M-Audio PROFIRE 2626 User Manual
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M-Audio PROFIRE 2626 User Manual

High-definition 26-in/26-out firewire audio interface with octane preamp technology
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  • Page 1 User Guide...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Introduction What’s in the Box? About the ProFire 2626 FireWire Audio Interface ProFire 2626 Features System Requirements Minimum System Requirements/Specifications Compatibility Recommended System Specifications Hardware Controls and Connectors Front Panel Rear Panel Architecture of ProFire 2626 ProFire 2626 Operation at High Sample Rates About S/MUX II and S/MUX IV modes MAC OS X: 88.2/96 kHz Operation...
  • Page 3 ProFire 2626 User Guide About Additional Functions File Help Digital Clocking Scenario 1: ProFire 2626 as Clock Master Scenario 2: ProFire 2626 Slaved to an Optical Input Scenario 3: ProFire 2626 Slaved to S/PDIF Input MIDI Connection Diagram and Example Scenarios Example Scenario #1: Recording a Duo Hardware Input and Output Connections Configuring the Mixer, Router, and Settings tabs...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    User Guide 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-...

  • Page 5: About The Profire 2626 Firewire Audio Interface

    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...

  • Page 6: Profire 2626 Features

    ProFire 2626 User Guide ProFire 2626 Features ▶ 26-input, 26-output audio configuration ▶ Up to 24-bit/192 kHz operation ▶ Eight XLR/TRS combo jacks on rear panel supporting mic or line-level signals ▶ Two 1/4” (TS) front panel instrument input jacks ▶...

  • Page 7: System Requirements

    1GHz, 512MB RAM FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) port ***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...

  • Page 8: Hardware Controls And Connectors

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Hardware Controls and Connectors Front Panel 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”...

  • Page 9: User Guide

    ProFire 2626 and/or your computer Please level. refer to the M-Audio knowledge base at www m-audio com for additional information about hot-plugging 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);...

  • Page 10: Rear Panel

    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.

  • Page 11: Architecture Of Profire 2626

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Architecture of ProFire 2626 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): Hardware Inputs –...
  • Page 12 ProFire 2626 User Guide 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 –...

  • Page 13: Profire 2626 Operation At High Sample Rates

    ProFire 2626 User Guide ProFire 2626 Operation at High Sample Rates ProFire 2626 can operate at high sample rates including 88 2/96 kHz and 176 4/192 kHz However, the number of available inputs and outputs is reduced when operating at these rates and certain input and output ports are disabled as a result (see the “About S/MUX II and S/MUX IV modes”...

  • Page 14: Mac Os X: 88.2/96 Khz Operation

    ProFire 2626 User Guide MAC OS X: 88.2/96 kHz Operation At sample rates of 88 2 or 96 kHz, the ADAT ports operate in S/MUX II mode As a result, the number of available ADAT channels is reduced to four channels per port (i e , channels 5-8 are disabled on all ADAT I/O ports) and software return channels 19-26 are disabled Tip: Users who regularly work at different sample rates may wish to use the Control Panel’s “save”...

  • Page 15: Mac Os X: 176.4/192 Khz Operation

    ProFire 2626 User Guide MAC OS X: 1 76.4/192 kHz Operation At sample rates of 176 4 or 192 kHz, the ADAT ports operate in S/MUX IV mode As a result, the number of available ADAT channels is reduced to two channels per port (i e , channels 3-8 are disabled on all ADAT I/O ports), and software return channels 15-26 are disabled Tip: Users who regularly work at different sample rates may wish to use the Control Panel’s “save”...

  • Page 16: Windows Xp/Vista: 88.2/96 Khz Operation

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Windows XP/Vista: 88.2/96 kHz Operation At sample rates of 88 2 or 96 kHz, the ADAT ports operate in S/MUX II mode As a result, the number of available ADAT channels is reduced to four channels per port (i e , channels 5-8 are disabled on all ADAT I/O ports) and software return channels 13-16 and 21-24 are disabled TIP: Users who regularly work at different sample rates may wish to use the Control Panel’s “save”...

  • Page 17: Windows Xp/Vista: 176.4/192 Khz Operation

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Windows XP/Vista: 1 76.4/192 kHz Operation At sample rates of 176 4 or 192 kHz, the ADAT ports operate in S/MUX IV mode As a result, the number of available ADAT channels is reduced to two channels per port (i e , channels 3-8 are disabled on all ADAT I/O ports), and software return channels 11-16 and 19-24 are disabled TIP: Users who regularly work at different sample rates may wish to use the Control Panel’s “save”...

  • Page 18: Control Panel Application

    Control Panel software In Windows, open the ProFire 2626 control panel by double-clicking on the M-Audio icon in the system tray, or from Start > Control Panel (Classic View)
  • Page 19 ProFire 2626 User Guide It is important to note that any changes made to the DSP Mixer will only affect what is audible from the mixer’s outputs—the DSP Mixer does not affect the signals that are sent to the audio application for recording For example, if you are recording a vocalist and he/she tells you to turn up the vocal track so they can hear themselves better, you can increase the vocalist’s microphone channel in the DSP Mixer This will make the vocal part louder in the vocalist’s headphones, but it will still be recorded into the audio application at the volume determined by the front panel Gain...
  • Page 20 ProFire 2626 User Guide Why are software returns disabled? When the interface operates at higher sample rates (i.e., 88.2/96 kHz or 176.4/192 kHz), certain hardware input and output ports become disabled due to S/MUX II and S/MUX IV operation. When this happens, the Control Panel automatically scales the number of software return channels to match the number of hardware outputs.

  • Page 21: Router

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Router The ProFire 2626 Router tab contains a variety of parameters affecting how audio is routed through the interface These parameters are grouped into categories as Active Software Returns explained on the following pages configuration options for Windows users.

  • Page 22: Output Source Routing

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Output Source Routing Why are hardware inputs and This section lets you select the audio source for outputs disabled? each hardware output pair on the interface When the interface operates at higher sample The Router has four columns of drop down menus: rates (i.e., 88.2/96 kHz or 176.4/192 kHz), certain These columns (from left to right) represent the hardware input and output ports become disabled...

  • Page 23: Active Software Returns

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Active Software Returns Why are Software Returns ProFire 2626 allows for a maximum of 26 software disabled? returns The Control Panel software allows you to Software returns may automatically become disabled reduce the number of software returns in order to when using ProFire 2626 at higher sample rates.

  • Page 24: Settings

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Settings The Settings tab contains several parameters that govern the operation of ProFire 2626 These options are grouped in the following categories: Windows only: Buffer Size drop-down menu.

  • Page 25: Sync Source

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Hosted Mode The parameters in this section of the Control Panel govern the operation of the interface when it is connected to a computer using a FireWire cable (i e , Hosted Mode) Sync Source This drop-down menu determines the clock source to which ProFire 2626 is synchronized If you are using ProFire 2626 by itself (i e , without other digital devices or an external clock), this parameter must be set to “Internal”...

  • Page 26: Sample Rate

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Sample Rate This drop-down menu sets the sample rate of ProFire 2626 Note that when using the interface with an ASIO or CoreAudio application, the sample rate can also be determined by your audio application This parameter may not be editable from within the ProFire 2626 Control Panel if your audio application is running In this case, any changes to the sample rate must be made through the audio application itself If the application does not provide a way to set the sample rate, quit the application, then change the sample rate through the ProFire 2626 Control Panel...
  • Page 27 ProFire 2626 User Guide Optical Port B Mode This portion of the Control Panel determines how the second pair of optical ports on the rear of the interface will operate Setting this parameter to “ADAT” will allow ProFire 2626 to receive or send 16 channels of 44 1/48kHz signals, eight channels of 88 2/96 kHz signals, or four channels of 176 4/192 kHz signals by using both optical ports in tandem Selecting “S/PDIF”...

  • Page 28: Master Volume Knob

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Master Volume Knob These checkboxes determine which analog output pair(s) will be affected by the Master Volume knob (8) on the front panel of the interface: If a box is checked, the volume level of its corresponding outputs will be controlled by the Master Volume knob;...

  • Page 29: Mixer Peak Meters

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Mixer Peak Meters This section of the Control Panel configures the operation of the meters within the DSP Mixer Mode This drop-down menu determines the behavior of the meters of the ProFire 2626 DSP mixer Pre-fader – When this parameter is set to “Pre-fader” the meters will display the level of a signal before it passes the fader This allows signal levels to be displayed regardless of the fader positions within the DSP mixer (i e , a fader can be all the way down and no sound will be heard from the mixer’s output, but you can still see if there is any activity on that input)
  • Page 30 ProFire 2626 User Guide Sample Rate NOTE: This parameter only displays sample This menu selects the sample rate of the rates (i.e., “44.1 kHz”, “48 kHz”, etc.) when the interface when operating in Standalone Mode Standalone Mode Sync Source is set to “Internal. ” If you are clocking the interface to an external S/ Optical Port B Mode PDIF or Word Clock device, this parameter displays...
  • Page 31 ProFire 2626 User Guide Converter Mode ProFire 2626 can operate in two different ways while in Standalone Mode Each mode is described separately below: A/D – D/A Mode: When this parameter is set to “A/D - D/A” mode the interface operates like a standard analog-to-digital (A/D), digital-to-analog (D/A), and S/PDIF format converter The operation of this mode varies by the sample rate of the interface This is described in detail below: 44.1-48 kHz...
  • Page 32 ProFire 2626 User Guide A/D Mode: In this mode, ProFire 2626 acts only as an analog-to-digital (A/D) and S/PDIF format converter The interface does not perform any digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, but instead allows the analog inputs to be routed to both the analog and optical output ports simultaneously 44.1-48 kHz (Optical Port B can only be set to S/PDIF at this sample rate) Analog In 1-8...

  • Page 33: About

    FAQs, tech support, product registration, and the M-Audio home page Note that clicking the link buttons will open your web browser and that your computer must have Internet access for these...

  • Page 34: Digital Clocking

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Digital Clocking Your computer-based DAW stores and manipulates music as digital samples Those samples are sent to and from your DAW as “snapshots” of data These snapshots are all the same size—16-bit or 24-bit, depending on your selected resolution—each with a beginning and an end, and are sent in sequential order (i e , one after the other) as a stream of data Think of this data stream as a sentence, made up of a series of words of identical length The rate at which these words are transmitted (i e , how many samples are transmitted each second) is known as the “sample rate”...

  • Page 35: Scenario 1: Profire 2626 As Clock Master

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Scenario 1: ProFire 2626 as Clock Master By selecting “internal” as the sync source in the Control Panel, you designate ProFire 2626 as the clock master You will then need to select “external” (or “slave” on certain devices) mode on each of your other digital devices (this is usually an internal menu setting on that device) In Figure 1 below, digital multi-track recorders with ADAT optical outputs are connected to optical ports A and B of the ProFire 2626, and a DAT machine is connected to the coaxial S/PDIF I/O ProFire 2626 is selected as the master, and all...

  • Page 36: Scenario 2: Profire 2626 Slaved To An Optical Input

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Scenario 2: ProFire 2626 Slaved to an Optical Input If you prefer to use another device as clock master, you will need to configure that device to act as master and select that device’s input on ProFire 2626 as the sync source This locks (or “slaves”) ProFire 2626 (and any other devices connected to ProFire 2626) to that master device In Figure 2 below, a digital multi-track recorder with an ADAT optical output is configured as clock master ProFire 2626 and other devices (a DAT machine and another multi-track recorder, in this case) receive and lock to the clock of the...

  • Page 37: Scenario 3: Profire 2626 Slaved To S/Pdif Input

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Scenario 3: ProFire 2626 Slaved to S/PDIF Input You may need to use a two-track device as clock master This is because many two-track digital devices, such as consumer CD players, are not designed to be locked to other devices due to their lack of digital inputs Configure ProFire 2626 to synchronize externally when receiving digital signal from such devices In Figure 3 below, the CD player is configured as the clock master, with ProFire 2626 and other devices configured as slaves...

  • Page 38: Midi

    ProFire 2626 User Guide MIDI ProFire 2626 provides 16 channels of MIDI I/O over standard 5-pin DIN connectors found on the breakout cable These I/O ports can be used to connect MIDI-compatible devices to your computer such as controller keyboards, drum machines, or sound modules Alternatively, these ports can be used to send and receive MIDI Time Code (MTC) and other synchronization formats for locking to a hardware or software sequencer MIDI is an extensive protocol and covering it in detail is beyond the scope of this guide If you would like to learn more,...

  • Page 39: Connection Diagram And Example Scenarios

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Connection Diagram and Example Scenarios ProFire 2626 is a flexible interface with a variety of inputs and outputs This flexibility allows ProFire 2626 to be used in a many different applications ranging from studio multi-tracking and on-location recording to multi-channel surround mixing This guide cannot cover every conceivable use of ProFire 2626, but the diagram below illustrates the various kinds of equipment that can be connected to the interface The remainder of this chapter illustrates two real-world scenarios in which ProFire 2626 can be used...
  • Page 40 ProFire 2626 User Guide • If you are recording the direct output of any electric guitars or basses, connect these instruments to Analog Inputs 1 and 2 (1) on the front panel Be sure the Mic/Inst Button (2) is in the “in” position for each channel that is using the front panel inputs If any 1/4”...

  • Page 41: Example Scenario #1: Recording A Duo

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Example Scenario #1: Recording a Duo This example demonstrates how ProFire 2626 can be used to record a duo consisting of a guitarist/vocalist and a percussion player In this scenario, the guitarist/vocalist is playing an electric guitar while singing into a microphone The percussionist is performing on a variety of hand drums (recorded using four microphones) as well as playing a drum machine with a stereo output Hardware Input and Output Connections...

  • Page 42: Input Connections

    ProFire 2626 User Guide • Input Connections: The electric guitar is recorded “direct” by connecting it to the first TIP: The XLR inputs of the channel’s front-panel Instrument Input (1) with a standard 1/4” TS combo connectors on the rear instrument cable When using a front panel input, make sure that the of the interface feed into the Mic/Inst button (2) for that channel is in the “in”...

  • Page 43: Configuring The Mixer, Router, And Settings Tabs

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Configuring the Mixer, Router, and Settings tabs Setting up the DSP Mixer: The default input channel configuration of the DSP Mixer should work well for most recording scenarios (including this one) You can verify and/or change the mixer input assignments by clicking the downward arrow ( ) at the top of each input channel and making your selection from the drop-down menu that appears The input channels of the DSP Mixer should be assigned as shown in the table below:...

  • Page 44: Configure The Master Volume Knob To Control Your Studio Monitors

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Configure the Master Volume Knob to Control Your Studio Monitors: Since the studio monitors are connected to analog outputs 5/6, make sure that the “Analog Out 5/6” box is checked under the “Master Volume Knob” section of the Settings tab Make sure that the “Analog Out 1/2” and “Analog Out 3/4”...

  • Page 45: Example Scenario #2: Mixing In Surround

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Example Scenario #2: Mixing in Surround This example demonstrates how ProFire 2626 can be used to create a six-channel surround mix. In this scenario, your audio application must have provisions for multi-channel surround mixing (such as surround panners and a 6-channel master output).

  • Page 46: Configuring The Mixer, Router, And Settings Tabs

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Input Connections: Since we are simply mixing for this scenario and are not recording Note: At least one group of anything, we do not have to use any inputs. inputs must remain active at all Since the optical and coaxial (S/PDIF) inputs are not being used in times, therefore, the final group this scenario, these inputs should be disabled from the Router tab of inputs (analog inputs, in this...

  • Page 47: Configuring And Using Your Daw To Create A Surround Mix

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Routing your DAW application outputs: In this scenario, your audio application will output a mix consisting of six channels The ProFire 2626 Router must be correctly configured so that these channels leave the interface through the correct analog outputs To make sure all of your outputs are correctly routed, go to the Router tab in the Control Panel: Open the drop-down menu under Analog Out 1/2 and select “SW Return 1/2 ”...

  • Page 48: Troubleshooting

    ProFire 2626 User Guide Troubleshooting Problem: No sound. Possible Cause 1: Power supply not connected Verify that the ProFire 2626 power supply is properly attached to the interface and plugged into a working AC outlet Next, make sure the interface is powered on using the Power Button (9) Possible Cause 2: Improper connection to external devices Verify that the analog outputs of ProFire 2626 are properly connected to the inputs of an appropriate device (such as a mixer, amplifier, or powered monitors)
  • Page 49 Advanced > Performance > Graphics and select “Adjust for control panel and make sure that the best performance ” “M-Audio ProFire ASIO” driver is selected as the audio device driver. Possible cause 4: Improper digital clocking If you are using ProFire 2626 without an external clock master, be sure that the Sync Source parameter to “Internal ”...
  • Page 50 Possible Cause: Cubase SX and Nuendo may be using the default “ASIO Multimedia Driver ” While this driver will allow you to use ProFire 2626, it does not provide the best possible performance with the interface In the Cubase SX/Nuendo Control Panel, make sure that “M-Audio ProFire ASIO” is selected as your audio device driver...

  • Page 51: Warranty

    Warranty Warranty Terms M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered user Visit www m-audio com/warranty for terms and limitations applying to...
  • Page 52 Assistance Technique Web ......www.m-audio.jp PC ......0 820 000 731 Mac .

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