Focusrite Saffire Pro FireWire Audio InterfaceThe Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 i/o is the ideal Firewire interface for music recording enthusiasts on a mobile multi-channel mission, providing more inputs and outputs with higher performance specs than any other interface in its class.
Saffire PRO 26 i/o combines eight award-winning pre-amps with sixteen channels of ADAT, and two channels of SPDIF (up to 192kHz). Also employed are Focusrite's high performance 24-bit digital converters.
Saffire PRO 26 i/o is much more than just a high performance breakout box; the Saffire PRO package includes Focusrite's highly acclaimed Saffire plug-in suite, comprising EQ, Compression, Amp Simulation and Reverb, in both VST and AU format. The hardware features 2 headphones outputs and a global monitor control with mute and dim options, as well as two super channels featuring variable mic impedance and instrument input, instantly accessible on the front fascia.
The SaffireControl PRO software features many of the attributes of the original SaffireControl software, ensuring intuitive control over monitoring and level.
Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 i/o Features
- High Quality 24-bit/192k Bus-powered Firewire Interface
- 8 high quality Focusrite preamps with unrivalled A/D and D/A conversion
- TOTAL i/o count of 26 inputs and 26 outputs
- Free suite of Saffire VST/AU plug-ins (Compression, EQ, Reverb, Amp Sim)
- 2 super channels with instrument input and variable impedance
- 2 separate Headphones buses on the front panel
- Free SaffireControl PRO software for advanced monitoring and level control
- MIDI In and Out
- Word clock In and Out
- Front panel Level, Dim and Mute controls assignable to all outputs
The pre-amps featured in Saffire PRO 26 i/o are a derivative of the award-winning Focusrite Green Series. This pre-amp design upholds the same high bandwidth whilst boasting class-leading specifications. In addition, the converters adhere to performance specifications far beyond other similarly priced interfaces. As with all Saffire solutions, the unit can be either bus-powered or powered via an external PSU. The unit has also been designed to take full advantage of the external PSU by providing additional headroom for hot input signals.
SaffireControl PRO delivers a control application that avoids any annoying dropdown menus and provides comprehensive custom mix solutions. It also offers quick-select ‘tracking’ and ‘playback’ solutions, as well as both the float and shrink/expand facilities found in the original.
Saffire Pro 26 i/o also features MIDI I/O alongside a host of additional processing features. The front fascia also boasts two independent headphones outputs with volume control, again customizable within SaffireControl PRO.
Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 i/o System Requirements
Windows
- Operating System: Windows XP Service Pack 2 (All Versions) or Windows Vista (All versions except 64bit)
- Computer:
- 400MB/s IEEE1394/FireWire port (OHCI compliant recommended)
- 1.4 GHz Intel or compatible (2.0 GHz Pentium 4 or Xeon recommended for 192kHz operation)
- 256MB or more of RAM (512MB or higher recommended)
Apple Mac
- Operating System:Mac OS X Panther (10.4 or later) - OS Version subject change
- Computer:
- Apple Mac Power PC G4, G5 or Intel Mac (any)
- G4/800 MHz minimum (G4/1.5GHZ or higher recommended for 192kHz operation)
- 256MB or more of RAM (512MB or higher recommended)
Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 i/o Specifications
Microphone Inputs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
- THD+N: 0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Noise: EIN > 120dB (measured at 60dB of gain with 150 Ohm termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Line Inputs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- THD+N: <0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Noise: -90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Instrument Inputs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- THD+N: 0.004% (measured with 0dBu input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Noise: -87dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Weight and Dimensions
- 3kg - 35cm x 4.5cm x 23.5cm
Analogue Input Specs
- Mic: 8 x XLR on rear panel
- Mic Gain: +13dB to + 60dB
- Line 1-8: 2 x 1/4 inch TRS Jack (front panel)
- Line 1-8 Gain: -10dB to +36dB
- Instrument: As above, switched to Instrument (inputs 1 & 2 only)
- Instrument Gain: +13dB to +60dB
Analogue Output Specs
- Line level: 8 x 1/4 inch TRS Jacks
- Nominal output level: 0dBFS = 16dBu, balanced, +22dBu globally switched with external PSU connected across all outputs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
- THD+N: <0.0010% (-100dB) (measured with 0dBFS input 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter, un-weighted)
- Software Digital Volume control for all outputs
- All outputs are useable as monitoring outputs
Digital I/O
- 1 x SPDIF In / Out (RCA phono) on rear panel (24-bit, 192kHz) Output transformer isolated
- 2 x ADAT In / Out (44.1 / 48kHz), 16 channels
- 1 x ADAT In / Out (88.2 / 96kHz), 8 channels S-MUX
- Word clock input on BNC
- Word clock output on BNC
- Clock Sources: Internal clock, Sync to word clock on S/PDIF, Sync to word clock on BNC word clock input, Sync to word clock on ADAT1 or ADAT2 inputs
- A/D Dynamic Range: 110dB A-weighted (all inputs)
- D/A Dynamic Range: 110dB A-weighted (all outputs)
- Clock Jitter: < 250 pico seconds
- Sample rate: 44.1 to 192kHz
MIDI I/O
- 1 in / 1 out on rear panel
Firewire 400 (1394a)
Power
- Either via Firewire (1394a) or external PSU (included)
Headphone Monitoring
- 2 x 1/4 inch TRS Jack on front panel (mirrors outputs 5-6 and 7-8)
- High power headphone drivers
Additional Info
- Firewire chipsets from TI (Texas Instruments), VIA, and NEC are recommended
- It is highly recommended that Saffire be run on its own Firewire bus/card
- In order to use Saffire with a 4-pin IEEE 1394 port you will need a 4-pin to 6-pin cable (not included) and must use the PSU (included)
