Focusrite Liquid Mix at DV Bristol
By Rob Sandall
| Posted in Music Technology
Chris Rivers,who advises customers over at DV Bristol, has spent some serious time working through the numerous features of uniquely-designed ‘mix processor’ Focusrite Liquid Mix. But what can we expect from the unit, and how well does it work?
“Anyone who has spent time reading interviews and articles featuring big name producers will probably be familiar with high-end manufacturers such as Universal Audio, SSL and API. For most, the familiarity will end with the name, since the price tags on top-end and sought after vintage gear generally places them beyond the reach of the average project studio or home producer. The Liquid Mix from Focusrite intends to fix this by emulating an arsenal of classic studio processors, at a fraction of their price.
The key concept behind the Liquid Mix is an elegant merging of hardware and software. The emulations are loaded into a plugin within your DAW and can be tweaked using the on-screen displays (just like any other virtual effect) or by using the hardware controls, which provide precise tactile access to all the features and settings.
Each instance of the plugin will run on one of the Liquid Mix’s 32 channels (stereo tracks use two) without any significant impact on your processor usage.
It is however important to note that the Liquid Mix is not an all-round DSP solution. There are no digital delays, reverbs or choruses here, but what you do get is 32 independent channels of high quality compression and EQ. The Liquid Mix uses ’dynamic convolution technology’ to accurately reproduce the responses of whatever equipment it is emulating. It ships with 40 compression and 20 EQ models, with more available to download and install from the Focusrite website. The equipment Focusrite has chosen to emulate ranges from the clean and transparent, such as Focusrite’s own ISA range, to the more distinctive and evocative-sounding classics like Empirical Labs’ Distressor and the Urei 1176LN (although names have been changed to avoid copyright infringement).
Of course, all this extra power would be worthless if it didn’t sound good, and in this area the Liquid Mix certainly promises much. Working through the range of emulations on offer here, the first thing you realise is that all compressors are not the same. Whereas the stock plugins that ship with Logic or Pro Tools are perfectly fine and do exactly what they say on the tin, each of these emulations bring their own distinct sound and character to the mix. Just how closely the Liquid Mix mimics the equipment it is based on is up for debate – some will claim it is incredibly faithful, others may say less so, but either way the results are far better and more exciting than you’d have any right to expect from emulation.
Since I’ve been using the Liquid Mix, compression and EQ have become a far more creative and dynamic part of the mixing process, and the results are sounding more lively and colourful than ever before. It’s an ideal solution for anyone whose computer might lack the processing power required for the high-end native plugins, or anyone looking to explore the diverse sonic possibilities offered by rare and vintage processors. Either way, it’s safe to say that the results you will get from the Liquid Mix will far outweigh its modest price tag.”
Chris has a huge amount of experience with studio gear, and is more than happy to indulge in a chat about the Focusrite Liquid Mix and numerous other products should you need a little guidance or advice.
Telephone DV Bristol on: 0117 946 7700
Or email Chris direct on: chrisrivers@digitalvillage.co.uk
Alternatively feel free to drop in to the store at 21 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4JG
Tags: Focusrite Liquid Mix, focusrite liquid mix review, focusrite liquidmix, Liquid Mix review