Focusrite Saffire User Manual

UG-Rev 1.1

Contents

Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Getting Started Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Step 1: Sequencer Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Step 2: Driver and Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Front panel facilities and controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Rear Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Recording and monitoring a source using Saffire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Soundcard (S/CARD) mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

SaffireControl: Session Management & Advanced Settings

Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Main application window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Input stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Amp Sim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Compression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Balancing tracks from the sequencer/recording platform . . . . .12

Processing/mixing of stereo outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Foldback reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

AU/VST Reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Stereo link button controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Software settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Saffire Signal Flow Diagram - Dual Mono Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Introduction

Saffire is a highly sophisticated Firewire interfacing solution that represents Focusrite s many years of manufacturing for the recording industry, enabling a desktop I/O box to transport the project studio recording engineer one giant step closer to the professional studio experience. The powerful onboard processing within Saffire, running SaffireControl and its plug-in suite, can truly provide everything the modern engineer needs to navigate through a typical recording session. Quality Focusrite front-end design combines with stylish software, offering effects processing of the incoming audio and foldback reverb on any of the separate headphone/monitor outputs, to ensure that artists are kept happy and audio is tracked to the highest standard possible.

The essential settings, such as the mic/line/inst select and the gain of the inputs as well as the level of the two separate headphone mixes and monitor feed, can all be adjusted from the front of the hardware itself. Additional buttons are provided to dim and mute the monitors and select a MIDI Thru action for the MIDI ports. All other settings are controlled simply and easily within the accompanying software, SaffireControl.

With Saffire, Focusrite have reached a milestone in audio interfacing, meaning that the engineer can find all the tools he/she needs in a small desktop box to track high quality audio from multiple artists, apply EQ and/or compression as required and independently mix stereo feeds with reverb to numerous sources. Having such comprehensive features readily accessible, Saffire makes conducting a modern recording session easy and fun.

Getting Started Guide

Step 1: Sequencer Installation

1. If you don t already have a sequencer installed in your computer, then inser t the Cubase LE CDROM (the sequencer provided with Saffire).

2. Upon inser ting the CDROM, the Cubase LE installer should start automatically.

3.The installer will guide you through the installation process.

4. When the installation process is complete, exit the installer. NOTE FOR PC USERS: TO EXIT THE INSTALLER, CLICK ON THE

MAN EXITING THE DOOR IN THE BOTTOM LEFT.

Step 2: Driver and Software Installation

Windows XP

DO NOT CONNECT THE SAFFIRE UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY THE INSTALLER.

1. Run the Installer from the Saffire resources disc.

2. During the installation process you will see the following message:

The software you are installing has not passed the Windows Logo

testing to verify its compatibility with Windows XP.

Select Continue Anyway to proceed.

3.You will now be instructed to connect your Saffire to your PC using the 6 pin Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable.You can use either por t 1 or 2.

NOTE: Please use the firewire provided as other cables may

not be compatible.

If the computer/laptop only has a (smaller) 4-pin Firewire port then a different Firewire cable will be required; note that in this case, the external power supply will also be required, as 4-pin Firewire ports cannot supply power. The 4-pin Firewire cable is not included.

4. Once connected, the Saffire drivers and plugins will be installed automatically. Please be patient during this process.

5. Upon opening your sequencer you will need to authorise your Saffire Plugins

6. Once installation is complete, you may exit the installer.

7.You are now ready to run Saffire control.

8.The first time you run Saffire it may prompt you to update firmware. Ensure you have an internet connection and follow the on screen instructions.

Mac OS X Installation

1. Connect your Saffire to your Mac using the 6 pin Firewire (IEEE

1394) cable. NOTE: Some early Powerbooks may still require the Saffire PSU to be used. (If the screen goes dark, then you require the PSU.This is a fault with the Powerbook itself.)

2. Run the Installer from the Saffire resources disc.

3. Now simply follow the on-screen instructions

4. During the installation you will need to authorise your Saffire Plugins

.We recommend you use SAFARI as your

internet browser.

5. Once installation is complete, you may exit the installer.

6. If for some reason you are unable to complete the authorisation process you can try again by running the authoriser, installed in Applications/Saffire.

7.You re now ready to run SaffireControl.

8.The first time you run Saffire it may prompt you to update firmware. Ensure you have an internet connection and follow the on screen instructions.

The PACE Authoriser will guide you through this process. We highly recommend using the internet authorisation option, as it ensures your plugins are authorised immediately.

Once the drivers/software have been installed, Saffire is ready to use. However, it must be selected as the audio interface within whatever sequencer/recording platform is in use, so consult the relevant software manual for instructions on how to do this. If using Cubase then simply go to the Device Setup option within the Devices Menu and select Saffire as the VST Multitrack (audio interface).

Front panel facilities and controls

1. Input select and gain adjust

The top two sections allow the gain of the two analogue inputs to be adjusted using the corresponding dials. The level of the respective input is indicated by the triple LED dBFS meter next to it, a healthy level having a permanently illuminated green LED with occasional yellow LED flickering but no red O/L LED, which signifies that digital clipping is occurring.The Line input button allows either a line-level or Instrument source (connected to the front panel 1/4 " TRS jack input) to be chosen, as indicated by the corresponding LED.

2. Monitor level controls

The dial in this section provides a control over the level of one or more monitor signal(s) dependent upon the settings of the SaffireControl software (this defaults to a level control for all outputs), with buttons to dim (reduce the level by 12dB) or mute as required. Hardware control of each stereo output can be toggled using the (H) button next to its volume control.

3. Digital and MIDI displays and control

When an SPDIF (digital) signal is connected to the SPDIF RCA (phono) input on the rear panel, the SPDIF In LED in this section will illuminate. Similarly, the MIDI In and Out LEDs will light when a MIDI signal is received and transmitted respectively. When the MIDI Thru button is active, indicated by the corresponding LED, the MIDI data received at the MIDI Input will be sent directly to the MIDI Output, without needing to launch any sequencing software.

4. Headphones outputs and level controls

This section features two stereo 1/4" TRS jack connectors for the independent headphones mixes. Not only can the level of each headphones signal be independently controlled (using the corresponding dial), but the balance of each signal can be set using the custom mix facility within the accompanying SaffireControl software.

5. Microphone and line inputs

Front panel inputs are supplied for both microphone and line-level sources. Plugging in a source to one of the Line Inputs will deactivate the corresponding Mic Input, so ensure that nothing is connected to the Line Input if wishing to record through the Mic Inputs. If phantom power is required, simply press the 48V button above the Mic Inputs, which supplies phantom power to both inputs. If you are using a condenser microphone then this switch will need to be engaged. If you are unsure whether your microphone requires phantom power, refer to its user guide as phantom power will damage some microphones, most notably ribbon microphones.

1. Eight balanced analogue outputs on 1/4 TRS jack, labelled 1-8 in ascending order from bottom to top

These could be used for mixing in 7.1 (or 5.1) surround so the outputs are marked with Left, Right, Centre, LeftSurround, RightSurround, LowFrequencyEffects, LeftCentre and RightCentre accordingly. If using 5.1, ignore ouputs 7 and 8 (LeftCentre and RightCentre).

2. DC power adaptor input

This means that the interface can be powered by an external PSU if required.The most common (larger, 6 pin) type of Firewire por t can supply power, so the use of an external power supply will not normally be necessary. However, if the connected computer/laptop only features the smaller 4-pin Firewire connector, which cannot supply power, then the PSU must be connected.

3.Two RCA (phono) connections

These enable a digital SPDIF signal to be inputed and outputed. As an SPDIF signal is stereo, this enables a total of four channels to be recorded simultaneously, for example two separate mono sources (voice and guitar) from microphone inputs on the front panel, at the same time as recording a stereo SPDIF signal sent from a synthesizer, outboard with digital I/O or additional DAW.

4.Two standard 5-pin MIDI connectors

These allow MIDI data to be received from external MIDI equipment and transmitted from the sequencer to the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation — most likely your computer) via the firewire connection.Alternatively, if the Saffire s MIDI In is connected to a controller keyboard s MIDI Out and the Saffire s MIDI Out is connected to a sound module s MIDI In, pressing the MIDI Thru button on the front panel will enable the MIDI data to pass from the controller keyboard to the sound module without having to launch any sequencing software.

5.Two Firewire 400 ports

These allow connection to the computer for streaming of data and, (if connected to an identical type of Firewire port), supply of power to the unit. Either por t can be used for this purpose, leaving the additional port free for connecting to other Firewire equipment (e.g. hard drives) should the Saffire be using up the only available Firewire port on the computer.The nature of Firewire connectivity means that chaining equipment in this way is possible and will act as if the equipment is connected directly to the computer through separate Firewire ports.

Rear Panel Connections

This guide aims to give you a few simple instructions and tips on how to get audio in and out of your computer using Saffire and the accompanying software SaffireControl. For more detailed instructions, consult the relevant sections of the Saffire User Guide and help files at www.focusrite.com.

Once the drivers have been installed, the sequencer/ recording software is up and running and the Saffire has been correctly set up as the selected audio interface, audio can be recorded.

1. First, open up the SaffireControl application and then connect 1/4 " TRS jack outputs 1 and 2 on the rear of the hardware to your amp or speakers (depending on whether they are active or not). Alternatively, just plug some headphones into the Headphones 1 socket on the front panel.

2. To record a mono source like a vocalist or guitar player, simply plug a microphone into the left hand XLR socket on the front of the Saffire hardware and press the 48V (phantom power) button if required.

Phantom power is only necessary if using a condenser microphone; almost all dynamic microphones will be unaffected, but ribbon microphones may be damaged.

3. Now get the ar tist to play or sing and set the level of the input using the gain adjustment knob on the front panel. Rotate the dial clockwise to increase the level, making sure that the O/L LED (top red LED) never illuminates as this indicates that the level is exceeding the maximum level of the digital converter (clipping point).

For an even easier indication of level, obser ve the level of the meter in the top left of the SaffireControl window (as shown in the diagram).

4. Switch to tracking (recording) mode by pressing the TRACK button in the bottom right of the full SaffireControl window (not shown in the diagram).

SaffireControl boots up in S/CARD (soundcard) mode, which is a preset where only the (playback) tracks from the sequencer are heard (see page 6).

5. You will now hear the input source routed to your monitors and/or headphones.

Recording and monitoring a source using Saffire

The recorded source should be heard on both headphones and monitors as the INPUT MIX-P/BACK MIX sliders will all be in a central position (as shown in the diagram on page 5). This means that equal amounts of the (playback) tracks from the sequencer and the incoming audio will be sent to each stereo output pair. If you wish only to monitor the audio being recorded then move this slider to the extreme left position.

6. Adjust the level of the monitors, if connected,by using the Monitor dial on the front of the hardware (providing the Hardware (H) button is illuminated in the o/ps 1 and 2 section (see diagram on page 5)). The headphones level can also be adjusted using the headphones gain dial on the front panel (above the headphones output).

Soundcard (S/CARD) mode

SaffireControl boots up in Soundcard (S/CARD) mode, which is the mode to use if wanting to send outputs 1-8 from a sequencer straight out of analogue outputs 1-8 of the Saffire for mixing/monitoring purposes. Pressing the TRACK (tracking/recording) button on the bottom right of the SaffireControl window changes the software to recording mode, where both inputs and outputs are heard.To return to S/CARD mode, simply press the S/CARD button in the bottom right of the SaffireControl window. This bypasses the complex monitoring and foldback options of SaffireControl and simply makes Saffire behave like a 10-output (1-8 analogue, 9-10 digital) soundcard. Pressing the S/CARD and TRACK buttons within SaffireControl and seeing/listening to the results is a good way to get to grips with the software and learn how various SaffireControl settings affect the function of the hardware.

+ 16 hidden pages

Focusrite Saffire User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual