Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP FireWire Audio Interface with VRM Technology

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This FireWire interface packs 2 Focusrite preamps and top-notch conversion -- plus Virtual Reference Monitoring technology to help you mix in headphones.

For all those times when you're not recording and mixing in a fancy-pants studio, the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP audio interface provides a plethora of real-time DSP-powered tracking and mixing features, plus over a hundred different monitoring scenarios to consult with during a mix. Thanks to Virtual Reference Monitoring (VRM) technology, this 16-in/8-out FireWire audio interface is able to simulate a slew of different rooms, speakers, and monitoring scenarios, so you can hear how your music sounds in a bedroom studio, in a professional studio with nearfield monitors in front of you, through a car stereo, and so forth -- a very convenient feature when you have to monitor with headphones! The Saffire Pro 24 DSP does all the VRM magic via DSP, so your computer is freely able to perform other tasks.

In addition to awesome monitoring technology, the interface sports two of Focusrite's famed mic preamps, so you get great sound no matter what you record, as well as a wealth of I/O options, high-quality digital conversion, JetPLL jitter elimination technology, and zero-latency performance. So that you can do it all on the Saffire Pro 24 DSP, the audio interface also packs DSP mixer/router software, DSP-powered effects, and a software bundle. Ideal for desktop production setups, this Focusrite powerhouse will be your BFF no matter where you work. With the Saffire Pro 24 DSP, you can track and mix anywhere.

What You Need to Record, Track, and Mix

Get great sound from the get-go read more with two Focusrite microphone preamplifiers -- known for their low noise and low distortion. With these power mic pres onboard, and Focusrite's high-quality digital conversion and JetPLL jitter elimination technology, you'll capture the essence of your recording and have a clean slate for applying effects, mixing, and monitoring.

The Saffire Pro 24 DSP audio interface puts professional latency-free tools at your fingertips. Saffire Mix Control is Focusrite's zero-latency 16x8 DSP mixer/router software, which features flexible output routing and monitoring, as well as easy setup solutions designed to help you work intuitively and efficiently. You also get the latest version of the Focusrite Plug-in Suite, including EQ, Compression, Gating, and "Comfort" Reverb VST/AU plug-ins, all of which can be integrated within your Saffire Mix Control software.

Very Useful VRM for Headphone Monitoring

Focusrite's Virtual Reference Monitoring (VRM) enables you to put on headphones and hear your mix in different environments, through different speakers, and from different positions, from the comfort of your office chair. VRM allows you to produce pro-quality mixes in the wee hours when you have to be quiet, during the day when there's noise all around you, or even when you're set up outdoors or in a classroom or someone else's studio. Best of all, this technology allows you to work, in the virtual sense, with a range of monitors and listening environments that you probably aren't able to access on your own. VRM gives you over 100 different monitoring scenarios through your headphones, so there's no excuse not to consult different perspectives on your mix.

Using any pair of monitoring headphones, you simply choose your mixing environment from a living room, a bedroom studio, or a professional studio; and then you choose where you are positioned in that room and what speakers you listen through.

From the front panel, you can access two independent headphone buses with their own level controls, which make it easy for you and a friend to receive and control fully independent and customizable monitor mixes.

A Host of I/O Options

Flexible routing options let you make the most of your gear, be it hardware or software. This Saffire boasts two additional analog inputs, six analog outputs, ADAT inputs for expanding the interface, stereo S/PDIF I/O, and two virtual "loopback" inputs for routing digital audio between software applications. The loopback inputs will come in handy when you're streaming audio online and you want to capture something cool from a video or music clip. Always know the status of your levels by checking the front panel's 5-LED metering display for each analog input.

Like other Focusrite FireWire interfaces, the Liquid Saffire Pro 24 DSP is compatible with Thunderbolt (using a FireWire to Thunderbolt adapter).

Includes DAW, Soft Synth, and Loops

Helping you to make music right out of the box, the FireWire audio interface includes Focusrite's Xcite+ software bundle featuring Ableton Live 7 Lite, Novation's Bass Station software synth, and over 1 GB of royalty-free samples from Loopmasters and Mike the Drummer. If you like Live 7 Lite, there's an affordable upgrade path to the full version of the DAW software.

Features:

- 16-in/8-out, 96 kHz/24-bit FireWire audio interface
- VRM (Virtual Reference Monitoring) lets you use headphones to hear your mix in different environments, through different speakers, and from different positions
- 2 Focusrite preamps provide award-winning sound
- Onboard DSP-powered, latency-free tracking and mixing plug-ins, including EQ, Compression, Gating, and Reverb
- High-quality A/D/D/A conversion and JetPLL jitter elimination technology for pristine audio quality and reliable synchronization
- Lots of I/O: 16 inputs, 8 outputs, including a loop-back facility for routing audio between software applications via Saffire Mix Control
- Saffire Mix Control DSP mixer/router software provides an 16x8 DSP mixer
- Xcite+ software bundle offers royalty-free loops and samples, Novation Bass Station soft synth, and Ableton Live 7 Lite
- Front-panel 5-LED metering for each of the analog inputs
- 2 Dedicated front-panel headphone buses for fully customized monitor mixes
- Bus-powered, or via its own power supply, for a mobile recording rig

Ideal for use anywhere you choose to make music, the Saffire Pro 24 DSP can be powered via its own power supply or via FireWire or Thunderbolt, so all you need to work on the go is your audio interface and a laptop. Keep the Saffire Pro 24 DSP at home on your desktop or bring it to location recordings -- wherever you use it, you'll enjoy high-end recording, tracking, and monitoring tools in a compact, fully featured package.

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.
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Specifications

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
Operating System:
For up-to-date information about operating system compatibility, please see the OS Compatibility Checker.

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
Operating System:
For up-to-date information about operating system compatibility, please see the OS Compatibility Checker.

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)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 310-322-5500
Web: https://support.focusrite.com/

Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP with VRM

The Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP is Focusrite's 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 preamps capture every subtle nuance of your sound whilst ensuring low noise and distortion. Meanwhile, high-quality digital conversion and JetPLL(tm) 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 uncompromising 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 preamps 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 S/PDIF 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 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 recent 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 preamps 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.

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 Preamps: The best sounding interface in its class. Focusrite's unparalleled preamp legacy forms the foundation of this interface, with two award-winning Focusrite preamps.

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: High-quality A-D / D-A conversion and JetPLL jitter elimination technology; pristine audio quality and reliable synchronization 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: 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 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: Two fully customized 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.

About Virtual Reference Monitoring

The Problem
VRM (Virtual Reference Monitoring) is Focusrite's own loudspeaker & room simulator designed for headphone listening. Accurate mixing has until now, required expensive monitors and a carefully designed and treated control room. Currently, both professional music producers facing budgetary limitations and project music makers without access to such, frequently encounter mixing and "auditioning" difficulties.

The Solution
VRM allows you to choose from 10 pairs of industry standard near-field and main monitors in an acoustically treated control room. You can select 6 different listening positions within that room; vary your distance from the monitors and move from left to right to check stereo imaging.

Engineers routinely A/B their mixes by burning CDs and taking them into untreated rooms to reference on consumer stereos. VRM eliminates this process by simulating two extra rooms; a large living room and a smaller bedroom. You can choose between a range of speakers including quality hi-fi, computer, cheap stereo and television speakers. As with the control room simulation, you can select between a number of listening positions to check stereo imaging and observe the effects of typical room modes on your mixes.

The Method
VRM uses standard headphones to reproduce the direct sound, together with a DSP system that is used to simulate specific monitoring scenarios. VRM's room models are mathematical models which provide greater flexibility in the possible combinations of loudspeakers and listening positions. The loudspeaker simulations are created using convolutions of impulse responses measured using the original loudspeakers. The accuracy of these simulations in different environments is taken care of by the impulse responses themselves and the way they are calculated and manipulated. Saffire Pro 24 DSP takes all the processing load off your computer.

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.

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. (12 ratings)
Submitted July 6, 2010 by a customer from gmail.com

"Decent unit"

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
As soon as I can muster up an RME, I'm upgrading. Until then, looks like I'm stuck with this product for a long time so I better learn to work around its limitations. I would gladly trade it in for a MOTU Ultralite - only $150 more and more than $150 better. I like the mic preamps and the 2 headphone outputs, and the sound is decent. Everything else about it is a disappointment. VRM seems like just a set of preset monitor-only EQ curves put in as filler.

Sound
I expected better from Focusrite. The sound is decent, but that's all I would give it. It sounded a bit muffled/muddy/less clear when I compared it with RME and MOTU. I know those are more expensive units, but the difference seemed more substantial than the price difference, especially considering the I/O feature set is also more limited. I find I have very little headroom to work with overall, except in the mic pres - which are nice. Sounds better than other units in the same price range though, so that's something to consider.

Features
Nice Focusrite preamps!! 2 headphone outputs is definitely a helper. However, there are only 4 analog inputs, and there is an ADAT/Optical input but NO OUTPUT! Why??? Only 1 firewire port so don't expect to do any daisychaining. The Saffire Mix Control software: UNSTABLE. It craps out for no apparent reason mid-session and no response. That's serious. It still pipes the audio to and from the computer, so as long as you set read more everything before it gets stuck and don't need to change anything, you can keep working. Input FX and plugin suite: Nice sounding basic plugins. VRM: Bells and whistles that I still don't really see how that can really be useful, since your room, monitors, and everything else are still no less of factors to your mix. As far as I'm concerned, if the non-DSP version of this unit had 2 headphone outputs, I would have saved the $100 spent on this feature.

Ease of Use
It's not complicated once you get your head around the Mix Control routing possibilities.

Quality
Seems like it's built to be able to withstand minor bumps. As long as you carry it in a padded case and take care of it it should be fine. The extra points get lost on the instability of the software and driver. Make sure you don't have many things plugged into the same power source as this unit, because it's doesn't respond well to fluctuations and recessions in the power stream. I would keep at least a surge protector in front of it.

Value
It's not expensive, and the sound is decent.

Manufacturer Support
No experience yet, but their website has a database of previous troubleshooting correspondences available to anyone, so that's a good thing.

The Wow Factor
Much bigger than it needs to be with so few ins and outs, and it's just boxy. I'm happy not to pay extra for cosmetics though.

Musical Background:
Active Musician, Recording Engineer, Producer

Musical Style:
Psytrance, Experimental, Live Instrumental Recordings
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