Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Firewire Audio Interface Review

What sets Focusrite’s Saffire audio interfaces apart from their competitors are their precision analog/digital conversion quality, their multi-layer board layout and component choices, and their award-winning, super clean mic preamps that are transparent with minimum noise and distortion. They connect seamlessly with any DAW of choice on Mac or Windows and comes loaded with plugins and samples.

Focusrite are well-known for using high-quality preamps that combine low noise, high gain and exceptional headroom, allowing you to get the best out of any microphone. This means you can use any dynamic microphone on any whisper‑quiet source and still get an outstanding, clear signal, which can’t be said for a lot of budget gear.

The mic pres are combined with precision digital conversion offering the lowest possible latency. Saffire includes MixControl DSP-based zero-latency mixing software that allows the maximum monitoring flexibility, a clear and concise mixing layout and large on-screen metering for inputs, outputs and submixes.

Furthermore, two independent headphone channels are equipped with their own level controls that really deliver massive power, and will be sufficient for any set of headphones that require it

The main eight inputs feature combo XLR/TRS connectors which automatically detect which is in use. 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.

Each channel is equipped with 48V Phantom Power and the first two channels feature -9dB pads for extra headroom while tracking loud sources. Five-step LED metering for each channel offers accurate display of incoming levels.

The Saffire PRO 40 offers an impressive amount of I/O and connectivity into a single-rackspace unit, while also offering plenty of opportunity for expansion. The rear panel has ten analogue outputs to enable an array of customizable speaker setups and there are also a pair of Toslink I/O connecters and coax S/PDIF I/O and MIDI I/O on standard 5-pin DIN connectors. This can elevated your project studio into a large-scale recording facility in no time.

Finally, users can take advantage of Focusrite’s Red 2 and Red 3 Plugin Suite, Softube’s Time and Tone Pack, Focusrite’s Xcite+ bundle, Ableton Live Lite DAW software, Novation’s Bass Station soft synth, and over 1GB of royalty-free samples—all included with the Saffire Pro 40.

www.focusrite.com