Focusrite Saffire Question

marcoeatsbrains · Mar 1, 2011

i want to buy a new focusrite saffire 6 USB i don't need many inputs i only gonna rec my dry guitar tracks and i'm not gonna use any mics. just impulses and amp simulators. the question is.if the saffire 6 USB has the same conversion quality/sound than the Saffire PROs (firewire). i'm just looking for the best sound quality recording my DIs guitar tracks.

marcoeatsbrains · Mar 1, 2011

anyone? :/

C-Martin · Mar 1, 2011

I personally would go with the Saffire Pro 14 instead. I'm not saying the 6 wouldn't work. Spec wise it seems the converters on the 6 are inferior to the 14 and its really not that big of a difference in price. You'll get firewire instead of USB and better conversion for like 20$ more. That said neither are as good as the pro 40 or L56, you gotta compromise somewhere otherwise they wouldn't be so cheap.

guitarguru777 · Mar 1, 2011

Saffire 6 has the exact same converters and pres at the other "Pro" series. They are not the top of the line ones like in the Red Net systems but they are better then any other mid level interface out there.

viralz · Mar 2, 2011

I used to own a saffire pro 24 but had some issues with it, the firewire connection was really unstable and occasionally froze my computer. I just recently got a saffire 6 and from what I remember the audio quality seems to be the same. No clue about the converters tho...

C-Martin · Mar 2, 2011

guitarguru777 said:
Saffire 6 has the exact same converters and pres at the other "Pro" series. They are not the top of the line ones like in the Red Net systems but they are better then any other mid level interface out there.

Interesting, i thought for sure they where different since the specs are different on their site. I'd still go with the 14 just for the firewire. I definitely agree that its hard to beat focusrite in that price range.

marcoeatsbrains · Mar 2, 2011

thanks a lot to everyone for these great advices. i've reading a lot about the saffire 6 and the only disadvantages that i've found were the limited sample rate recording: the Focusrite only supports up to 48khz the PRO series up to 96khz. but is it necesary for what i want to do? just high quality home recordings, do you usually use to record at high sample rates For pro home recording?... and the usb conexion but i think my pc is powerful(amd phenom x6 3.0 and 4gb ddr3.) enough to handle it.
also, i've found a saffire rival the E-MU 0404 USB what do you think about it? many guys on gearslutz forum told me that its better than saffire 6(better coverters) but i don't know...
give me a hand choosing the best one.

mili9152 · Apr 17, 2011

nice thread...I'm also interested in the Focusrite Saffire 6 and how capable it is for DI 'ing guitars

kass · Apr 17, 2011

mili9152 said:
nice thread...I'm also interested in the Focusrite Saffire 6 and how capable it is for DI 'ing guitars

Its not capable.

Do a search.

mili9152 · Apr 17, 2011

kass said:
Its not capable.

Do a search.

How so? It has Hi Z inputs for a 1/4" guitar cable and A/D converters...sure it won't be as clean as having a separate DI box in front

kass · Apr 17, 2011

Be a big boy and do a search.

Im on my cellphone so i cant give you the link or type out a big explanation. Im trying to help you because i have the saffire 6. Just do a search and you will see my posts about the saffire 6.

If you have any specific questions after that, shoot

deLuther · Apr 18, 2011

Saffire 6 USB have to low maximum input level (+7 dbu with PAD and minimum gain), for EMGs it is almost at the limit, more hotter (regarding to maximum peak level) pickups will cause clipping (most passives have larger peak level than EMGs).
Saffire PRO (at least PRO 24 and 40) have larger levels (+16 dbu with PAD and minimum gain) so does E-Mu 0404 USB (+14.2 dbu with minimum gain).
But E-Mu USB interfaces have average drivers, there is many cases with unstable performance (dropouts), but this can be due to computer configuration.
There is also TC Electronic Konnekt 6 with +18 dbu of maximum input level (Hi-Z).
For example, SD SH/TB-4 can cause slight clipping even with +14.2 dbu (on E-Mu 0404 USB), EMGs and SD AHB-1 can be recorded without problem.

guitarguru777 · Apr 18, 2011

The saffire 6 will work fine. Yes with EMG's it will run really hot and you may have to run something like a Tube Screamer BEFORE the Saffire. But it will still work....

If you are not using an EMG loaded guitar then dont worry.

kass · Apr 18, 2011

No it won't work. Please, DO worry about it.

With passive humbuckers and even single coils it will clip.

Do yourself a favor and get something else if you want to use built-in DI.

Not to mention there are driver issues with it on some systems (ie MINE)

KHE · Apr 18, 2011

kass said:
No it won't work. Please, DO worry about it.

With passive humbuckers and even single coils it will clip.

Do yourself a favor and get something else if you want to use built-in DI.

Not to mention there are driver issues with it on some systems (ie MINE)

+1

preamps are too hot and focusrite doesent care about it.
i run a buffer (impedance-convertor) followed by an attenuator (voltage-divider) in front of the Hi-Z-Input to get a lower level without tone-loss.

kass · Apr 18, 2011

No, they don't give a damn about it.

Screw them....:Smug:

deLuther · Apr 19, 2011

guitarguru777 said:
If you are not using an EMG loaded guitar then dont worry.

I have exactly opposite opinion - with EMGs probably all will be alright, but with passives you have to worry.
For example:

Comparison with unity gain for all samples, same strings, same material.
EMG 85 have around +6.7 dbu (taking into account maximum input level of interface, +20 dbu), this is lower than maximum instrument input level, so should be not problem.
M6=Charvel Model 6, TAT=Caparison TAT, Jackson J50BC (like ceramic PAF) and Caparison PH-R are passives, AHB-1=SD AHB-1b, 85=EMG 85.

Mattayus · Apr 19, 2011

kass said:
No it won't work. Please, DO worry about it.

With passive humbuckers and even single coils it will clip.

Do yourself a favor and get something else if you want to use built-in DI.

Not to mention there are driver issues with it on some systems (ie MINE)

k.h.e. said:
+1

preamps are too hot and focusrite doesent care about it.
i run a buffer (impedance-convertor) followed by an attenuator (voltage-divider) in front of the Hi-Z-Input to get a lower level without tone-loss.

I don't know what the hell you guys are on about. I've had the Pro 14, have used the USB 6, and currently own and function from a Pro 40, and I've NEVER had a problem with the DI's. I run most of my clients straight into the DAW with an array of pickups (the current one using an EMG 81) not to mention my own band's demos (I use 7 strings with an 81-7) and I've never ran into any clipping or an overloaded signal of any kind. In fact, the DI's I get are clean as fuck and sound great

KHE · Apr 19, 2011

should i record and upload a little video?

KHE · Apr 19, 2011

some recordings and screenshots from kass:
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/657673-focusrite-saffire-6-usb-distortion.html

Focusrite Saffire Question

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Sir Groove-A-Lot

Member

Member

Similar threads