Music & Sound Retailer Music & Sound Award 2020 Logo
Music & Sound Retailer Music & Sound Award 2020
Sound on Sound SOS Award 2020 Logo
Sound on Sound SOS Award 2020
TEC 2021 Nominee Logo
TEC 2021 Nominee

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 ultra-transparent analog XMAX mic preamps 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 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

Learn more about Quantum speed

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. 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.

Learn more about XMAX preamps

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. You also get Ableton® Live Lite.

Learn more about Studio One.

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 so you’ll make better music, faster.

Apple Silicon compatibility—standard.

The PreSonus Quantum-series interfaces are natively compatible with Apple Silicon-based Mac computers*. You'll be able to produce everything from podcasts to folk rock to trap—wherever sound takes you.

*Universal Control 3.6 or later is required for Native Apple Silicon compatibility.

Make your own magic.

At PreSonus, we want to make sure that our audio products 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 and controller product we make, from the 2-channel AudioBox USB 96 to the 64-channel StudioLive 64S, ATOM to FaderPort 16, but we didn't stop there. Why? Because 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 and–new for 2021–our award-winning controllers as well.

The 2021 Studio Magic includes tutorials from Melodics, sound libraries from Ghost Hack, 7 virtual instruments, and 9 effects plug-ins in VST, AU, and AAX formats to use in Studio One Artist or your DAW of choice with a retail value of over $1000 (US).

Read more about Studio Magic

Content and terms of the Studio Magic Software Suite are subject to change.