Focusrite Saffire 6 USB review

Focusrite's Saffire range of audio interfaces has proved popular with many a computer musician. The combination of generous I/O and Focusrite's own highly regarded mic pres has proved irresistible.

But until now there hasn't really been a Saffire model for those whose I/O requirements are low but whose sonic expectations remain high. The Saffire 6 USB is designed to redress that balance by providing just a pair of inputs and four outputs, but as the former continue to offer Focusrite's clean, great sounding mic pres, this could just be the Saffire both musicians and DJs have been waiting for.

In detail

The front panel provides two inputs for mic, line or Hi-Z instrument sources, with a switch to select between line or instrument below the gain dial. Each input offers up to 105dB of gain, with a pad switch on each for louder sound sources. There's a global phantom power button for both inputs too.

Saffire interfaces famously offer supremely low latency recording and the 6 USB is no different, with a minimum latency of just 77 samples. It offers a front-panel Mixer dial to set the balance between your input source(s) and the playback mix, while the headphone mix lets you toggle between the main mix, sent to outputs 1 and 2, or outputs 3 and 4.

The outputs themselves come in two forms - line level outputs for 1/2, as well as RCA phono connectors for both 1/2 and 3/4. DJs should sit up and take note - this is rare among interfaces of this type. Also, as the front panel headphone switch can be toggled to output 3/4, you could choose this as a cue for your sound sources.

Of course, this DJ-ready approach doesn't preclude the use of this interface for musicians with limited I/O requirements and there are some key features if that's your primary interest.

For a start the unit forgoes a separate power supply, drawing instead from its USB 1.1 bus. And then, of course, there are the high-quality pres. One of our favourite developments with interfaces of this size and kind is that manufacturers have realised that they can't equate low cost to low quality and, to be fair, Focusrite has been instrumental in this revolution.

Accordingly, the pres here are excellent: clean, clear and capable of producing high quality results when recording any source you can imagine.

Like other interface manufacturers, Focusrite doesn't limit itself to just providing the box itself, as Saffire 6 USB comes with a useful bundle of 'extras'. For starters, you get the Focusrite Plug-in Suite, featuring an EQ, Compressor, Reverb and Gate, which integrate as AU or VST plug-ins. Additionally, you'll find Ableton Live Lite 8 included, plus a series of drum loops and other audio samples including a collection made by Loopmasters, plus a plug-in version of the Novation BassStation.

Summary

Overall, then, this is a very tidy package which brings a new level of affordability to the Saffire range. If you only required limited I/O and have been waiting to board the Saffire train, this could well be the ticket you've been holding out for.