Gallery
Description
Features
Specs
Reviews
Q&A
Focusrite

Description

The Focusrite Saffire FireWire Audio Interface fuses state-of-the-art hardware with highly integrated software to take audio interfacing one giant step closer to the professional studio experience with onboard DSP and 24-bit/192kHz processing.

4 inputs (2 digital and 2 with Focusrite preamps) and 10 outputs (2 digital) with unrivaled foldback and monitoring options ensure you have everything needed to navigate through a modern recording session: Focusrite build and sound quality, intelligent front-end design, cutting-edge compression, EQ, and foldback reverb software are all combined to guarantee an intuitive, trouble-free recording experience that results in superb sound.

The brand-new software accompanying the Saffire hardware is a revolutionary new platform from the team that produced LiquidControl and the Forte Suite. This seamless 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 4 are also available as a suite of plug-ins from within the recording platform in use. Up to 5 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 FireWire interface of choice for the serious recording engineer.

Focusrite' popular Saffire Firewire interfaces are fully compatible with Thunderbolt ports on Mac computers. All you need to connect the two is a FireWire 400-800 cable (included with all new Saffire interfaces later this year) and the Thunderbolt to FireWire 800 adapter (not included). Simply plug this into the Thunderbolt port on your computer and connect the FireWire interface “ it' as simple as that. Saffire interfaces are 100% compatible with Thunderbolt using this adaptor.

All Saffire FireWire and Thunderbolt-compatible interfaces now come bundled with Focusrite's Midnight plug-in suite for free upon registration. The Midnight plug-in suite models two of the most iconic Focusrite modules of all time “ the ISA110 equaliser and ISA130 compressor “ and gives them elegant, functional on-screen front panels for easy control.
Focusrite Saffire FireWire Audio Interface
Focusrite Saffire FireWire Audio Interface
Focusrite Saffire FireWire Audio Interface

Features

  • Ultra-low latency FireWire 400 interface with onboard DSP
  • 24-bit, 192kHz integrated AD/DA converters
  • 4 inputs; 2 Focusrite preamps and SPDIF I/O
  • 8 balanced outputs for creating separate headphone/monitor mixes or 7.1 surround monitoring
  • Suite of Saffire-powered plug-ins; compression, EQ, amp modeling, and monitor path reverb available on analogue inputs, for recording wet and/or monitoring
  • Free accompanying software allows the engineer to create up to 5 unique stereo mixes of all incoming and recorded tracks
  • Plug-ins also available for use within the user's software platform
  • MIDI I/O
  • Includes Cubase LE
  • Compatible with Mac Thunderbolt ports with additional adapter (not included)

Specs

Minimum System Requirements:
  • To obtain the highest level of functionality especially at higher sampling frequencies, Focusrite recommends using higher CPU/clock speeds and more RAM
Macintosh
  • OS: OS X 10.3.3 or later
  • CPU/Clock: G3/800MHz, G4/700MHz
  • G4/1.2GHz or higher recommended for 192kHz operation
  • Memory: 256MB RAM minimum
PC
  • OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/XP Professional
  • CPU/Clock: Pentium, Celeron or Pentium compatible processor 900MHz or higher
  • Memory: 256MB RAM minimum

Reviews

4

1 Reviews

0%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Reviewed by 1 customers

  • A good beginning

    4

    submitted19 years ago

    byPaul

    fromRochester, NY

    I have used my Focusrite Saffire for almost a year now, and I have had few issues. I use it primarily with XP, although I also installed it on a Powerbook to try it out. There seems to be an issue with the GUI if you leave it open for too long (even with the firmware/software updates). I get a "firewire connection lost" error if I forget to close the SaffireControl panel. Having said that, I have never had it crash (knocking on wood...) during a live recording since I set it and close it. The bundled Cubase LE works well for remote recording, and is streamlined enough to run on a laptop without it becoming unstable. The preamps are, as expected, very clean, and they can record at 24bit 96 kHz. Hardware DSP is a great bonus. Unfortunately, there are only 2 ins, limiting a capture to a stereo pair. There are 8 analog outs, which is great considering I sometimes use 8-channel playback. Overall, this unit is the beginning of what I hope is a long reputation for high-quality computer interfaces.

  • Previous
  • 1
  • Next

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

No results but…

You can be the first to ask a new question.

It may be Answered within 48 hours.