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M-Audio Firewire Audiophile 2496 Audio Interface

Compact, FireWire-compatible audio/MIDI interface that takes the legacy of M-Audio's award-winning Audiophile line to the next level.

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Product Description

zZounds is an
authorized M-Audio dealer

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 DC power supply

Two convenient high-bandwidth FireWire ports

Rugged steel construction zZounds is an authorized dealer of M-Audio products.

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

M-Audio Warranty

M-Audio Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 626-633-9050

zZounds is an
authorized M-Audio dealer

Our extended 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies on this product. Buy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!

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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "The delivery was on time, the packaging protected my purchase, and my product was great -- what more could you ask for?" - customer on May 5, 2013

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5 (69 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 9 M-Audio Firewire Audiophile 2496 Audio Interface Reviews

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful. "Great audio interface at a great price!"

Sound: Excellent! Its a 24-bit interface and is up to its specs. I use it for studio recording doing track-at-a-time recording and a high end studio mic, and this box introduces nothing - just as it should! Feature: The warning about not connecting to your computer when its turned on is dissapointing. FireWire is supposed to be hot pluggable. But, with my laptop, it works fine if I just close the cover so it goes to sleep, plug in the M-Audio box, turn on the box, and then wake up the laptop. Everything else works as advertised. The hardware controls are simple and the software interface provides lots of control. IMPORTANT - I read a couple of the reviews below that complain of problems. Dont' pay any attention to them. The person with the hard drive problem is talking about a problem with the Live Delta software, not the M-Audio box. The software is supplied as a bonus, but this box can be used with any audio software. The Live software manual does indeed talk about limitations with slow drives and offers several solutions. The person with the upgraded Mac is kind of in the same boat. He's complaining about a computer problem, not a problem with the M-Audio box. It is well known that one thing you give up when you upgrade a Mac's processor is potential compatibility. I learned this the hard way years ago when I tried to save money by upgrading a Mac. A lot of software would not work with it. Quality: Top notch. Small, easy to take with you, travels well, accepts a bit of knocking around without complaint. Value: Awsome for the price. This box is the key component in my home recording studio. Plus, it comes with a limited version of Live Delta which is an extremely versatile and powerful program that can be used for multi-track recording, live DJ clip-sessions, and much more. It took me a week to go through this software and learn all its ins and outs, and when I was done, I sprung for the $225 upgrade to the full version. The box cost $150, so for $375 I had a powerful hardware/software solution for a home studio that cost less than the price of the software alone ($500). A great deal! Manufacturer Support: Only had to call once. It was just something I needed help understanding. They were very helpful, very polite. Overall: This box, along with the included software, makes for a very powerful studio recording solution. The ability to time-warp recordings to match beats without changing the pitch is a phenomenal aid to getting professional recordings. The connections and routing capabilities of the box makes it very flexible and able to easily fit into your recording needs.

Style of Music: Acoustic Folk

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"Great interface if you are patient."

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. Feature: 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 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. Overall: 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.

Style of Music: Electronica

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Read all 9 M-Audio Firewire Audiophile 2496 Audio Interface Reviews

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When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

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Simply click the Seen it for less? link: Next to the item you want, or give us a call at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637).

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You have 30 days to try your gear at home, in your practice space or studio. If you're not absolutely in love with the sound you're getting, just let us know. We'll promptly arrange for an exchange or a refund without the hassles or hidden charges you face with some of our competitors. If there's something wrong with the gear you bought from us, we'll email you an electronic return label so you can return it easily and free of charge.

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Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!: No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!: Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.

A guarantee so solid, you never have to worry about price when shopping at zZounds

We'll beat any price: Simply click the Seen it for less? link next to the gear you want or call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637)
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