The Focusrite Pre
Focusrite has, over the past decade, built a reputation as the market leader for high quality recording equipment, with is mic-pre technology as the cornerstone of that enviable reputation. The original mic-pre, as featured in the early Focusrite Forte console, used rotary switched gain controls and high quality audio transformers. This mic-pre is still used by many of the industries greatest producers and is the sound of countless hit records. Today, Focusrite design equipment for a far greater audience, from professionals to amateur enthusiasts, all with varying budgets.
As with the Red and ISA ranges, the Mic-pre technology found in the Platinum and Saffire ranges is designed to the highest possible standards. They uphold the same wide bandwidth philosophy featured in the original forté console, back in 1989. All Focusrite mic-pres feature custom components which have undergone an intense testing and qualification process. With the facts and figures in, Focusrite designs then have to pass the essential listening stage. Any design can measure well on the test bench but only a great design can be qualified in the studio. The FET-based design in the Saffire range is no exception and ensures the same low noise and distortion performance as earlier transformer-based designs. It delivers clarity without colouration and exhibits the signature transparency for which Focusrite have become famous. |
Music Tech
June 2009 - Review by Mark Cousins
"Liquid Saffire 56 is a well thought-out, professional tool that could easily deliver many of dependable service"
"The control software itself is certainly an impressive beast, demonstrating just how flexible the Liquid Saffire 56 is."
"points that pleased us are the clear front panel metering, providing quick and easy access to phantom powering, phase and HPF on all preamps, as well as Dim and Mute controls for the main monitor outputs. This certainly makes the Liquid Saffire more enjoyable to use, especially during tough recording sessions"
"the core functionality and sound of the chameleon-like Liquid Channel is clearly evident in the Liquid Saffire 56."
Sound on Sound
May 2009 - Review by Matt Houghton
"you get a good, broad range of vintage, modern, solid-state preamp designs; 11 in total (including the 'flat' preamp), which cover just about every eventuality i can think of in the studio... they certainly capture the flavour of the original, and they all sound very different and very usable."
"The reality is that this is an excellent package for the money, and that is unique... two incredibly versatile good-sounding Liquid preamps that you would otherwise have to pay out a significant chunk for. In fact, if you're content with the "limited" range of emulations on offer here, you could buy this and a Liquid Mix 16 for less than a grand on the street, and effectively have two Liquid Channels at your disposal. Which is, quite frankly, incredible"
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Key Features
- Two Liquid Pre-amps
The marriage of a hugely flexible analogue front end with cutting-edge dynamic convolution DSP, each Liquid Pre-amp lets you choose from ten different classic pre-amp emulations, with an eleventh ‘flat’ option.
- Six High Quality Award-winning Focusrite Pre-amps
Six award-winning Saffire pre-amps complement two Liquid pre-amps. All eight pre-amps demonstrate the same wide bandwidth philosophy behind the early vintage Focusrite units.
- High Quality 24-bit/192kHz Firewire Interface
Professional digital conversion and JetPLLTM jitter elimination technology; pristine audio quality and reliable synchronisation are guaranteed.
- Total I/O Count of 28 Inputs and 28 Outputs
A host of i/o options are provided*, including a unique loop-back facility for routing audio between software applications via Saffire Mix Control.
- Suite of Focusrite VST/AU plug-ins
Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.
- Two separate headphone buses
Two artists can receive independent and fully customised monitor mixes. Each output has an independent level control available on the front panel.
- Saffire Mix Control Zero-latency DSP Mixer/Router
Routing flexibility and intuitive one-click set-up solutions; Saffire Mix Control provides an 18 x 16 DSP mixer with excellent output routing and monitoring capabilities.
- Front panel 5-LED metering
LED metering for each of the analogue, ADAT1, ADAT2 or S/PDIF inputs offers accurate viewing of levels direct from the front fascia.
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