiliary sends, and any available software return pair.
Most audio applications include mixing and monitoring
The router is an extremely useful tool since it allows
functionality and you may be wondering why you
you to reconfigure how audio streams flow out of the
would want to use the ProFire 2626 DSP Mixer for
interface without having to physically re-patch the
monitoring instead of the DAW application. The main
cables connected to the back of the interface.
reason for using the DSP Mixer is that software-based
audio applications suffer from a phenomenon known
Hardware Outputs – These are the physical outputs
as “latency.” Latency is the amount of time it takes your
of ProFire 2626 including the eight 1/4” analog jacks,
audio signals to pass through the computer (and its DAW
two ADAT ports, and the S/PDIF connector. The
software) and become available at the hardware outputs.
Router (see above) lets you select the source of each
This delay is usually quite small and is measured in
hardware output pair.
milliseconds, but it may be large enough to distract a
performer who wishes to record while monitoring through
software.
Note that since Windows and OS X operating systems handle audio differently, each operating system is described
separately.
-AC
!UDIO !PPLICATION