Focusrite Saffire PRO 14 - Multi-Channel FireWire Interface Manual

Routing section

The routing section allows you to set up which audio sources are to be routed directly to which physical outputs.

The routing section displays every physical output on the Saffire PRO 14. An audio stream can be routed to an output using the dropdown menu to the left of the output.

Clicking on the box to the left of the output label will bring up a list of all available audio output sources.
The available sources include:

• All inputs (Analogue 1-4, S/PDIF)
• All DAW playback streams (DAW 1 - 12)
• All mixes from the mixer (Mix 1 - 6)

If you have named the mix (by clicking in the track name section – see previous chapter) then this name is displayed as the mix source name.
Note that the routing section is linked to the selection made for the output channel destination set-up in the mixer. If you have outputs pre-assigned from when you created your Mix, you will see the routing selections have been set up. Similarly, if you change the audio source from the routing section, the output of the mix will change automatically.

Routing audio to the headphones
The headphone symbol in the router denotes the source for the left and right ears of the headphones. The headphone left ear is a copy of line output 3 and the right ear a copy of line output 4. All audio routed to line outputs 3 and 4 will be heard in headphone left and right respectively.

Routing presets

Routing presets are provided as a starting point for you to create your own routing and mixer set-ups. These will enable you to quickly set up your routing for recording (monitoring your inputs); mixing (sending signals out to outboard processors or external mixer); or internal looping (routing audio between software applications without leaving the computer).

Clear
This turns off all output routing. This can be used to re-set the routing for when you need to completely restart a configuration, meaning you do not have to manually reset the routing.

DAW Tracking
'DAW Tracking' is used for the initial recording process. It will automatically output DAW 1 and 2 to be sent to all line outputs - your main monitors (1+2) and headphones. All input channels must therefore be monitored from within the DAW application.

Zero Latency Tracking
Zero Latency Tracking is used for the recording process. It will automatically output Mix 1 and 2 to all your line outputs, routing to the main monitors and to the headphones simultaneously. Line inputs and DAW outputs must be set up in Mix 1 so that you are able to monitor these sources with zero latency. You must also ensure that you are not monitoring the same signals from within your DAW at the same time, otherwise you will be monitoring the same signal twice (once direct from Saffire MixControl AND a second time (with latency) from your DAW.)

Mixing
'Mixing' is used for the mixing process. DAW outputs route directly to the line output of the same number allowing external mixing of the 4 signals in e.g. an analogue mixer. DAW outputs 1-4 are routed to Line outputs 1-4.

Loopback
Use when recording from one software program to another. You can use loopback routing to record audio from e.g. your internet browser into your DAW, or to record from one DAW to another.

To prevent any audio feedback, make sure that the DAW you are recording into is not set to monitor its inputs. Alternatively, set the outputs of the DAW into which you are recording to 3 and 4; this allows you to monitor the inputs without feeding the signal back into the record stream.

Monitor section

The output levels of the monitor outputs and line outputs are configured in the Monitor Section. You can set up your Saffire PRO 14 so that the audio sent to the line outputs are controlled by the software volume dial; independent of the software volume dial; or muted.

Monitor control enable buttons (1 to 4)

The monitor control enable buttons indicate which outputs are controlled by the monitor section on the GUI directly below the 4 buttons. The Saffire PRO 14 can be set up so that you have control of volume levels, and depending on your monitoring set-up, you may control the level sent to just a single pair of speakers, or up to 4 speakers simultaneously. (All digital output levels are unaffected by the monitor section in Saffire MixControl. Use the output levels of the DAW to control digital output levels).
Each button can be set to 1 of 3 possible states:

Blue - this output is controlled by the below monitor section.

Red - this output is not controlled by the below monitor section and it is muted.

Grey - this output is not controlled by the below monitor section and it is at full level.
To set a button to its grey state, SHIFT + Click the button.

When a monitor control button is set to 'Grey', the signal routed to that output will be played back at full level. This may potentially result in a very loud signal being sent to your monitor speakers, headphones or other equipment. Be cautious when setting your levels (in your DAW or the Saffire MixControl Mixer) before setting the monitor button to Grey.

Monitor Presets drop-down menu
These presets allow quick changing of typical monitoring set-ups.

For the monitor presets to work, you must have your speakers connected to the line outputs as shown in the picture below.
Surround sound monitoring: 2.1

Surround sound monitoring: Quad

Loudspeaker set-up: Main, Mid.

Monitor Presets

Monitor Section controls
The following controls in the Monitor Section will affect those channels that have been selected for monitor control (indicated with a blue button, see above).

Monitor level control knob

Set the output level of all assigned outputs using this knob. The output level can be adjusted using the mouse and will affect all assigned outputs (as indicated with a blue button). The dB display below shows the current level to which the monitor knob is set.
Note that the front panel Monitor control affects only outputs 1 and 2, and is an additional volume control on top of the monitor level set in Saffire MixControl software.

Dim switch

Attenuates the output level by 18dB.

Mute switch

Mutes the output.

Left Mute switch

Mutes the left output.

Right Mute switch

Mutes the right output.

Remember that these dim and mute buttons only affect the outputs selected for control (i.e. Blue) in the monitor control section.

Device Status section

The Device Status section shows information about the sample rate, synchronisation and driver status of the Saffire PRO 14. The desired sample rate can be set as well as external synchronisation options for using the Saffire PRO 14 with external digital devices.

Sample rate display

This displays the current sample rate at which the Saffire PRO 14 is running. To change the sample rate, click on the red sample rate value and select 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, or 96kHz,
Note: you must quit your DAW application BEFORE you make sample rate changes to prevent any undesirable side-effects in your DAW!

Sync Source display

Displays the currently selected sync source. To change the sync source, click on the red sync source value and select S/PIDF or Internal.

Sync Status display
Displays "Locked" when the Saffire PRO 14 has successfully locked to the specified Sync Source. If "No Lock" is seen, then the unit has been unable to lock to an external S/PDIF signal. If this is the case, then please check that digital cables are secure in their input sockets, and that the external digital devices have been set up as sync master devices.

FireWire Driver

Displays "Connected" when the Saffire PRO 14 is connected to the computer via FireWire.

In Use (Windows only)

Displays "In Use" when any application using the saffire audio driver is in use (your DAW or media player for example). If you want to make changes to sample rate, sync source or FireWire driver latency, you must shut down these applications and wait for the FireWire driver to display "Connected" before accessing these settings.

Unit Name Display

This displays the name of the Saffire PRO 14 unit, and allows the re-naming of the Saffire PRO 14 unit. Rightclick in the field and enter your text. Press ENTER (RETURN) on your computer keyboard to complete.

Settings Menu

This is a drop down menu containing all of the following items which allow you to set up different global/system configurations. This is the only part of Saffire MixControl software where there are differences between the Windows and Mac versions.

Mac

Windows

S/PDIF AC3
Allows the user to stream AC3 directly via the S/PDIF outputs. (AC3 is encoded 5.1 audio, e.g. from DVD player software, that will be sent via S/PDIF cable to your 5.1 decoder.)

FireWire Driver Latency
The Saffire PRO 14 latency performance will be dictated by the Core Audio buffer size specified in your DAW (Mac) or as set in the ASIO buffer size (Windows). The FireWire Driver Latency affects the performance of the Core Audio or ASIO buffer settings. If you are experiencing clicks and pops or audio dropouts, this may be due to certain computer hardware affecting the performance of audio devices connected via FireWire. Rather than removing and replacing hardware (e.g. your graphics card or wireless internet card) trying a longer FireWire Driver Latency setting may solve the problem.

ASIO Buffer Size (Windows only)
Set the buffer size of your ASIO driver here.

A small buffer size will in result in lower latency at the expense of increased CPU usage. A high buffer size will result in a higher latency but with lower CPU usage. If you are using lots of virtual instruments and effects processing in your DAW project, and the CPU usage is high, then increase the buffer size to permit lower CPU usage.

File Menu

Mac

Windows

Open - opens a 'File Open' window allowing selection of any pre-saved Saffire MixControl set-ups.
Save - opens a 'File Save' window allowing selection of a location into which your Saffire MixControl set-up can be saved. Subsequent saves overwrite the original file.
Save As - opens a 'File Save' window allowing selection of a location into which your Saffire MixControl set-up can be saved. Use this option if you want to keep your original saved set-up and create a new one with a different name.
Restore Factory Default - causes the Saffire PRO 14 to revert to the original default state in which it left the factory.
Clear All Settings - causes the Saffire PRO 14 to reset all mixer and routing settings. This can be used to globally reset all mixer, routing, and monitor settings, allowing creation of a new set-up from scratch.
Save to Hardware - this saves the current Saffire MixControl set-up to the Saffire PRO 14 hardware. If you are moving the Saffire PRO 14 from one computer to another and want to retain the set-up, then choose this option. Note that Saffire MixControl does not automatically load from hardware (as this would overwrite a current set-up); it must be loaded manually.
Load from Hardware - this loads the saved set-up from the Saffire PRO 14 hardware into the Saffire MixControl software.
As you can see from the above screen shots, 'Open', 'Save' and 'Save As' all have keyboard shortcuts. These are standard shortcuts for their respective functions, so if you are regularly changing settings for your various sessions, then the shortcuts will reduce your set-up time.

Dual Unit Support

It is possible to run two Saffire interfaces connected to a single computer. This enables two devices to be connected to the same system and used as one device expanding the available Inputs and Outputs to your DAW. Dual Device Support is limited to two devices connected to the same bus at sample rates of 48kHz or below. The following table shows which 2 Saffire units can and cannot be used together:

Dual unit combinations in Green can be used together, those in Red cannot be used together.
Therefore any two Saffire PROs can be used together, apart from the Liquid Saffire 56 which can only be used with Saffire PRO 24 DSP, Saffire PRO 24, or Saffire PRO 14

Getting Started - Computer Connection

Computer with a single FireWire port
Connect one Saffire to the FireWire port on the computer. Connect the second Saffire to the spare FireWire port on the first Saffire. Note that the Saffire PRO 24, Saffire PRO 24 DSP and Saffire PRO 14 have a single FireWire port, so will need to be connected to a Saffire PRO 40 or Liquid Saffire 56 and will require the external PSU when connected in this way.

Computer with multiple FireWire ports
Connect both Saffires directly to computer. Note that both FireWire ports on the computer MUST be on the same FireWire bus. i.e. the same PCI / PCIe FireWire card.

Controlling Dual Units

Saffire MixControl allows control of two units from the same interface. One unit is displayed at a time. To switch focus between units, click on the name field.

Naming Units

Connected units can be renamed so they may be more easily distinguished in a dual device environment. Right-click on the name field to rename the unit. Note that the name may take a short time to update.

Master Sync Device

When dual Saffire devices are connected to one computer via FireWire, the two devices will automatically sync together with no need for any additional cable connections. However one device will be set as the Master Sync Device.

Click on the settings menu to select which unit is the Sync Master.

Sample rate and digital sync settings can only be set when Saffire MixControl has control of the Master Sync Device. When controlling the slave device, sample rate and sync status are greyed out. When connecting any external digital devices, the external sync source (Word Clock, ADAT or S/PDIF) must always be connected to the Master Sync Device. If additional digital units are connected, then they must also be slaved to the device providing sync to the Master Sync Device. If the Master device is providing an external sync source to a digital unit, then the digital unit can be connected to either master or slave device.

DAW input and output stream order

The input and output streams of both units will be combined into a single list when viewed from the DAW, or as seen by the operating system audio preferences when outputting sound from iTunes/Windows Media Player. Each connected Saffire will have a (fixed) hardware ID. Inputs and outputs from the Saffire with the lowest hardware ID will always appear first in the list.
Mac Users: Click on "About Saffire MixControl" from the 'Saffire MixControl" menu to find the hardware ID of the unit currently in focus.

Windows Users: Click on "About Saffire MixControl" from the "Help" menu to find the hardware ID of the unit currently in focus.

The look-up tables at the end of this guide show how the DAW inputs and outputs are routed to the inputs and outputs of Saffire MixControl.

DAW routing

Audio can be routed from Saffire to Saffire using your DAWs own routing capabilities. This allows audio processing from the DAW, but will result in audio latency due to the DAWs audio buffer. Look-up tables for every possible Saffire combination can be found at the end of the document.

Zero latency routing

When using a single Saffire unit, latency-free monitoring is achieved using internal routing. Latency-free monitoring is possible when using two Saffires, however, it is not possible to create a single latency-free monitoring mix for both units using the FireWire connection alone. The way to achieve this is to make audio connections to/from both units, and configure the MixControl software for each unit. This article outlines how to achieve this using the S/PDIF inputs and outputs, using the example of 2 Saffire PRO 40s connected to a single computer. However the set-up process is the same for any Saffire combination. Firstly, you will need to configure your hardware as outlined in the diagram below:

When you have connected your hardware as shown, you will then need to configure your software. If you want to monitor all of your inputs from the outputs of both units (as pictured above), both units will need 2 output mixes configured.

• a MONITOR output mix (going to speakers/headphones/etc)
• a S/PDIF output mix (going to the other unit)

Unit 1 Setup Cue Mix (unit 1)
Open Saffire MixControl. Click on the first mixer tab. Ensure that the mixer output is stereo by clicking on the stereo button (below the meters of the output channel). Add the analogue inputs to the mixer, and set the required levels and panning. Add the S/PDIF input to the mixer (this is the feed from unit 2). Rename the mix to "Cue Mix" (or similar) by clicking on the name field (below the meters of the output channel). This mix will be a combination of the audio that you are recording (unit 1 inputs), and the S/PDIF output mix from Unit 2 (connected to the S/PDIF input of unit 1), as shown below:

S/PDIF Output Mix (unit 1)
Click on the second mixer tab. Ensure that the mixer output is stereo by clicking on the stereo button (below the meters of the output channel). The input configuration will be the same as in the first mixer, set the levels and panning as required. The S/PDIF input to the mixer should be MUTED (this prevents feedback). Rename the mix to "S/PDIF Mix" (or similar) by clicking on the name field (below the meters of the output channel). The S/PDIF output Mix will just be a mix of the audio inputs on unit 1. The S/PDIF input will be muted to avoid feedback, and the mix will be sent out of the S/PDIF output to unit 2. The configuration is as follows:

Unit 2 Setup Monitor Output Mix (unit 2)
Switch Saffire Mix Control to the unit 2. Click on the first mixer tab. Ensure that the mixer output is stereo by clicking on the stereo button (below the meters of the output channel). Add the analogue inputs to the mixer, and set the required levels and panning. Add the S/PDIF input to the mixer (this is the feed from unit 1). Rename the mix to "MONITOR Mix" (or similar) by clicking on the name field (below the meters of the output channel). This mix will be a combination of the audio that you are recording (unit 2 inputs), and the S/PDIF output mix from unit 1 (connected to the S/PDIF input of unit 2), as shown below:

S/PDIF Output Mix (unit 2)
Click on the second mixer tab. Ensure that the mixer output is stereo by clicking on the stereo button (below the meters of the output channel). The input configuration will be the same as in the first mixer, set the levels and panning as required. The S/PDIF input to the mixer should be MUTED (this prevents feedback). Rename the mix to "S/PDIF Mix" (or similar) by clicking on the name field (below the meters of the output channel). The S/PDIF output Mix will just be a mix of the audio inputs on unit 2. The S/PDIF input will be muted to avoid feedback, and the mix will be sent out of the S/PDIF output to unit 1. The configuration is as follows:

Alternative options
The above set-ups allow mixing and monitoring of only the analogue inputs connected to both Saffire PRO 40s. 8 channels of analogue plus 2 channels of S/PDIF use a total of 10 mixer channels. There are an additional 8 channels that can be used to mix and monitor additional signal sources - whether it be DAW outputs or ADAT inputs. Simply add these to both the MONITOR Mix and S/ PDIF Mix. By selecting ADAT or analogue inputs/outputs rather than S/PDIF inputs/outputs, it is possible to achieve latency-free monitoring via either ADAT or the analogue inputs/outputs if desired. It is also possible to send individual audio channels between the units, rather than a stereo mix of inputs. This can be done by selecting individual inputs in the routing panel in the bottom left-hand corner of MixControl, rather than the mixes created above.

Dual unit look-up tables

The following tables show how the inputs and outputs of dual Saffires will appear in your DAW's I/O list. The order in which the units appear in a DAW is as follows: Pro40; LS56; Pro24; Pro24DSP, this is always the case when using different type of unit. The tables below illustrate how the units inputs and outputs on each unit will appear.

FRONT AND REAR CONNECTIVITY
Analogue channel inputs (inputs 1-2)

• 2 Mic XLR combo (channels 1-2) on front panel
• 2 Line ¼" TRS (channels 3-4) on rear panel
• Automatic switching between mic / line (channels 1-2)
• Switching between line / instrument Inputs (channels 1-2) via Saffire MixControl application
• Switching between +16dBu (low) and -10dBV (high) gain on inputs 3-4 via Saffire MixControl application

Digital channel inputs (inputs 5-6) 44.1 - 96kHz

• Stereo S/PDIF input on RCA

Analogue audio outputs (outputs 1-4)

• 4 ¼" TRS jacks
• Output level control (analogue) for outputs 1 and 2
• Stereo headphones mix 1 on ¼" TRS (also routed to outputs 3 & 4) with independent volume control

Digital channel outputs (outputs 5-6) 44.1 - 96kHz

• Stereo S/PDIF output on RCA

Other I/O

• 1 6-pin FireWire S400 sockets
• 2 standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors: in and out
• DC power input connector (for use with supplied universal input power supply)

Front Panel Indicators

• 2 2 segment input meters, sig (-18) and O/L (0dBFS)
• "LKD" locked indicator
• "FW" host connected indicator
• "Power" indicator
• Instrument input source selection LED for channels 1 and 2
• Phantom power (48V) switch and LED for inputs 1 and 2

Weight and dimensions

• Dimensions: approx. 21.5 x 4.5 x 22cm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 1.5kg

Troubleshooting

For all troubleshooting queries, please visit the Focusrite Answerbase where there are articles covering numerous troubleshooting examples. www.focusrite.com/answerbase.

Copyright

Focusrite and Saffire are registered trade marks of Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. 2010
© Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited. All rights reserved