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Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 compatability?
I use Vegas Pro 10 (and sound forge) for audio productions (along with my video projects), I run in to some opportunities to do some remote audio recording projects and plan to upgrade from my 2 channel M-audio mobile Pre and I am looking at using the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 because 1 I already have 2 Focusrite Octopre Mark II dynamic pre units for use with my Alesis HD24 recorder.
I am thinking of the Saffire Pro 40 because it has two modes, one as a stand alone which I can use with my OctoPree’s with the optical out.. but I also need from time to time to connect the Saffire pro 40 to my notebook via firewire. Saffire Pro 40 has a software control with lots more options that I need…. So I was wondering has anyone used one with Vegas as an multi track audio interface using just AISO drives and Vegas Pro for tracking…
The Saffire is the only unit I can see that has both a stand alone feature and a firewire option and since I already have 2 of the other focusrite units..
So, I hope some of you have had some experience with a multi track audio set up.
Thanks again in advance for your help.
Dave -
9 Replies
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Dave,
I recently picked up the Saffire Pro 40, and it has been a great experience using it for not only Vegas, but various DAWs as well. The drivers have been very stable, which to me, is very important. There are other units out there that can operate as stand-alone, but the Focusrite has been exellent, and I would recommend it.
Hope this helps.
Josh Sauder
Pinnacle Productions
http://www.pinnacleproductions.us -
Josh, that is great to hear. I already have 2 of the stand alone units the Focusrite OctoPre Mk II units and I’m looking forward to using those units as well. I have read one of the great things about the Saffire Pro 40 is that I can use the Pro 40 with or with out a computer, that the unit will act as a stand alone (as long as it is configured using the computer).. then you can just add it as another pre.
I have two different use’s. first as a stand alone for small sessions using Vegas or other DAW’s like you said but also I want to use all 3 units as a 24 track Preamp to hook up to an HD24 and do remote recordings multi-track out of the studio and then use our studio to mix in the controlled environment..
One thing I was wondering.. Yesterday I was out playing around with the Octopre MKII and I connected a Sure M57 to it to see how it would handle a dynamic mic.. I was surprised that I had to bring the gain up to 8 0r 9 to get any level on the meter.. that is a bit concerning.. but I”ll play around with it a little more and see what happens.. After getting to about 8 the gain really picked up at 9 and then 10 (very clean though)..
I did read somewhere the input gain is about 5 DB lower than some other pre’s which kind of makes sense, but it still isn’t a linear increase in gain… I’ve asked Focusrite with out any response as yet… Have you found the gain structure a bit odd?
Dave -
Dave,
That sounds like a sweet setup. I actually had an OctoPre MkII as well, and it was great, but it was overkill for me at the time. As far as the gain issue, yes, I have noticed I have to crank the Pro 40 pretty high to receive appropriate recording levels. Maybe my only other gripe is that the Monitor volume control also affects the Headphone outs levels. I really wish these weren’t tied together, and that the Headphone outs had a bit more power to them, but I’ll gladly deal those minor issues for the build quality, driver stability, and comprehensive routing capabilities of the unit. I nearly went with a Presonus Firestudio 26×26 or Project, and they’re great, but I read they have some static issues. I just have been really pleased with the quality of this unit.
Let me know if you find out anything from Focusrite about the gain issue, though.
Josh Sauder
Pinnacle Productions
http://www.pinnacleproductions.us -
Josh, again thanks for the more detailed info. I have also read about the low monitor levels but with my set up… I”m not sure how that may or may not affect me… I have a couple of headphone amps laying around that I could always throw in to the rack.. The idea of cranking the pre’s though are a little disconcerting.. and I have as yet to receive any reply from the sales guy or tech support of focusrite.. Crazy.. I’m about to place the order and they are taking their time.. Go figure.. I”ll keep you posted if I hear anything
Dave
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Dave, I don’t know who you’re ordering with, but Sweetwater could probably give you some good answers to the gain question, or any others regarding the unit. They’re headquartered right down the road from me and I go there often. They’re very good about being up on all the products they sell.
For what it’s worth.
Josh Sauder
Pinnacle Productions
http://www.pinnacleproductions.us -
Hi Josh, I’ve purchased allot from (well use to), the guy that I worked with moved on and I got some new guy.. I tried to buy the Octopre’s from them, I kept asking what is their best price on the units… and I basically kept getting emails back that just said.. Let me know when your ready to buy .. thanks for the emails.. I gave up..
I did speak with the guy at Focusrite (regional manager today) he sent me a note and send me the specs (out of the brochure)… I said I have read the specs, I just wanted to know if what “We” are seeing was common.. he replied he has to “Crank” his to get the output… again not the answer I was looking for .. so he gave me a name in Tech support told me to call him.. today was his day off 🙁 so, they said I’ll get you to someone that can help… got another person, they said the person I needed to talk to (not the same guy I originally tried to contact).. he said I could leave my number and he can call me back… so, I asked, how long before I can get a call back… they said Tuesday of next week…. Have you ever wanted to yell at the phone… I can tell you I was there.. And the Saga goes on!
Dave -
Thanks for the update and sorry about the rough time getting any help. If you finally hear any final word on that gain issue, and any possible solutions, let me know. I still think you’ll like the unit, though.
Thanks Dave.
Josh Sauder
Pinnacle Productions
http://www.pinnacleproductions.us -
Josh.. well I did send and email to the tech support I originally was told to contact and I hope I do hear something, it seems like they are quite aware of the issue but it doesn’t seem to be a big issue for them… I have decided to go ahead and order the unit but now will wait until I am heading back from California mid July.. No use in buying it and have it sitting in the studio with the warranty clicking along..
Did you say that you have additional pre’s connected on the input? As I said I hope to be able to hang one of my Octopre MKII dynamics in the ADAT in to get a total of 16 channels (way over kill for me) but I’d like to have the extra inputs if I need it..
I”ll keep you posted.
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Josh, well I just got off the phone with Focusrite Tech support and I asked him about the the gain structure of the pre’s and he said that is the way the pre’s are designed.. he said allot of other manufactures it max gain at 5 or 6 and then folks have a tendency to crank it up to distortion.. he said they designed it to get Nominal gain in the 6-7,8 range and then have the additional gain if needed for low input needs.. He said all Focusrite pre’s now being manufactured all have the same gain setting…
I hope to get the Saffire Pro 40 when I get back from my trip on the 18th of July…. (or it may even be waiting for us)… he also explained my issue with Pro Tools 002r and to do what I was planing is more of a pain than it’s worth.. it seems like the ProTools 002r has to have the clock switched to ADAT every time you open a session or use the 002r…. since I do not plan to have PT on the computer anymore that just won’t happen… Oh well.
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