With only a quick scan of the stuff you're looking at I'm a bit confused. Where will you send the 10 analog outs of the Saffire pro to be 'hardware mixed'? - into a further mixing desk? And then what would you do with the final 2-channel mix? And how would you add effects?

I'd suggest you went ITB - mixing levels itself isn't going to consume masses of CPU power, most modern computers and especially a custom build if done right, can handle this and plenty of mixing, and then you can just print to disc in the box.

But really the answer is that if you are working with existing recorded material, you don't need any of the extra channels and should just go with the best 2-channel D/A you can to power your monitors (what monitors/headphones do you have/will you use) - something like a Lavry or a Duet. For the cost of the Focusrite stuff you might just be able to get something a bit better in 2-channel.

If you plan on using the interface both to record with and to power your monitors as a mixer you really want to save a little more and start with something better in the first place. In which case we need to know the usual stuff - how many simultaneous channels, what application, what else you are using.

More info pls.

Oh and as regards DAWs don't worry too much, just get Reaper.

DrummerDan, post: 370692 wrote: HOWEVER, the interface that uses its own mixers is the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, and the other interface, is the Focusrite 18i6, and the PreSonus Mobile Studio.

One big advantage to the Saffire Pro 40 is the 8 mic pres.... it's really a more capable interface than the other two...

it does have more onboard, but i was thinking with the smaller interfaces using an outboard mixer to mix the channels and make my headphone mix. and then send the outs to the 10 analog inputs

Using an outboard mixer will allow you to make a monitor mix, and then you'll just be sending the mixers' preamp signals to the line inputs on the smaller system. This obviously means you are limited to the mixers' preamp capabilities.

You're not going to be able to make a zero-latency mix in the computer anyway so it sounds like this is your method. I'm just concerned your Saffire channels aren't going to be very good quality.

However getting 8-10 good channels, costs a lot. A Fireface 800 is the best value that I know of pro system and you'll only get 4 pres with that. But using that in conjunction with the mixer you have, if you can afford it, would give you 4 RME preamps plus 6 from your mixer; you can actually double up scratch channels to make up to 14 if you want but this loses the RME pre benefits. You can use the RME's direct monitoring to make a zero-latency headphone mix and bus that back out to your mixer and the quality will be worlds apart. Depends on budget though.

I actually think the Saffire Pro 40 has pretty decent mic pres. And the DSP mixer is pretty impressive and has such low latency that it is negligible. Forget the outboard mixer....

Jeemy, post: 370733 wrote: Using an outboard mixer will allow you to make a monitor mix, and then you'll just be sending the mixers' preamp signals to the line inputs on the smaller system. This obviously means you are limited to the mixers' preamp capabilities.

You're not going to be able to make a zero-latency mix in the computer anyway so it sounds like this is your method. I'm just concerned your Saffire channels aren't going to be very good quality.

However getting 8-10 good channels, costs a lot. A Fireface 800 is the best value that I know of pro system and you'll only get 4 pres with that. But using that in conjunction with the mixer you have, if you can afford it, would give you 4 RME preamps plus 6 from your mixer; you can actually double up scratch channels to make up to 14 if you want but this loses the RME pre benefits. You can use the RME's direct monitoring to make a zero-latency headphone mix and bus that back out to your mixer and the quality will be worlds apart. Depends on budget though.

lol my budget isnt quite there... RME is a little (a lot) out of my range.
if i could...i would.

nightjar, post: 370739 wrote: I actually think the Saffire Pro 40 has pretty decent mic pres. And the DSP mixer is pretty impressive and has such low latency that it is negligible. Forget the outboard mixer....

thanks for the reply, i can see what you mean, from what ive heard its got great pres, but i still cant seem to trust a comkputer to mix without latency, especially for drums.... i wish i could try these in person.!

Jeemy, post: 370722 wrote: With only a quick scan of the stuff you're looking at I'm a bit confused. Where will you send the 10 analog outs of the Saffire pro to be 'hardware mixed'? - into a further mixing desk? And then what would you do with the final 2-channel mix? And how would you add effects?

I would add NO effects, as it would just be monitoring drums, along with my iPod. No effects needed. And, even i was to need them, the mixer has quick ones to chose from. they arent the best, but they get the job done.

I'd suggest you went ITB - mixing levels itself isn't going to consume masses of CPU power, most modern computers and especially a custom build if done right, can handle this and plenty of mixing, and then you can just print to disc in the box.

But really the answer is that if you are working with existing recorded material, you don't need any of the extra channels and should just go with the best 2-channel D/A you can to power your monitors (what monitors/headphones do you have/will you use) - something like a Lavry or a Duet. For the cost of the Focusrite stuff you might just be able to get something a bit better in 2-channel.

Not quite sure what you are talking about here, could you elaborate please?

If you plan on using the interface both to record with and to power your monitors as a mixer you really want to save a little more and start with something better in the first place. In which case we need to know the usual stuff - how many simultaneous channels, what application, what else you are using.

Home project studio, at least 4 channels, expandability is a treat, especially with drums which will be my main recording subject.


Also, if you or someone could elaborate, the Focusrite has ADAT IN, is that reliable through USB 2.0? Because as I was saying before about expandability, using something like the Presonus DigiMax? Or if I were to use the Presonus Mobile 10x6, could the second FireWire port be used to daisy chain another one in?

More info pls.

If you are worried about latency consider using computer recording software that allows for direct monitoring such as Cubase. That's the only software that I'm familiar with that allows for this. Perhaps the other members know of other software that can do something similar.

would the saffire 40's DAW have direct monitoring?

I am not familiar with the Presonus Saffire Pro 40. When you refer to the Saffire 40"s DAW are you saying that the hardware interface comes packaged with its own recording software?

The Saffire 40 does have a built-in DSP mixer for low-low latency monitoring.... It will be fine for tracking your drums...

alright, now because when i get the interface, im not going to have enough money in my budget to buy a DAW separately. And I plan on saving up to get Pro Tools 9. Does the Saffire have a "lite" edition DAW that it comes with In the meantime?

And thanks man, do you have any experience with the Saffire, what do you think of it?

Reaper is $60 and free with a lower track count I believe. So you don't need to have much budget for a DAW.

Jeemy, post: 370786 wrote: Reaper is $60 and free with a lower track count I believe. So you don't need to have much budget for a DAW.

Alright, I thought it was 150? Oh well. But still even though I probably will purchase it, that one question still hasn't been asnwered.

lambchop, post: 370770 wrote: If you are worried about latency consider using computer recording software that allows for direct monitoring such as Cubase. That's the only software that I'm familiar with that allows for this. Perhaps the other members know of other software that can do something similar.

Generally it's the hardware and/or the hardware's included monitoring software that provides for low latency monitoring, independent of the DAW being used.

bouldersound, post: 370789 wrote: Generally it's the hardware and/or the hardware's included monitoring software that provides for low latency monitoring, independent of the DAW being used.

hm, well is the hardware for the saffire good enough?

DrummerDan, post: 370793 wrote: hm, well is the hardware for the saffire good enough?

It comes with Pro 40 Control, DSP-based input monitoring software that should do the trick for monitoring stuff during tracking. Despite what I read on one retailer's site it is not true zero latency, but it's probably good enough. Pro 40 Control is for monitoring only as it is not a DAW. I couldn't tell if the Saffire comes with a DAW, but I'd be surprised if it didn't.

DrummerDan, post: 370793 wrote: hm, well is the hardware for the saffire good enough?

IMO... yes... a good choice...

nightjar, post: 370798 wrote: IMO... yes... a good choice...

alright that sound great! i just really hope the latency is small enough that i dont have to worry about it

also, because i still have months to go for this, i still want to explore all options.

so i know its going against some of what i was recommended, but has anyone used a PreSonus Firestudio Mobile?

also, has anyone here heard about the Saffire Pro40 not playing nice with any FW chipset that isnt a TI?

And i noticed another question never got answered, ADAT over USB? The Scarlett 18i6 has it, but since it is USB2.0 would it work as well?