Focusrite Liquid Mix FireWire Mix Processor (Macintosh and Windows)
No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
The numbers don't lie. With 40 compressors, 32 channels and 20 EQ's, this processor expands your production power as soon as you open the box.
Overview
Each of Liquid Mix's 32 channels provides EQ and Compressor emulations selected from a huge pool of high-quality vintage and modern day classics. 20 EQs and 40 Compressors 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.
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 all 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.
Features:
One of a Kind, Any Compressor and EQ in History -- Every Liquid Mix channel uses dynamic convolution to provide 20 EQs and 40 compressors, with a free expanding library online
Onboard DSP -- 32 Channels of Liquid Mix Compression and 32 EQs run off Liquid Mix'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,… read more 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 read less
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 all 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.
Features:
One of a Kind, Any Compressor and EQ in History -- Every Liquid Mix channel uses dynamic convolution to provide 20 EQs and 40 compressors, with a free expanding library online
Onboard DSP -- 32 Channels of Liquid Mix Compression and 32 EQs run off Liquid Mix'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,… read more 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 read less
Specs
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(TM) 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(TM) 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.
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(TM) 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(TM) 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.
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 310-322-5500
Web: https://support.focusrite.com/
Phone: 310-322-5500
Web: https://support.focusrite.com/
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(39 ratings)
Submitted October 30, 2008 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Worth learning!"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Takes a bit to get used to. Delay can be a pain. In the end, the sound is great and it's actually a really cool unit.
Sound
It sounds awesome. I do not own, nor have I used many of the real products it emulates (Obviously, or why would i be buying this?) but it sounds great. The distressor emulations are bad ass and so are the Neve EQs. Just a notch or two of EQ and you have better sound, period.
Features
32 compressors AND 32 EQs all at once without draining your CPU?!?!?! Also, with just one INSERT not two??? AWESOME! With the waves native API collection 560 eq it would drain my CPU at like 90% with only about 10 EQs running(dual core 2.8) With the Liquid Mix my CPU only runs at like 28% with 32 compressors and 32 Eqs running. Yes I tested this! The way that you have to load emulation is a bit odd at first, but you get used to it quickly. The control surface is GREAT too! Only anoying thing is that the EQ bands are off by defualt, so every time you lod an EQ you have to turn on each band. Only reason I give a 7 is because you cannot track with it on due to delay.
Ease of Use
Takes a few weeks to get used to but after that it's simple. As I mentioned before it does load up a bit differently than a native plug-in so it's just a bit awkward at first. There are a ton of emulations so it can be a bit overwhelming as well. My advice is to start getting to know the emulations… read more a few at a time.
Quality
Looks and feels really great.
Value
definetly a better value than UAD as you can run a crapload more channels and you get a lot more emulations. The sound qualuity is up for debate but i find people who like and hate both. I can tell you that this thing sounds WAY better than waves and that kind of crap.
Manufacturer Support
They ALWAYS get back to you within a day. Always. And it's not some weird Indian guy...they actually talk with you in a down to Earth way. I think they are the same as Novation support, which is also very good.
The Wow Factor
It looks really sick when the meters are all going :) Very cool to have a nice little control surface next to my remote SL.
Musical Background:
project sutdio
Musical Style:
electro-rock, electro house, dance punk read less
Sound
It sounds awesome. I do not own, nor have I used many of the real products it emulates (Obviously, or why would i be buying this?) but it sounds great. The distressor emulations are bad ass and so are the Neve EQs. Just a notch or two of EQ and you have better sound, period.
Features
32 compressors AND 32 EQs all at once without draining your CPU?!?!?! Also, with just one INSERT not two??? AWESOME! With the waves native API collection 560 eq it would drain my CPU at like 90% with only about 10 EQs running(dual core 2.8) With the Liquid Mix my CPU only runs at like 28% with 32 compressors and 32 Eqs running. Yes I tested this! The way that you have to load emulation is a bit odd at first, but you get used to it quickly. The control surface is GREAT too! Only anoying thing is that the EQ bands are off by defualt, so every time you lod an EQ you have to turn on each band. Only reason I give a 7 is because you cannot track with it on due to delay.
Ease of Use
Takes a few weeks to get used to but after that it's simple. As I mentioned before it does load up a bit differently than a native plug-in so it's just a bit awkward at first. There are a ton of emulations so it can be a bit overwhelming as well. My advice is to start getting to know the emulations… read more a few at a time.
Quality
Looks and feels really great.
Value
definetly a better value than UAD as you can run a crapload more channels and you get a lot more emulations. The sound qualuity is up for debate but i find people who like and hate both. I can tell you that this thing sounds WAY better than waves and that kind of crap.
Manufacturer Support
They ALWAYS get back to you within a day. Always. And it's not some weird Indian guy...they actually talk with you in a down to Earth way. I think they are the same as Novation support, which is also very good.
The Wow Factor
It looks really sick when the meters are all going :) Very cool to have a nice little control surface next to my remote SL.
Musical Background:
project sutdio
Musical Style:
electro-rock, electro house, dance punk read less
34 of 39 people (87%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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