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
