At this year's AES show in San Francisco Focusrite launched its new multi-channel firewire audio interface, the Saffire PRO 40, which Focusrite claims is "the best sounding interface in its class, attentively designed with today's project studio in mind".

Focusrite's pre-amp legacy forms the foundation of this new interface, with eight Focusrite pre-amps. These are combined with the very latest in firewire interfacing technology to deliver seamless integration, excellent routing flexibility and rock-solid driver stability. The eight Focusrite pre-amps ensure low noise and distortion, whilst quality digital conversion and JetPLL jitter elimination technology ensure pristine audio quality as your audio flows between the analogue and digital domains.

Alongside the eight Focusrite pre-amps are a host of i/o options: 10 analogue outputs, ADAT i/o, stereo SPDIF i/o and 2 virtual 'loopback' inputs for routing digital audio between software applications - ideal for capturing online audio. Every channel features phantom power, with the first two channels also featuring -9dB pads for additional headroom. Front panel 5-LED metering for each analogue input offers accurate viewing of levels.

Plug-ins Included
Saffire PRO 40 comes with a Suite of Focusrite plug-ins, including all-new Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins. Focusrite's established xcite+ bundle is also included. The bundle includes Ableton Live Lite, Novation's Bass Station soft synth and over 1 GB of royalty-free samples.

Saffire PRO 40 Control
Saffire PRO 40 Control is the zero-latency 18 x 16 DSP Mixer/Router software provided with Saffire PRO 40. It features "unparalleled" output routing and monitoring, as well as intuitive one-click set-up solutions, a clear and concise mixing layout and large on-screen metering for inputs, outputs and submixes.

Two independent headphone buses are provided, each with their own level controls available on the front panel. A dedicated stereo monitor mix output features pads for improved sound quality when connected to active monitor speakers. An 'anti-thump' circuit protects your monitor speakers from spikes when booting up or shutting down. Front panel controls include a main monitor dial with dim and mute switches, all of which fully integrate with customisable software to cover every possible monitoring need, providing a set of controls for any set-up from basic stereo to full 7.1 surround.

Pricing & Availability

Saffire PRO 40 will be shipping worldwide, October 2008. For pricing details, please contact your local Focusrite distributor.