All user reviews of 4/5 for the Focusrite Saffire PRO 26 i/o

The Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 comes with a very good price tag on it for the features. The preamps are very good, there are 8 of them in total and it also comes with some very good plug ins. There are some small latency issues with it comes to using it with Mac computers because of Apples FireWire drivers which I have had many issues with in the past. This interface is very portable though and gets its power from the computer.

UTILIZATION

Setting up this interface does not take long, it comes with manual to walk you through the process and it comes with all of the proper drivers for both Mac and Windows systems. I used this with my MacBook and had it sitting underneath of my laptop on the desk so it didn’t take up much room. It is a “long” interface in width and it cannot be racked.

GETTING STARTED

I have used the original Saffire that came out years ago from Focusrite and it is almost the same to me as far as quality goes but this version looks a lot better. The EQ and compression that comes with it is very good but I am more impressed with the amp simulation. Using the phantom power is easy, but there is not an actual switch on the unit, you will need to control the phantom power from within the software. You can control the phantom power for the microphone channels from channel 1 to channel four easily.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I do like this interface but I am on the fence about it and if I could do it all over again I am not 100 percent sure if I would get it again. The latency issues on my MacBook gave me plenty of problems to deal with and that really is more Apples problem than it is a problem on Focusrite’s hands.

-What characteristics have motivated your choice?
characteristic cited below, and especially the reputation of preamps

-For what purpose? What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / RAM / Disk, ...)?
HP EliteBook 8530w

-With what instruments or systems (console, preamp, DtDs ...) use it and how you connect? ...
mainly for audio recording of my group, rehearsing or re-re (drums, bass, banjo, Gratt, trumpet, lead and hearts)

UTILIZATION

-The drivers are stable?
no problems found

-Are they updated frequently?
but not ever need, it works nickel

-What software do you use most often?
6 cubase, wavelab 5, windows seven

What You Get-latency?
5 ms recording, 7 ms read (to the mix, I increase the max latency (40 ms) for more flexibility

- How many tracks do you manage to record / play simultaneously?

8-track recording
21 track playback with effects (and I reach the limits of my Proco)

GETTING STARTED

-The installation is done it without problem? Have you encountered any incompatibilities? The general configuration is easy? The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
For me everything is clear except for MIDI (I use it)

OVERALL OPINION

-How long you use it?
5 months

-What is so special that you love the most, least?
most: running windows on nickel

the least: I had to buy the run on linux (ardor) ffoad with the driver.
the card is recognized by the driver, but jackd refuse to mount the inputs and outputs. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!! (But I had not understood something, or miss a step ...)

-Did you tried many other models before buying it?
I did a lot of recording as in various professional studio musicians and less pro. I listened quite a sound card! this one really does not blush: beautiful sound, great quality pre-amps, very good dynamics. short, but happiness for an amateur like me!

-How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice?

Great Value, (400 neurons bought Cygnus) and I plan to buy one for 16 channels at once!

This is the sound card of my 2nd config. It allows me to connect the two stations in the noon, ADAT, and audio.

UTILIZATION

I never had to worry about drivers under XP or Vista. I use it mostly for virtual instruments.

GETTING STARTED

The installation does not pose a problem. For cons, I think "ergonomic" computer a little confused. For my part, even when it lacks a few physical controls on the facade of the interface. The grip is not obvious at all.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it now for 4 years. This interface is a high quality product that can integrate many dehome studios.

I will adjust my opinion above because I reois lot of mail ... I did not clearly expressed:
So I use the Saffire in sync with an RME Fireface 800. I record mostly batteries with Saffire. I work on PC and Cubase.

UTILIZATION

So to install, no Souis. The problem is meeting the problem of sync. I reli Saffire by the RME RME ADAT and the computer. Saffire walk then in "standalone" is not through the computer. In this case, the 8 inputs are directly routed to the ADAT and analog outputs 1 to 8. So far, a will. on the other hand, you can not change the frquence Sampling of standalone, it is the computer and software. And even the trs is difficult, the Focusrite is trsrfractaire to change. It will hold and not move. It's a bit boring for me that often goes to 44,100 in the same session 48000Hz, finally, not really practice what ct l. I tried to make it work as a slave, by the clock driver of the EMR but no way, it works poorly trs. Oh yes! the manual is not a. .. trs trs, trs but brief. When will a DVD with explanations movies?

GETTING STARTED

Otherwise, once all this is done, the machine is flawless. Since I work in direct monitoring, I did not not particulire latency. In standalone mode, the drivers are not gure me useful, I can not say the above. I record the drum tracks by the 8 adat without any problem.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year now prs, and my first opinion has not changed. Good sound (beautiful color), good converters, good pramp few small buttons on the front very useful, but sync shit.
For the price is good. It would perhaps be a switch on the facade to choose frquence of Sampling and would be really nice.

I was motivated by the 8 tracks simultaneously and what I have read its features.
I'm using Cubase SX.
Demo recording / small albums.

UTILIZATION

I had a lot of installation problems, and concerns of stability.
All this being mainly due to a problem with firewire card and PC communication.

I added a Digimax D8 which allows me to add 8 tracks ADAT. No worry at this level.

I get about 2ms latency recording.
The drivers often have no updates, and I would say that the Saffire PRO 26 I / O has almost disappeared from circulation ...

GETTING STARTED

I am self-taught, this is my first sound card, so I learn by touch.
The fact is that I can almost do everything that I want to spend three without lead.
The manual is slightly but seems sufficient.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a couple of years.
I love his side stretch, its preamps.

The value for money seems satisfactory.
I would do this choice.

I wanted the 192, 24 bit adat ... is everything. quality converters.

used for pre-production of a musical she fulfills all the same role.
6400 quad core 8 gig ram tera 3 SD win7 pro motherboard 7890

UTILIZATION

Cubase 5.5 ... ca lack of stability under win7 64. from time to time it loses sync and it's very very painful ...
Maj. of drivers?? uh what is an update from Focus ... not enough work at that level .... the product is top but I am sworn never ahceter focus because of that ... because at this level, when you offer a product-oriented pro even if the price is awesome, we can not but follow the driver .... and yet so ...

GETTING STARTED

yes apart from having to pass a legacy driver for 1394 card ... but hey it's true for other brands too so ...

Manual ca va ... Enquiries about a lot of compatibility with different brands of card fire wire 400 / 800 ....

OVERALL OPINION

just over two years ... yes I had a motu and MAUDIO.

I do not have a feature that I like least, and value for money is top