You seem quite upset over some assumptions. In the future, try engaging in a tone that doesn't appear to be trolling, especially when you don't have correct info. Hardware level Matrix monitoring/Mixing is not the same thing you're talking about at all. In the competitive audio interface market, where manufacturers vie for who can offer the most comprehensive set of features, you might think that simplicity would be a strike against a product. In the case of the Quantum 2626, that’s decidedly not the case. My "music computer" is a late 2015 27" iMac with upgraded 32GM of RAM, still running Intel, so I was not at the silicon level yet. I told Louis I was interested in switching to Studio One Professional for home use. Because of my desk and room setup in my home studio, I'm limited, and I needed inputs in the front of the interface. I am also only recording into the DAW most of the time. I did mention to Louis I might upgrade to a better laptop/computer in the future. I would never have been able to set the buffer that low in a session of that size on a USB 2.0 interface. The result would be compromised audio and error messages saying I’d used up all the CPU power. I would have had to set the buffer so high that latency would be an issue.

Connect and switch on quantum and open Universal Control (This was when I got the solid blue light that we all have been searching for). By my count, Intel has issued at least 3 driver updates in 2021 for the Thunderbolt chip I have in my rig. I have kept up with this by using a subscription service called Driver Fusion, but even its many recommendations for driver updates have to be taken with a grain of salt. I've learned to examine driver author and version numbers carefully before embracing an update. In any event, Intel themselves are seeing Thunderbolt issues all the time and are very actively trying to beat the bugs out with their driver updates. After plugging in and powering up, I installed and opened the Universal Control application, assuming it would provide a way to create cue mixes and provide other software mixing features, which is usually the case with units that offer this many channels. With Unison preamps and full access to the UAD catalogue, the Apollo Twin MkII does more than just amazing interfacing.PreSonus’s new Quantum adheres firmly to this particular orthodoxy. Elsewhere, however, it makes a decisive break with convention. For as long as I can remember, audio interfaces with more than a couple of inputs and outputs have included digital mixing and routing facilities that allow input signals to be auditioned at the outputs without passing through the computer’s input and output buffers. It’s a way of dodging the issue of latency that works, up to a point; but it complicates the whole recording process, and is no use if you want to hear soft synths or plug-ins in real time. PreSonus XMAX preamps are entirely analog, with Class A input buffers followed by dual-servo gain stages that provide low noise and a wide gain range (60dB with an EIN rating of > -131 dBu). I would describe the character as clean and open sounding, providing plenty of detail and air without noticeably shaping the input signal. D esigned from the ground up for speed, the PreSonus Quantum interface line launched in 2017 and now comprises three Quantum Thunderbolt Interfaces: Quantum (26X32), Quantum 2626 (26X26), and Quantum 4848 (32 line-level I/O on DB25). The Quantum 2626 is the first in its family to incorporate Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. The 2626 features 8 XMAX preamps and flexible connectivity. steinber wrote1-Is the Quantum 2626 the exact same audio quality and specs in terms of mic pres, A/D conversion, D/A conversion, S/N ratio dynamic range, etc. Is there any additional sound quality benefit of getting the original Quantum, in any way? MIDI was enabled in UC but a restart was required for it to appear in the macOS AudioMIDI setup utility.

Seems to be reasonably well constructed and quite small for the amount of I/O compared to my last interface, the focusrite pro 40, it's quite small which is great for mobile recording. If I had to be critical I would have liked my power button on the front.Are you in search of a top-quality audio interface that delivers exceptional performance? Look no further than the PreSonus Quantum 2626. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the features, capabilities, and benefits of this cutting-edge audio interface. Whether you're a musician, podcaster, or sound engineer, the PreSonus Quantum 2626 is designed to meet your needs. With its impressive sound quality, low-latency performance, and user-friendly interface, it has already generated buzz in the audio industry. In this updated review, we will explore the latest enhancements and improvements that make the PreSonus Quantum 2626 an even more compelling choice for professional audio production. Join us as we evaluate whether this audio interface is worth your investment. Related articles OK I think there is no point in looking at thunderbolt 3 @ 40 Gb/s (giga-bits-per-second) which is X2 of what thunderbolt 2 can do. 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. There is no need for Alt+tab to tweak your monitor mix. Routing, headphone mixes, monitor outputs, and levels are all recalled perfectly the moment you open a DAW project. My suggestion is to use a WDM Mixing Software, like VB - Voice Meeter, so you can do basic OS routing to your headphones when not using ASIO. Although, Windows gets pretty buggy with WDM and VB. Not a pretty solution, but can work.

More problematic is getting any Thunderbolt interface up and running properly on a Windows PC in the first place. Intel and Apple jointly developed the original Thunderbolt standard and these days Intel is taking the lead with regard to "supporting" Thunderbolt on Windows PCs. By "supporting", I mean they throw Thunderbolt chips, firmware (yes there is firmware in some Thunderbolt chips), and drivers over the fence to the motherboard makers, and leave them to provide support and documentation to the end users. Intel itself supports only Thunderbolt systems on its own motherboards, which are few. USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 GEN 1 or similar = 5 Gb/s - Giga-bits per second - This is 10 times more bandwidth than USB 2 ! - So take the 24 channels on USB 2 X 10 = 240 - This is a huge amount of simultaneous channels that would need the mother of all interfaces and even 4 X Quantum 4848 only comes to 192 - I say only in a joking manner - Setting up the Quantum 2626 is easy and very intuitive. The absence of a routing matrix, DSP mixer, and built-in effects make using the Quantum 2626 very simple The first two inputs offering either mic or instrument levels, while inputs three through eight alternate between mic and line, depending on the type of connector that’s plugged in. Preamp gain controls appear next, and sport simple tri-colour LED metering to show activity and clipping on each input channel. Unfortunately though, that’s about it – there’s no pad and there’s no high-pass filter here, in either hardware of software form. Has anyone used the monitor controls on both and found one of them more comfortable or better feeling than the other. I know this is getting more than a little anal retentive, but this is the control I will use the most and want it to feel nice when adjusting, not loose or wobbly, fiddly to reach for and adjust, etc.Each channel also has its own front-panel Gain knob accompanied by an LED that lights up green, yellow or red, depending on the input level. Fancy metering it isn’t, but it’s sufficient. For more detailed input metering, you can open the included Universal Control software, which provides ladder-style meters for each input and output channel.