M-Audio Firewire Audiophile 2496 Audio Interface
No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Compact, FireWire-compatible audio/MIDI interface that takes the legacy of M-Audio's award-winning Audiophile line to the next level.
Overview
FireWire Audiophile is a compact, FireWire-compatible audio/MIDI interface that takes the legacy of M-Audio's award-winning Audiophile line to the next level. 4 x 6 audio I/O combines with powerful on-board mixing in a mobile package that's perfect for live performance, home recording, and digital DJ work.
Stereo headphone output with A/B switching between assignable sources allows precuing for DJs and mobile musicians--and the assignable aux bus is perfect for creating dedicated headphone mixes and effect sends. You also get zero-latency hardware direct monitoring, ultra-low latency ASIO software direct monitoring, and 1 x 1 MIDI I/O. FireWire Audiophile even has AC-3 and DTS passthrough for surround sound playback.
Features
4 x 6 24-bit/96kHz I/O
2 x 4 analog operation (RCA)
Digital S/PDIF (coaxial) I/O w/ 2-channel PCM
Digital out also supports AC-3/DTS surround sound
Headphone output with dedicated level control
Flexible software-controlled mixing of hardware and software I/O
Aux sends on all channels and aux output assign allows for dedicated headphone mixes and sends to external effects
User-assignable front-panel level control (output, input, software return, aux send)
Zero-latency hardware direct monitoring
Low-latency ASIO software direct monitoring
Momentary switch for A/Bing two software-assignable headphone sources or switching ASIO monitoring on/off
1 x 1 16-channel MIDI I/O
Power on/off switch with indicator LED
Powered via FireWire bus* or included… read more DC power supply
Two convenient high-bandwidth FireWire ports
Rugged steel construction read less
Stereo headphone output with A/B switching between assignable sources allows precuing for DJs and mobile musicians--and the assignable aux bus is perfect for creating dedicated headphone mixes and effect sends. You also get zero-latency hardware direct monitoring, ultra-low latency ASIO software direct monitoring, and 1 x 1 MIDI I/O. FireWire Audiophile even has AC-3 and DTS passthrough for surround sound playback.
Features
4 x 6 24-bit/96kHz I/O
2 x 4 analog operation (RCA)
Digital S/PDIF (coaxial) I/O w/ 2-channel PCM
Digital out also supports AC-3/DTS surround sound
Headphone output with dedicated level control
Flexible software-controlled mixing of hardware and software I/O
Aux sends on all channels and aux output assign allows for dedicated headphone mixes and sends to external effects
User-assignable front-panel level control (output, input, software return, aux send)
Zero-latency hardware direct monitoring
Low-latency ASIO software direct monitoring
Momentary switch for A/Bing two software-assignable headphone sources or switching ASIO monitoring on/off
1 x 1 16-channel MIDI I/O
Power on/off switch with indicator LED
Powered via FireWire bus* or included… read more DC power supply
Two convenient high-bandwidth FireWire ports
Rugged steel construction read less
Specs
Specifications
Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz +/-0.40dB, 96kHz sample rate
Dynamic Range: 108dB A-weighted
Signal-to-Noise: 106dB A-weighted
Compatibility
ASIO 2
MME
Sound Manager
DirectX
Mac OS X Core Audio / Core MIDI
Minimum System Requirements - PC
Pentium III 500 MHz or higher
128 MB RAM
Windows 2000 (SP3)/Windows XP (SP1)
DirectX 8.1 or higher
6-pin FireWire port or adapter
Minimum System Requiremennt - Mac
Macintosh G3* 500 MHz or higher w/OS 9.2.2, 128 MB RAM;
G4* 500MHz w/OS 10.1.5 or OS 10.2.6 or greater, 256 MB RAM (OSX)
* G3/G4 accelerator cards not supported; native FireWire ports required
Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz +/-0.40dB, 96kHz sample rate
Dynamic Range: 108dB A-weighted
Signal-to-Noise: 106dB A-weighted
Compatibility
ASIO 2
MME
Sound Manager
DirectX
Mac OS X Core Audio / Core MIDI
Minimum System Requirements - PC
Pentium III 500 MHz or higher
128 MB RAM
Windows 2000 (SP3)/Windows XP (SP1)
DirectX 8.1 or higher
6-pin FireWire port or adapter
Minimum System Requiremennt - Mac
Macintosh G3* 500 MHz or higher w/OS 9.2.2, 128 MB RAM;
G4* 500MHz w/OS 10.1.5 or OS 10.2.6 or greater, 256 MB RAM (OSX)
* G3/G4 accelerator cards not supported; native FireWire ports required
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(62 ratings)
Submitted August 1, 2006 by a customer from aol.com
"Great interface if you are patient."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I highly recommend this if you have a pretty good computer, and the right software (like Project 5 or Fruity Loops or Wavelab). Its a lot of fun to play around with different configurations, I have owned it for a year, and I am still finding new ways to play with it.
Sound
You must have a decent computer for the sound to sound good! I have a brand new dual processor and at the 96khz sampling rate it sometimes crackles (but that could just be the vinyl). But it does produce very high quality sound, especially for its price! Its all about how well you configure your inputs and how high quality those inputs are.
Features
Though I could have done with more inputs, as long as you have a mixer you are set. This has merged my dj skills, with my sequencing skills. It also allows me to play all of my vsts, with my dj sets. It is very very very configurable, and that is why I highly recommend it. The software it comes with is unbeatable in terms of features. Two outputs makes this great if you want to play live and record your sets at the same time from an external source, or you can ghetto rig 4 speakers.
Ease of Use
I complain about this because it does not start when you plug it in. This is not like a USB plug and play. It can get very confusing. I always have to play around with it in order to make it register with my computer as a drive. The software interface is simple to use if you know… read more what you're doing, and where you want the sound to go. Otherwise its just simple trial and error for beginners.
Quality
Again the firewire is a slight problem here, but the interface itself has metal casing, and is extremely sturdy. If you are going to be a mobile laptop dj, Highly recommended. ANything mobile has the audiophiles name written all over it. The knobs are plastic, but other than that the things a rock.
Value
This is a huge bang for your bucks. I bought it slightly used off a guy for 120, Worth every penny and then some. The range of features and customability of the audiophile is well worth its price tag.
Manufacturer Support
I havent had problems with this product, but I have dealt with M-audio before (Radium 49 keyboard). Their customer service was great. As long as you keep your receipt, then you will be fine with the warranty. They will fix it for you, they are patient, and want to help you.
The Wow Factor
HAHAHA, this is a joke category. I mean its not a freaking Moog synthesizer, or a gold plated Technics turntable, its just a silver box with plug-ins and knobs.
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
Electronica read less
Sound
You must have a decent computer for the sound to sound good! I have a brand new dual processor and at the 96khz sampling rate it sometimes crackles (but that could just be the vinyl). But it does produce very high quality sound, especially for its price! Its all about how well you configure your inputs and how high quality those inputs are.
Features
Though I could have done with more inputs, as long as you have a mixer you are set. This has merged my dj skills, with my sequencing skills. It also allows me to play all of my vsts, with my dj sets. It is very very very configurable, and that is why I highly recommend it. The software it comes with is unbeatable in terms of features. Two outputs makes this great if you want to play live and record your sets at the same time from an external source, or you can ghetto rig 4 speakers.
Ease of Use
I complain about this because it does not start when you plug it in. This is not like a USB plug and play. It can get very confusing. I always have to play around with it in order to make it register with my computer as a drive. The software interface is simple to use if you know… read more what you're doing, and where you want the sound to go. Otherwise its just simple trial and error for beginners.
Quality
Again the firewire is a slight problem here, but the interface itself has metal casing, and is extremely sturdy. If you are going to be a mobile laptop dj, Highly recommended. ANything mobile has the audiophiles name written all over it. The knobs are plastic, but other than that the things a rock.
Value
This is a huge bang for your bucks. I bought it slightly used off a guy for 120, Worth every penny and then some. The range of features and customability of the audiophile is well worth its price tag.
Manufacturer Support
I havent had problems with this product, but I have dealt with M-audio before (Radium 49 keyboard). Their customer service was great. As long as you keep your receipt, then you will be fine with the warranty. They will fix it for you, they are patient, and want to help you.
The Wow Factor
HAHAHA, this is a joke category. I mean its not a freaking Moog synthesizer, or a gold plated Technics turntable, its just a silver box with plug-ins and knobs.
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
Electronica read less
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