Focusrite’s Saffire Pro 26 is a new addition to the company’s Firewire interface range — though, as with the rest of the Saffire range, operation over Thunderbolt is also supported with the appropriate adaptor. Focusrite explain that the use of Firewire connectivity is to maintain compatibility with the largest number of computers.
Intended for studio and live applications, the Saffire Pro 26 is accordingly specified with two separate headphone outputs that can receive different mixes, two instrument inputs, a stand-alone mode that doesn’t require a computer, and five‑segment LED monitoring on the front panel for quick level setting.
The Saffire Pro 26 sees four trusty Focusrite mic preamps pressed into action on inputs 1 to 4. These all double as line inputs and the first two channels can be used for instrument input too. There are two additional rear‑panel TRS line inputs, plus an optical digital input for S/PDIF or ADAT input, and a coaxial S/PDIF input, making a total of 16 physical inputs. The Saffire Pro 26 also features two virtual ‘loopback’ inputs, for routing digital audio between software applications, which Focusrite see as ideal for capturing online audio. In addition to the two headphone outputs, there are also six line‑level TRS outputs and a coaxial S/PDIF out.
The Pro 26 utilises DSP mixer/router software for flexible output routing and monitoring. It is slated for a June release and should retail for £299$349.99.
Here's a video of it in action from Focusrite:
