Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface
The Liquid Saffire 56 from Focusrite is a 28 input and 28 output FireWire digital audio interface featuring 8 microphone preamps, 2 of which utilize the company's innovative Liquid technology. A comprehensive complement of I/O options is provided, including a loop-back facility for routing audio between software applications via the Saffire Mix Control software.
The Liquid preamps represent a marriage of a flexible analog front end with dynamic convolution DSP, with each preamp providing a choice of 10 different classic pre-amp emulations, with an eleventh "flat" option. Emulations are based on the Neve 1073, the Pultec MB-1, Telefunken V72 amongst others. The other 6 preamps are Saffire based, with all 8 pre-amps demonstrating the same wide bandwidth philosophy that lay behind early vintage Focusrite units.
Front panel 5-LED metering for each analog and digital input offers accurate viewing of levels. Two independent headphone buses are provided, each with its own level control. Additional front panel controls include a main monitor dial with dim and mute switches, all of which fully integrate with customizable software to cover every possible monitoring need, basic stereo to full 7.1 surround.
Saffire Mix Control is a zero-latency DSP mixer/router software application that provides extensive output routing and monitoring, a clear mixing layout, and large on-screen metering for inputs, outputs and sub-mixes. Additional, a suite of Focusrite AU/VST plug-ins provide compression, EQ, gating and reverb .
- 28 input, 28 output FireWire interface
- 2 Liquid and 6 Focusrite microphone preamps
- 10 balanced line inputs 1
- 10 balanced analog outputs
- Phantom power on all 8 microphone inputs, individually switchable
- Hi-pass filter on all 8 microphone inputs with 3 to 8 featuring phase reverse switches
- Coaxial S/PDIF on RCA connectors along with 16 channels of ADAT Lightpipe I/O (S/MUX supported up to 192kHz) 2
- 2 independent headphone busses each with its own level control on the front panel provide fully customized monitor mixes
- Monitor control panel includes level control and "Dim" and "Mute" switches
- Front panel LED metering for each of the analog, ADAT1, ADAT2 or S/PDIF inputs offers accurate viewing of all levels
- Zero-latency 18 x 16 DSP mixer/router software for controlling the interface and for setting up every possible monitoring need, from basic stereo to 7.1 surround
- MIDI I/O
- Plug-in suite upgrades the standard sequencer effects with Focusrite compression, reverb, gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins
| Converters | 24-bit |
| Sample Rates | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192kHz |
| Analog Input |
8 x XLR Microphone 8 x 1/4" TRS phone Line (rear panel) 2 x 1/4" TRS phone Instrument (front panel) |
| Analog Output |
10 x 1/4" TRS phone 2 x 1/4" TRS phone Headphone |
| Digital Input |
2 x TOSLink ADAT Lightpipe 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF 1 x BNC Wordclock |
| Digital Output |
2 x TOSLink ADAT Lightpipe 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF 1 x BNC Wordclock |
| MIDI In/Out | 2 x 5-pin DIN I/O |
| Sync In/Out |
Wordclock S/PDIF |
| Headphone Output | 2 separate busses |
| THD + N |
Microphone/Line: 0.001% (@ 1kHz with 20Hz to 22kHz band-pass filter) Instrument: 0.004% (0dBu input and 20Hz to 22kHz band-pass filter) |
| Dynamic Range | 109dB, A-weighted |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz to 20kHz, +/-0.1dB |
| Power Requirements | 100~240V, 50/60Hz |
| System Requirements |
Mac: PowerPC G4/Dual 1GHZ or faster or any Intel-based Mac OSX 10.4 and 10.5 512MB (more recommended) PC: |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 19 x 9.3 x 3.5" (483 x 236 x 89mm) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5kg) |
| Specialties | JetPLL jitter elimination technology |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 12 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good audio (8)
- Easy to use (6)
- Versatile (4)
- Excellent sound (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Home studio (11)
- Professional recording (7)
- Amateur recording (5)
- Outdoor events / games (4)
- Performances (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Professional musician (5), Experienced (4)
Reviewed by 12 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-12
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
When i set out to find a interface i was mad to find out that Avid discontinued the 003, i need a interface that worked with Pro Tools and had the amount of inputs i needed to run a live recording. so i had to look harder and I found the Liquid Saffire 56.
This box is great and I would not expect anything less from focusrite. They have been on top with preamp as long as i have been alive.
I would tell anyone that works with live performances and recording them this is the interface you need to get the job done.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Avkidd
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
Bought an Avid 003 interface and had nothing but problems with it. Sold the 003 and bought the Liquid Saffire and haven't looked back. It's a great unit with good sounding preamps. Installation was fast, easy and trouble free. My only gripe is the routing software is a little complicated, but just fiddle around with it and you'll catch on. Overall, Very pleased with Focusrite.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
This was a huge step up for my home studio. The preamps in this box sound incredible. Iuse the preamp emulations all the time. Very easy to manage and works great with any DAW.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Decent io
- Liquid channels
- Routing Capabilities
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
Really a nice unit across the board.
Analog I/O is amazing. You get 8 analog line pres, 8 mic pres, and 2 instrument pres (ch. 3 and 4), which even though they share the same channels are seperate inputs that are selectable in the mixer. Plus you also get 10 analog outputs plus headphone outs, all of which are able to be routed from the mixer.
The pres/converters sound great to me. Even though I haven't used any other preamps and only one other audio interface, it gave a really clean, transparent and crisp sound to my recordings.
Digital I/O is there for expantion. You have 2 adat inputs/outputs, which will work great if you ever want to buy any external adat pres, like the Focusrite Octopre/Dynamic for exapmle.
The liquid channels are great too. Only avalable on the first 2 mic pres (not on line inputs or any other pres), but it still sounds great and is a great added feature. Don't know how close the emulations are, but it sounds good enough to keep me from spending the money and time trying to get the vintage preamps they are trying to copy.
There is a lot more good things you can say about it, but I'll cut short and just say, overall, you really can go wrong and won't reget buying this unit.
Pros
- Excellent Sound
- Great Converters
- Liquid Pres Rule
- Portable
- Powerful
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Home Studio
- Project studio
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
Really impressed with the Liquid Saffire 56 from Focusrite. I was shopping around for a few weeks for interfaces and went with this one. Glad I did. The quality of pre's, and really solid A/D D/A conversion you get for this money is unbeatable. I looked at [@] everywhere, and nobody beat the deal I got at B&H. You can't wrong with this thing!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
I've been using the Focusrite LS56 for about a month now and couldn't be happier with it. Runs great with Pro Tools 9. Has more i/o than most interfaces in its price range. The Liquid pre-amps are a nice addition. The harmonics controls are key in perfecting the emulations though. The Saffire Mix Control software acts as a digital patch bay and lets you route signal to pretty much anywhere. It would be a good idea to get to know the software before you run it alongside your DAW. I would recommend this unit to anyone of any experience level. It is truly rock solid.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
i used in live recording, for a rock band.
i like the system of monitoring
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
- Home Studio
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
It looks good, sounds good and works great. The software mixer that comes along with it is a bit hard to get at first, but I quickly learned the basic functions, and I just started up my home studio.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Versatile
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
Best price on this product, [...]
Pros
- Clear Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
tracking live music into Reaper using UAD Laptop solo. It sounds great and the software works perfectly. Liquid Pre's are clean and sound very natural.
I can think of anything I don't like about it.
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
The two preamps are amazing, two entrances adat, and many recommendations made me buy ...
I do not speak English but this product makes me write about ...
Recommended!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- I'm impressed with sound
- Not easy to use
- Versatile
Cons
- Need tutorial DVDs
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 - FireWire Digital Audio Interface:
LS56 is excellent audio interface. My first audio interface. Before I used a single XLR input "Mic Port Pro" what work very good but was only single input. LS 56 is more then I could handle and my lack of experience/knowledge is visible very often.
Unfortunately for me Focusrite forgot to make tutorial DVD for those of us who are beginners.For people who purchase LS56 as a first audio interface and now struggling with out of any help. Yes they are technical support and they very good for what they do. But they are not in a teaching business.
This is why tutorial DVDs are necessity for fox like me. Focusrite did not mark this interface for selective group of people. They marceting for all of us including novices. This is why they should have made tutorial DVDs regarding this particular product. Or make warring label: for advance audio engineers only ;-)
Displaying reviews 1-12
Cables
-
- Original: $15.99
- Save: $1.60
- Price: $14.39
- GBP 9.19
Digital Cables
- Price: $15.99
- GBP 10.21
Headphones
- Price: $27.37
- GBP 17.47
Monitors
- Price: $211.68
- GBP 135.15
Software
- Price: $599.00
- GBP 382.44
Racks
- Price: $79.95
- GBP 51.05
Cases & Protection
- Price: $129.99
- GBP 82.99
What's in the Box
- AC Power Cable
- FireWire Cable
- One (1) Year Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
