Thanks for the heads up on Mac OS. BTW I don't know why they couldn't also
upgrade the windows drivers. It seems to me that Windows always seems to
get the not so good options when it comes to this kind of thing. Which is
unfortunate :-(
On 7 January 2020 20:19:31 DJ X <megamansuperior@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Aaah, interesting one Phil. I’ll test that with admin rights, to see if it changes anything. I haven’t seen many issues with the software either, but that’s the official word from Focusrite on the state of Mixcontrol on Windows 10.
If you want to use the Saffire under mac, don’t bother upgrading to 10.15.2, as like I mentioned, you’ll have to upgrade the firmware when using MixControl3.9, which will then not let you use MixControl3.7 under Windows. It would be best to stay on Mojave, since the MixControl3.7 still works fine as a 32bit app there.
Thanks for the report!
Regards, DJX
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Phil Muir
Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 3:15 PM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: Focusrite Saffire line info
Interesting. Using Microsoft Windows
Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.535) here with a Saffire Pro 14 and Liquid 56 with 0 issues and that includes Mix Control software. Mind you, I have given the Saffire Control panel admin rights which may be helping and have run the Saffire like that for quite a while now.
I suppose I could upgrade Mac OS here but then again using Bootcamp becomes a bit of a faf so I don’t think I shall bother.
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> <ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> On Behalf Of DJ X
Sent: 07 January 2020 02:51
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [ddots-l] Focusrite Saffire line info
OK guys (especially Focusrite/saffire users amongst us), thought I’d share some valuable info with you guys.
If you own a Saffire pro40, or any other unit in the Saffire line:
1. If you are on Windows 10, *DO NOT** upgrade past Windows 10 1809. I was working with one of their techs last week on a problem and the MixControl, while it will install on Windows 10 1903 and higher, there are quite a few issues with the MixControl, it is very unstable. So if you are experiencing issues with your Saffire/MixControl and you are using Windows 10 1903 (spring 2019 update) or higher, this may be the cause of your problems.
2. If you use a Saffire with both MacOS and Windows, if you are moving, or have moved to Catalina, you need to use MixControl 3.9. This is an updated native 64bit app which is compatible with macOS Catalina. However, this version of MixControl will update your Saffire’s firmware. When you try to run the Saffire on Windows, MixControl, which is still at 3.7 for Windows, will complain because the firmware on the Saffire will be newer than the current firmware that MixControl 3.7 ships with. So this will effectively prevent you from using your Saffire on Windows after it was updated on the mac. If you need to use both operating systems, you’ll need to stick with macOS Mojave and MixControl 3.7 on the mac, so you can use the same MixControl3.7 on Windows. If you have managed to place yourself in this predicament, where your Saffire has been updated and can no longer be used in Windows MixControl, contact Focusrite; they’ll give you a file to downgrade your firmware, which then can be upgrade to the firmware version that ships with MixContro3.7.
3. I asked Focusrite if they could update MixControl for Windows to include the new firmware, but that update for the mac was the last of it; MixControl is now out of support, so no more updates are coming. ☹ Yes this also means that Windows 10 issues will not be fixed either…
So there you have it, sad news in deed, as these are great units! Luckily for me, I’m on an LTSC version of Windows 10, so I have a few years before I have to move on and part with my Saffires… If you are using the Saffire with Windows 7 and plan to still do so for some time, then you are OK for now, as MixControl3.7 still works great with Windows 7.
That being said, I figured we should probably have some kind of discussion about what other interfaces are out there with similar specs and quality to the Saffire line, since we often get the post asking about a good audio interface. As far as I know, the new MixControl editions are not usable as of yet, correct? So that would mean that the Clarret line and Scarlet gen 2 and up from Focusrite are not real options for those who need to be able to create custom mixes, tweak settings etc. So to that extent, those of you who are using units with similar specs to the Saffire line, what are you using, and how accessible is the control panel? Does anyone have any updates on using the new Focusrite MixControl apps?
Now, and I don’t mean to be rude, and most of you that have been on this list for years and know me know that this is not my style or how I would usually do things, but for various reasons, I must politely ask, if you don’t have anything meaningful to contribute, or something which will further this discussion to the intended purposes, please refrain from posting. Furthermore, don’t reply to this thread to complain about your current audio interface or talk about anything other than units that are *comparable* to the aforementioned Saffire line from FocusRite. If you don’t know about these units or what they even are, or you don’t know what we are talking about, then odds are that you probably shouldn’t be posting to the thread. 😊
Sorry if this sounds harsh or rude, but I’m sure most of you DDots list veterans know why such measures are necessary!
Regards, DJX
