Focusrite Saffire Pro or M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8r

Hello guys,

Over the past weeks I've been searching information (including here) about these 2 interfaces and I really can't decide which one should I buy.

I really don't need more than 8 inputs, so that would lead me to FTU 8r. But in the other hand, I'll be using all the 8 XLR inputs and I read that the FTU 8r preamps are not that good, so that would lead me to Saffire. So, I'd be very happy with Saffire. Now it cames the more complicated part of the story:

I'll record eight different voices through the interface and the way I'd like to do that is monitoring through SONAR with an FX Chain that I've already built for each voice (EQ, Compressor and sends for reverb/delay). Now I read that the latency of Saffire is too big for that (something to do with the firewire chipset that they use).

So, what's the best thing to do?

The preamps of the FTU 8r are that bad?

And the latency of the Saffire PRO 40 is not going to let me record like I described?

Just for the record: around here the Focusrite unit are a bit more expensive than FTU 8r.


Thanks!

I upgraded from the fast track pro to the saffire pro 40 and I love the interface.  Nice pre's for the money and with it's hardware momitoring I get zero latency however that is monitoring pre-DAW (hardware monitoring)  Rather than post so if you are looking to use your DAWs Fx while tracking you will here it like a slapback delay.  I would rather have the zero latency, and add a hardware verb if I need something to track with.  I didn't like the latency I got with the fast track and I could never get the headphone mix loud enough for tracking guitars with a 4x12 cab in the room.  I really like the Pro 40's Mix Control features.
  That's my 2 cents.  Hope it helps!

Hello Mike,

Thanks for the reply. I'm usually skeptical when I read comments about preamps, but it seams to be a common sense that the focusrite are better. How much better? Well, I really didn't find so much information. What they say is that FTU 8r "colors" a bit the sound. But I'm just wondering: vintage gear (which people pay thousands of dolar for) also colors the sound somehow...


ChuchC,

I would very much like to be in contact with you as you used both interfaces. There are a couple of questions I'd like you to help me:

1-) You used the 8r model, right? Not the regular one... because I heard there's a huge difference.

2-) What can you say about the preamps of FTU 8r? How can you compare it to the focusrite?

3-) You've got a lot of latency with FTU 8r? Even in lower buffer settings? It's considered to be the best RTL on its price tag...

4-) Have you ever tried to monitor through SONAR, using DAW effects with the Saffire PRO 40?


Mike,

You're totally right! I'm a singer also and there's a huge difference when you hear the unprocessed signal versus the processed signal (EQ, Comp, Verb and Delay). Even if later you're gonna chance in the mix! When singing with effects, you get more confident and it's easier to nail the notes.


Thanks guys! This forum is amazing!