33 replies to this topic

[tetsuneko]

I got me a Focusrite Saffire about 2 months ago, and I'm quite impressed with it. I also have an EMU1616M, with quite similar specs, but somehow the Saffire seems to sound a bit "crispier". I was wondering if anybody else on this board has any experience with the Saffire? How do you think it compares with other audio interfaces out there?

[Cheyne]

I think Captain Terrific will be able to help you there   he's our resident audio interface guru ...      Im sure he'll have some input next time he's online ...  (which is very often)

[tetsuneko]

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I think Captain Terrific will be able to help you there   he's our resident audio interface guru ...      Im sure he'll have some input next time he's online ...  (which is very often)

thanks! I'll check back a bit later, then

[Captain Terrific]

The Focusrite pre's are some of the more sought after in that price-range.

Which saffire did you get? im a huge fan of the 26IO pro - good luck finding something better spec'd for under a grand

[tetsuneko]

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The Focusrite pre's are some of the more sought after in that price-range.

Which saffire did you get? im a huge fan of the 26IO pro - good luck finding something better spec'd for under a grand

Ermm.. It's just called "Focusrite Saffire" as far as I know? Here's an URL to the product:
http://www.focusrite...roduct/saffire/

I basically had to get it because I needed to switch to a firewire-based interface, and I wanted bus-powered recording to be possible as well.

I have yet to test the pre's properly, so far I have been very happy!

[Captain Terrific]

ahh, yep. I was referring to the rack version, but those little desktop units are the bomb!

Ya get those smooth-as-silk mic pre's, some sweeeet plugins using it's onboard dsp, and the ability to mixdown to surround environments.

twin headphone outs are a godsend, and some nice routing options too.

Just hope your firewire is stable, they tend to be a little pedantic if not stroked the right way...

[tetsuneko]

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Just hope your firewire is stable, they tend to be a little pedantic if not stroked the right way...

Firewire is working nicely, although I had some problems initially. When I connected the Saffire for the first time, I couldn't get the box connected to the driver. After banging my head against the wall, and reconnecting like 20-30 times, including several firmware update attempts, the green lights finally lit and connection with the driver was established. Haven't had a problem since

I only wish one could use the onboard DSP for other channels than inputs as well.. As this is the case with my EMU1616M.. would make the Saffire much more flexible!

[ajay]

Im looking at getting one of these. I looked at Billyhydes and the saffire they have on there site is black. Now im not fussed what colour it is, but does the unit differ from the one pictured on the
focusrite site  (which is white!) ?

[Captain Terrific]

the black one is the LE which has less I/O and no onboard DSP - its also a little cheaper

u want the white one.

[ajay]

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the black one is the LE which has less I/O and no onboard DSP - its also a little cheaper

u want the white one.

Rightio, thanks for that!

[ajay]

Looking at the 26 i/o v 10 i/o model. Apart from the 26 having 16 channels of adat, what's the difference? because the price difference is significant...

[ajay]

ARGH....

Ive just got the 10 i/o pro.

Cant get the fucking thing to work... seems to be a software issue, but the thing doesnt seem to power up propperly (the lights come on, but it doesnt establish a connection to the computer). Ive downloaded the latest software for it, but I cant update the firmware becasue the it wont recognise that its plugged in.

I did some research, and it it appears that many people had a lot of teething issues but after reinstalling and fiddling around they get them working.

Anyone got any tricks? Im pulling my bloody hair out here...!

Calling out resident super hero!

[Captain Terrific]

mac or pc?

Im down the snow at the mo and my hands are freezing. Im finding it reeeeal hard to type!!!

Try give the guys @ Electric Factory a call, they have a pretty helpful team - If you don't have any luck goin that route, lemme know and i'll see what i can do for you when i get back on friday

If its PC - u prolly need Service Pack 2... if its mac, did u updated to the current one? i know some digi products didnt work after goin to 10.4.9... could be the same issue?

Nice purchase by the way, i do like Focusrite gear... lookin @ a liquidmix next for myself

[ajay]

Thanks Cap.

PC w/ SP2.  No luck as yet, my bro is a little more savy than I with the PC's so ill hit him up and see how it goes.  Ive heard of quite a few issues with setting up Firewire devices so im not deeply concerned as yet, but il shoot off some emails, unplug-replug, reinstall and go from there.

If anyone else knows of anything, please post it up!

[ajay]

Shit.

Now my heart is pounding!

Ive done a search relating to driver updates and the like... its revealed nothing but horror stories about the saffire.  Most people have had catastrophic failures with stability and functionality. Dreading the worst here. Maybe I should've gone for the RME card...

FUCK!!!

[Captain Terrific]

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... Just hope your firewire is stable...

*cough*

Edit: I'm still using PCI for this exact reason. I seem to be allergic to firewire at home -

Macs are a different matter entirely...

[ajay]

You mean you're using a firewire PCi card as opposed to an onboard type deal-ee-oh?

[Captain Terrific]

Sorry, should have been more specific, prolly shoulda said 'PCI Soundcard'

I use one of these - Edirol DA2496

I'm thinkin of runnin another from my FX pc, clocks pretty tight for a sub $1000 soundcard, not bad pre's either, considering the age of it...

As for my own f/w issues, I've got a new pc now with onboard 400 and a lacie firewire 800. Only had it a couple of weeks, but haven't had much chance to play with it - so my allergy to firewire may soon disappear thinks - hence the lookin @ a rme fireface 800... -

Been pretty solid for a while now, the previous owner of this computer had no worries with it either

Perhaps thats the card you should be throwin 'n yours hey???

Check it out

[ajay]

Ahh, ok.

Im starting to regret this purchase. The only sound Ive managed to draw out of the saffire so far has been a high pitched osilation from the can and stereo outs... hardly musical! The software interface is garbage, having to set up your ins and outs etc before even opening cubase is farked. I like being able to plug a card in, have it work, and make all routing adjustments in the sequencer.

I do hear though that firewire ports have always had trouble because of (not solely) antivirus software scanning all incoming ports - firewire, in this case - for unrecognised data. So a bit of il-communicado could be to blame here. Still doesnt excuse the horrible interface though.

An RME PCI card with a nice pre to match is really floating my boat at the moment... may have to look into that in the near future. Ive been running a Mia card which worked pretty damn well I have to say. No issues with stability or drivers - which makes me wonder why I even decided on a change in the 1st place!

Anyway, awating a reply from electric factory at this point.

[ajay]

^^ fwiw, Electric factory cant help...