Problem with Focusrite Saffire Pro 10

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:25 pm

This is possibly a very noob question and I'd like to apologize for that, i am a noob.
I have a Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 and an Shure SM-57 mic.
For now I'm just using free recording software, I've tried Kristal, Audacity and ntrack Studio.

Audacity does recognize the Saffire Pro, and I've got it the line 1/2 set as the recording device. There is no response whatsoever.
Same with Kristal.

For ntrack, it works, it recieves the signal and everything but it's too soft. The input knob on the Saffire has noise if I turn it all the way to 10, and even then it's not that loud, is this normal?
Note that I'm listening to all of this from the monitor channel, which is set to 7ish.
Also if I turn the monitor channel up to 10(max), there is a noise as well, is this normal?

On that note, when I'm monitoring the noise it's also really soft, and so is the playback.

Preferably I'd like to figure out how to make Kristal work, since I want to record more than 2 tracks at a time (Audacity can't) and the n-track studio interface really really pisses me off, and I think I need to register in the end anyway.

Mainly, I'd just like to know if this is a software problem or a hardware problem. And how to fix it.
Thanks alot if you went through this Smile

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:42 pm

What is your input source? guitar, microphone etc?

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:47 pm

It's a microphone, the SM-57.

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:49 pm

yeah apparently I can't read Smile

Have you verified the mic and cable are good into a pa or amp? if its soft in the monitor output that leads me to believe something is wrong with the input source or the unit itself.

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:55 pm

Haha it's okay Smile

I have two SM-57's both of them respond the same way.
It is possible that both of them have a problem.
I don't have an amp or PA I can plug it into with my cables, so I can't verify that.

I'm thinking it's more of the software though, considering both kristal and audacity refuse to accept any signal whatsoever. Or maybe I just can't find out where to toggle everything, but I've spent a good deal of time trying to do so and I think I've covered just about all I can.

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:56 pm

you try a different mic cable? If you are monitoring the output directly out of the focusrite and its still soft then it has nothing to do with your software. The focusrite have preamps built in? ill look it up when i get a second but just asking anyway.

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:58 pm

the pics online stink lol, yeah it is a preamp basically, is there any pad button or anything switch on the focusrite anywhere?

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:05 pm

Hm I'll try that and get back to you.
No there is no pad button.
There is this "dim" switch on the monitor but I didn't press it down.

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:17 pm

Ok Audacity is working fine now!
The sound is fine!

Funny thing.
The second cable I used has this constant hum at the background, and the first cable which I used initially is working good!

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:19 pm

lol new it was something silly like that , it always is.

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:23 pm

Oh I figured out the buzzing noise is caused when the microphone is too near to the recording interface haha.

But I still want to use Kristal, any advice on how to make Kristal work for me? :/

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:25 pm

sorry i use PT, not familiar with kristal Sad

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:47 pm

Darn

Well thanks alot for your time, really appreciate it!

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:12 pm

Kristal is simple as hell.

Do you want to record in stereo or mono? (1 mic = mono, feed from a PA = stereo). Mono in your case then.

Go to the Waver window and press the 2nd button (connect track). Then select the input you're using from the dropdown list.
How does the signal get from the Saffire to the computer?

Then, when you want to record, find the transport window (PITA, btw) and press the record button. Then press stop, once you're done recording. It'll play back existing recordings in any connected track as well, unless you mute them.

Anything else?

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