Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface

by Focusrite

Product Features

• New 2.0 USB allows for even faster transfer speed of information
• Switchable headphone output enables you to cue up tracks
• Mic/line inputs to add external instruments or a microphone
• Three-dial monitoring and MIDI I/O
• Perfect for tracking

Product Details

User's Guide [1.24mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 10.8 x 4.9 inches ; 3.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B002R9ILOY
• Item model number: Saffire 6 USB
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,856 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #96 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > Audio Interfaces
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

The Focusrite Saffire 6 USB is a two-in/four-out USB audio interface. It uses the same award-winning Focusrite mic preamps as the rest of the Saffire range. This makes it the best value, and best sounding interface in its class.

It is ultra-reliable and easy to set up, providing you with the simplest route to record into and play back from your computer. It has lower latency than any of its rivals, and professional analog-to-digital converters ensure you get the best possible signal into your recording software.

With two mic pres, multiple outputs, and MIDI I/O, the Saffire 6 USB can be at the centre of your home recording setup. However, its rock-solid reliability means that you can take it out and record on location with confidence. The two-in, four-out configuration is perfect for laptop DJs who need to be able to cue up material, or send two different signals to either side of a DJ mixer.

The Saffire 6 USB comes with Ableton Live Lite 8, Novation's Bass Station synthesizer, and more than a gigabyte of samples. In addition to all this, you get the Focusrite FX Suite, which includes a compressor, gate, reverb and EQ to upgrade your standard AU/VST effects.

The Saffire 6 USB is the easiest way of getting the classic Focusrite mic preamp into your recording set-up.

Two Award-Winning Focusrite Preamps

The best sounding interface in its class, Focusrite's famous preamp legacy forms the foundation of this new interface with two high-quality input stages.

The Saffire 6 USB is the ultra-reliable way to record and mix. View larger

Ultra-Reliable and Easy to Set Up

Saffire 6 USB is simple to set up and easy to use, allowing you to concentrate on recording and playing back. It is also very reliable, ideal for use as a portable interface for use on stage and on location.

High-Quality 24-Bit USB Interface

The Saffire 6 features the best A-D/D-A conversion in its class: pristine audio quality, super-low latency, and reliable synchronization are guaranteed.

Ready for DJs

Four RCA outputs, high-level headphone output and class-leading digital converter performance make Saffire 6 USB the ideal interface for the laptop DJ.

Xcite+ Software Bundle

Featuring a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged soft-synth and Ableton Live Lite 8, 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 all-new Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.

Dedicated Switchable Front-Panel Headphone Bus

Monitor either the main mix or cue mix via headphones, all switchable from the front panel.

Dedicated Input/Playback Mix Dial

Blend your monitor mix between what you're recording and the audio from the computer, for true zero-latency monitoring.

Bus-Powered for a Tidy Mobile Recording Rig

Saffire 6 USB is powered via USB, with no need for an additional power supply.

Two Hi Z instrument inputs

No need for a separate DI. Saffire 6 USB provides instrument inputs with switchable high gain.

Tactile Monitor Dial

A front panel volume dial provides immediate control over the main stereo outputs.

Switchable Phantom Power

Phantom power is available across both mic pre inputs, globally switchable direct from the front fascia.

System Requirements

Macintosh

• Computer: Apple Macintosh with a USB 1.1 compliant USB port
• CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4/1 GHz or higher (Intel/Dual 1 GHz or better recommended)
• Memory (RAM): 512 MB (1 GB or more recommended)
• Screen Resolution: 1024x768 (1280x1024 or more recommended)

Windows

• Computer: Windows compatible computer with a USB 1.1 compliant USB port
• CPU/Clock: Pentium or AMD with 1 GHz or higher (Dual 1 GHz or better recommended)
• Memory (RAM): 512 MB (1 GB or more recommended)
• Screen Resolution: 1024x768 (1280x1024 or more recommended)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Amazed.... February 16, 2011

By Music Studio Owner

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been recording for 12 + years and have bought most of the interfaces in this price range....Digi 002, Mbox, Emu 0404, Centrance Mic Port Pro, Presonus Firebox....and out of all of the above the only one that played nice with Windows was the Centrance but it's only one mic channel for $150. The others had high latency, pops and clicks, crashes - the Digi products being the absolute worst.

I'm a songwriter and wanted to focus more on creativity than tech support and troubleshooting and with this product, I have finally found the solution. I don't write reviews but was compelled to let people know how amazing this product is.

I'm using it with Reaper ($40) and the two combined cost $250 and it's the most rock solid setup I have used yet. Literally installed the drivers, loaded up a 24 track session with plugins, and pulled the buffer slider all the way to the left...with other products that's guaranteed to stutter, drop out, pop and click, etc

And it worked....not a hitch. I couldn't believe it. It ran 24 tracks of audio with three plugins on each track for 3 1/2 minutes flawlessly.

So I plugged in a guitar and tried the same thing - no pops or clicks. I recorded it against a click and played on the 2 and 4 to see if it was synching up. Perfect synch.

I also ran the Centrance latency utility on it (Google the name, it's a free download) and it reported a latency of 3.48 ms with 167 samples. In Reaper, I manually adjusted for that offset in Preferences > Audio > Recording (even though it wasn't needed - no noticeable latency) and now I'm recording and monitoring in 100% real time. It's unreal.

Not to mention this also comes with the Focusrite plugin suite - not your average crappy freebie throw in, they are excellent sounding quality plugins that can be used in professional productions. And a full VSTi of the Novation Bass Station.

If you want a rock solid recording setup for PC - they're practically giving this interface away. Midi hookup, two amazing mic preamps, versatile monitoring options, and it runs off of USB bus power...no wall wart!

You could have an amazing setup for $250 if you combine this with Reaper. I can't recommend this highly enough. Best audio quality I've had yet and unbelievable stability. My PC is an Acer laptop running Vista bought used for $400 - no megacomputer here.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars East setup. works great and sounds even better May 3, 2010

By wwireless

First, let me say that before purchasing this box I looked at and considered MANY other brands and models. M-Audio, Lexicon, Presonus, Tascam, E-Mu, DigiDesign, etc. My main criteria was that I wanted a box that was dependable, easy to setup and use, has two XLR / instrument inputs as well as a midi in and out jack. It's amazing how many of these boxes have no midi inputs but we all have different needs.

The professional studio, of which I'm a partner in, owns several pieces of Focusrite RED equipment. The RED line is fairly expensive, completely hand-built and kicks serious butt. So when I saw the Focusrite name it brought my immediate interest. No, it's not hand built but it's also not expensive. A respected brand earns that reputation and seeks to maintain or excel in their market position.

Before attempting to load the software from the enclosed disc, visit the Focusrite site and download their newest Saffire 6 USB software. In fact I wouldn't bother opening the software disc that comes in the box. The first time I installed it was on an older Mac G5Power PC running Leopard 10.5.8. When I turned it on everything was momentarily fine. Then, everything that was plugged into the box came out distorted and down about 3 semitones. I then tried installing it in a newer Intel iMac, again with 10.5.8. The results were crystal clear sound. I then tried installing it on a third iMac very similar to the 2nd one I mentioned. Again beautiful, quiet, clear sound burst forth. I'm still trying to find out what happened with the first install but at this time I choose to view the problem as an older computer, not the Saffire box.

I'll update my post as I attempt to suss out the problem with the older Mac.

UPDATE I believe the older Mac / software was the issue. This box has been running fine on my newer iMac's. Terrific piece of equipment.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well engineered, great value February 8, 2011

By M. Noble

Amazon Verified Purchase

I used to use a PreSonus FIREBOX (4-in/10-out firewire interface) with my PowerBook G4; I lost the power supply and firewire bus power doesn't work with the newer laptops, so I was planning to buy the AudioBox by the same company. Instead I decided to try this one out. I haven't done a thorough comparison of the preamps, but already I like it a lot more:

* The knobs have a much more sensible layout, and unlike the knobs on the PreSonus they turn freely instead of in increments. This is a big deal for the headphone output; my earbuds get very loud so I'm usually making fine adjustments. With the FIREBOX I basically had "a little too loud" and "almost too quiet" because of the way the increments were chosen.
* Everything feels durable. It's a little bigger than the FIREBOX, but not much heavier.
* There's a simple knob on the front to mix direct input with output from the computer; with the FIREBOX you have to use their mixer software to get this functionality.
* There are LEDs next to each input that show the input level; the FIREBOX has an LED that shows when it's clipping, but that's not nearly as useful by itself.
* The bus power is very convenient, there's no extra power supply to lose or break
* My setup is far from ideal, but from what I can tell the sound quality is flawless.

There's only one thing that bugs me: I have the outputs going directly to my speakers, and every time I plug the Saffire unit into the computer it makes a popping noise. When I unplug it it makes an even louder noise. I don't remember the FIREBOX ever doing that.