20-in, 20 out Firewire interface with eight Focusrite mic pres
Designed with the sophisticated project studio owner or smaller commercial facility in mind, Saffire PRO 40 features a versatile 20 inputs and 20 outputs, including a complement of eight Focusrite mic preamps guaranteed to get the best out of any microphone, with minimal noise and distortion even at high gain. Two mic/line/instrument inputs are accessed via the front panel, which also provides two independent headphone monitor outputs.
30-year heritage of acclaimed mic pre design
Focusrite’s unparalleled preamp legacy forms the foundation of this versatile interface, with eight award-winning Focusrite preamps. Focusrite came into being thirty years ago in 1985 when console design legend Rupert Neve was asked by Sir George Martin to develop new mic pres for the consoles at AIR studios. The resulting, sought-after sound has been the basis of Focusrite mic preamps ever since. Those used in our computer interface ranges are a special 2-stage design created specially for the purpose, combining low noise, high gain and exceptional headroom, allowing you to get the best out of any microphone.
Precision conversion in and out
Our acclaimed mic pres are combined with the very latest in interfacing technology, including precision digital conversion based on exceptional circuit design and multi-layer boards, offering the lowest possible latency. JetPLL™ jitter-reduction technology helps to attain the goal of pristine audio quality, coupled with excellent routing flexibility and future-proof, rock-solid stability. Meanwhile, powerful Saffire MixControl DSP-based zero-latency mixing software allows the maximum monitoring flexibility.
A host of I/O options
All eight main inputs feature combo XLR/TRS connectors and sense which is in use automatically. Inputs 1 and 2 appear on the front panel and support mic, line and instrument operation, while the remaining six are on the rear panel and offer mic and line input functionality. In addition to the comprehensive monitoring options described below, there are eight TRS line outputs. In addition, ADAT I/O, stereo S/PDIF I/O and two virtual ‘loopback’ inputs for routing digital audio between software applications are provided. Every mic pre features phantom power, with the first two channels also featuring -9dB pads for additional headroom. Front panel five-step LED metering for each analogue input offers accurate viewing of levels.
MixControl: zero-latency DSP-powered mixing software
Saffire MixControl, the ultra-low-latency 18 x 16 DSP Mixer/Router software provided with Saffire PRO 40, sets a new standard at this price point for audio interface control. It features unparalleled output routing and monitoring, as well as intuitive one-click options, a clear and concise mixing layout and large on-screen metering for inputs, outputs and submixes.
Maximum monitoring
Two independent headphone buses are provided, each with their own level controls available on the front panel. A dedicated stereo monitor mix TRS output features pads for improved sound quality when connected to active monitor speakers, while an 'anti-thump' circuit protects your monitor speakers from spikes when booting up or shutting down. Front panel controls include a main monitor dial with dim and mute switches, all of which fully integrate with customisable software to cover every possible monitoring need, providing a set of controls for any set-up from basic stereo to full 7.1 surround.
Focusrite’s Saffire range of Firewire audio interfaces highlights the fundamental features that distinguish the sound quality of Focusrite interfaces from other available products in their class: precision analogue/digital conversion quality, a result of careful circuit design, multi-layer board layout and component choices, and Focusrite’s award-winning mic preamps, developed from 30 years of experience in mic pre design and created especially for our interfaces to deliver clean, transparent sound with minimal noise and distortion. Saffire interfaces offer the most effective way to get high-quality audio into and out of your DAW. They’re compatible with any DAW on Macintosh or Windows, and with the included Red 2 and Red 3 AAX plugins, make a perfect partner for Pro Tools.
All of Focusrite's FireWire interfaces are fully compatible with Thunderbolt using simple FireWire to Thunderbolt adapter. Focusrite fully supports the use of Thunderbolt with our FireWire interfaces.
Microphone Inputs
- Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 109dB
- SNR (A-weighted): -109dB
- 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): 8dBu at 1%
Line Inputs
- Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 109dB
- SNR (A-weighted): -109dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
- THD+N: < 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Noise: -90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Maximum level (A-weighted): 28.5dBu at 1%
Instrument Inputs
- Frequency Response 20Hz-20KHz +/- 0.1dB
- Maximum Input Level min gain no pad +8dBu
- Maximum Input Level max gain no pad -42dBu
- THD+N, -1dBFS, min gain, no pad < 0.0015%
- SNR 109dB "A"
- DNR 109dB "A"
- Input Impedance > 1MOhm
- X-talk < -100dB
- Adjustable Gain > 50dB
- Pad Attenuation 10dB
Headphone Outputs
- Frequency Response 20Hz-20KHz +/- 0.1dB
- SNR 109dB "A"
- DNR 109dB "A"
- Maximum Output into 32R +12.4dBu (+10.2dBV)
- Power into 32R 250mW
- Output Impedance < 7Ohms
- Load Impedance > 24Ohms
Line level Outputs
- Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 108dB
- SNR (A-weighted): -108dB
- THD+N: < 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and 22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
- Maximum level (A-weighted): 15.7dBu at 0.883%
Additional Conversion Performance
- Clock jitter < 250 picoseconds
- THD+N AMPL (A-weighted)= -109dBFS
Analogue Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-8)
- 2 Mic/Line/Inst Combo XLR (Inputs 1 and 2)
- 6 Mic/Line Combo XLR (Inputs 3-8)
- Automatic switching of Mic / Line (e.g. inserting a jack switches from Mic to either Line or Instrument)
Digital Channel Inputs (Inputs 9-18) 44.1-96kHz
- Stereo S/PDIF input on RCA
- 8 ADAT inputs on Optical Connector, reduces to 4 inputs at 88.2/96kHz • Optical input can be switched to S/PDIF 3/4 in software preferences (Both ADATs and S/PDIF over RCA input disabled)
Analogue Audio Outputs (Outputs 1-10)
- 8 ¼” TRS Jack (Outputs 3-10)
- 2 monitor mix outputs on ¼” TRS Jack (Outputs 1 and 2)
- Stereo headphones mix 1 on ¼” TRS (also routed to outputs 7 & 8)
- Stereo Headphones mix 2 on ¼” TRS (also routed to outputs 9 & 10)
Digital Channel Outputs (Outputs 11-20) 44.1-96kHz
- Stereo S/PDIF output on RCA
- 8 ADAT outputs on Optical Connector, reduces to 4 outputs at 88.2/96kHz
- Optical output can be switched to S/PDIF 3/4 in software preferences (ADATs disabled)
Other I/O
- 2 6-pin FireWire sockets
- 2 Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors: In and Out
- IEC mains power input connector
Weight and Dimensions
- Weight: 3kg / 6.6Ibs
- Dimensions: 482mm / 19" (W) x 45mm / 1.8" (H) x 265mm /10.4" (D)
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