6
Getting Started
The Liquid Saffire 56 has 2 x 6 pin Firewire ports on the back. You can connect your computer to either Firewire port, and this
will work with any of the current Firewire standards and connections; Firewire 400 (6 pin or 4 pin connection); and Firewire 800.
BEFORE YOU CONNNECT THE LIQUID SAFFIRE 56 TO YOUR COMPUTER, PLEASE RUN THE INSTALLER. This will ensure that the
correct drivers are used, thus preventing any unexpected behaviour.
The Liquid Saffire 56 requires power, supplied via the included power cable.
Saffire PRO 40 units shipped from Summer 2013 come with a 6-pin to 9-pin firewire cable (Firewire 400-800). You may only have a
6-pin Firewire 400 connector on your computer. In this case you will need to purchase a 6-pin to 6-pin firewire 400 cable.
On some PC laptops the firewire connection may be 4-pin firewire. If this is the case, you will need to purchase a 6-pin to 4-pin cable.
Alternatively, you may only have a Thunderbolt port on your computer. Firewire is compatible with Thunderbolt through the use of an
Apple Firewire to Thunderbolt adapter.
Note:
Firewire considerations - Most computers will generally be equipped with 1 Firewire bus. You may have multiple Firewire ports
(connectors) on your computer, but these are all connected to 1 physical chip which controls the bus.
The Firewire bus is limited in the amount of data bandwidth it can handle. Each additional Firewire device connected to the Firewire
bus demands additional bandwidth resources, thus increasing the chances of exceeded the total available bandwidth. Consequently,
it is recommended that Liquid Saffire 56 run on its own Firewire bus for best performance.
The Liquid Saffire 56 should be able to work along side other devices connected to the same Firewire bus. However, problems may
arise depending on which Firewire devices are connected. For example, a Firewire disk used for back-up or a digital camera should
not cause any problems, but when streaming audio from a Firewire hard disk or a Firewire DSP box such as Focusrite Liquid Mix,
the totoal Firewire bandwidth may be reached. This will result in audio drop outs, or reduced performance on either the Liquid
Saffire 56 or the other connected Firewire device.
For this reason, we would recommend that you use a separate Firewire bus for each Firewire device. This may be a PCI / PCIe card
in your desktop, or a PCMCIA or Express card in your Laptop.
Note on FireWire Connection and Disconnection
All Saffire units adhere to the IEEE1394 (FireWire) standard, however it may be the case that the FireWire port on your computer
motherboard or FireWire card does not.
Connection and Disconnection from a FireWire port that does not adhere to the IEEE1394 standard may result in permanent damage
to both the Saffire and your computer.
To prevent permanent damage:
Connecting your unit(s)
Ensure that the computer is turned OFF
Connect the Saffire to your computer
Attach power supply if necessary
Turn ON your Saffire
Turn ON your computer
Turn ON your monitor speakers
Disconnecting your unit(s)
Shut down Saffire MixControl
Turn OFF your monitor speakers
Turn OFF your computer
Remove power supply if used
Disconnect your Saffire
