Take the Focusrite liquid challenge
Posted on February 20, 2008
Filed Under New Technology, Studio Shenanigans |
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This is the time to put your money where your mouth is. Well, not money, but ego really.
Focusrite has got a cool challenge up on its website to see if you can identify the difference betweeen classic analogue gear, and the Liquid emulation thereof. The Liquid Challenge
Unfortunately, the competition deadline for actually winning anything from this has passed, but it’s still an interesting challenge and certainly makes you question your judgment.
Audiotechnews just did the test online, and got a score of 80%, and apparently preferred a truly on-the-fence 50% of the liquid emulations.
Now I’m wondering - there was one, and only one sample that I almost listened to again, and wasn’t sure of the answer.
I wonder if I’d have taken more time, would I have got 90%? NAH!
Take 2 bottles into the shower?
Andy Hunter, producer and musician would probably reckon on getting 100%. Andy either has amazing ears, has spent more time with the gear involved, or got a load of cool free stuff from Focusrite for saying so.
Lets say it’s the ears!
Andy Hunter quit his A-levels to work as a sound and lighting engineer that would prove to be the decisive turning point. During this time he began DJing, which in turn led him into the world of music production where the fledgling producer indulged his passion for writing electronic music. The year 2000 saw Andy signed to EMI where he’d rack up a string of critically acclaimed releases.
As well as establishing himself as an artist in his own right, Andy’s music has also been picked up for a stack of high-profile outings, including soundtrack work (Matrix Reloaded, The Italian Job), as well as TV shows (Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy), and video games (Need For Speed Underground, Burnout, SSX 3).
Yes, Andy Hunter is indeed a versatile man to have in the studio.
But it was co-producing his last album – Colours, out this Spring on Nettwerk Records – with production legend Robbie Bronnimann that introduced him to the Liquid world.
“All of the vocals and guitars were recorded with the Liquid Channel. I was impressed with the sound we were getting at the recording stage. Sure, I have preamps in my studio, but the fact that Focusrite’s Liquid Channel could emulate those and another 60 preamps… well, that just blew me away. It was exactly the same with the Liquid Mix as well.”
“Both products sound absolutely amazing – they come packed with a load of different emulations, so you have a lot of different treatments right there at your fingertips. The Liquid Channel I use for recording vocals and guitars, while the Liquid Mix is usually pressed into service on my vocals and strings – or in fact anything that I need to give warmth too.”
“With Focusrite’s Liquid technology everything is at hand, so I don’t have to keep patching in to different preamps and outboard to get the sound I’m looking for – you can simply change the setting. And I love that you can control the whole set-up from your computer, it really saves you a lot of time!”
“Before I heard them in action I was a bit skeptical about Focusrite’s Liquid technology, whether it could hold its own against some superb vintage EQs, compressors and preamps, but after spending some time with them in the studio I was impressed. Just take the vocals on my latest album – they sound really warm and have a lot of clarity.”
“For me it’s about getting a sound and a tone that I really love. If I don’t absolutely love it then it’s simply not good enough for my music. I ask myself that question on every little thing that goes into a track, whether it’s something as fleeting as a snare drum, or as pivotal as a whole vocal performance.”
So there you have it - a man in the know has found an all in one solution to taking loads of gear into the studio with him.
Whilst Audiotechnews has never tried it for himself, he can only assume it’ll never be 100% right 100% of the time. Probably around…. ooh 80%?
Might be an idea to try it, don’t you think? 
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