Focusrite Liquid Mix
Liquid Mix’s onboard DSP hosts 32 classic EQs and 32 vintage compressors simultaneously in the mix – an impossible task to achieve with your computer’s CPU alone.
Each of Liquid Mix’s 32 channels provides Compressor and EQ emulations selected from a huge pool of high-quality vintage and modern day classics. 40 Compressors and 20 EQs are available straight out of the box, with an expanding library online. Furthermore, a totally unique hybrid 7-band ‘super EQ’ can be built out of separate classic EQ sections in every one of the 32 channels. Each channel appears as a separate VST/AU/RTAS effect within the sequencer and will work within all major applications, including Pro Tools.
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Liquid Mix uses the same patented Dynamic Convolution process as Focusrite’s Liquid Channel. Unlike standard convolution techniques, Dynamic Convolution utilizes vast processing power to sample the effect of a classic processor on a series of audio pulses, at many different gain settings and frequencies. In Liquid Mix, all this processing is done using onboard DSP, so the processing has almost no effect on your computer’s own CPU.
Liquid Mix’s DSP is housed within an elegant desktop control solution and connects to the computer via Firewire, which also provides bus-powering. The physical metering, screen, rotary controls and buttons on the hardware help to provide a tactile ergonomic solution, placing the sounds of an array of high quality vintage processors at your fingertips. You can choose to control each channel either from the desktop control unit, or from within the sequencer, using a simple GUI that functions exactly like a plug-in.
An optional expansion card is available for Liquid Mix, allowing users to increase the number of available channels at higher sample rates (sold separately). The card is quick and easy to install and fits neatly into the underside of the unit.
The original Liquid Channel won a plethora of awards, and has been a worldwide hit in the audio production world, from project studios to post production and broadcast facilities, not to mention the Live arena. Liquid Mix complements the original, delivering dynamic convolution for use in the mix. Since The Liquid Channel’s vast, elaborate and expensive analogue mic pre section is not required at mix down, Focusrite has been able to bring Liquid Technology to the masses at a much more accessible price.
Liquid Mix Highlights
'One of a kind – any Compressor and EQ in history'
Every Liquid Mix channel uses dynamic convolution to provide 40 compressors and 20 EQs, with a free expanding library online.
Onboard DSP
32 Channels of Liquid Mix Compression and 32 EQs run off the desktop hardware’s own DSP – many more than are possible with CPU alone
Software and Hardware control
EQ and Compression can be applied via a hands-on control surface, or within your DAW application via a simple GUI.
Hybrid Super EQ creation
Unique 7-band super EQs can be created, constructed from separate classic EQ sections of your choosing
Desktop Metering
Large format LED bar-graphs mean ergonomic display of levels and processor impact.
Optional Expansion Card
An optional DSP expansion card is available to increase the maximum channel count at higher sample rates.
Technical Info
Windows XP;
VST, RTAS
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Home or Professional)
Min version of ProTools required - 7.0 if planning to use the included FXpansion (earlier versions will require the full Fxpansion VST wrapper.)
Computer;
Windows XP compatible PC (Pentium? 4 2GHz or higher recommended)
400MB/s IEEE1394/FireWire port (OHCI compliant recommended)
DVD drive required for Installation
CPU/Clock;
1.4 GHz Intel or compatible
2.0 GHz Pentium? 4 or Xeon recommended
Memory (RAM);
256MB or more
512MB or higher recommended
Apple Mac;
AU, VST, RTAS
Mac OS X Panther (10.3.9 or later) - Mac OS update may be required
Min version of Logic required - Logic 7.1, but 7.2 highly recommended
Min version of ProTools required - 7.0 if planning to use the included FXpansion (earlier versions will require the full Fxpansion VST wrapper.)
Computer;
Apple Mac Power PC G4, G5 or Intel Mac (any)
CPU/Clock;
G4/800 MHz (minimum)
G4/1.5GHZ or higher recommended
Memory (RAM);
256MB or more
512MB or higher recommended
Additional Info;
Firewire chipsets from TI (Texas Instruments), VIA, and NEC are recommended
It is highly recommended that Liquid Mix be run on its own Firewire bus/card
In order to use Liquid Mix with a 4-pin IEEE1394 port you will need a 4-pin to 6-pin cable (not included) and must use the PSU (included)
AMD users please read special compatibility information.
Latency;
Due to the round trip transmission which is required on the firewire bus, a delay of 2056 samples is incurred. This sample delay results in different amounts of time delay depending upon sampling frequency.
47 ms @ 44.1kHz
43 ms @ 48kHz
23 ms @ 88.2kHz
21 ms @ 96kHz
11 ms @ 192kHz
Sequencer compatibility;
Liquid Mix operates as VST, AU, or as a RTAS-wrapped VST within compatible hosts. Unfortunately, Liquid Mix is not yet compatible with some non-realtime audio editing software packages which use fixed internal buffer sizes higher than 1024 samples. This affects Steinberg WaveLab, Sony Sound Forge, and Adobe Audition. Focusrite are currently working to fix this. An update is scheduled for sometime before the first quarter of 2007.
Additionaly, Liquid Mix is not yet compatible with Cubase 4 on Intel Macs. This is because Steinberg has chosen to stop support of VST2.3 plugins in Cubase 4. Focusrite are working hard to upgrade the Liquid Mix to VST 2.4.
If you are a PC user and do not have a new v1.5 Mac/PC Installation DVD, you will need to download the emulations from the Focusrite web page.
Buy Focusrite Liquid Mix at zZounds.
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