Focusrite Saffire LE User Manual
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Focusrite Saffire LE User Manual

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Rev 1.0

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Summary of Contents for Focusrite Saffire LE

  • Page 1 Rev 1.0...
  • Page 2 Introduction Front panel facilities and controls Rear Panel Connections SaffireControl LE Recording using a microphone (mono or stereo) Recording line level sources (mono or stereo) Recording a guitar or bass directly Recording a digital (S/PDIF) source Connecting Speakers Managing a recording session with SaffireControl LE How to set up an input mix on the monitors/headphones How to set up a playback track mix on the monitors/headphones Blending between inputs and playback tracks on the monitors/headphones...
  • Page 3 Saffire LE is the second addition to the now highly acclaimed range of Firewire audio interfaces from Focusrite, one of the most prestigious names in the recording industry. With a total of 6 Inputs and 8 Outputs, the Saffire LE should satisfy all your recording and monitoring needs.

  • Page 4: Front Panel Facilities And Controls

    Front panel facilities and controls 1. Line/Instrument Gain Switches for Analogue Inputs 1 (above) and 2 (below) If a 1/4” Jack (TRS or TS) is connected to either of the LINE IN sockets below, then these switches can be used to select an appropriate gain calibration. If a Guitar is plugged in then ensure that the yellow INST LED is lit, or if recording the analogue output of a synthesizer or mixer for decks then make sure the green LINE LED is lit.

  • Page 5: Rear Panel Connections

    Rear Panel Connections 1. Line/Instrument (TRS/TS Jack) Inputs for channels 3 (below) and 4 (above) These 1/4” Jack sockets allow a balanced or unbalanced Line level signal or an Instrument like a Guitar or Bass to be connected. If plugging in an Instrument then make sure that the High Gain Switch for the corresponding Input is activated within the SaffireControl LE software.
  • Page 6 SaffireControl LE The accompanying software SaffireControl LE is the means of setting up independent latency free mixes for monitors and headphones, during recording sessions, as well as offering a host of other routing and setting options. There are two main modes of operation, both with activating switches: TRACK (tracking/recording) is the default mode and the one to use when recording and creating Input/Playback mixes on Outputs 1-4, and S/CARD (soundcard) is a preset mode where Saffire LE behaves like a standard 8-out soundcard, routing Outputs 1-8 in the sequencer straight to Outputs 1-8 of the Saffire LE hardware.
  • Page 7 Recording using a microphone (mono or stereo) To record a mono source like a vocalist or guitar player, simply plug a microphone into the left (Input 1) or right (Input 2) hand XLR socket on the front of the Saffire hardware and press the +48V (phantom power) button if required.
  • Page 8 Recording a line level source (mono or stereo) All four of the analogue inputs can be used to record a line level source, such as the analogue output of a mixer or a hardware synth. This means that some decks could be permanently connected to Inputs 3 and 4 on the rear panel, whilst Inputs 1 and 2 where free to use for recording vocal or instrumental parts.
  • Page 9 Recording a guitar or bass directly All four of the analogue inputs can be used to record an Instrument, such as a Guitar or Bass plugged in directly without using an amp. To record using Input 1 or 2, plug a 1/4” TS Jack into either of the LINE IN sockets on the front panel, left for Input 1 and right for Input 2.
  • Page 10 Recording a digital (S/PDIF) source If wanting to record using some hardware with a S/PDIF Out, then a phono cable can be linked from the hardware to the S/PDIF (RCA) In on the rear of the Saffire LE hardware. Once a valid S/PDIF signal is received, the S/PDIF IN LED on the front of the Saffire LE hardware will illuminate.

  • Page 11: Connecting Speakers

    Connecting Speakers On the rear panel are balanced (TRS) Jack outputs 1-6 for connecting directly to speakers or an amp (depending on whether the speakers are powered or not). Outputs 1 and 2 are the Monitors signal so if using a stereo pair of speakers then connect them to these sockets.
  • Page 12 Managing a recording session with SaffireControl LE SaffireControl LE allows you to create independent latency free mixes of inputs and playback tracks for the monitors and headphones, so that the engineer and artist can have the specific levels they want to help the session run smoothly.
  • Page 13 Blending between inputs and playback tracks on the monitors/headphones Once the Input Mix and Playback Mix have been created for Monitors and Headphones, the sliders in the centre of the GUI can be used to blend between both mixes. The top slider relates to the Monitors whilst the bottom slider is for the Headphones, as follows: Crossfader for Outputs 1/2 (Monitors) Crossfader for Outputs 3/4 (Headphones)
  • Page 14 Direct Audio Streaming to the Saffire LE Outputs: Soundcard (S/CARD) mode The S/CARD switch within SaffireControl LE is a one-click solution to sending audio directly from your sequencer to the Saffire LE hardware outputs. Activating the switch sets both of the INPUT MIX-P/BACK MIX sliders to the extreme right position, so that no Inputs are heard, and then turns all S/W faders down apart from the corresponding one, which is set to maximum.
  • Page 15 Direct AC3/DTS streaming to the RCA Output If using a home surround speaker setup that requires an encoded digital signal (AC3 or DTS), then the S/PDIF (RCA) Output on the rear of Saffire LE can be used to stream the digital surround signal directly from your software DVD Player.
  • Page 16 Control and Linking of Output Levels The centre of the SaffireControl LE GUI features the level controls for the Analogue Outputs (1-6), as follows: Mix crossfader for O/Ps 1/2 (Monitors) Dim switch Mono switch Level controls for O/Ps 1/2 Mute switch Sends O/Ps 1/2 to S/PDIF Out Meters for O/Ps 1/2 Level controls for O/Ps 5/6...
  • Page 17 Float and Shrink Modes The SHRINK switch in the SaffireControl LE GUI reduces the size of the software window to a compact format where only the central OUTPUT MIX section and SaffireControl LE settings switches are available, as follows: EXPAND Switch - activate to return the window to normal size FLOAT Switch - activate to make the window permanently visible.
  • Page 18 Setting the Sample Rate and Synchronising to the S/PDIF In The bottom right of the SaffireControl LE GUI displays the sample rate and allows it to be selected. To set a sample rate, simply click on the LED beside it, which will illuminate once selected. If the Saffire LE is currently being used to record then a sample rate cannot be selected and IN USE will be illuminated, as follows: Click on LED next to...
  • Page 19 Changes to GUI at 88.2/96kHz When working at higher sample rates, the SaffireControl LE GUI has some reduced functions. Only one generic Input Mix can be created for both Monitors and Headphones, using the 6 Input faders on the left, whilst only individual levels of S/W tracks 1/2 and 3/4 can be set on the Playback Track side, as follows:...
  • Page 20 MIDI Saffire LE operates as a MIDI interface with one input and one output. A MIDI controller keyboard or similar device can be connected to the MIDI In, whilst a rack synth or multiple instruments (via a MIDI splitter) can be connected to the MIDI Out using standard MIDI cables, as follows: MIDI Out MIDI receiving device...
  • Page 21 The Saffire EQ is 4-band parametric, with the option of shelving and high/low-pass on bands 1 and 4, and exhibits the same curves as the classic Focusrite EQ; all that’s required to sculpt sound with truly professional flair! The EQ window functions in two modes, template mode and advanced mode.
  • Page 22 EQ (continued) Gain and Q of the EQ band. Rotating the dials clockwise will increase the value in each case, the exact numerical value being displayed in a box below the dial whilst rotating and when the mouse cursor moves over it.
  • Page 23 The Saffire Compressor plug-in is modelled on the legendary Focusrite hardware devices, with individually tuned optos to help create the sound of vintage 1960s compression. The plug-in can be used to squash the dynamics of a sound in varying degrees, e.g. remove the sudden loud bursts, so that the overall level can then be turned up to make the signal as loud as possible.
  • Page 24 Compression (continued) rotated in a clockwise direction) the more heavily the signal is compressed. The next dials to set are the ATTACK and RELEASE times of the compressor, fastest/shortest position being fully anticlockwise and slowest/longest being fully clockwise. The ATTACK time defines how quickly the compressor kicks in, e.g. how fast the signal is turned down when it exceeds the threshold.
  • Page 25 Reverb Dial sets the amount Dial sets the size of the Dial sets the tone (amount of reverberation reverberant space of high and low frequency) of the reverberation Dial sets the absorption of the Switches allow the copying and reverberant space, decreasing pasting of settings to and from when rotating clockwise other Saffire Reverbs...
  • Page 26 Amp Sim Amp selection slider; DRIVE knob allows Amp simply click on the desired distortion to be increased simulation name Additional output fader to adjust level of Output Amp Sim On/Off switch Buttons allow copying and pasting of settings to and from other Saffire Amp Sims High Meter displays...

  • Page 27: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting LEDs on the Saffire LE hardware aren’t working • Does the unit have power? This is supplied by the Firewire cable, is one connected? If connecting to a 4-pin Firewire port, is the external PSU connected? Saffire LE is not recognised as a valid audio interface by the recording software in use (e.g. Ableton) •...
  • Page 28 • Are you using a Mac rather than a PC? You could be experiencing a core audio driver problem. Check the Apple website for core audio driver updates or consult the Focusrite online answerbase. The Compressor is not working •...

  • Page 29: Specifications

    Specifications • 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 • Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB •...
  • Page 30 All outputs are useable as monitoring outputs Specifications (continued) DIGITAL I/O • 2 x SPDIF (RCA phono) on rear panel (24-bit, 96kHz) Output transformer isolated MIDI I/O • 1 in / 1 out on rear panel FIREWIRE S400 • 2 ports POWER •...
  • Page 31 If you purchase a Focusrite product outside your country of residence or business you will not be entitled to ask your local Focusrite Distributor to honour this Limited Warranty, although you may request a chargeable repair.
  • Page 32 Accuracy Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and content of this manual, Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd makes no representations or warranties regarding the contents. Copyright Copyright 2005 Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, photocopied, stored on a retrieval system, transmitted or passed to a third party by any means or in any form without the express prior consent of Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd.

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