Focusrite Liquid Mix 16 - FireWire DSP Processor and Control Surface
The Liquid Mix 16 from Focusrite delivers virtual dynamics and EQ processing for DAW applications, based on an unequalled variety of classic signal processor emulations. Housed in a desktop control surface with its own DSP, the system is connected to a computer via FireWire. The proprietary DSP allows the intensive "Dynamic Convolution" processing that is at the core of the product, to have very little impact on the host computer's CPU.
Focusrite first utilized "Dynamic Convolution" in their Liquid Channel, whereby actual hardware compressors and equalizers were sampled at multiple settings, with each sample being linked to the various hardware control settings. This process provides a true representation of the actual analog circuitry while still allowing for absolute repeatability, something often impossible to achieve in the analog domain.
Liquid Mix 16 takes the very same compressors and equalizers found in the earlier product and provides 16 channels of dynamics and EQ. Each one of the 16 mono plug-ins can be a different compressor and hybrid EQ, chosen from a list of forty compressors and twenty EQs, representing both vintage and modern "classic" analog processors.
The main difference between the Liquid Mix 16 and the Liquid Mix is the number of channels each provides at various sample rates. Additionally, the Liquid Mix 16 processes audio at up to a maximum sampling rate of 96kHz, while the Liquid Mix will function up to 192kHz. The Liquid Mix 16 does not have a LCD display and because of this, plug-ins cannot be instantiated from the hardware. Instead, the hardware follows the software selected plug-in.
The Liquid Mix 16 appears and functions as a VST, Audio Units, or RTAS compatible plug-in under Mac OS X, and as a VST or RTAS plug-in host software running under Windows XP and Vista.
- FireWire control surface with dedicated DSP
- 16 channels of Liquid Mix compression and EQs run off the dedicated DSP
- The physical metering, rotary controls and buttons on the hardware help to provide a tactile experience
- Each channel appears as, and acts exactly like a plug-in with the controls of each compressor and EQ identical to those of the originals. However, if the "FREE" button is active then the compressor emulation will have all possible available controls with full ranges accessible for use
- The users can build their own EQs using all of the available seven slots on a single Liquid Mix channel. For example, the high-pass filter can be taken from a Focusrite 430 MKII emulation for band one, the low-mid parametric from a Neve emulation for band two, a mid-band from an API emulation for band three and so on until band seven
- Powered from the FireWire bus. The included external power supply can be utilized in the event that the computer has only a four-pin FireWire connector
- An optional DSP expansion card is available to increase the maximum channel count at higher sample rates
| Form | FireWire based control surface with dedicated DSP |
| DSP | Proprietary |
| Expansion Chassis Support | Not applicable |
| Plug-In Support |
Audio Units RTAS with VST wrapper VST |
| Included Plug-Ins |
40 compressors 20 EQs |
| System Requirements |
Mac G4 800MHz minimum, G5 or Intel Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later 512MB RAM or more Host software that supports VST, Audio Units or RTAS plug-in formats PC 1.4GHz Intel or compatible, 2GHz Pentium IV or Xeon recommended Windows XP SP 2 (Home, Professional, or Media Centre Edition) or Windows Vista (32 and 64-bit) 512MB RAM or more Host software that supports VST or RTAS plug-in formats 1 Please Note:It is highly recommended that Liquid Mix 16 be run on its own FireWire bus/card close |
| Specialties | Emulation of high-end vintage and modern day sound processors |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 4 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Versatile (4)
- Easy to use (3)
- Excellent sound (3)
- Good power output (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Home studio (4)
- Amateur recording (3)
- Professional recording (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (3)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 4 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Powerful
- Versatile
Cons
- Eq problems
- No new emulations
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Mixing
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Mix 16 - FireWire DSP Processor and Control Surface:
I've used this in just about every mix i've made since buying. It works great and sounds great. The compressors are unbelievable, they sound better than most other plugin emulations and take the strain off the cpu. The Eq's are slightly iffy however.
- if you've done the research you know there are serious problems with eqing the low end using this unit.
- some eq's cause comb filtering as well.
- that said if you can tell when something sounds funky and change it up its a really great unit.
if you do the math the price for emulations of all the compressors and eqs is ridiculous, 1 emulated compressor costs more than this entire unit.
I love it. just make sure you have alternate eq's for low end and you're set.
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent sound
- Versatile
Cons
- Eq's are so so
- Installation Kinks
- Needs to be more modern
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Recording drums less CPU
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Mix 16 - FireWire DSP Processor and Control Surface:
Although I had spent a lot of time researching this unit and had heard quite a few negatives I decided to take a chance. Upon arriving I set it up and everything was installed properly, I opened the unit in logic and everything loaded except the actual "emulations". After trouble shooting for 3 hours I finally gave up... only for it to work the following day randomly?In use the Focusrite Liquid Mix isn't entirely worthless, The physical unit is very functional and a lot of fun (REAL KNOBS!). The compressors are what makes this unit really worth the money. Who knows how accurate they are compared with the real units.. but the Empirical Labs Distressor set to "nuke" really held it's own on giving a snare sound that signature distressed sound. Across the board the compressors hold up to other DAW plugins. The EQ's on the other hand didn't impress me very much. The paragraphic aspect was very minimal, on most you can't have a high Q and at the end I kept reaching for the stock Logic EQ.Overall for [$] this unit is a great value, you get 40 compressors and 20 EQ's and the unit doesn't put any use any other CPU power. Hopefully focusrite revisits this product in the future with a more modern, kink free unit.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Powerful
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Mix 16 - FireWire DSP Processor and Control Surface:
Liquid mix is so nice!
I use Logic pro and Ableton Live with Liquid Mix on mac
Tone is Great and Price is quite low.
You can get fat and warm tones easy.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Low Distortion
- Powerful
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Mix 16 - FireWire DSP Processor and Control Surface:
if you understand that it is designed to be used as a post recording plug in to compress and eq what you already have recorded then --it does it well and easily-----right out of the box----it takes a bit of getting acquainted with the different types of compressors and eqs available---there are a lot of them and they function differently form what you might be use to---but they all function like the original hardware------plus if you wish to change the available controls of the emulated comp & eq---to your liking---sort of reinvent an la2a if you like------so far--no problems
Displaying reviews 1-4
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This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 7-14 days (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.
What's in the Box
- External Power Supply
- FireWire Cable
- One (1) Year Warranty
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