Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $75
Budget/Beginner
$150
$501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Step into the world of professional recording with the M-Audio ProFire 2626 Digital Recording Interface, where superior sound quality meets versatile connectivity. This powerhouse is designed for musicians and producers who demand precision and flexibility in their studio setup. Whether you're laying down tracks in a home studio or a professional setting, the ProFire 2626 is your gateway to unrestricted creativity.
With 8 pristine mic preamps, each equipped with its own gain control, this interface ensures your recordings capture every nuance of your performance. The ProFire 2626's FireWire connectivity provides fast, reliable data transfer, ensuring your sessions flow smoothly without interruption. This interface also boasts an impressive array of 16 optical I/O, 2 SPDIF I/O, MIDI, and word clock support via a breakout cable, making it adaptable to a wide range of setups and studio environments.
The front panel is designed with user-friendly controls, including a phantom power switchable in banks of four, dual headphone amplifiers for personalized monitoring, and a master volume control for precision adjustments. The M-Audio ProFire 2626 is as much about what you don't hear—like latency—as it is about the rich, clear audio it delivers.
Key Features:
- 8 analog I/O with premium mic preamps
- 16 optical I/O for expanded connectivity
- 2 SPDIF I/O for digital connections
- MIDI and word clock support via breakout cable
- FireWire connectivity for fast, reliable data transfer
- Phantom power switchable in banks of four
- Dual headphone amplifiers
- Master volume control on the front panel
Product specs
| Brand | M-Audio |
| Model | ProFire 2626 Firewire Audio Interface |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Audio Interfaces |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit |
| Bus-Powered | No |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Computer Connectivity | Firewire |
| Digital Input Format | ADAT/Optical, S/PIDF |
| Digital Output Format | ADAT/Optical, S/PIDF |
| Electronics | Analog, Digital, Solid State |
| Format | 19-inch Rackmount |
| Number of Analog Inputs | 8 |
| Number of Analog Outputs | 8 |
| Number of Channels | 52 |
| Number of Digital Inputs | 18 |
| Number of Digital Outputs | 18 |
| Number of Headphone Outputs | 2 |
| Number of MIDI Inputs | 1 |
| Number of MIDI Outputs | 1 |
| Number of Mic Preamps | 8 |
| Sample Rate | 192 khz |
FAQs
-
Is the M-Audio ProFire 2626 compatible with both Windows and macOS?
-
Yes, the M-Audio ProFire 2626 is compatible with both Windows and macOS operating systems, making it versatile for different studio setups.
-
What type of connectivity does the M-Audio ProFire 2626 use?
-
The M-Audio ProFire 2626 connects to your computer using Firewire, providing fast data transfer rates suitable for high-quality audio recording.
-
How many mic preamps are included in the M-Audio ProFire 2626?
-
The M-Audio ProFire 2626 features 8 mic preamps, allowing you to connect multiple microphones for recording sessions.
-
What is the maximum sample rate supported by the M-Audio ProFire 2626?
-
The M-Audio ProFire 2626 supports a maximum sample rate of 192 kHz, ensuring high-resolution audio recording and playback.
-
Does the M-Audio ProFire 2626 require an external power source?
-
Yes, the M-Audio ProFire 2626 is not bus-powered and requires an external power source for operation.
-
How many total input and output channels does the M-Audio ProFire 2626 offer?
-
The M-Audio ProFire 2626 offers a total of 52 input and output channels, including analog and digital connections, providing extensive routing options for complex setups.
-
What digital input and output formats are supported by the M-Audio ProFire 2626?
-
The M-Audio ProFire 2626 supports ADAT/Optical and S/PIDF digital input and output formats, offering flexibility for integrating with other digital audio equipment.
Videos
revolutionaudio
M-Audio Profire 2626 Firewire Recording Interface
M-Audio Profire 2626 Firewire Recording Interface
revolutionaudio
ProFire 2626 - High-Definition Audio Interface by M-Audio
HowAudioTV
M-Audio Profire 2626
portlandmusic
Unique Perspective: M-Audio Profire 2626 | UniqueSquared.com
UniqueSquared
M-Audio ProFire 2626 Overview | UniqueSquared.com
UniqueSquared
M-Audio - Profire 2626 (legendado)
Quanta Pro
Interfacing Linux: M-Audio ProFire 2626
Linux Game Cast
M-Audio Profire 2626: M-Audio's Flagship FireWire Interface At Winter NAMM 2008
gearwire
M-Audio PROFIRE 2626 - commercial presentation!
ElectronicMusicGear
Reviews
PROS
-
Great sound quality for the price
-
Can be expanded to a 24 Channel interface
-
Works on Windows 10 with legacy driver
-
Clean preamps with good headroom
-
Multiple connectivity options: MIDI, wordclock sync, S/PDIF, and more
-
High build quality; performs at modern standards
-
Low latency with many inputs
-
Supports up to 192kHz recording
CONS
-
Requires FireWire with TI chipset for best performance
-
M-Audio has dropped support for FireWire legacy products
-
Setup can be complex and time-consuming
-
May need additional hardware (e.g., PCIe expansion for FireWire)
-
Drivers not updated beyond Windows 8.1
-
Software has quirks that won't be updated
-
Support for the product is non-existent
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about M-Audio ProFire 2626 Digital Recording Interface.
Software and compatibility
-
The ProFire 2626 can operate on Windows 10 using legacy 1394 drivers, providing continued functionality despite outdated official support.
Source -
Linux users can integrate the ProFire 2626 seamlessly, as the drivers are included in the Linux kernel, facilitating low-latency recording setups.
Source -
Users highlight the importance of using a T.I. chipset for FireWire connectivity on PCs to prevent latency and compatibility issues with the ProFire 2626.
Source -
FireWire to USB adapters are ineffective for high-bandwidth tasks, but FireWire to ExpressCard adapters work well, ensuring proper functionality of the ProFire 2626 on laptops.
Source
Features and functionality
-
The interface can function in standalone mode, allowing use as preamps or headphone amps without needing a computer connection.
Source -
The line-ins on the ProFire 2626 bypass the preamps, giving flexibility in routing audio signals directly.
Source -
The ProFire 2626's DSP mixing software enables low latency recording and offers multiple routing options for headphone mixes, enhancing studio flexibility.
Source -
The ProFire 2626 provides 8 analog inputs with preamps, including instrument inputs on channels 1/2, plus 16 ADAT and 2 SPDIF digital I/Os for expansive connectivity.
Source
Use cases and applications
Comparisons
-
Some users find newer interfaces like the Focusrite Clarett offer clearer sound, suggesting the ProFire's preamps might be lower-end compared to modern options.
Source -
Unlike the Fast Track Ultra 8R, the ProFire 2626 can be expanded with additional preamps and A/D converters via ADAT, allowing up to 16 analog inputs.
Source
Critic Reviews
3.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings
3582
Gets the job done within a limited budget but support is non-existing
I bought this because it had the specs and was within my budget. It does get the job done but support is non-existing and drivers are not maintained for newer operating systems. Next time I'll go for an RME.G
41029
yeah, I had a similar experience with a briefly popular PCI card interface... manufacturer went belly up and support disappeared for the drivers in mandatory OS upgrades of both Mac and Windows, totally annoying... that's when I swore off doing more than 1 or 2 channel overdubs at home and just strted booking studios.... its nice to go where the Neve onsoles are anyway.... can't beat 'em with a stick!
3582
Well, they did not really went bankrupt. Tim Ryan, the founder of Midiman/M-Audio first sold his company for 174.000.000$ to Avid (owners of e.g. Digidesign Pro Tools) while remaining the general manager, not really bankrupt, I'd say. More recently M-Audio was sold to yet another major player (inMusic, who own brands like Akai Professional, Alesis...). You'd guess that maintaining your drivers while the hardware, interfaces and protocols are still in use would be reasonable to expect and achievable with a few 100 million dollars on your bank account. They just don't care about their users and I will not buy anything from M-Audio again...
41029
its funny, when they were MIDIman they were great, I still have an old midiman controller...
3582
Indeed. MIDIman was great, which was why I decided to give M-Audio a chance. Lessons learned here... Don't ever touch M-Audio gear again! :-)
Artist usage
Add artist
At 5:21 minute mark, Dines showed his M-Audio ProFire 2626 recording interface.
In this video David sets up his studio desk. in his rack, he has a a m-audio pro fire interface
.jpg)
The ProFire 2626 is Silver Disco's main recording interface used to interact with all his external effect processors and instruments within his DAW.
On this interview with Jake Gosling by Sound on Sound last 2012 about producing Ed Sheeran's "+", it mentions that one of the few outboard equipment Jake Gosling's Sticky Studios has is the M-Audio Profire 2626: "The relatively small amount of outboard at Sticky Studios includes this Avalon voice channel, **M‑Audio Profire 2626* interface and Audient ASP008 eight‑channel preamp."*
Pedram Valiani is confirmed to use the M-Audio ProFire 2626 Digital Recording Interface, as evidenced by a post on his Instagram account.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use M-Audio ProFire 2626 Digital Recording Interface, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
-s.webp?v=1783090762)
-s.webp?v=1769067640)
More M-Audio Audio Interfaces
$99.00 - $147.39
in Audio Interfaces Rank
$26.00
in Audio Interfaces Rank
$47.10 - $69.00
$16.40 - $39.99
$54.99 - $99.99
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Audio Interfaces
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
equipboardGear IQ 4934
-
