User manual FOCUSRITE SAFFIRELE

[. . . ] Rev 1. 0 Introduction Front panel facilities and controls Rear Panel Connections SaffireControl LE Recording using a microphone (mono or stereo) Recording line level sources (mono or stereo) Recording a guitar or bass directly Recording a digital (S/PDIF) source Connecting Speakers Managing a recording session with SaffireControl LE How to set up an input mix on the monitors/headphones How to set up a playback track mix on the monitors/headphones Blending between inputs and playback tracks on the monitors/headphones Direct Audio Streaming to the Saffire LE Outputs: Soundcard (S/CARD) mode Direct AC3/DTS streaming to the RCA Output Control and Linking of Output Levels Float and Shrink Modes Setting the Sample Rate and Synchronising to the S/PDIF In Changes to GUI at 88. 2/96kHz MIDI Saffire Plug-in Suite EQ Compression Reverb Amp Sim Saffire Signal Flow Diagram Troubleshooting Specifications Warranty Accuracy Copyright Introduction Saffire LE is the second addition to the now highly acclaimed range of Firewire audio interfaces from Focusrite, one of the most prestigious names in the recording industry. With a total of 6 Inputs and 8 Outputs, the Saffire LE should satisfy all your recording and monitoring needs. Four of the six inputs are analogue, comprising two expertly designed Focusrite pre-amps and two additional balanced inputs, switchable between Line and Instrument level signal ­ just plug in your guitar and play. On the digital side, unrivalled conversion and 24-bit/96kHz processing ensure professional signal quality, with S/PDIF connections making up the remaining stereo inputs and outputs. [. . . ] The EQ window functions in two modes, template mode and advanced mode. When the EQ window is first launched, the EQ will be set flat in template mode. To switch to advanced mode, simply press the mode button on the right of the EQ window just to the left of the OUT fader (as shown in the diagram) that alternates between the two modes. The LED button on the left activates/bypasses the EQ from within the plug-in window. A fader at either end controls the gain of the signal before and after EQ, respectively. In advanced mode, all areas of the four band parametric EQ can be adjusted. When the plug-in is first launched, the advanced mode will be loaded but set flat, i. e. with no gain increase or decrease at any stage over the entire frequency range. All four EQ bands have three dials each to adjust the frequency (FREQ), EQ (continued) Gain and Q of the EQ band. Rotating the dials clockwise will increase the value in each case, the exact numerical value being displayed in a box below the dial whilst rotating and when the mouse cursor moves over it. The outer two bands controlled by each set of three dials on either end of the panel can be independently set to be band pass (as default), high/low shelf (middle button) or high/low-pass (bottom button) by pressing the corresponding small buttons at either end as shown in the diagram. When in high/low shelf mode, only the GAIN and FREQ dials will be active for that band, and when in high/low-pass mode, only the FREQ and Q dial will be active to select the cut-off frequency and resonance of the filter. For example, if wanting to set up a low shelf to increase the bass, press the middle button on the left (Band 1) and then rotate the GAIN dial on the first band (on the left) clockwise. If wanting to insert a low-pass filter in the signal path to cut out high frequencies, press the bottom button on the right (Band 4) and then rotate the FREQ dial on the last band (on the right) to set the cut-off frequency for the filter (above which all frequencies will not be heard). In template mode, the slider is used to select a different preset EQ configuration, such as one ideally suited to recording vocals, guitar, percussion and so on. Click on the desired slider position and the slider will jump to it. (These templates have configured the EQ controls for all four bands available within the advanced mode {the lower controls} so that the dials above control the main sonic characteristics of the source being recorded). For example, with the slider in the Vocal position, the four knobs in template mode relate to the warmth, presence, harshness and breathiness respectively. Rotating the knobs in a clockwise direction increases the amount of this property. This does not necessarily mean just increasing the gain of that EQ band but could be both the gain and Q for instance. If wanting to set up your own EQ settings starting with a particular template, simply click the mode button to switch to advanced mode and adjust the controls as detailed above. Two buttons in the bottom right of the EQ window allow copying and pasting of EQ settings to and from other instances of the Saffire EQ. Compression Compressor On/Off switch (illuminated when active); use to bypass Compressor Compressor Mode Template Defines the amount Select; choose select slider of compression in between Advanced template mode and Template Mode Fader and Meter to adjust the level of the signal at the Compressor Output Fader and Meter to adjust the level of the signal at the compressor input Buttons allow copying and pasting of settings to and from other Saffire compressors Dial sets the Threshold of the compressor Dial sets the Ratio of the compressor Dial sets the Attack time of the compressor Dial sets the Release time of the compressor Dial sets the Makeup Gain of the compressor Meter shows the amount of gain reduction caused by the compressor The Saffire Compressor plug-in is modelled on the legendary Focusrite hardware devices, with individually tuned optos to help create the sound of vintage 1960s compression. [. . . ] The threshold must be low enough for the signal to exceed it for the compressor to have any effect. The EQ is not working · Is the plug-in active?The small switch on the left of the plug-in window must be illuminated. · Are the EQ controls in a position to have an effect on frequencies that are present in the signal? [. . . ]