Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

In a message dated 12/12/06 5:24:19 AM, realnyc@... writes:
> I checked out Liquid Mix by Focusrite. It seems like it's a 
> hardware-software combo. Am I
> reading that right ? If so, a demo isn't available without the 'box'. But it 
> says is 'emulates" all
> kinds of eq's and compressors. kinds o
> 

Yeah, its got these advantages :
- about 40 top notch compressors and eq's (Neve, focusrite, fairchild, etc)
- it has its own processor so it doesn't load your system (it can do 32 
channels I think)
- its got a control surface. And unlike some of the generic ones which you 
have to manually assign, and have odd feels, this one has a dedicated knob or 
button which works immediately, and consistently as you change the plugs.

for example there is a threshold knob, and ratio knob, and they work with 
each of the different compressors. there's even a bypass button, and a pre/post 
(eq before compressor or viceversa). 

It lists for $800, although I got mine in Guitar Center for $650 including 
tax, so about $600 as part of deal in buying something else. If compare to the 
UAudio board, the UA costs roughly the same with minimal plugs, and then you 
have to pay $250 each for the Neve1073 the Neve 1081, and the Neve compressor, 
or maybe $500 for the three as I recall. The fairchild is another $150 
(although they have a sale now for $110 or something). It will end up costing you a 
fortune to have all their stuff on the UAudio card, plus you can't run too many 
instances. However, each instance is fairly closely modeled to the original 
item.

the LiquidMix gives you about 40 of these vintage items (with the processor 
and control surface as mentioned above), but they recreations are a little more 
basic. You don't have all of the fine adjustments in all cases. I think for 
my purposes, its fine though. I made some sample mixes in Garageband, and they 
sounded good with the Liquid mix on each track.

Because it allows 32 tracks of eq and compressor, I can see how this can 
easily become a standard way of working by assigning these to each track. the 
UAudio board will choke if you put a vintage compressor and eq on each track.

I may have mentioned that they haven't got all the bugs worked out though. 
Its a new product. But they are also increasing the number of emulated units 
through free downloads too. So I think its going to be pretty useful.

I just need to figure out when and how to use all these different vintage 
units. Evidently some things are known for being good for snare drums, or vocals, 
or bus compressors, etc.


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