Record Tools : Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface

Record Tools : Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface

Overview

The Focusrite Saffire 6 USB is a USB audio interface with 2 input and 4 output. This audio interface also have same quality as award-winning Focusrite mic preamps as the rest of the Saffire range. This Focusrite Saffire 6 bring the best value and sounding interface to you.
The Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface is easily to set up with just a simple routing to record into, and playback from your computer. Has low latency than other USB Audio interface, with professional analogue-to-digital converters, you can rely on the best signal for your recording software.
Focusrite Saffire 6 has come with 2 mic pres, multiple output and MIDI I/O, suitable for many cue up material and send out two different signals, as the DJ also receive this advantages. The body was design as rock-solid. You can take it out and record on your specific place with confidence.

Software Included

Saffire 6 USB comes with Ableton Live Lite 8, Novation's Bass Station synthesizer and tons of sound samples. In addition to all this, you get the Focusrite FX Suite, which includes a compressor, gate, reverb and EQ to upgrade your standard AU/VST effects. The Saffire 6 USB is the easiest way of getting the classic Focusrite mic preamp into your recording set-up.

Features

• Two award-winning Focusrite preamps

The best sounding interface in its class. Focusrite's famous preamp legacy forms the foundation of this new interface, with two high-quality input stages.

• Ultra-reliable and easy to set up

Saffire 6 USB is simple to set up and easy to use, allowing you to concentrate on recording and playing back. It is also very reliable, ideal for use as a portable interface for use on stage and on location.

• High-quality 24-bit USB interface

Features the best A-D/D-A conversion in its class; pristine audio quality, super-low latency and reliable synchronisation are guaranteed.

• Ready for DJs

Four RCA outputs, high-level headphone output and class-leading digital converter performance make Saffire 6 USB the ideal interface for the laptop DJ.

• Xcite+ Software Bundle

Featuring a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged soft-synth and Ableton Live Lite 8, providing an affordable upgrade path to Ableton Live.

• Focusrite VST/AU Plug-in Suite, for use in the mix

Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with all-new Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.

• Dedicated switchable front-panel headphone bus

Monitor either the main mix or cue mix via headphones, all switchable from the front panel.

• Dedicated input/playback mix dial

Blend your monitor mix between what you're recording and the audio from the computer, for true zero-latency monitoring.

• Bus-powered for a tidy mobile recording rig

Saffire 6 USB is powered via USB, with no need for an additional power supply.

• Two Hi Z instrument inputs

No need for a separate DI. Saffire 6 USB provides instrument inputs with switchable high gain.

• Tactile Monitor dial

A front panel volume dial provides immediate control over the main stereo outputs.

• Switchable phantom power

Available across both mic pre inputs, globally switchable direct from the front fascia.

Specification

Key Performance Figures

•     Real World ADC Dynamic Range: 105 dB (A-weighted)

•     Real World DAC Dynamic Range: 103 dB (A-weighted)

•     Chipset ADC/DAC Dynamic Range: 114 dB (A-weighted)

•     Latency (Minimum Buffer Size): 77 SamplesNote: For Latency, the test machine was a Dual Core 2.66gHz Xeon

•     Mac Pro with 2GB of RAM, running 10.5.7

Microphone Inputs

•     Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 105 dB

•     SNR (A-weighted): -105 dB

•     Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB

•     THD+N: 0.0025% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

•     Noise: EIN > 120dB (measured with 50dB of gain with 150 Ohm termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

•     Maximum Input level @ Minimum gain for 0 dBFS (without pad): -2.5 dBu

•     Pad Attenuation: 10 dB

Line Inputs

•     Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 105 dB

•     SNR (A-weighted): 105 dB

•     Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB

•     THD+N (A-Weighted): < 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

•     Noise: -90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

•     Maximum level (A-weighted): 16.3dBu at 1%

Instrument Inputs

•     Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 105 dB

•     SNR (A-weighted): 105 dB

•     Frequency Response 20Hz-20KHz +/- 0.1 dB

•     THD+N, -1dBFS, min gain, no pad < 0.0025%

•     Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS (minimum gain, no pad): -3 dBu

•     Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS (maximum gain, no pad): -53 dBu

•     Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS (minimum gain, with pad): +7 dBu

•     Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS (maximum gain, with pad): -43 dBu

•     Pad Attenuation: 10 dB

•     Crosstalk: > 80 dB

Analogue Audio Outputs 1-2

•     Electronically Balanced Outputs

•     Maximum Output Level (0dBFS): +9 dBu

•     THD+N: 0.0025% (0 dBFS input, 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Analogue Audio Outputs 1-4 (RCA phono)

•     Unbalanced Outputs

•     Maximum output level (0dBFS): -3.5 dBu

•     THD+N: 0.03% (0 dBFS input, 20Hz/20kHz bandpass filter)

Headphone Outputs

•     Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz +/- 0.1 dB

•     SNR (A-weighted): 103 dB

•     Dynamic Range: 103 dB

•     Maximum Output into 32R: +3 dBu (-1.4 dBV)

•     Power into 32R: 24 mW

•     Output Impedance: < 7 Ohms

•     Load Impedance: > 24 Ohms

Additional Conversion Performance

•     Clock jitter < 250 picoseconds

Supported Sample Rates

•     44.1kHz / 48kHz

Connectivity

Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-2)

•     2 x XLR Mic/Line/Inst Neutrik Combi-Jacks (Inputs 1-2)

•     Automatic switch of Mic / Line (inserting a jack switches from Mic to either Line or Instrument (instrument selected via front panel)

Analogue Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-4)

•     2 x TRS analogue outputs (Outputs 1-2)

•     4 x RCA Phono outputs (Outputs 1-4)

•     1 x TRS stereo headphone output (switchable to outputs 1 and 2, or 3 and 4)

Other I/O

•     1 x USB 1.1 compliant USB port

•     1 x pair of MIDI I/O

Dimensions

•     W = 220 mm / 8", H = 45 mm / 1" , D = 145 mm / 5"

Weight

•     1 kg / 2.2 lbs

System Requirements

Macintosh

    - Computer: Apple Macintosh with a USB 1.1 compliant USB port
    - CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/1 GHz or higher (Intel/Dual 1 GHz or better recommended
    - Memory (RAM): 512 MB (1 GB or more recommended)
    - Screen Resolution: 1024x768 (1280x1024 or more recommended)

Windows

    - Computer: Windows compatible computer with a USB 1.1 compliant USB port
    - CPU/Clock: Pentium or AMD with 1 GHz or higher (Dual 1 GHz or better recommended)
    - Memory (RAM): 512 MB (1 GB or more recommended)
    - Screen Resolution: 1024x768 (1280x1024 or more recommended)

Setup Diagram

Customer Review

“ The unit is rock solid, well built and functions great. ”

Pat

“None of the interfaces(in this budget range) comes with enough software , so I at least wanted the best hardware for my money.”

recordathome 

  

“The front panel controls are very smooth and solid feeling.”

Matthew Self