SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT DRIVERS
SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT PATCH
SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT PRO
SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT SOFTWARE
SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT PLUS

SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT PRO

On top of that, the PRO 40 has two Thunderbolt-compatible EIE1394 FireWire 400 connectors, so one can be used to connect to the host while the other is available for daisy-chaining another Saffire unit.

SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT PLUS

Both types of digital connection can be used simultaneously, so potentially you could use four S/PDIF channels, or eight ADAT signals plus stereo S/PDIF, for a total of 10 digital inputs and 10 digital outputs. The coax is meant for straight, 2-channel stereo S/PDIF signals, but does support encoded AC3 streams. The optical connector can be used for S/PDIF as well as ADAT. It’s nice to see interfaces with enough I/O to accommodate surround actually take advantage of the opportunity to do so. In the software, analog outputs could be grouped into stereo, stereo-plus-subwoofer, quad, 5.1 or 7.1, and then controlled by the monitor knob. Besides mixing inputs with outputs, the MixControl panel allows more flexible control over multichannel monitoring setups. While the inputs are A/D-converted before hitting the mixer, there is no noticeable delay.

SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT SOFTWARE

The included MixControl software mixer allows the combination of low-latency input signals with latent DAW returns. As is typical on FireWire and USB interfaces, the designers have taken into account that larger sessions will require higher DAW buffer settings, which will lead to latency in monitoring. Saffire MixControl features attractive graphics and clear labels. Signals can be piled onto the buses feeding any of these connectors by using the Saffire MixControl application. The level sent to these outputs can be controlled using a knob on the front panel the front panel also features two headphone jacks, each with their own level controls. There is also a dedicated pair of 1/4-inch “monitor” outputs, designed to feed active monitors or a power amplifier. The back panel also includes a group of eight ¼-inch output connectors, seemingly designed for taking splits or stems out through an analog mixer, routing to outboard effects, or building individual mixes to feed different headphone amplifiers.

SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT PATCH

This, unfortunately, forces the user to choose one or the other when wiring the back-panel connectors into a patch bay. This seems to be the trend with gear using these types of combo connectors. While the Saffire MixControl application allows a user to switch between line and instrument signals when a connection to the ¼-inch jack is detected, there is no way to bypass automatic selection of mic versus line signals. All eight inputs are designed to accept line-level signals through the ¼-inch component, and the first four can be made to amplify high-impedance, unbalanced, instrument-level signals, as well.Įach also offers a phantom-powered mic preamp, accessible through the XLR. They each connect using XLR/TRS ¼-inch combo jacks, two of which are mounted on the front panel, the other six on the back. The analog inputs each have a corresponding five-segment LED meter on the front panel. Also included are a pair of Toslink I/O connecters as well as coax S/PDIF I/O and MIDI I/O on standard 5-pin DIN connectors. The PRO 40 offers eight analog inputs and 10 analog outputs. The Saffire PRO 40 packs a good amount of I/O and connectivity into a single-rackspace unit, while also offering plenty of opportunity for expansion.

SAFFIRE MIXCONTROL ROUTING MIC OUTPUT DRIVERS

Having two buses to handle data has always been handy, and now, using a FireWire-to-Thunderbolt adapter, the Saffire drivers can interface with a FireWire-free PC. However, sharing the USB bus between hard drives and interfaces can lead to unnecessary bottlenecking. This has left many engineers turning to USB 3 interfaces. While Apple computers continue to provide FireWire ports, others have phased them out, choosing Thunderbolt as an alternative. Each is designed to connect via FireWire 400, and they are among the first multichannel interfaces to provide Thunderbolt connectivity.

The new Saffire line includes the Saffire PRO 40, PRO 26 and PRO 24.

On top of that, their innovation doesn’t stop at sound quality, but has embraced connectivity and flexibility in the digital domain. In recent years, however, Focusrite has blurred that line and delivered great sound at modest prices, pleasing engineers at all levels.

Some pros were disappointed when the company started playing to project studios, feeling that their early offerings in that market fell short of the sound quality associated with the Focusrite name. Early on, Focusrite earned the respect of audio pros with the release of serious, professional mic preamps, consoles and rackmounted channel strips.

Saffire mixcontrol routing mic output