Focusrite Saffire 6 USB - Multi-Channel Audio Onterface Manual

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User manual (14 pages)

Table of Contents

Contents

1 Important Safety Instructions
2 Environmental Declaration
3 RoHS Notice
4 OVERVIEW
- 4.1 Features
- 4.2 Box Contents
5 GETTING STARTED
6 HARDWARE FEATURES
- 6.1 Hardware Front Panel
- 6.2 Hardware Back Panel
7 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
8 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
9 COPYRIGHT
10 Documents / Resources
- 10.1 Download manual

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB - Multi-Channel Audio Onterface Manual

Important Safety Instructions

Read these instructions
Keep these instructions
Heed all warnings
Follow all instructions
Clean only with dry cloth.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped

No naked flames, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus

Excessive sound pressure levels from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss

This equipment must only be connected to USB 2.0 type ports

Environmental Declaration

Compliance Information Statement: Declaration of Compliance procedure
Product Identification: Focusrite Saffire 6 USB
Responsible party: American Music and Sound
Address:
5304 Derry Avenue #C
Agoura Hills,
CA 91301
Telephone: 800-994-4984

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

This device may not cause harmful interference, and
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

RoHS Notice

Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited has conformed and this product conforms, where applicable, to the European Union's Directive 2002/95/EC on Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) as well as the following sections of California law which refer to RoHS, namely sections 25214.10, 25214.10.2, and 58012, Health and Safety Code; Section 42475.2, Public Resources Code.

OVERVIEW

If the main User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be sure to consult http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase, which contains a comprehensive collection of common technical support queries.

Features

The Saffire 6 USB hardware interface provides the means for connecting microphones, linelevel signals, and instrument-level signals to a computer running Mac OS or Windows. The physical inputs and outputs can be routed to and from your audio recording software / digital audio workstation (referred to throughout this user guide as "DAW"). Audio signals connected to the physical inputs can be recorded in the DAW and then routed from your DAW to the physical outputs. The physical outputs can be connected to an amp and speakers, powered monitors, headphones, analogue mixer or any other analogue audio equipment that you wish to use. There are also connectors for sending and receiving MIDI through the Saffire 6 USB. All inputs and outputs on the Saffire 6 USB are routed directly to and from your DAW for recording and playback, though you can configure the routing within your DAW in order to meet your needs.

Box Contents

Along with your Saffire 6 USB you should have:

Installer CD
- Installer for Mac and Windows
- Scarlett Plug-in Suite for Mac and Windows (Compressor, EQ, Gate, Reverb)
Xcite+ Pack DVD
- Ableton Live LE version 8 w/ registration card
- Novation BassStation AU/VST Synthesizer plug-in w/ registration card
- Over 1GB of 'Loopmasters' and 'Mike the Drummer' royalty free samples
USB cable
Self adhesive rubber feet (Qty 4) - to be fitted to base of the Saffire 6 USB
Product Registration Card
Focusrite / Novation Product Brochure

GETTING STARTED

Software Installation

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU RUN THE INSTALLER BEFORE CONNECTING SAFFIRE 6 USB TO YOUR COMPUTER

We aim to ensure that the latest installation software will be on the disk included with your Saffire 6 USB. However we strongly recommend that you check for the latest version of software on our website at http://www.focusrite.com/support/software/ before using Saffire 6 USB.

Mac OS Installation

Insert your installer disk into your computer's CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM drive.
A window should appear displaying the contents of the disc. If this window does not appear automatically, you can manually navigate to the disc in the Mac OS Finder.
Double click on the installer icon to begin installation - labelled 'Install Saffire 6 USB.pkg'.
Follow onscreen instructions to complete installation.
When the installer is finished, restart your computer.
After restart, connect the Saffire 6 USB to your computer.

Your Computer OS should automatically switch its default audio outputs to be the Saffire 6 USB. To make sure this is the case, go to System Preferences > Sound and set the input and output to 'Saffire 6USB'. For more detailed setup options on a Mac OS, open to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.

Windows Installation

Insert your installer disk into your computer's CD-ROM and/or DVD-ROM drive.
A window should open displaying the contents of the disc. If the window does not appear automatically, you can manually navigate to your disc drive in the Windows Explorer.
Double click on the installer icon to begin installation - labelled 'Saffire 6 USB Setup.exe'.
Follow onscreen instructions to complete installation.
When the installer is finished, restart your computer.
After restart, connect the Saffire 6 USB to your computer.

Your Computer OS should automatically switch its default audio outputs to be the Saffire 6 USB. To make sure this is the case:

On Windows 7 and Vista go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Manage Audio Devices and set 'Default Playback' and 'Recording' to 'Saffire 6USB'.

On Windows XP, go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices > Sounds and Audio Devices > Audio tab and set 'Sound Playback' and 'Recording' to 'Saffire 6USB'.

Connecting Your Device

Before you connect Saffire 6 USB to your computer, please complete the installer according to the instructions. This will ensure that the correct drivers are used, thus preventing unexpected behaviour.

The Saffire 6 USB has a single USB port on the back. Once installation is complete, simply connect Saffire 6 USB to your computer using the provided USB cable. Whilst Saffire 6 USB is a USB 2.0 device, the USB connection will work with any USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 compliant connector on your computer.

Audio Set-up in your DAW

Saffire 6 USB is compatible with any DAW that supports ASIO or WDM on Windows and any DAW that uses Core Audio on Mac. After installing the drivers and connecting the hardware, you can start using Saffire 6 USB with your DAW of choice. Ableton Live Lite is included with the Xcite+ Pack to get you started.

Please note - your DAW may not automatically switch to Saffire 6 USB as its default device. In this case, you must ensure that you select 'Saffire 6 USB' as the driver in your DAW's audio setup page. Please refer to your DAW's documentation if you are unsure where to select the ASIO / Core Audio driver. The example below shows correct configuration of Saffire 6 USB within the Ableton Live Preferences panel.

Once Saffire 6 USB has been selected in your DAW, audio inputs 1-2 and audio outputs 1-4 will appear within your DAW's audio I/O preferences. Depending on your DAW, you may need to enable certain inputs or outputs before use. The two examples below show inputs 1-2 and outputs 1-4 enabled in the Ableton Live Audio Preferences.
Ableton Live Preferences Panel Input Config

Example Hardware and Software Usage

Saffire 6 USB is an excellent choice for several different recording and monitoring applications. Some typical configurations are shown in the diagrams below.

Recording with the Device in your DAW

Recording with a DAW software on your Mac or PC
This setup illustrates the most typical configuration for recording with a digital audio workstation (DAW) software on your Mac or PC. In this case, you might record guitar through instrument input 1 and vocals through mic input 2 into Ableton Live whilst monitoring the playback from Ableton Live in the headphones or loudspeakers. You might then lay down some basslines with the Novation BassStation (included on the Xcite+ Pack DVD) using a Novation MIDI controller like the SL MkII.

Connecting the Device to Loudspeakers

Both 1/4" outputs (1-2) and RCA/phono outputs (1-4) on the rear panel can be used to connect to speakers.

Connecting the Device to Loudspeakers
In this setup, the speakers can be connected directly (using the relevant cable) or via a line level input on an amp. Furthermore, either outputs 1/2 or 3/4 can be used, as preferred. If outputs 1/2 are used, outputs 3/4 are free to be used for another purpose, such as connecting to an additional recording device or an additional pair of monitors. Note that if you require a balanced connection to your loudspeakers, you must use TRS 1/4" balanced cables on outputs 1/2. Outputs 3/4 are RCA and therefore do not offer a balanced connection.

Connecting to a DJ Mixer

Connecting to a DJ Mixer
In this 'DJing-style' setup, outputs 1/2 are connected to Line Inputs 1/2 of an external DJ mixer, whilst outputs 3/4 are connected to Line Inputs 3/4. Connecting in this way means that the facilities on the mixer, such as EQs or the crossfader, can be accessed.

HARDWARE FEATURES

Hardware Front Panel

Hardware Features - Hardware Front Panel

The Front Panel includes the input connectors for Mic, Line and Instrument signals, as well as the input gain controls and monitoring controls.

Input 1-2 combo XLR input sockets for Mic / Line / Instrument - connect microphones, instruments (eg, guitar), or line level signals*
Input 1-2 gain control - set the input gain for input signals on inputs 1-2
Input 1-2 'signal present' LEDs (lit green @ -18 dBFS) and 'clipping' LEDs (lit red @ -1 dBFS)
Shared phantom power switch with LED for Mic inputs 1-2 - enables +48V phantom power for condenser microphones which require power
Input 1-2 Instrument / Line level switches - switch either input between instrument and line level signals
Input 1-2 level pad switches - each switch attenuates the corresponding input by 10dB when engaged
Input/output monitor mix - set the balance between input/output playback
Mono input button - engage this switch for direct monitoring of mono input sources on stereo monitors or headphones
Main monitor output level control knob - set the output level for outputs 1-2
USB power LED - lit when the unit receives USB bus power via connection to the computer
MIDI input LED - lit when MIDI data is received at Saffire 6 USB MIDI input port
Headphone level control knob - set the output level to the stereo headphone output
Headphone selector switch - switch headphone monitoring to either Outputs 1-2 or 3-4
¼" TRS headphone output jack - connect your headphones here

Hardware Back Panel

Hardware Features - Hardware Back Panel

The Back Panel contains the following connectors for Saffire 6 USB:

1 x Kensington security lock
1 x USB 2.0 connector
2 x Din5 MIDI input/output sockets
4 x RCA phono jack sockets (outputs 1-4) - output level @ -10dBV
2 x TRS jack sockets (outputs 1-2)- output level @ +4dBV

Either 1/4 inch TRS (balanced) or TS (unbalanced) jack connectors can be used.

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION

Dynamic Range: 105dB (A-weighted)
DAC Dynamic Range: 103dB (A-weighted)
Actual ADC/DAC DNR: 114dB (A-weighted)

Microphone Inputs 1-2

Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
Gain range: 12dB to 60dB
THD+N: 0.0025% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Noise EIN: -120dB
Input impedance: 2kΩ

Line Inputs 1-2

Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
Gain range: -10dB to +36dB
THD+N: < 0.0025% (measured with 0dBFS input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Noise: -90dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Input impedance: >10kΩ

Instrument Inputs 1-2

Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
Gain range: +13dB to +60dB
THD+N: 0.0025% (measured with 0dBu input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Noise: -87dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Analogue Audio Outputs 1-2 (¼" TRS)

Electronically balanced outputs
Maximum output level (0dBFS): +9dBu
THD+N: 0.0025% (0dBFS input, 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Analogue Audio Outputs 1-4 (RCA phono)

Unbalanced outputs
Maximum output level (0dBFS): -3.5dBu
THD+N: 0.03% (0dBFS input, 20Hz/20kHz bandpass filter)

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Analogue Inputs 1-2

Professional XLR combo mic/line/inst (inputs 1-2) on front panel
Automatic switching between mic / line
Switching between line / instrument inputs (channels 1-2) via front panel 'Inst' switches
'Pad' switches provide 10 dB attenuation
Shared +48V phantom power switch for inputs 1-2

Analogue Outputs Outputs 1-4

2 x Balanced ¼" TRS jacks (outputs 1-2)
4 x RCA phono connectors (outputs 1-4)
Main output level control (outputs 1-2)
Stereo headphones mix on ¼" TRS - switch-able between 1-2 mix and outputs 3-4 via a switch on the front panel

Other I/O