Subject: Focusrite Sapphire Problems

I'm having some issues with my focusrie Sapphire. I'm using it in conjunction with Logic 7 on Mac G5 OSX 10.3 panther. I basically can only get a faint output. I have the output 1-2 1/4inch going from sapphire into line in on a channel on my mixer using phono. I have the the channel volume and level cranked along with mixer volume cranked. on the sapphire control I have it turned all the way roight to playback on the output 1-2 control as well as the level up. I can hear the slightest bitof output, but it's easily drowned out by the static that you wopuld expect fom having all the levels so high, Am I missing something!!

I'm trying to understand your signal path here. I use a Saffire, and it's designed to be a Firewire interface into your computer...

It sounds like you're taking an output from the Saffire into a mixer, before then going, if I'm getting this right, into the computer from the mixer. Is that right?

Not knowing the mixer you're using, and whether you're going to the computer via an analog out or via USB or Firewire, I might suggest a couple of ideas:

Put your mics or instrument inputs into the mixer. Don't do ANYTHING using the phono input, which is designed for a turntable and probably has a built-in RIAA equalization curve that'll throw the sound out of wack anyway.

Take your output from the mixer into the front panel 'Line In' 1/4 inch jacks on the Saffire. Set the levels on the mixer to whatever setting gives you a decent signal, and adjust the gaine on the Saffire's top two knobs so that the yellow and green lights flash but not the red, with the 'Line Mode' set to 'Line'.

Then go into the computer from the Saffire via Firewire cable, with the Saffire set as your input device in both the computer's preferences and whatever Logic itself has for input preferences.

Or, if you're not needing a multitude of tracks at once, just skip the mixer entirely and use the two inputs on the front of the Saffire for mics or instruments, using the appropriate input jacks and setting the controls accordingly. If you CAN use just the Saffire, I'll bet it will be more elegantly simple...

I will also suggest going online to the Focusrite site and check out their online tutorials, especially as regards setting up the Saffire software for the best sound...

Ed

That's the thing though I am using turntables, I'm recording a mix. What maybe the issue here is that I'm using the same mixer for the input into the saphire to record as I am for the ouput of it to listen to.

It's line-level output from the phono - Get some adaptors for RCA to 1/4-inch and plug it into the mixer.