Focusrite OctoPre MkII and Saffire PRO 40 Together
Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic and Saffire PRO 40 Together

by Barry Rudolph

When combining the capabilities of Focusrite's OctoPre MkII Dynamic and Saffire PRO 40 units you create an undeniably great system that'll record up to 16 microphones to 16 tracks and provide complete studio monitoring and two headphone mixes using a latency-free direct software mixer. The single rack space Focusrite Saffire PRO 40 (reviewed here at Gear Lust) is a Firewire audio/MIDI interface with complete control, routing and latency-free direct monitoring and headphone mixing facilities via an included 18 X 16 virtual mixer/routing software program called Saffire PRO 40 MixControl. The MixControl virtual mixer interfaces with the Saffire PRO 40 over a Firewire cable, and allows the use of any of the plug-ins from the Focusrite Plug-in suite. You can run these plug-in processors right along with any DAW sequencer. Focusrite's established Xcite+ bundle along with Ableton Live Lite, Novation's Bass Station soft synth and over one GB of royalty-free samples are included.
Enter OctoPre MkII Dynamic Although it runs standalone, the single rack space OctoPre MkII Dynamic will work as an expansion module to the Saffire PRO 40 or any other current DAW system. The OctoPre MkII connects to the Saffire PRO 40 using an ADAT Lightpipe fiber optic cable.
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OctoPre has eight of the same award-winning Focusrite microphone pre-amps as in the Pro 40. These single knob pre-amps have up to 60dB of gain and less than 0.001% distortion. All pre-amps have switchable phantom powering and Combi XLR/Instrument input jacks. OctoPre has the same digital conversion system as Saffire that features JetPLL jitter elimination technology but the OctoPre adds dual ADAT Lightpipe I/O spigots, and professional BNC clock In/Out jacks. OctoPre MkII functions up to 24-bit/96kHz using two Lightpipe connections (Channels 1-4 are on one socket and Channels 5-8 are on the second one). There are also the same eight, Combi XLR mic/instrument inputs and eight 1/4-inch balanced analog output TRS jacks as the Saffire Pro 40.
Around on the front panel, OctoPre shares the same multi-channel LED VU meter as Saffire and includes pushbuttons for: phantom power on/off, instrument switching for inputs 1 and 2, sample rate selection, clock source (internal, Word clock, or from the ADAT Lightpipe) and the new AD DA switch which routes (after digital-to-analog conversion) the eight-channel ADAT input directly to the eight analog outputs. ADAT Lightpipe D-to-A conversion via AD DA is a handy facility to have around any studio or for live sound work. The OctoPre MkII Dynamic goes on to add eight VCA-based Focusrite Red 3-derived compressors on each microphone pre-amp. These soft-knee compressors are easily set with just one knob and a More button switches the fixed compression ratio from the default 2:1 to 4:1. Any style of compressionfrom subtle and gentle to hard and aggressive sounding is possible with these utilitarian compressors. I like the simple signal present yellow LED and the overload red LEDs on each compressor because, in the heat of a sometimes frantic recording session, they are easy to spot even from across a well-lit room. Being able to accept up to a +16dBU microphone input level means there is a good chance you'll never see a red overload LED--even with a hot condenser mic placed two inches from a snare drum! My Multi-Track Rig I run Pro Tools HD 9 in my studio and since I mostly mix, I usually only overdub vocals, a guitar or light percussion part--for the most part I never deal with more than one or two microphone (sources) at a time. For this work, I have just two microphone recording paths consisting of a two-channel RTZ microphone pre-amp followed by a Benchmark Media ADC1 stereo A/D converter that connects to my Pro Tools I/O box, a HD192, via the AES/EBU Enclosure connector. A stock Avid HD192 (among other facilities) has eight analog inputs plus an ADAT Lightpipe input for eight more digital inputs. Now with the Saffire PRO 40 and OctoPre MkII Dynamic combo in the rack, I add another 16 mic pre-amps, eight built-in compressors and onscreen monitoring software. Obviously the Saffire PRO 40 and the OctoPre MkII combination vastly expands my Pro Tools HD rig into a multi-track recording system by adding just two rack spaces of gear and at a modest cost. I am now able to record a room full of musicians using up to 18 mics. (16 from the Focusrite kit plus the aforementioned two-channel chain) To get started, I installed the MixControl mixer software. I first rebooted my new Westmere MAC 8-core in 32-bit kernel mode because version 2.2 of Focusrite's MixControl software and its Firewire implementation is 32-bit only--to learn how to boot your new MAC in either 32 or 64-bit, go to: support.apple.com/kb/HT3773.

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Focusrite Saffire PRO 40 Control Software GUI
I always externally clock the HD192 from the ADC1 and so I clocked from my HD192's clock chain by connecting a short BNC clock cable from the HD192 to the OctoPre MkII's external clock input. I'm running at a 44.1kHz sample rate. Next I connected a short Lightpipe cable from either one of the OctoPre's two Lightpipe outputs to the single Lightpipe input of the Saffire. This provides the OctoPre's eight channel digital outputs and clock to the Saffire. In the MixControl GUI, I switched clock source to ADAT and I was good to go. I next connected another Lightpipe cable from the Saffire PRO 40's single output spigot to the ADAT Lightpipe input of the HD192. These eight channels show up in Pro Tools' I/O as interface 9 through 16 when those eight channels are configured and optical is selected in the Hardware setup of the HD192. In MixControl the sixteen-channel mixer will show 1 to 8 as analog from the Saffire and 9 to 16 as ADAT audio coming from the OctoPre. I then used a DB25 snake with TRS plugs to connect the eight analog outs of the Saffire to the eight analog inputs of the HD192. I'm set to record! If your DAW will accept two ADAT eight-channel Lightpipe streams, you could make an all-digital connection using two separate Lightpipe cables--one from the Saffire and another from the second output jack on the OctoPre. In MixControl, you would reconfigure the previous eight analog channels over to digital.
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Let's Record Now that everything is totally stable, I planned out my recording session. With eight compressors available, I would plug in microphones and DI boxes to the appropriate channels of either the Saffire and OctoPre, based upon whether I would required a compressor or not. Track/Channel Layout
Track 1 kick drum: Electro-Voice RE320 Track 2 top snare: Granelli G5790 Right-Angle 57 Track 3 Hihat: Neumann KM 85 condenser Track 4 hi tom: Sennheiser MD421U Track 5 lo tom: Sennheiser MD421U Track 6 Drum Overhead L: Milab DC96B condenser Track 7 Drum Overhead R: Milab DC96B condenser Track 8 Bass guitar: direct via BSS AR-133 Active DI Track 9 Grand piano L: Mojave MA101fet condenser Track 10 Grand piano R: Mojave MA101fet condenser Track 11 Light Percussion: Shure Beta 181 Track 12 E. Guitar 1: Royer 121 Ribbon Track 13 E. Guitar 2: Royer 121 Ribbon Track 14 Scratch Vocal: Blue Microphones enCORE 100i Track 15 Synth L: (using the instrument input) Track 16 Synth R: (using the instrument input) ch 1 (Octo) ch 2 (Octo) ch 3 (Octo) ch 4 (Octo) ch 5 (Octo) ch 6 (Octo) ch 7 (Octo) ch 8 (Octo) ch 9 (Saffire) ch 10 (Saffire) ch 11 (Saffire) ch 12 (Saffire) ch 13 (Saffire) ch 14 (Saffire) ch 15 (Saffire) ch 16 (Saffire)

I decided to keep all the drums and bass on the OctoPre because I wanted to ensure phase coherency between all those mics. I wanted to compress the kick drum mic only slightly for an increase in low frequencies and a more consistent beat. And then sometimes I will use a compressor to squash the snare for that sound. I found a gentle compressor setting for tracking the bass guitar that seemed to work most of the time. Since the mic pres are the same on each unit, changing a mic input from the Saffire to the Octo to use the compressor is easy--just match the position of both knobs and your initial level is set. Wind in whatever compression you'd like and readjust slightly and you're done in seconds--fast enough that you can make the change between recording takes. In general, it is easy to get good and hot recording levels on all instruments. The mic pres are transparent sounding and have a good dynamic range--they don't overload easily or unexpectedly. It is also easy to build a headphone mix in MixControl and of course you can save an entirely different monitor mix, headphone mix and assignment for every song.
You can connect a small headphone amp like an Aphex HeadPod 454 to the Mix 1 headphone jack on the Saffire and provide for up to four sets of stereo phones at once and still reserve the second jack with a separate mix for the engineer/producer. Without more cabling and dedicated headphone amps connected to my HD192, separate headphone mixes in Pro Tools can be difficult to produce quickly. Expand and Upgrade Your Studio! I think adding both the Focusrite Saffire PRO 40 and OctoPre MkII is the fastest and most cost-effective way to turn your project studio into a full, "ready for anything" multi-track facility. If you're like me, you'll be looking at that spare bedroom in a whole new way--"should I put the drum kit against that wall or on this side?" Step up to the Saffire PRO 40 for $499 and the OctoPre MkII is $699. More information on OctoPre is at: www.focusrite.com/us/products/mic_pres/octopre_mkii_dynamic More information on Saffire Pro 40 is at: www.focusrite.com/us/products/audio_interfaces/saffire_pro_40
Web Page design is copyright 2011 by Barry Rudolph
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OctoPre MkII Dynamic

Bedienungsanleitung
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. 11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. It is important that the apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases shall be placed on the apparatus. Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes. Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus. Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a bookcase or similar unit. Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. Please ensure adequate space around the apparatus for sufficient ventilation. Ventilation should not be impeded by covering the ventilation openings with items such as newspapers, tablecloths curtains etc. The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the AC outlet with its POWER switch in the off position. The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any time. An apparatus with Class 1 construction shall be connected to an AC outlet with a protective grounding connection. The MAINS plug or the appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device. Either device shall remain readily operable when the apparatus is installed for use. No naked flames, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus.
WARNING: excessive sound pressure levels from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss. GB This equipment must be earthed by the power cord GB FIN Laite on liitettv suojamaadoituskoskettimilla varustettuun pistorasiaan FIN NOR NOR 2 Apparatet m kun tilkoples jordet stikkontakt
Important Safety Precautions

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLICANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
Environmental Declaration
Compliance Information Statement: Declaration of Compliance procedure
Product Identification: Responsible party: Address: Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic American Music and Sound 5304 Derry Avenue #C Agoura Hills, CA 91301 800-994-4984

Telephone:

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
For USA To the User: 1. Do not modify this unit! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Focusrite may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use this product. 2. Important: This product satisfies FCC regulations when high quality shielded cables are used to connect with other equipment. Failure to use high quality shielded cables or to follow the installation instructions within this manual may cause magnetic interference with appliances such as radios and televisions and void your FCC authorization to use this product in the USA. 3. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.