Focusrite Saffire User manual

Focusrite Saffire:
Getting Started Guide
STEP 1: SEQUENCER INSTALLATION
1. If you don’t already have a sequencer installed in your
computer, then insert the Cubase LE CDROM (the sequencer
provided with Saffire).
2. Upon inserting the CDROM, the Cubase LE installer should
start automatically.
3.The installer will guide you through the installation process.
4. When the installation process is complete, exit the installer.
NOTE FOR PC USERS: TO EXIT THE INSTALLER, CLICK ON THE
‘MAN EXITING THE DOOR’ IN THE BOTTOM LEFT.
STEP 2: DRIVER AND SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Windows XP
DO NOT CONNECT THE SAFFIRE UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO
DO SO BY THE INSTALLER.
1. Run the Installer from the Saffire resources disc.
2. During the installation process you will see the following message:
“The software you are installing has not passed the
Windows Logo testing to verify its compatibility with
Windows XP.” Select ‘Continue Anyway’ to proceed.
3. You will now be instructed to connect your Saffire to your PC using
the 6 pin Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable.You can use either port 1 or 2.
NOTE: Please use the firewire provided as other cables may not be
compatible. If the computer/laptop only has a (smaller) 4-pin Firewire port
then a different Firewire cable will be required; note that in this case, the
external power supply will also be required, as 4-pin Firewire ports cannot
supply power.The 4-pin Firewire cable is not included.
4. Once connected, the Saffire drivers and plugins will be installed
automatically. Please be patient during this process.
5. Upon opening your sequencer you will need to authorise your
Saffire Plugins*.
6. Once installation is complete, you may exit the installer.
7.You are now ready to run Saffire control.
8.The first time you run Saffire it may prompt you to update
firmware. Ensure you have an internet connection and follow the on
screen instructions.
Mac OS X Installation
1. Connect your Saffire to your Mac using the 6 pin Firewire (IEEE 1394)
cable. NOTE: Some early Powerbooks may still require the Saffire PSU to
be used. (If the screen goes dark, then you require the PSU.This is a fault
with the Powerbook itself.)
2. Insert the Saffire Resources disc and click on the ‘CLICK ME FIRST’ icon.
3. Now simply follow the on-screen instructions
4. During the installation you will need to authorise your Saffire Plugins*.
We recommend you use SAFARI as your internet browser.
5. Once installation is complete, you may exit the installer.
6. If for some reason you are unable to complete the authorisation
process you can try again by running the authoriser, installed in
Applications/Saffire.
7.You’re now ready to run SaffireControl.
8.The first time you run Saffire it may prompt you to update
firmware. Ensure you have an internet connection and follow the on
screen instructions.
*The PACE Authoriser will guide you through this process. We highly
recommend using the internet authorisation option, as it ensures your plugins
are authorised immediately.
Once the drivers/software have been installed, Saffire is ready to use.
However, it must be selected as the audio interface within whatever
sequencer/recording platform is in use, so consult the relevant software
manual for instructions on how to do this. If using Cubase then simply go
to the Device Setup option within the Devices Menu and select Saffire as
the VST Multitrack (audio interface).
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Focusrite Saffire: Getting Started Guide
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Front panel facilities and controls
Input select and gain adjust
The top two sections allow the gain of the two analogue
inputs to be adjusted using the corresponding dials.The level
of the respective input is indicated by the triple LED dBFS
meter next to it, a healthy level having a permanently
illuminated green LED with occasional yellow LED flickering
but no red O/L LED, which signifies that digital clipping is
occurring.The Line input button allows either a line-level or
Instrument source (connected to the front panel 1/4 " TRS jack
input) to be chosen, as indicated by the corresponding LED.
Monitor level controls
The dial in this section provides a control over the level of
one or more monitor signal(s) dependent upon the settings
of the Saffire Conreol software (this defaults to a level
control for outputs 1 and 2), with buttons to dim (reduce
the level by 12dB) or mute as required.This dial can also be
used to control the level of additional stereo outputs
simultaneously by activating the hardware control button (H)
in the relevant stereo output section of the SaffireControl
software (see diagram opposite).
Digital and MIDI display and control
When an SPDIF (digital) signal is connected to the SPDIF
RCA (phono) input on the rear panel, the SPDIF In LED in
this section will illuminate. Similarly, the MIDI In and Out
LEDs will light when a MIDI signal is received and transmitted
respectively.When the MIDI Thru button is active, indicated by
the corresponding LED, the MIDI data received at the MIDI
Input will be sent directly to the MIDI Output, without
needing to launch any sequencing software.
Headphones outputs and level controls
This section features two stereo 1/4" TRS jack connectors for
the independent headphones mixes. Not only can the level
of each headphones signal be independently controlled
(using the corresponding dial), but the balance of each signal
can be set using the custom mix facility within the
accompanying SaffireControl software.
Microphone and line inputs
Front panel inputs are supplied for both microphone and
line-level sources. Plugging in a source to one of the Line
Inputs will deactivate the corresponding Mic Input, so
ensure that nothing is connected to the Line Input if wishing
to record through the Mic Inputs. If phantom power is
required, simply press the 48V button above the Mic Inputs,
which supplies phantom power to both inputs. If you are
using a condenser microphone then this switch will need to
be engaged. If you are unsure whether your microphone
requires phantom power, refer to its user guide as phantom
power will damage some microphones, most notably
ribbon microphones.
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Focusrite Saffire: Getting Started Guide
Recording and monitoring a source using Saffire
SOUNDCARD (S/CARD) MODE
SaffireControl boots up in Soundcard (S/CARD) mode, which is the mode
to use if wanting to send outputs 1-8 from a sequencer straight out of
analogue outputs 1-8 of the Saffire for mixing/monitoring purposes.
Pressing the TRACK (tracking/recording) button on the bottom right of the
SaffireControl window changes the software to recording mode, where
both inputs and outputs are heard.To return to S/CARD mode, simply
press the S/CARD button in the bottom right of the SaffireControl window.
This bypasses the complex monitoring and foldback options of SaffireControl
and simply makes Saffire behave like a 10-output (1-8 analogue, 9-10 digital)
soundcard. Pressing the S/CARD and TRACK buttons within SaffireControl
and seeing/listening to the results is a good way to get to grips with the
software and learn how various SaffireControl settings affect the function
of the hardware.
This guide aims to give you a few simple instructions and tips on how to
get audio in and out of your computer using Saffire and the accompanying
software SaffireControl. For more detailed instructions, consult the relevant
sections of the Saffire User Guide and help files at www.focusrite.com.
Once the drivers have been installed, the sequencer/ recording software is
up and running and the Saffire has been correctly set up as the selected
audio interface, audio can be recorded.
1. First, open up the SaffireControl application and then connect 1/4 " TRS
jack outputs 1 and 2 on the rear of the hardware to your amp or speakers
(depending on whether they are active or not). Alternatively, just plug some
headphones into the Headphones 1 socket on the front panel.
2.To record a mono source like a vocalist or guitar player, simply plug a
microphone into the left hand XLR socket on the front of the Saffire
hardware and press the 48V (phantom power) button if required.
Phantom power is only necessary if using a condenser microphone; almost
all dynamic microphones will be unaffected, but ribbon microphones will
be damaged..
3. Now get the artist to play or sing and set the level of the input using
the gain adjustment knob on the front panel. Rotate the dial clockwise to
increase the level, making sure that the O/L LED (top red LED) never
illuminates as this indicates that the level is exceeding the maximum level of
the digital converter (clipping point).
For an even easier indication of level, observe the level of the meter in the
top left of the SaffireControl window (as shown in the diagram).
4. Switch to tracking (recording) mode by pressing the TRACK button in the
bottom right of the full SaffireControl window (not shown in the diagram).
SaffireControl boots up in S/CARD (soundcard) mode, which is a preset
where only the (playback) tracks from the sequencer are heard (explained later).
5.You will now hear the input source routed to your monitors and/or headphones.
The recorded source should be heard on both headphones and monitors
as the INPUT MIX-P/BACK MIX sliders will all be in a central position (as
shown in the diagram).This means that equal amounts of the (playback)
tracks from the sequencer and the incoming audio will be sent to each
stereo output pair. If you wish only to monitor the audio being recorded
then move this slider to the extreme left position.
6. Adjust the level of the monitors, if connected, by using the Monitor dial on
the front of the hardware (providing the Hardware (H) button is illuminated
in the o/ps 1 and 2 section (see diagram below)).The headphones level can
also be adjusted using the headphones gain dial on the front panel (above
the headphones output).
Observe level
of Input 1 here
With slider in
central position,
Inputs and Playback
are heard
Hardware control
button is active on
o/ps 1 and 2 so
the level can be
controlled from the
Monitor dial on
the hardware
Level of
Headphones 1 and
o/ps 5 and 6 (same
signal) set here
DIM switch is active
so level of o/ps
1 and 2 will be
12dB down