About the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
The heart of a powerful project studio
The heart of a powerful project studio
If you're designing a project studio, you need an interface with two key components: speed and great sound. Focusrite's Saffire Pro 40 excels at both, so you can take full advantage of your computer's processing power. FireWire ensures ultra-fast signal transfer compared to USB, for use with lots of tracks and effects. And JetPLL™ jitter reduction ensures accurate analog and digital conversion for pinpoint accuracy and pristine sound quality. This pro-quality interface will help you produce recordings that sound like they were cut in a state-of-the-art studio.
Eight combination mic preamps
Recording engineers know how important microphone preamps are in the recording process. The eight high-quality Focusrite mic preamps found in the rack-mountable Saffire Pro 40 are known for their low-distortion, high-headroom performance. The front-panel features two Neutrik Combo® inputs which can accommodate XLR or 1/4" connectors. Plug in a microphone or line-level signal, or switch either input to Instrument for direct connection of an electric guitar or bass. Six more rear-panel combo inputs can accept mic and line signals. Each input has a dedicated gain knob and LED level meter, along with phantom power which can be enabled on four inputs at a time.
Need more inputs? The optical digital input can accept an eight-channel ADAT stream from an external device like a mic preamp console with an ADAT output. This connection lets you take full advantage of this interface's impressive 20-channel input capability, so you can mike an entire band, from vocals and guitars, to keyboards and drum kits. You can even connect a second Saffire Pro 40 to the extra FireWire port for dual use and a whopping 40 inputs.
One of the keys to the Saffire Pro 40's versatility is the powerful MixControl digital routing and mixing software.
Powerful mixing software with direct monitoring and loopback recording
Saffire MixControl is a high-powered software mixer which offers lots of possibilities. You can create up to 16 mono or eight stereo mixes from any combination of the interface's 20 input channels or 20 outputs from your DAW. This ensures everyone is satisfied with their monitor mix, so they can deliver a rock-solid performance. MixControl also allows musicians to monitor without latency as the input signals can be sent to the headphone outputs or other external monitoring stations before going to your computer.
The Saffire Pro 40's final two inputs come courtesy of a loopback feature. This can be activated in MixControl to record two channels of audio from a separate software application on your computer. Use it to record a song playing in iTunes® or to record audio from a separate software synthesizer or sampler. MixControl will route this signal into your DAW, giving you even more source possibilities to use with this versatile interface.
Analog outs for monitors and effects
There are ten 1/4" analog outputs, the first two of which are dedicated to your stereo studio monitors. Use the others for creating a 7.1-channel mix for accompanying video productions. Or send them out to an external monitoring station, effects processor, or additional pairs of studio monitors to evaluate your mixes on different types of speakers.
Includes Ableton Live Lite recording software and plug-ins
If you don't already own recording software, the Saffire Pro 40 comes bundled with Ableton Live Lite, which offers all you need to start making recordings right out of the box. Also included are the Scarlett Plug-in Suite — with EQ, compression, gating, and reverb effects — and Novation Bass Station, a software version of the classic Novation analogue synth used in electronic music. There's also 1GB of samples and loops from Loopmasters to help you get started making music on your own, before your bandmates start showing up at your door.
Product highlights:
- computer audio interface with 20 input and 20 output channels
- 8 high-quality Focusrite mic preamps with 48V phantom power offer low-noise, high-headroom performance
- accepts mic, instrument, line-level, MIDI, ADAT, and S/PDIF signals
- Scarlett MixControl DSP mixing software offers fully assignable 18-in/16-out routing and low-latency direct monitoring
- includes Ableton Live Lite digital recording software along with Scarlett Plug-in Suite and 1GB of Loopmasters samples
- optical digital in/out allows up to eight channels of ADAT signals with external mic preamps and recorders
- Loopback feature allows you to record two-channel audio from another software application on your computer
Connections:
- 2 front-panel XLR/TRS switchable mic/line/instrument inputs with 9dB pad for use with microphones, electric guitars and basses, and line-level sources
- 6 rear-panel XLR/TRS balanced mic/line inputs for use with microphones, keyboards, and drum machines
- MIDI input/output for use with an external MIDI controller
- ten 1/4" balanced analog outputs for connecting powered studio monitors, mixing boards, or effects processors
- ADAT-compatible optical (Toslink) digital in/out for connection to external ADAT devices such as a Focusrite 8-channel mic preamp
- coaxial digital (S/PDIF) in/out
- two 1/4" headphone outputs with independent volume control for discrete monitor mixes
- two IEEE 1394 6-pin FireWire inputs for connection to a computer, external hard drive or daisy-chaining with an additional Focusrite Saffire device for up to 40 inputs
- Thunderbolt™ compatible with a FireWire-to-Thunderbolt adapter
General Features:
- 24-bit analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog conversion with sampling rates up to 96kHz
- volume knob with Dim and Mute buttons for controlling levels in studio monitors (Dim button attenuates level by 18dB)
- multi-channel mixing capability for creating 7.1-channel surround mixes
- stand-alone mode lets you use the device as a mixer or mic preamp on stage without connection to a computer
- LED level meters for all 8 analog inputs
- 6- to 9-pin FireWire cable included
- system requirements: FireWire (IEEE 1394) port; 1GHz processor; 512MB RAM; Windows XP (SP2), Windows XP64, Windows Vista, Windows Vista64, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Mac OS X 10.4 or later (OS X 10.4 and 10.5 require installation of a previous version of Saffire MixControl)
- 19"W x 1-13/16"H x 10-7/16"D (1U rack space)
- weight: 6.6 lbs.
- warranty: 1 year
- MFR # Saffire Pro 40
What's in the box:
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 owner's manual
- Saffire Pro 40 Firewire Audio Interface
- 6' AC power cord
- 62" Firewire cable (6-pin to 9-pin)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Saffire Range CD-ROM
- Xcite+ Pack CD-ROM
- Bass Station authorization card
- Ableton Live promo card
- Online registration card
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More details on the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
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Features
Overview: The Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 is a 24-bit/96kHz professional FireWire audio interface with 20 channels in and 20 channels out. It has 8 Neutrix XLR / 1/4" combination connectors, for connecting up to 8 microphones or line level sources, and up to 2 instrument level sources. There are also ADAT in/out, stereo S/PDIF in/out, and two virtual "loopback" inputs for routing digital audio between software applications. The Saffire Pro 40 provides ten 1/4" line outputs, two 1/4" monitor outs, optical and SPDIF ins and outs, MIDI in/out, and two 6-pin FireWire ports. The Saffire Pro 40 is rack-mountable, and takes up 1U of rack space.
Preamps: The Saffire Pro 40 is equipped with eight high-quality, award-winning Focusrite preamps. The preamps, based on the legacy preamps Focusrite was founded upon, are a special 2-stage design created specially for Focusrite computer interfaces. They are known for their high gain, exceptional headroom, and low noise. For additional headroom, the first two channels feature -9dB pads.
Dual Headphone Monitors: The front panel features two separate headphone outputs, each with their own level control. With two headphone buses, two artists can receive independent and customized monitor mixes. In addition, there are two dedicated stereo monitor mix outputs. Each output has a pad for improved sound quality when used with active monitor speakers, and anti-thump circuitry to protect your speakers.
Thunderbolt Compatible: The Saffire Pro 40 is compatible with Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 ports found on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, and many other Macintosh models and some PCs. Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 currently provide the fastest possible dataspeeds at 10 GB/sec and 20 GB/sec respectively, compared to 5 GB/sec for USB 3.0. To connect the Saffire Pro 40 with a Thunderbolt device, you will need to purchase an Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter (sold separately).
Operating System Compatibility: The Saffire Pro 40 comes with the powerful Saffire MixControl mixing software. With its ultra-low latency, the software has advanced output routing and monitoring, with a clear mixing layout and large on-screen meters. Also included are Focusrite plug-ins for Compression, Reverb, Gating, and EQ VST/AU. The Saffire Pro 40 is compatible with the following Operating Systems:
- Windows: Windows 8.1 (except RT), Windows 8, Windows 7 (64-bit), Windows 7, Windows Vista (64-bit), Windows Vista, Windows XP (except 64-bit)
- Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.4.11 (when using Saffire Mix Control 1.8), Mac OS X 10.5 (using Saffire Mix Control 2.4), Mac OS X 10.6, Mac OS X 10.7, Mac OS X 10.8, Mac OS X 10.9, Mac OS X 10.10
Specifications
Analog Inputs 1-2: These front panel combo XLR inputs will accept an XLR, 1/4-inch TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) connector; can be used for microphones, line-level, or instrument-level sources; automatic mic-to-line switching (manual switching to instrument); contains switchable -9dB pad for additional headroom
Analog Inputs 3-8: These rear panel combo XLR inputs will accept an XLR, 1/4-inch TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) connector; can be used for microphones or line-level sources
- Microphone Inputs:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/-0.1dB
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 109dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): -109dB
- THD+N: 0.001% (1kHz with 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Maximum level (A-weighted): 8 dBu at 1%
- Line Inputs:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/-0.1dB
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 109dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): -109dB
- THD+N: 0.001% (0dBFS with 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Maximum level (A-weighted): 28.5 dBu at 1%
- Instrument Inputs:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/-0.1dB
- Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 109dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 109dB
- THD+N: 0.0015% (-1dBFS, min gain, no pad)
- Maximum level (A-weighted): min gain no pad +8 dBu at 1%; max gain no pad -42dBu
Digital Inputs 9-18: These digital inputs are stereo S/PDIF inputs on RCA (coaxial digital), plus 8 ADAT inputs on Optical Connector (Toslink), reduces to 4 inputs at 88.2/96kHz; Optical input can be switched to S/PDIF 3/4 in software (Both ADATs and S/PDIF over RCA disabled)
Analog Audio Outputs 1-10: The analog audio outputs consist of eight 1/4" TRS jacks (outputs 3-10) and 2 monitor mix outputs on 1/4" TRS jacks (outputs 1-2). There are also two stereo headphone mixes 1-2 on 1/4 TRS jacks that are also routed to outputs 7&8 and 9&10, respectively.
Digital Channel Outputs 11-20: These 44.1 - 96kHz digital outputs are stereo S/PDIF outputs on RCA (coaxial digital), plug 8 ADAT outputs on Optical Connector (Toslink), reduces to 4 outputs at 88.2/96kHz; Optical output can be switched to S/PDIF 3/4 in software (ADATs disabled)
Other Inputs/Outputs: There are two 6-pin FireWire sockets and two standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors (in and out). An IEC 3-prong power input connector is provided for the included power wire.
Dimensions: Width=19" Height=1.75" Depth=13" (incl cables), Weight=6.6 pounds
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