M-Audio 2626 manual Master Volume Knob, ProFire, User Guide

ProFire 2626 User Guide 27

Master Volume Knob

These checkboxes determine which analog output pair(s) will be affected by the Master Volume knob (8) on the front panel of the interface: If a box is checked, the volume level of its corresponding outputs will be controlled by the Master Volume knob; if a box is left unchecked, the outputs will play at full volume regardless of the position of the Master Volume knob.

This feature gives ProFire 2626 a great deal of flexibility in how it can be used. For example, in multi-channel “surround” mixing scenarios, you can use the Master Volume knob to simultaneously set the level of all speakers by checking the outputs that are connected to your speakers. On the other hand, if you are mixing in stereo using outboard equipment (i.e., compressors, reverb modules, etc.), you can use the Master Volume knob to set the output level of the “main” outputs (connected to your speakers) while allowing the additional outputs (that are connected to your external equipment) to remain unaffected. This will let you use the Master Volume knob to set the loudness level of your speakers without affecting your external gear.

▶WARNING: Unchecking one of the Master Volume Knob boxes allows its corresponding outputs to play at full volume (i.e., without any attenuation). This may result in very loud signals being sent to your speakers, headphone amplifiers, or other equipment. Be mindful of your outgoing levels anytime you uncheck one of these boxes to avoid potentially damaging your equipment (or hearing). If you wish to leave these boxes unchecked in order to allow full, unattenuated signals to play through the interface, it is strongly recommended that you have an external provision for controlling your levels (such as a an external mixer).

TIP: If you control your monitoring levels externally (i.e, through a mixing board or by using your speaker’s own level control) then the Master Volume knob on ProFire 2626 can be used as an aux send knob:

Connect ProFire 2626’s analog outputs 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 to your external effects processors’ inputs. Configure your audio software so that audio signals that are to be processed by the external gear are routed to these outputs.

Using the ProFire 2626 Control Panel, assign the Master Volume knob to control analog outputs 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8.

The Master Volume knob on ProFire 2626 can now be used as a dedicated aux send knob for external effects processing.

Lastly, connect the outputs of your external effects processors to the analog inputs on ProFire 2626. You can now monitor the incoming signals through the DSP mixer, and/or route them to your audio application for recording.

TIP: To control the level of the main monitor mix without affecting the level at the headphone outputs, assign the Master Volume to either analog outputs 5/6 or 7/8 and use those outputs for your main monitors.

This will allow you to route independent cue mixes to headphone output 1 (which always plays audio routed to analog outputs 1/2) and headphone output 2 (which always plays audio routed to analog outputs 3/4) while still using the Master Volume knob to set levels for your studio monitors. This prevents the Master Volume Knob from influencing the levels of headphone outputs 1 and 2 and effectively provides front panel volume control of three discrete stereo outputs. See the section entitled “Example Scenario #1: Recording a Duo” to learn more about creating cue mixes.