Saffire is a new breed of Firewire interface with onboard DSP and 24-bit/192kHz processing. Saffire fuses state-of-the-art hardware with highly integrated software to take audio interfacing one giant step closer to the professional studio experience.
Four inputs (two digital) and 10 outputs (two digital) with unrivalled foldback and monitoring options ensure the engineer has all he needs to navigate through a modern recording session. Focusrite build and sound quality, intelligent front-end design and cutting-edge compression, EQ and foldback reverb software combine to guarantee an intuitive and trouble-free recording experience.
The brand new software accompanying the Saffire hardware is a revolutionary new platform from the team that produced LiquidControl and the Forte Suite. This stylish application floats comfortably over any recording software and allows extensive control over the sound of the recorded signals and the multiple (monitor and headphone) output paths.
Compression, reverb, amp modeling and EQ Saffire-powered plug-ins are included. All four are also available as a suite of plug-ins from within the recording platform in use. Up to five separate user-defined stereo mixes can be created of all incoming signals and recorded tracks from the recording platform. With such comprehensive monitoring/foldback options and onboard high quality signal processing and effects, the Saffire is truly the interface of choice for the serious recording engineer.
The FF Pre :
Focusrite has, over the past decade, built a reputation as the market leader for high quality recording equipment, with is mic-pre technology as the cornerstone of that enviable reputation. The original mic-pre, as featured in the early Focusrite Forte console, used rotary switched gain controls and high quality audio transformers. This mic-pre is still used by many of the industries greatest producers and is the sound of countless hit records. Today, Focusrite design equipment for a far greater audience, from professionals to amateur enthusiasts, all with varying budgets.
As with the Red and ISA ranges, the Mic-pre technology found in the Platinum and Saffire ranges is designed to the highest possible standards. They uphold the same wide bandwidth philosophy featured in the original forté console, back in 1989. All Focusrite mic-pres feature custom components which have undergone an intense testing and qualification process. With the facts and figures in, Focusrite designs then have to pass the essential listening stage. Any design can measure well on the test bench but only a great design can be qualified in the studio. The FET-based design in the Saffire range is no exception and ensures the same low noise and distortion performance as earlier transformer-based designs. It delivers clarity without colouration and exhibits the signature transparency for which Focusrite have become famous.
Focusrite Saffire Plug-in Suite :
All Saffire Range hardware units include the Saffire plugin suite, produced by the same team that who developed the LiquidControl and the Forte Suite. Compression, reverb, amp modeling and EQ Saffire plug-ins are included in both VST and AudioUnit plugin formats, for use in the mix.
Focusrite Saffire Features :
- Focusrite Pre Amps and audio quality - Class leading pre amps and converter performance from one of the most prestigious names in music recording
- Hardware-powered plug-ins for tracking - EQ, Compression, Reverb and Amp Modelling
Specifications
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS, PERFORMANCE AND SPECIFICATION
WINDOWS
Operating System
• Windows® XP Service Pack 2 (Home, Professional, 64bit XP or Media Centre Edition) or Windows Vista (32bit and 64bit - all versions)
Computer
• Windows® XP compatible PC
• 400Mb/s IEEE1394/FireWire port (OHCI compliant recommended)
CPU/Clock
• 1.4 GHz Intel or compatible
• 2.0 GHz Pentium© 4 or Xeon recommended for 192kHz operation
Memory (RAM)
• 256MB or more
• 512MB or higher recommended
APPLE MAC
Operating System
• Mac OS X Panther (10.3.3 or later) - Mac OS update may be required
Computer
• Apple Mac Power PC G4, G5 or Intel Mac (any)
CPU/Clock
• G4/800 MHz (minimum)
• G4/1.5GHZ or higher recommended for 192kHz operation
Memory (RAM)
• 256MB or more
• 512MB or higher recommended
ADDITIONAL INFO
• Firewire chipsets from TI (Texas Instruments), VIA, and NEC are recommended
• It is highly recommended that Saffire be run on its own Firewire bus/card
• In order to use Saffire with a 4-pin IEEE1394 port you will need a 4-pin to 6-pin cable (not included) and must use the PSU (included)
Mic
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
• THD+N: 0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: EIN > 120dB (measured at 60dB of gain with 150 Ohm termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Line
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
• THD+N: 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -88dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Instrument
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
• THD+N: 0.004% (measured with 0dBu input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -87dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Digital Performance
• Clock Source: Internal clock or sync to word clock on SPDIF
• A/D Dynamic Range 104dB 'A-weighted'
• D/A Dynamic Range 110dB ?A-weighted'
• Clock Jitter < 250 pico seconds
• Sample rate 44.1 to 192kHz
Analogue inputs
• Mic: 2 x XLR on front panel
• Mic Gain: +13dB to + 60dB
• Line: 2 x 1/4" TRS Jack
• Line Gain: -10dB to +36dB
• Instrument: As above, switched to Instrument
• Instrument Gain: +13dB to +60dB
Analogue outputs
• Line level 8 x 1/4" TRS Jack
• Nominal output level 0dBFS = 16dBu, electronically balanced
• All outputs are useable as monitoring outputs
Digital I/O
• 2 x SPDIF (RCA phono) on rear panel (24-bit, 96kHz) Output transformer isolated
MIDI I/O
• 1 in / 1 out on rear panel
FirewireS400
• 2 ports
Power
• Either via FIREWIRE or external PSU (12v AC, 1.5A)
Headphone Monitoring
• 2 x 1/4" TRS Jack on front panel (mirrors outputs 5-8)
Dimensions
• 2.6" (W) x 6.7" (H) x 6.7" (D)
Weight
• 2.4Ibs
