Description:

If you purchased and registered a new PreSonus interface or mixer between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, you're eligible to receive three free months of Auto-Tune Unlimited.

The Speed of Sound
With a barely measurable round-trip latency of less than 1 ms*, it's no wonder Sound on Sound magazine dubbed Quantum-series Thunderbolt™ audio interfaces the “fastest audio interfaces on the planet.” Superb high-definition digital conversion and the ultra-transparent analog XMAX mic preamp design mean that your audio will always sound its best—whether you’re recording with or without your favorite plug-ins engaged in real-time.

Timeless audio
Every design decision during Quantum 2626 audio interface’s engineering was made with one goal in mind: blazing-fast speed without any sonic compromise. The Quantum-series proprietary Thunderbolt driver was written from the ground up to deliver ultra-low-latency performance while maximizing efficiency. Cutting-edge 24-bit, 192 kHz converters with 115 dB of dynamic range and superior low-jitter clocking—coupled with our ultra-transparent, pure analog XMAX preamps—result in superb audio quality with the lowest round-trip latency of any audio interface available (< 1 ms*).

*192 kHz, 64 sample buffer in Studio One 4.5 on a MacBook Pro 2016, 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 running macOS 10.12.5

The Quantum driver utilizes the bus master Direct Memory Access (DMA) to transfer audio data directly to and from the main memory without using CPU processing and the overhead that would come with it. DMA supports 64-bit addressing on systems with 4 GB or more of RAM. A companion DMA engine was also implemented in the Quantum hardware to read digital audio data directly between the ADC/DAC and the computer memory, one sample at a time.

For maximum efficiency, samples are transferred from the Quantum DMA engine directly into driver memory as a 32-bit word to match the way the Quantum driver handles the audio. Where possible, audio samples are also transferred into driver memory in the exact order that the driver expects. This helps to avoid alignment problems and the like, allowing you to run your Quantum drivers at extremely low buffer settings without overtaxing your CPU.

Superior Sound
Audiophile-grade digital converters, low-jitter clocking, and transparent preamps add up to a superior recording and listening experience. The Quantum 2626 audio interface operates at up to 192 kHz for ultra-high-definition mixing and recording. High-quality converters on every input and output provide 115 dB of dynamic range to capture complex musical harmonics smoothly and naturally with no audible distortion. And our lauded XMAX Class A analog microphone preamps deliver incredibly high headroom, deep lows, smooth highs, and a rich overall sound so you’ll hear every breath, transient, and detail in your recordings.

At PreSonus, we know that the microphone preamplifier is a key component in the sonic quality of a recording. The Quantum 2626 audio interface includes eight custom-design, high-voltage, Class A XMAX preamps with discrete components for accuracy and transparency.

XMAX preamplifiers are built with three key elements:

Class A.

• Class A circuits have no crossover distortion and deliver purer, clearer, and more musical results than the Class AB designs that are found in many preamps.

High Voltage.

• The XMAX preamplifier runs on power rails of 30V. Most off-the-shelf, op-amp-based designs run on power rails of 10V to 18V. Higher-voltage power rails deliver more headroom, deeper lows, smoother highs, and a richer overall sound.

Discrete components.

• We only use genuine transistors, resistors, and capacitors rather than use op-amps that can add noise, coloration, and harshness to a signal. Our discrete design delivers ultra-low noise and transparency.?

• The net result of the XMAX preamp design is high headroom, low noise, wide dynamic range, extended frequency response, and—most important—musicality and transparency.

Expansive audio
Impressive speed combined with stunning sound quality means that the Quantum Thunderbolt audio interface is an ideal recording solution for any size of studio. Need more mic preamps? Connect the PreSonus DigiMax DP88 to your Quantum interface’s ADAT/dual S/MUX ports. Once synced, the DigiMax DP88 preamps can be remotely controlled via Studio One or UC Surface. Want to insert your favorite gear? The Quantum 2626 features two direct preamp outputs with dedicated returns, so you can insert your favorite analog compressor and your favorite plug-ins with ease.

Award-winning recording software included
While compatible with any macOS or Windows recording application, the Quantum 2626 ships as a complete recording studio with Studio One Artist music production software included. Easy to learn, Studio One enables you to compose, record, and produce without getting distracted by the tools. Need a new loop or sample for your latest production? Studio One lets you shop, audition, and purchase new content right from your production environment—including powerful extensions for Studio One like the Presence XT Expansion packs and the PreSonus Channel Strip Collection.

The Quantum leap.
Industry-leading speed and pristine audio quality combined with jaw-dropping expandability are the hallmarks of the Quantum interface design. Record and monitor from your favorite DAW with any plug-in engaged. Insert your favorite outboard analog gear with ease. Regardless of your studio’s size, Quantum audio interfaces will streamline your recording process—you’ll make better music, faster.

Make your own magic.
At PreSonus, we want to make sure that our audio interfaces come with everything you need to craft your own mesmerizing spells in the studio. That’s why we include Studio One Artist with every audio interface product we make. But here in Louisiana, we have a word: lagniappe. It means "a little something extra," and it’s in that spirit that we also include the Studio Magic Suite of software with our audio interface products.

The 2020 Studio Magic is a major step up from the 2019 edition, and includes Ableton Live Lite, tutorials from Melodics, 6 virtual instruments, and 9 effects plug-ins in VST, AU, and AAX formats... all unlocked for use inside Studio One Artist with a retail value of over $1000 (US).

Features:

General Features

• 26x26 Thunderbolt 3 ultra-low-latency audio interface
• <1 ms roundtrip latency*; record direct to DAW with your favorite plug-ins engaged
• 24-Bit/192kHz Operation with high-quality 115 dB A/D/A converters
• Studio One Artist and Studio Magic plug-in bundle included

Flexible Connectivity

• Simultaneous I/O up to 26 inputs / 26 outputs (at 44.1 or 48 kHz)
• 8 pristine XMAX preamps
• 2 Instrument Inputs
• 8 balanced line inputs
• Dual headphone outputs with independent level control
• Balanced stereo main outputs with independent level control
• 8 DC Coupled balanced line outputs
• 2 preamp direct outputs with returns to insert outboard gear
• Main Output Level Control
• Balanced Stereo Main Output (TRS)
• Eight Balanced Line Outputs (TRS (outs 1 & 2 share a DAC with the main output))
• Two Preamp Outputs (channels 1 & 2)
• Two Line Returns (channels 1 & 2)
• ADAT Optical/Dual SMUX inputs/outputs: 16x16 channels at 44.1 or 48 kHz; 8x8 channels at 88.2 or 96 kHz
• Stereo S/PDIF coaxial input and output

Digitalia

• Thunderbolt 3 high-speed bus
• 24-bit resolution and up to 192 kHz sampling rate
• BNC word clock input and output with low-jitter clocking
• MIDI I/O

Physical

• Road-rugged construction with all-metal chassis and metal knobs
• 1U rack-mountable
• 12 VDC external power supply (included)

Computer system requirements:

Below are the minimum computer-system requirements for the Quantum Interface.

Mac

• Mac® OS X 10.11.6 64-bit or later
• Intel® Core™ i5 or better
• 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)

Windows

• Windows® 10 64-bit or later
• Intel Core i5 or better
• 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)

Mac and Windows Systems

• Thunderbolt™ 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 port (NOTE: Your computer's motherboard must support Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt 1 and 2 require an adapter, not included.)
• Internet connection (required for Studio One Activation and Content download)
• Internal or external 7200 RPM storage drive highly recommended
• 30 GB hard disk space
• Monitor with 1366x768 resolution

Note: The minimum system requirements may differ for DAWs other than Studio One. Please check the requirements for your DAW of choice with its manufacturer.

Note that the speed of your processor, amount of RAM and size and speed of your hard drive will greatly affect the overall performance of your recording system. Also, a more powerful system (faster processor with more RAM) will allow for lower latency (signal delay) than you might experience while monitoring audio signals.

Specifications:

Microphone Preamp

• Type: XLR Female (via Combo), Balanced
• Maximum Input Level: +10 dBu (Balanced, min. gain)
• Gain Control Range: 60 dB
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.15 dB, unity gain, 48 kHz)
• Dynamic Range: > 110 dB (A-wtd, min. gain)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.005% (1 kHz, min. gain)
• EIN: < -131 dBu (max gain, 40O, 22 kHz BW, A-wtd)
• Input Impedance: 1.6 kO
• Phantom Power: +48V, > 8 mA per input

Instrument Inputs

• Type: ¼” TS Female (via Combo), Unbalanced
• Maximum Input Level: +15 dBu (Unbalanced, min. gain)
• Gain Control Range: 60 dB
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.2 dB, unity gain, 48 kHz)
• Dynamic Range: > 106 dB (A-wtd, min. gain)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.005% (1kHz, min. gain)
• Input Impedance: > 1 MO

Line Inputs

• Type: ¼” TRS Female (via Combo), Balanced
• Maximum Input Level: + 18 dBu (Balanced, min. gain)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.05 dB, unity gain, 48 kHz)
• Dynamic Range: > 118 dB (A-wtd, min. gain)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.005% (1 kHz, min. gain)
• Input Impedance: 10 kO

Main and Line Outputs

• Type: ¼” TRS Female, impedance balanced, DC Coupled (Line Outputs only)
• Maximum Output Level: +18 dBu (Balanced)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.05 dB, unity gain, 48 kHz)
• Dynamic Range: > 118 dB (A-wtd)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.0035% (1 kHz, +4 dBu)
• Output Impedance: 51O

Headphone Outputs

• Type: ¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced, x2
• Maximum Output Level: 175 mW/channel (56O load)
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (±0.5 dB, 48 kHz)
• Dynamic Range: > 110 dB (A-wtd)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.03% (1 kHz)
• Headphone Impedance (working range): 16O to 300O

Crosstalk

• Input to Input: < -110 dB
• Output to Output: < -115 dB
• Input to Output: < -120 dB

Signal Level LEDs

• Clip: -0.5 dBFS
• Signal: -50 dBFS

Digital Audio

• Connection Type: Thunderbolt 3 (Thunderbolt 1 and 2 compatible)
• ADC Dynamic Range: 115 dB (A-wtd)
• DAC Dynamic Range: 115 dB (A-wtd)
• Bit Depth: 24 bits
• Internally Supported Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz

Clock

• Jitter: < 70 ps RMS (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Jitter Attenuation: > 60 dB (1 ns in => 1 ps out)

Power

• 12 VDC, 5A, external power supply

Dimensions:

• Height: 1.75" (44.45 mm)
• Depth: 7" (177.8 mm)
• Width: 19" (482.6 mm)
• Weight: 6 lbs (2.72 kg)