User Guide FA0110-02 E & OE Contents Introduction to Saffire PRO 26 i/o........................................................................................ 3 Getting connected and setting up the hardware/software ................................................. 4 Front Panel Features .......................................................................................................... 5 Rear Panel Features ........................................................................................................... 6 SaffireControl PRO software Features .............................................................................. 7 Recording analogue signals with Saffire PRO26 i/o ............................................................ 8 · Microphone recording .................................................................................................. 8 · Line-level recording ..................................................................................................... 8 · Instrument recording ................................................................................................... 9 · Recording stereo pairs ................................................................................................. 9 Recording digitally with Saffire PRO ................................................................................... 9 · Recording via ADAT Input.............................................................................................. 9 · Recording via S/PDIF Input .......................................................................................... 9 Output settings/Monitoring options .................................................................................. 10 · Analogue output settings ........................................................................................... 10 · Additional options on Outputs 3-10 ........................................................................... 11 · Creating an Input Mix ................................................................................................. 12 · Setting up a Headphones Mix .................................................................................... 13 · S/CARD and TRACK modes ........................................................................................ 13 · AC3 Thru mode .......................................................................................................... 13 · Linking Output controls ­ CTRL LINK ........................................................................ 14 · DIM and Active Monitor Pad switches ........................................................................ 14 Setting different sample rates .......................................................................................... 15 Synchronising Saffire PRO 26 i/o....................................................................................... 16 Using Inserts .................................................................................................................... 17 Saving/Recalling settings ................................................................................................. 17 Changing the SaffireControl PRO GUI window ­ FLOAT and SHRINK ................................ 18 Using MIDI ........................................................................................................................ 18 Controlling multiple Saffire PROs to SaffireControl PRO ................................................. 19 Standalone Mode .............................................................................................................. 20 Changes to SaffireControl PRO 26 i/o at higher sample rates ­ Disabling ADATs ............ 21 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................ 23 Specifications ................................................................................................................... 24 Saffire PRO 26 i/o User Guide 2 Introduction to Saffire PRO Thankyou for purchasing SaffireControl PRO, Focusrite's professional multi-channel Firewire interface. This Guide provides a detailed explanation of both the hardware and accompanying control software, to help you achieve a thorough understanding of the product's operational features. If the main User Guide sections do not provide the information you need, be sure to consult the Troubleshooting at the end of the Manual or the online information at www.focusrite.com/answerbase, which contains all technical support queries regarding the product to date. Basics The Saffire PRO hardware interface provides the means for connecting microphones, line-level signals and/or instrument-level signals to the computer, as well as supplying playback audio directly to an amp, headphones or powered speakers. There are also digital audio options (S/PDIF and ADAT), plus connectors for sending and receiving MIDI and Word clock. Additionally, the hardware can function in standalone mode (powered by external PSU) for tracking or mixing without using a computer. The accompanying software application, SaffireControl PRO, provides further recording and monitoring options, as well as the ability to control global hardware settings such as sample rate and synchronisation. In terms of audio path, the SaffireControl PRO software sits between the interface and the sequencer, allowing control over what signals are sent from the sequencer to each output (e.g. the sequencer settings route through SaffireControl PRO not directly to the hardware). Input recording levels are not set in SaffireControl PRO, however, as the incoming signals pass directly to the sequencer. The input levels in SaffireControl PRO are for monitoring purposes only. Saffire PRO 26 i/o User Guide 3 Getting connected and setting up the hardware/software Before Saffire PRO can be used, the accompanying SaffireControl PRO software must be installed. This is done by inserting the Resources disk and running the Saffire PRO Installer for either Mac or PC. Once installed, the SaffireControl PRO icon will appear in your Program (PC) or Application (Mac) list, from where it can be launched. Before launching SaffireControl PRO, connect your hardware to the computer using the supplied Firewire cable (please note that the Saffire Pro does support hot plugging, however we advise you to connect you Saffire Pro to a MacOSX computer prior to turning on the Mac). Either of the Saffire PRO's two Firewire ports can be used, leaving one free to connect additional Saffire PROs or other Firewire devices such as hard disks to the computer. At this stage, you may wish to connect your Monitors to the Saffire PRO's analogue outputs. Outputs 1 and 2 are the Main Monitor outputs (left and right). Alternatively/In addition, you can connect Headphones to either of the headphones outputs on the right side of the front panel. Headphones Outputs 1 and 2 receive the same signal as that sent to Outputs 5/6 and 7/8 respectively (as indicated by the Headphones icons in the output section on the right side of the SaffireControl PRO GUI.) Please make sure that your monitors are turned OFF when connecting to Saffire. Although SaffireControl PRO's default setting will enable all inputs to be heard, make sure that the crossfader for the relevant output pair is sufficiently over to the left if you wish to listen to the sources being recorded. If you are still not hearing the relevant input, the fader for that input may not be high enough in the Input Mix section (check the `Creating an Input Mix' section for details). However, if attempting to monitor a main mix playback from the sequencer (any audio routed to outputs 1 and 2), you will need to make sure that Saffire PRO has been set up as the input/output audio device within that sequencer, then ensure that the corresponding output (whatever your speakers or headphones are connected to) has 1/2 selected as its S/W track within the output section of the SaffireControl PRO software (always the case for the Main Monitors.) Also the relevant crossfader must be set to monitor the S/W playback (set middle or right) as shown in the diagram below. Read the relevant monitoring sections of this User Guide for details. Controls for Outputs 1 and 2 Crossfader must be in a central position for Inputs and Playback tracks to be heard. If this is set totally right, only Playback (S/W) tracks 1/2 will be heard Controls for Outputs 3 and 4 and Headphones 1 (same signal) On Outputs 3-8, there is the option of routing Playback (S/W) tracks 1/2 or the corresponding tracks (in this case 5/6) from the sequencer to the output. (5/6 relates to Saffire PRO Outputs 5/6 within the sequencer.) The colour of the power LED will channge depending on wether or not the external power supply is connected. Whilst using the PSU, the LED will be green. Whilst powering the unit via a firewire buss, the LED will be red. Saffire PRO 26 i/o User Guide 4 Front Panel Features The front panel features level controls for all 8 analogue inputs (inserted at rear or on front panel), as well as a level control for the Monitors (signal sent to Outputs 1 and 2) and both Headphones. Each analogue input has a High Pass Filter for removing low frequencies (proximity effect or rumble from microphone recording). `Super' channels 1 and 2 also have buttons for lowering the impedance (to account for different microphone specification) and to reverse the phase (to eliminate phase cancellation when recording with a stereo pair). In addition, on the front panel there are 8 1/4" TRS (balanced) jack inputs for recording line-level signals (Inputs 1-8). These automatically override the XLR inputs on the rear panel if both sets are connected. If you wish to record a guitar, inputs 1 and 2 can be used to route a signal directly from the instrument (DI) to the sequencer. Instrument select buttons are included for these inputs to allow matching of gain and impedance. 2 1 3 12 11 10 4 5 6 9 8 7 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 8 1/4" jack line/instrument inputs Instrument select button Overload LED Input gain control Monitor level control Headphones level controls Monitor mute button/Standalone button 1 Monitor dim button/Standalone button 2 High-pass filter button Low Impedance button Phase reverse button Phantom power LEDs Saffire PRO 26 i/o User Guide 5 Rear Panel Features The rear panel has 8 XLR Inputs for recording signals from microphones (mic inputs 1-8), as well as 8 1/4" TRS (balanced) jack analogue outputs 1-8. There are also four ADAT lightpipe ports for receiving and sending ADAT signals (ADAT In 1-8 and 9-16, ADAT Out 1-8 and 9-16), plus two coaxial connectors for S/PDIF In and Out. The digital inputs/outputs relate to Saffire PRO inputs/outputs 9 and 10 (S/PDIF) and 11-26 (ADAT). Two BNC connectors offer Word Clock In and Out for synchronising to external equipment, with two standard 5-pin MIDI sockets allowing MIDI data to be received and transmitted. A 3-pin locking power socket allows the provided power supply to be connected, should Firewire-bus power not be preferred (if preserving computer battery or using the hardware in standalone mode without a computer, or if wishing to use the extra headroom feature). Finally, two Firewire ports are provided for interfacing with the computer and daisy-chaining multiple units. 4 1 5 7 2 3 8 6 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Power connector for external PSU S/PDIF (coaxial) In and Out MIDI In and Out Word Clock (BNC) In and Out ADAT (optical/lightpipe) In and Out Analogue Outputs 1-8 (TRS jack) Mic Inputs 1-8 (XLR) Firewire ports Saffire PRO 26 i/o User Guide 6 SaffireControl PRO Features The SaffireControl PRO software allows comprehensive control of the type and level of signal routed to Saffire PRO Outputs 1-10, including the ability to set individual levels of Inputs 1-8*. In addition, software controls allow setting of the sample rate, synchronisation, and the size and function of the GUI window. Preset buttons are also provided to change the overall hardware function. The latest version of SaffireControl PRO's software is always available at www.focusrite.com *Note: Limitations apply at high sample rates 88.2- 192 kHz, see page 21 3 1 4 5 2 7 8 6 12 9 28 11 27 19 23 18 15 26 22 14 25 21 13 10 24 20 17 16 1. Input mix group fader select switches; choose the signals to be controlled by the eight faders alongside (Analogue/SPDIF/ADAT1/ADAT2 Input(s)) for creating an Input Mix 2. Input mix level control ; sets the fader which controls the input level 3. Input mix pan dial; controls the position of the signal in the stereo field 4. Stereo link switch; links levels of Inputs either side of the switch (and auto-pans hard left and right) 5. Input/Playback Balance crossfader; sets the balance of the Input Mix and tracks playing back fr ...