Focusrite Liquid-Mix

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.

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.

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, 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.

Windows Operating System

• VST, RTAS
• Windows® XP Service Pack 2 (Home, Professional, or Media Centre Edition) or Windows Vista (32bit only) - OS Version subject change
• Min version of ProTools required - 7.0 if planning to use the included FXpansion (earlier versions will require the full Fxpansion VST wrapper.)

Windows Computer

• Windows® XP compatible PC (Pentium© 4 2GHz or higher recommended)
• 400MB/s IEEE1394/FireWire port (OHCI compliant recommended)
• DVD drive required for Installation

Windows CPU/Clock

• 1.4 GHz Intel or compatible
• 2.0 GHz Pentium© 4 or Xeon recommended

Windows Memory (RAM)

• 256MB or more
• 512MB or higher recommended

Apple Mac Operating System

• AU, VST, RTAS
• Mac OS X Panther (10.3.9 or later) - OS Version subject change
• 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.)

Apple Mac Computer

• Apple Mac Power PC G4, G5 or Intel Mac (any)

Apple Mac CPU/Clock

• G4/800 MHz (minimum)
• G4/1.5GHZ or higher recommended

Apple Mac Memory (RAM)

• 256MB or more
• 512MB or higher recommended

Additional Information

• 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)

Latency
Due to the round trip transmission which is required on the firewire bus, a delay equal to 2 x the audio buffer size + 8 samples is incurred. This sample delay results in different amounts of time delay depending upon sampling frequency. With a DAW buffer size of 1024 samples (ie, Liquid Mix latency of 2056 samples), the Liquid Mix latency is as follows:

• 47 ms @ 44.1kHz
• 43 ms @ 48kHz
• 23 ms @ 88.2kHz
• 21 ms @ 96kHz
• 11 ms @ 192kHz

With a DAW buffer size of 256 samples (ie, Liquid Mix latency of 520 samples), the Liquid Mix latency is as follows:

• 12 ms @ 44.1kHz
• 11 ms @ 48kHz
• 6 ms @ 88.2kHz
• 5 ms @ 96kHz
• 3 ms @ 192kHz

Sequencer compatibility

• Liquid Mix operates as VST, AU, or as a RTAS-wrapped VST within compatible hosts.
• Cubase 4 on Intel Macs does not support VST 2.3 plugins. If you want to use Liquid Mix with Cubase 4 on an Intel Mac, you must install the Liquid Mix 2.4 VST plugins available separately on the Liquid Mix downloads page.

Optional Expansion Card details
The card is suitable for those people interested in operating at sample rates of 88.2 or higher. The channel count increases as follows:

• 44.1kHz/48kHz: 32 channels mono, (16 stereo) unexpanded. No change with expansion card
• 88.2/96kHz: 8 channels mono, (4 stereo) unexpanded. Expansion card provides 16 mono / 8 stereo
• 176.4/192kHz: 2 channels mono, (1 stereo) unexpanded. Expansion card provides 8 mono / 4 stereo

Weight: 1.76 lbs

Dimensions (W x H - front to rear x D): 8.66" x 1.1" - 1.77" x 5.98"