This is a complete tutorial on how to get your Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 to work in Ubuntu 11.10. At the end of this tutorial, you should be able to record and play with this Firewire audio interface in Linux/Ubuntu 11.10.
Before proceeding with the steps below, make sure you have connected the Firewire cable from Saffire pro 40 to your computer. Only connect the Firewire cable when your system and your audio interface are entirely off (not powered).
After connecting Saffire Pro 40 Firewire cable, connect your studio/nearfield monitors to the audio interface. This would allow you to monitor the results of your recording. For details; refer to the audio interface manual for guidelines on connecting this hardware to your computer.
Once everything has been connected, boot to Ubuntu. Follow the steps below.
Install the Required Packages
1.) Make sure your system is fully updated. Run this command below to fully upgrade your system:
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get upgrade
2.) Once your system is fully updated. Install Synaptic package manager by going to Ubuntu software Center – then type in the search box, “Synaptic
Package manager”.
3.) Go to your Dash home. In the search box, type “Synaptic Package Manager”. Click to launch it. Enter your Ubuntu password.
VERY IMPORTANT: If you have previously installed JACK and FFADO using subversion or source code compilation (not using Synaptic or Ubuntu software manager), you need to remove that first. Follow the uninstallation procedures of FFADO and JACK.
4.) In the quick filter, type “ffado”. Install the following packages as shown in the screenshot below. (Green marks are installed packages; they are required for any Firewire audio interface to work).
Make sure the following are installed (also enable real-time priority for JACK):
a.) ffado-tools
b.) ffado-mixer-qt4
c.) libffado2
d.) ffado-dbus-server
e.) jackd1-firewire
In addition, some packages installed by bulk (several packages installed together). For example, installing the ffado mixer would also automatically install libffado, etc. Another example is that installing the jackd1-firewire would also install all required jackd components such as shown below.
These are:
a.) jackd
b.) jackd1
For Firewire related packages, confirm that the following packages are also installed:
Be sure to match those with green marks above with the one in your synaptic package manager. If something is not still installed, go ahead and install that first. These are the most important:
Legend:
*** – already installed previously
a.) ffado-mixer-qt4 (***)
b.) jack1-firewire (***)
c.) libraw1394-11
d.) libffado2 (***)
e.) libavc1394-0
f.) libdc1394-22
g.) ffado-dbus-server (***)
h.) ffado-tools (***)
I.) libiec61883-0
j.) libiec61883-dev
5.) After completing the above installation, you need to install Ardour which is the default digital audio workstation for Linux. Simply go to Ubuntu software center and install it. Only Ardour should be installed; since JACK and Real time configuration has already been completed earlier.
11 Responses
Same question! ) Is it possible to playback OS sounds?
Hi, good tutorial. But now I have to stream audio channels separately on web, especially using php scripts! Anyone knows how?
I followed the instructions on Linux Mint 14 Nadia and everything is working perfectly including recording instruments and getting playback into my monitors! 🙂
However, the only thing I seem to be getting playback from is Ardour and nothing else on the operating system… is this intended? If so, would there be a way for me to use my interface for all sounds coming out of my OS including browser, mp3 and video files? If not it’s no biggie since I still get to produce music on Linux with my interface! 🙂 Thanks for this wonderful guide and please reply if you have any suggestions for me. 😀
What is your Ubuntu version? I am using the latest version of Ubuntu as of the time I write this comment as well as the latest version of Ardour.
everything works out like expected until I launch ardour. It launches fine and everything seems fine but when I try to add the track it just freezes. I am still able to move the track window around but the button is still frozen in the selection color and after a while a force quit window appears. I tried to record in audacity but it either doesn’t load at all or if it does it says there are something wrong in the input settings. What’s wrong?
Yeah, I see since Ubuntu recently released a new upgraded to 12.04. Thanks for the update.
In Ubuntu 12.04 I’ve needed to add my user to “audio” group and renamed the file /etc/security/limits.d/audio.conf.disabled to audio.conf. Rebooted and done!
You’re welcome..Glad to know it works.
Thank you very much!
I have installed Ubuntu 10.04 and followed your steps for configuration, and now it works!
I think its different. It is because Saffire 6 is using USB connection while Saffire Pro 40 is using Firewire. The tutorial is using FFADO which is basically a Linux audio driver for Firewire. I think its a bit tough getting this audio interface to work with Linux. You can read some related posts here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1486482
Hi
I don’t need a big interface like the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Focusrite Saffire 6 USB would be enough for me.
is it possible / is it the same way to get it to work?