Focusrite used the 123 AES Convention to unveil the latest product in its Liquid line of vintage emulation products, the Liquid4Pre, a four-channel microphone preamp that uses the company’s Liquid Channel technology to marry a flexible analog front end with cutting-edge dynamic convolution DSP. The Liquid4Pre offers users a choice from 40 vintage and classic microphone preamps across all four channels, augmented by fully digital controls and remote software control over Ethernet.
The Liquid4Pre includes digital control, allowing total recall of every parameter across all four channels, delivering instant multiple user presets and a comprehensive backup of session settings. These memories can be managed either via the hardware or via the system’s dedicated control software, Liquid4Control, a software application that places comprehensive preamp control inside the DAW. Communication between the preamps and the DAW flows via Ethernet, with Liquid4Control allowing comprehensive management of multiple Liquid4Pres. A similar Pro Tools TDM/RTAS plug-in allows integrated remote control via Pro Tools hardware and software, including ICON and Venue systems.
Additional features of Liquid4Pre are harmonics and session saver features from the Liquid Channel, provided across all four channels that allow creative adjustment to vintage emulations and providing automatic gain control. Each channel also features a classic Focusrite high-pass filter, phantom power and phase reverse, available directly from the front panel. Large displays provide status of settings and display huge digital VU meters, providing accurate, responsive and easy-to-read metering. Those working in public areas will appreciate the operator lock feature to secure the front-panel settings.
AES and ADAT optical digital inputs and outputs are provided as standard, with an optional EtherSound eight-channel card also available. With a third slave ADAT input, audio from two Liquid4Pres can be routed directly to a single optional EtherSound card; or at 48kHz, all eight channels can be routed to a single ADAT light-pipe output. The Liquid4Pre also allows access to Liquid Assets, Focusrite’s dedicated online emulations library. The new unit will ship in November.
For more information, visit www.focusrite.com.
