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
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.
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)
*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
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
Technical Specifications
Microphone Preamp | |
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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, 40Ω, 22 kHz BW, A-wtd) |
Input Impedance | 1.6 kΩ |
Phantom Power | +48V, > 8 mA per input |
Instrument Inputs | |
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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 MΩ |
Line Inputs | |
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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 kΩ |
Main and Line Outputs | |
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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 | 51Ω |
Headphone Outputs | |
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Type | ¼” TRS Female, Stereo, Unbalanced, x2 |
Maximum Output Level | 175 mW/channel (56Ω 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) | 16Ω to 300Ω |
Crosstalk | |
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Input to Input | < -110 dB |
Output to Output | < -115 dB |
Input to Output | < -120 dB |
Signal Level LEDs | |
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Clip | -0.5 dBFS |
Signal | -50 dBFS |
Digital Audio | |
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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 | |
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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 |
Physical | |
Dimensions | |
Height | 1.75" (44.45 mm) |
Depth | 7" (177.8 mm) |
Width | 19" (482.6 mm) |
Weight | 6 lbs (2.72 kg) |