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Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 Focusrite Saffire PRO 24
16-in/8-out FireWire Audio Interface, 24-bit/96kHz Resolution, with 2 Microphone Preamplifiers, DSP Mixer, and Software Bundle - Mac/PC

Retail Price: $399.99
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Focusrite Saffire (No Longer Available)

Item ID: Saffire

FireWire Audio Interface with 2 Focusrite Preamps, 24-Bit/192kHz capability, Control Software and Plug-Ins - Mac/PC

Sorry, the Focusrite Saffire is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

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From Our Research Team:

Focusrite Quality in an Affordable Audio Interface!

Now you can have Focusrite quality in an affordable audio interface! The Focusrite Saffire is a new breed of firewire interface with onboard DSP and 24-bit/192kHz processing. Saffire fuses state-of-the-art hardware with highly integrated software to take audio interfaces - and you - one giant step closer to the professional studio experience.

Focusrite Saffire Audio Interface at a Glance:
  • Affordable audio interface with 24-bit/192kHz capability
  • 4-in/10-out connections include 2 Focusrite preamps
  • Complete I/O control with included software
  • Included plug-ins run on Saffire DSP - no computer load!
  • Cubase LE DAW software included

Affordable audio interface with 24-bit/192kHz capability
Focusrite raises the stakes for project studios with the Saffire! You won't find this combination of hardware and software anywhere else. Saffire offers incredibly flexible analog and digital I/O, 24-bit/192kHz recording capability, and DSP-based plug-ins that work with virtually any software.

4-in/10-out connections include 2 Focusrite preamps
The Saffire gives you plenty of I/O options, with four inputs (2 digital) and 10 outputs (2 digital). Two Focusrite preamps provide high-quality analog audio. Saffire also offers unrivalled foldback and monitoring options so you'll have all you need to navigate through a modern recording session. Focusrite build and sound quality, intelligent front-end design and cutting-edge compression, EQ and foldback reverb software combine to guarantee that Saffire is an intuitive and trouble-free recording experience.

Complete I/O control with included software
The SaffireControl software suite (from the same team that created the control application for The Liquid Channel) includes a comprehensive I/O control plus Focusrite EQ, Compression, Amp Modeling and Reverb plug-ins. Focusrite front-end design is combined with software to provide effects processing on the incoming audio and foldback reverb over any of the separate headphone/monitor outputs, ensuring artists are happy while audio is tracked.

SaffireControl offers two preset modes of operation, allowing the hardware to function either as a comprehensive tracking tool, with custom foldback mixes (of incoming audio and tracks from a sequencer) for artists, or a standard sound card, with eight analog outputs. Buttons within the main software application instantly recall these two interface performance setups, and of course all settings for either mode can be saved for later session recall.

Designed with workflow management in mind, the SaffireControl software can be set to whatever level of complexity you require, with simple controls on the surface and more advanced settings always visible but only activated when you need them. Once settings have been defined, SaffireControl can be shrunk down to a condensed format and set to "float" continuously over your recording software, offering I/O signal control at a glance.

Included plug-ins run on Saffire DSP - no computer load!
With the plug-ins for the two analog channels, including foldback reverb for the outputs, running off Saffire's onboard hardware DSP, the computer's processor is never taxed. The entire plug-in suite also comes in AU/VST format for using separately within the sequencer or recording software.

Saffire plug-in effects include:
  • Compressor - Modeled on the Focusrite's hardware devices, using the measurement of custom optos to achieve the signature Focusrite sound. All Focusrite optos are tuned by ear, just like in the old days of analog design, ensuring a faithful recreation of those classic vintage 1960s optical compressors.
  • EQ - With the same signature as the original Focusrite EQ curves. Focusrite's R&D team used state-of-the-art numerical transform techniques to create an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum.
  • Reverb - Based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs.
  • Amp Modeling - With overdrive, speaker simulation and classic passive guitar EQ emulation.

Cubase LE DAW software included
You can get started recording right away with Saffire's included Steinberg Cubase LE software. With 48 audio and 64 MIDI tracks and professional audio editing and processing features, Cubase LE will help you build great sounding mixes.

Cubase LE Features:
  • Full automation of volume, pan, mute and effects
  • MIDI score editor with advanced quantization and logical presets
  • Supports up to 8 VST instruments
  • 2 insert and 4 effect sends per channel
  • VST system link and ReWire 2 compatible


Focusrite Saffire Audio Interface Features:
  • Ultra-low latency Firewire interface with onboard DSP
  • 24-bit/192kHz integrated AD/DA converters
  • Four inputs including two Focusrite preamps and SPDIF I/O
  • Eight 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
  • SaffireControl software suite included
  • Cubase LE included
  • Plug-ins also available for use within your software DAW
  • MIDI I/O

Recording was never easier than with Saffire!

Saffire Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number SAFFIRE

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Reviews

great success

by Troy Stoner from Savannah, GA
October 11, 2008
Music Background: Amateur Composer/Engineer
The Focusrite Saffire is a triple threat of an interface. It is great for those looking to experiment with surround mixing and composition, while still providing quality focusrite preamps for recordi... read more [+]ng vocals or dual micing a guitar, with the added benefit of nice, internal dsp-handled plugins. What more could an avant-garde composer want?! close [-]

Great

by Anonymous from Asia
March 18, 2008
Music Background: Hip hop emcee, producer, and studio engineer
This is a great piece of equipment. Honestly, if I didn't have to pay $55 for shipment and an additional $70 at my doorstep for handling, bank, and customs fees, I would have probably given this a per... read more [+]fect score.

The sound quality is great for vocals. It blends with the rest of the mix very well, and has a lot of presence and richness. I have had no problems with the drivers other than the occasional time when I have to unplug and plug the device so that my laptop recognizes it once again.

I have sometimes heard some clicks and pops during audio playback, but it is no big deal at all.

The on-board EQ is stunning. I love it. The compressor is okay, as it tends to have too much of a processed sound sometimes.

The physical features of the unit are great: the mute switch, the two headphone outputs, and the monitor and headphone volume knobs.

Overall, I love this thing. It is like a dream come true. close [-]

Quite a surprise

by BS from Germany
July 13, 2006
Music Background:
I always doubted the quality of the Saffire before i bought it. Just as I doubted the quality of each "all in one" device out there. Before I bought the Saffire I already used the Mindprint TRIO, M-Au... read more [+]dio Fast Track Pro, M-Audio Firewire 410 and the Terratec X24 FW.
I'm quite surprised by the sound quality of the Saffire. I compared the internal preamps to a lot of well known outboard preamps. Of course - differences were audible. But the Saffire held its head high in this competition. Combine the Saffire with a good condenser mic and you're ready to go.
I wouldn't recommend using the Saffire preamps with dynamic mics like a SM58 or SM7, though. Outboard preamps provide more gain with less noise for this purpose. Dynamics with a higher output like the Beta 58A on the other hand are no problem with the internal preamps.
The routing and monitoring options are very nice, as well as two headphone outputs.
Drivers are very solid in my experience (XP-SP2, using onboard via-firewire-chipset on an ASUS A8V Deluxe mainboard).
In comparison to the M-Audio Firewire 410, which I used before, the Saffire provides balanced I/O and better preamps.
In the end, I can absolutely reommend the Saffire for mobile- and project-studio-recording. close [-]

Great Sound, Easy to Use

by Brian Greminger from Ann Arbor, MI, USA
June 8, 2006
Music Background: Video Producer/Sound Engineer
DanG! This is one sweet piece of equipment! I mostly record voiceover for video, and had been using a Neumann TLM103 hooked up to an Event Layla 20 with an ART TubeMP to boost gain and add warmth. ... read more [+]I tried swapping out the Layla with an Event EZBus, but weird drops in audio (ahh, USB's susceptability to system interrupts!) kept ruining takes. Not so, Saffire! I'm running it on a dual-boot MacBook Pro, and it's clean and reliable on both sides of the Windows/MacOS fence (I've also used it for event recording, up to 1.25 hrs per take). I still like to add the TubeMP into the chain, but I don't need to just for the gain. And, it fits into my 'puter bag. Very happy, and would recommend highly. close [-]

Powerful, great-sounding interface

by Shane Hendricks from Hattiesburg, MS
July 29, 2006
Music Background: Musician/composer since 1986
The Focurite Saffire sounds terrific to me. So far I've used it with my MXL condenser mic, but I can't vouch for the sound yet with my SM57. It's my first interface, so I'm comparing it to using the... read more [+] 16/44 I/O of my G4. The onboard compression and EQ sound great and are a big help, but frankly...the pres don't need a lot of help sounding great (obviously blows away my Behringer Ultragain Pro pre that has a tube). This box is all metal except for the front. The I/Os are balanced, and the outs on the back are bolted in tight. Midi I/O works great. If you love having tons of routing options, you'll dig the SaffireControl software that facilitates many submixes via the 10 outs; software takes a little time to get used to, but then no problems. SPDIF I/O works great with my V-Amp and DAT. Overall, a very sturdy, attractive, versatile, and great sounding unit. Glad I bought it.

Gripes? A few. The headphone amps are a little weak, but I think Focusrite did this on purpose to keep you from blowing your head off. I had to buy a new AGP video card to power my two video monitors, as one of my old PCI ATI Rage's caused the Saffire to click, pop, and reset whenever there was graphical movement on the attached monitor. Sometimes after a start-up, the unit will not come on and I'll have to unplug and replug the firewire cable. Sometimes at 96K, I'll start having some clicking in the left channel if the processor is under stress. No problems so far at 44 and 48K. At 192 K, you get a reduced software set--still not sure why, but you make some sacrifices to work in 192 (my computer can barely handle 96, so no problems for me there).

I still need to give this thing a workout on the ol' DAW, but I don't think I'll be sending it back. My gripes are minor annoyances that I'm not sure any other comparable interface could solve; much of the problem likely lies with the age and ability of old, heavily-upgraded AGP G4 (dual 1.2 GHz). If you use DP like me, you'll have to set the work priority to LOW. close [-]
Read more reviews
See Also: FireWire Interfaces , Focusrite , Focusrite FireWire Audio Interfaces

Focusrite Saffire

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