Focusrite SAFFIRE-PRO-24-DSP
Firewire Audio Interface w/DSP , 16 in / 8 out

The Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP is Focusrite’s latest 16 In / 8 Out FireWire audio interface, featuring real-time DSP-powered tracking and mixing solutions tailor-made for the modern home studio environment.

Alongside DSP-powered Compression and EQ for latency-free tracking and ‘comfort’ reverb, is VRM; a Virtual Reference Monitoring technology that lets you hear your mix in different environments, through different speakers and from different positions, all just using headphones.

VRM makes Saffire PRO 24 DSP the only interface capable of simulating over one hundred different monitoring scenarios through your headphones. VRM overcomes the major obstacle for mixing with headphones by giving you multiple perspectives on your mix, as if you were listening through speakers. Indeed, noise levels from mixing through speakers can make it impossible for most to mix at home, especially late at night; with VRM, you can mix anytime, anywhere. Using any pair of monitoring headphones, VRM let’s you choose your mixing environment from a living room, a bedroom studio, or a professional studio. You then simply choose where you are positioned in that room and what speakers you listen through.

Saffire PRO 24 DSP draws on twenty-five years of mic-pre excellence. The two Focusrite pre-amps capture every subtle nuance of your sound whilst ensuring low noise and distortion. Meanwhile, high-quality digital conversion and JetPLL™ jitter elimination technology ensure pristine audio quality as your audio flows between the analogue and digital domains.

Saffire PRO 24 DSP’s other real-time DSP-powered effects also exhibit Focusrite’s uncompromised approach to audio quality. EQ, Compression and ‘Comfort’ Reverb sonically derived from the ‘Focusrite Plug-in Suite’ (also included as VST/AU plug-ins) are all integrated within the Saffire Mix Control software, providing professional latency-free tools for tracking and monitoring.

Alongside the two Focusrite pre-amps are a host of I/O options; two additional analogue inputs, six analogue outputs, ADAT inputs (for expanding the interface with, for example, Focusrite’s OctoPre), stereo SPDIF I/O and 2 virtual ‘loopback’ inputs for routing digital audio between software applications - ideal for capturing online audio. Front panel 5-LED metering for each analogue input offers accurate viewing of levels.

Saffire Mix Control, the zero-latency 16 x 8 DSP Mixer/Router software provided with Saffire PRO 24 DSP, sets a new standard at this price point for audio interface control. It features flexible output routing and monitoring, as well as intuitive one-click set-up solutions designed to help you track, monitor and mix as easily as possible.

Saffire PRO 24 DSP also comes with all the additional tools needed to start making music right away. These include the latest version of the Focusrite Plug-in Suite, which provides a significant upgrade from your standard sequencer effects. The suite includes Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.

Focusrite’s established Xcite+ bundle is also included. The bundle features Ableton Live 7 Lite (for all your production, performance and compositional needs), Novation’s Bass Station soft synth and over 1 gig of royalty-free samples from Loopmasters and ‘Mike the Drummer’.

Saffire PRO 24 DSP combines two award-winning Focusrite pre-amps and a host of other I/O with VRM Virtual Reference Monitoring, integrated real-time tracking and monitoring effects, and easy-to-use mix control software. Together, they deliver the most comprehensive professional compact music-recording interface to date.

Key Features:

•VRM Virtual Reference Monitoring
Hear your mix in different environments, through different speakers and from different positions, just using headphones

•Two High Quality Award-winning Focusrite Pre-amps
The best sounding interface in its class. Focusrite's unparalleled pre-amp legacy forms the foundation of this new interface, with two award-winning Focusrite pre-amps.

•Onboard DSP-powered, latency-free tracking and mixing tools
Classic Focusrite EQ and Compression for tracking, as well as ‘comfort’ reverb to place across your monitor mixes.

•High Quality 24-bit/96kHz FireWire Interface
Features high quality A-D / D-A conversion and JetPLL™ jitter elimination technology; pristine audio quality and reliable synchronisation are guaranteed.

•Total I/O Count of 16 Inputs and 8 Outputs
A host of I/O options are provided*, including a unique loop-back facility for routing audio between software applications via Saffire Mix Control.

•Saffire Mix Control Zero-latency DSP Mixer/Router
Routing flexibility and intuitive one-click set-up solutions; Saffire Mix Control provides an 16 x 8 DSP mixer with excellent output routing and monitoring capabilities.

•Xcite+ Software Bundle
Featuring a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged Novation soft-synth and Ableton Live 7 Lite, providing an affordable upgrade path to Ableton Live.

•Focusrite VST/AU Plug-in Suite, for use in the mix
Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with all-new Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.

•Front panel 5-LED metering
LED metering for each of the analogue inputs offers accurate viewing of levels direct from the front fascia.

•Two dedicated front-panel headphone busses
Providing two fully customised monitor mixes, with tactile level control available on the front panel.

•Bus-powered for a tidy mobile recording rig
Saffire PRO 24 DSP can be powered via FireWire, or via its own power supply

Specifications

Performance

Microphone Inputs

• Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 106dB
• SNR (A-weighted): -105.3dB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
• THD+N: 0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: EIN > 125dB (128dB analogue to digital) (measured at 60dB of gain with 150 Ohm termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Maximum level (A-weighted): 8.6dBu at 1%

Line Inputs

• Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 106.5dB
• SNR (A-weighted): -106dB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
• THD+N (A-Weighted): < 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Maximum level (A-weighted): 16.3dBu at 1%

Instrument Inputs

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
• THD+N: 0.004% (measured with 0dBu input and 20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Noise: -87dBu (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)

Line level Outputs

• Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 105dB
• SNR (A-weighted): -104.5dB
• THD+N: < 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
• Maximum level (A-weighted): 16.13dBu at 0.885%

Additional Conversion Performance

• Clock jitter < 250 picoseconds
• THD+N AMPL (A-weighted)= -107dBFS

Connectivity

Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-4)
• 2 x XLR Mic/Line Neutrik Combi-Jacks (Inputs 1-2)
• 2 x XLR Instrument Neutrik Combi-Jacks (Instrument on inputs 1 and 2 only)

Automatic switch of Mic / Line (inserting a jack switches from Mic to either Line or Instrument (instrument selected via the software control panel)

Line inputs 3-4 have low and high gain settings can be controlled from the Saffire MixControl software (low gain being the default)

Digital Channel Inputs (Inputs 5-14) 44.1-96kHz
• Stereo S/PDIF input on RCA
• 1 x 8 channel ADAT input on Optical Connector (SDPIF 3&4 set in preferences menu)

Analogue Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-6)
6 x TRS analogue outputs (Outputs 1-6)
2 x TRS stereo headphone output (headphone mix 1 same as outputs 3 & 4)

Digital Channel Outputs (Outputs 7-8) 44.1-96kHz
• Stereo S/PDIF output on RCA

Other I/O
• 1 x 6-pin Firewire socket
• 2 Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors: In and Out
• 12V DC power input connector for use with external PSU

Weight and Dims
• 1.6kg / 3.5 lbs
• 215mm / 8.5" (W) x 45mm / 1.8" (H) x 220mm / 8.65" (D)

System Requirements

APPLE MAC

Computer
Apple Macintosh with FireWire 400 port (or 800 port with 800 to 400 adaptor)

CPU/Clock
PowerPC G4/Dual 1 GHZ or faster or any Intel-based Mac

Memory (RAM)
512 MB (more recommended)

Screen Resolution
1024x768 (1280x1024 or more recommended)

WINDOWS

Computer
Windows compatible computer with FireWire 400 port.

CPU/Clock
Pentium or AMD with 1 GHz or higher (Dual 1 GHz or better
recommended)

Memory (RAM)
512 MB (more recommended)

Screen Resolution
1024x768 (1280x1024 or more recommended)

OS Compatibility

Windows:Vista

Windows:Vista64

Windows:Windows 7
Support is currently only available on Windows 7 when using the Windows Legacy FireWire driver, as explained here. Support for the Windows 7 FireWire driver should be available in the near future.

Windows:XP64
Service Pack 2 and above only.

Windows:XP
Service Pack 2 and above only.

Mac:10.4
10.4.11 and above only.

Mac:10.5

Mac:10.6
Support is currently only for the 32-bit kernel on 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Support for the 64-bit kernel should be available in the near future.

NOTE: All of Focusrite's FireWire interfaces are fully compatible with Thunderbolt using a simple FireWire to Thunderbolt adapter. Focusrite fully supports the use of Thunderbolt with their FireWire interfaces.