Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 I/O User Manual
User Guide
FA0110-01
E & OE
Saffire PRO 26 i/o
User Guide
2
Contents
Introduction to Saffire PRO 26 i/o........................................................................................ 3
Getting connected and setting up the hardware/software ................................................. 4
Front Panel Features .......................................................................................................... 5
Rear Panel Features ........................................................................................................... 6
SaffireControl PRO software Features .............................................................................. 7
Recording analogue signals with Saffire PRO26 i/o ............................................................ 8
• Microphone recording
.................................................................................................. 8
• Line-level recording
..................................................................................................... 8
• Instrument recording
................................................................................................... 9
• Recording stereo pairs
................................................................................................. 9
Recording digitally with Saffire PRO ................................................................................... 9
• Recording via ADAT Input.............................................................................................. 9
• Recording via S/PDIF Input .......................................................................................... 9
Output settings/Monitoring options .................................................................................. 10
• Analogue output settings ........................................................................................... 10
• Additional options on Outputs 3-10 ........................................................................... 11
• Creating an Input Mix ................................................................................................. 12
• Setting up a Headphones Mix .................................................................................... 13
• S/CARD and TRACK modes ........................................................................................ 13
• AC3 Thru mode .......................................................................................................... 13
• Linking Output controls – CTRL LINK ........................................................................ 14
• DIM and Active Monitor Pad switches ........................................................................ 14
Setting different sample rates .......................................................................................... 15
Synchronising Saffire PRO 26 i/o....................................................................................... 16
Using Inserts .................................................................................................................... 17
Saving/Recalling settings ................................................................................................. 17
Changing the SaffireControl PRO GUI window – FLOAT and SHRINK ................................ 18
Using MIDI ........................................................................................................................ 18
Controlling multiple Saffire PROs to SaffireControl PRO ................................................. 19
Standalone Mode .............................................................................................................. 20
Changes to SaffireControl PRO 26 i/o at higher sample rates – Disabling ADATs ............ 21
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................23
Specifications ................................................................................................................... 24
Saffire PRO 26 i/o
User Guide
3
Introduction to Saffire PRO
Thankyou for purchasing SaffireControl PRO, Focusrite’s professional multi-channel Firewire interface. This Guide provides a
detailed explanation of both the hardware and accompanying control software, to help you achieve a thorough understanding of
the product’s operational features. If the main User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be sure to consult the
Troubleshooting at the end of the Manual or the online information at www.focusrite.com/answerbase, which contains all technical
support queries regarding the product to date.
Basics
The Saffire PRO hardware interface provides the means for connecting microphones, line-level signals and/or instrument-level
signals to the computer, as well as supplying playback audio directly to an amp, headphones or powered speakers. There are also
digital audio options (S/PDIF and ADAT), plus connectors for sending and receiving MIDI and Word clock. Additionally, the hardware
can function in standalone mode (powered by external PSU) for tracking or mixing without using a computer.
The accompanying software application, SaffireControl PRO, provides further recording and monitoring options, as well as the ability
to control global hardware settings such as sample rate and synchronisation. In terms of audio path, the SaffireControl PRO
software sits between the interface and the sequencer, allowing control over what signals are sent from the sequencer to each
output (e.g. the sequencer settings route through SaffireControl PRO not directly to the hardware). Input recording levels are not set
in SaffireControl PRO, however, as the incoming signals pass directly to the sequencer. The input levels in SaffireControl PRO are
for monitoring purposes only.
Saffire PRO 26 i/o
User Guide
4
Getting connected and setting up
the hardware/software
Before Saffire PRO can be used, the accompanying SaffireControl PRO software must be installed. This is done by inserting the
Resources disk and running the Saffire PRO Installer for either Mac or PC. Once installed, the SaffireControl PRO icon will appear
in your Program (PC) or Application (Mac) list, from where it can be launched.
Before launching SaffireControl PRO, connect your hardware to the computer using the supplied Firewire cable. Either of the
Saffire PRO’s two Firewire ports can be used, leaving one free to connect additional Saffire PROs or other Firewire devices such
as hard disks to the computer.
At this stage, you may wish to connect your Monitors to the Saffire PRO’s analogue outputs. Outputs 1 and 2 are the Main Monitor
outputs (left and right). Alternatively/In addition, you can connect Headphones to either of the headphones outputs on the right side
of the front panel. Headphones Outputs 1 and 2 receive the same signal as that sent to Outputs 5/6 and 7/8 respectively (as
indicated by the Headphones icons in the output section on the right side of the SaffireControl PRO GUI.) Please make sure that
your monitors are turned OFF when connecting to Saffire.
Although SaffireControl PRO’s default setting will enable all inputs to be heard, make sure that the crossfader for the relevant
output pair is sufficiently over to the left if you wish to listen to the sources being recorded. If you are still not hearing the relevant
input, the fader for that input may not be high enough in the Input Mix section (check the ‘Creating an Input Mix’ section for details).
However, if attempting to monitor a main mix playback from the sequencer (any audio routed to outputs 1 and 2), you will need to
make sure that Saffire PRO has been set up as the input/output audio device within that sequencer, then ensure that the
corresponding output (whatever your speakers or headphones are connected to) has 1/2 selected as its S/W track within the output
section of the SaffireControl PRO software (always the case for the Main Monitors.) Also the relevant crossfader must be set to
monitor the S/W playback (set middle or right) as shown in the diagram below. Read the relevant monitoring sections of this User
Guide for details.
The colour of the power LED will channge depending on wether or not the external power supply is connected. Whilst using
the PSU, the LED will be green. Whilst powering the unit via a firewire buss, the LED will be red.
On Outputs 3-8, there is the option of
routing Playback (S/W) tracks 1/2 or the
corresponding tracks (in this case 5/6)
from the sequencer to the output. (5/6
relates to Saffire PRO Outputs 5/6 within
the sequencer.)
Controls for Outputs
1 and 2
Controls for Outputs
3 and 4 and
Headphones 1
(same signal)
Crossfader must be in a central
position for Inputs and Playback
tracks to be heard. If this is set
totally right, only Playback (S/W)
tracks 1/2 will be heard
Saffire PRO 26 i/o
User Guide
5
Front Panel Features
The front panel features level controls for all 8 analogue inputs (inserted at rear or on front panel), as well as a level control
for the Monitors (signal sent to Outputs 1 and 2) and both Headphones. Each analogue input has a High Pass Filter for removing
low frequencies (proximity effect or rumble from microphone recording). ‘Super’ channels 1 and 2 also have buttons for lowering
the impedance (to account for different microphone specification) and to reverse the phase (to eliminate phase cancellation when
recording with a stereo pair).
In addition, on the front panel there are 8 1/4” TRS (balanced) jack inputs for recording line-level signals (Inputs 1-8). These
automatically override the XLR inputs on the rear panel if both sets are connected. If you wish to record a guitar, inputs 1 and 2 can
be used to route a signal directly from the instrument (DI) to the sequencer. Instrument select buttons are included for these inputs
to allow matching of gain and impedance.
1. 8 1/4” jack line/instrument inputs
2. Instrument select button
3. Overload LED
4. Input gain control
5. Monitor level control
6. Headphones level controls
7. Monitor mute button/Standalone button 1
8. Monitor dim button/Standalone button 2
9. High-pass filter button
10. Low Impedance button
11. Phase reverse button
12. Phantom power LEDs
1
2
3
4 5 6
789101112
Saffire PRO 26 i/o
User Guide
6
Rear Panel Features
The rear panel has 8 XLR Inputs for recording signals from microphones (mic inputs 1-8), as well as 8 1/4” TRS (balanced) jack
analogue outputs 1-8. There are also four ADAT lightpipe ports for receiving and sending ADAT signals (ADAT In 1-8 and 9-16, ADAT
Out 1-8 and 9-16), plus two coaxial connectors for S/PDIF In and Out. The digital inputs/outputs relate to Saffire PRO inputs/outputs
9 and 10 (S/PDIF) and 11-26 (ADAT). Two BNC connectors offer Word Clock In and Out for synchronising to external equipment, with
two standard 5-pin MIDI sockets allowing MIDI data to be received and transmitted.
A 3-pin locking power socket allows the provided power supply to be connected, should Firewire-bus power not be preferred (if
preserving computer battery or using the hardware in standalone mode without a computer, or if wishing to use the extra headroom
feature). Finally, two Firewire ports are provided for interfacing with the computer and daisy-chaining multiple units.
1. Power connector for external PSU
2. S/PDIF (coaxial) In and Out
3. MIDI In and Out
4. Word Clock (BNC) In and Out
5. ADAT (optical/lightpipe) In and Out
6. Analogue Outputs 1-8 (TRS jack)
7. Mic Inputs 1-8 (XLR)
8. Firewire ports
1
2 3
4 5
6
7
8
Saffire PRO 26 i/o
User Guide
7
SaffireControl PRO Features
The SaffireControl PRO software allows comprehensive control of the type and level of signal routed to Saffire PRO Outputs 1-10,
including the ability to set individual levels of Inputs 1-8*. In addition, software controls allow setting of the sample rate,
synchronisation, and the size and function of the GUI window. Preset buttons are also provided to change the overall hardware
function. The latest version of SaffireControl PRO’s software is always available at www.focusrite.com
*Note: Limitations apply at high sample rates 88.2- 192 kHz, see page 21
1. Input mix group fader select switches; choose the signals to be controlled by the eight faders alongside
(Analogue/SPDIF/ADAT1/ADAT2 Input(s)) for creating an Input Mix
2. Input mix level control ; sets the fader which controls the input level
3. Input mix pan dial; controls the position of the signal in the stereo field
4. Stereo link switch; links levels of Inputs either side of the switch (and auto-pans hard left and right)
5. Input/Playback Balance crossfader; sets the balance of the Input Mix and tracks playing back from the sequencer for one
pair of analogue outputs
6. Stereo output gain dial
7. Dim switch; sets a digital cut of 18dB
8. Hardware control switch (makes the dial follow the Monitor dial on the hardware, allowing hardware control over output levels)
9. Active Monitor pad switch; reduces the analogue output level by 18dB
10. Solo output switch; solos the output
11. Mute output switch; mutes the output
12. Playback (S/W) 1/2 or 3/4 to Outputs 3/4 switch; allows a main mix to be sent to outputs 3 and 4
13. Select Unit switch; selects which Saffire PRO will be controlled when multiple interfaces are in use
14. Digital Input Enable switches; activate the corresponding digital inputs
15. Identify Unit switch; identifies the SaffireControl currently being controlled (power LED on active hardware will rapidly flash)
16. Select Sync Source; selects the source to which Saffire PRO is to be synchronised
17. Select sample rate switches; set the sample rate
18. Enable MIDI Thru switch; converts the MIDI Out port to a MIDI Thru
19. Allow AC3 pass through switch; allows the S/PDIF Out to transmit an AC3 or DTS signal directly from DVD playing software
to a home surround setup. Note: With AC3 pass through active, software input mixing is disabled
20. Shrink mode switch; shrinks the software window to a smaller size
21. Link Output level controls switch; links the controls for Outputs 1-8
22. Soundcard/Track mode switches; preset buttons allowing instant recording and mixdown modes
23. Load/Save switches; allow recalling and saving of software settings
24. Float window mode switch; floats the software window permanently over other software
25. H/room switch; uses PSU to create extra headroom for analogue Inputs
26. Insert 1 and 2 switches; convert Inputs 5 and 6 into Inserts for Inputs 1 and 2, respectively
27. Phantom Power switches; activate phantom power across XLR Inputs 1-4 and 5-8
28. Solo and Mute switches; solo and mute the correlative input channel signal
1
2
3 4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
1617
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Saffire PRO 26 i/o
User Guide
8
Recording analogue signals with
Saffire PRO
Saffire PRO can be used to record up to 8 analogue signals and 18 digital signals simultaneously. These analogue signals can be any
combination of microphone or line-level sources. Instrument-level sources, can also be directly connected on Input channels 1 and 2.
Microphone recording
To record a microphone signal, connect a microphone to one of the rear panel XLR Inputs, ensuring that nothing is plugged into
the corresponding Line Input on the front panel (as this will override the XLR Input). If using a condenser mic or any other mic that
requires phantom power then two switches in the software can be used to apply it to that XLR input, as follows:
Don’t worry if you’re using a dynamic mic on an input within that group that doesn’t need phantom power, as it will not affect the
signal. However, be aware that if using a ribbon mic, phantom power must
not be used as the 48V will damage the microphone.
Check the microphone’s manual if unsure about phantom powering. For this reason, phantom power is not saved with Saffire PRO
26 i/o settings. It always defaults to off.
Once connected, the microphone gain can be set by turning the corresponding gain pot on Saffire PRO’s front panel. Turn the
dial clockwise to increase the input gain, ensuring that the Overload LED does not light. If you are experiencing any low frequency
problems such as proximity effect or rumble, engage the high pass filter button on the hardware, which will reduce any signal
below 120Hz.
If using either Input 1 or 2, a lower input impedance (150 ) may be set by pressing the Lo Z button. This provides additional sonic
options that can be useful to achieve an improved sound with different microphones (helping to better match the impedances).
Furthermore, if you wish to record a stereo pair with these inputs, then a phase reverse switch is provided on Input 1 to eliminate
any phase cancellation problems that may occur.
If using Input 1, this will show up as Saffire PRO Input 1 within the sequencer and you can now begin recording.
Line-level recording
To record a line-level signal, simply insert a balanced 1/4” jack into one of the front panel inputs, making sure that you are not
already using that input to record a microphone; (these front panel inputs will override the rear panel XLRs.) Once an input source
is connected, the gain can be set with the corresponding dial on the front panel.
If using Input 3, this will show up as Saffire PRO Input 3 within the sequencer and you can now begin recording.
Switch activates Phantom
Power for Inputs 5-8
Switch activates Phantom
Power for Inputs 1-4
Loading...