ENGLISH LiquidControlTM Software Please visit www.focusrite.com to download the latest version of the free LiquidControlTM software application, for Mac OS X or Windows XP. The application allows you to edit The Liquid ChannelTM remotely, plus load, save and archive the mic-pre and compressor replicas and programs. The LiquidControlTM user guide is also available to download in PDF format. Contents Introduction............................................................................ 1 Important Safety Instructions............................................. 1 Power Connections.............................................................. 1 Liquid ChannelTM Architecture ......................................... 2 Rear Panel Connections ...................................................... 3 Front Panel Controls............................................................ 3 Mic-Pre and A/D.................................................................... 4 Session Saver .......................................................................... 4 Clock Select and Synchronisation ..................................... 5 Main LCD and Controls ...................................................... 5 Harmonics ............................................................................... 6 Compressor Settings............................................................ 6 3-Band EQ ............................................................................... 7 Comp & EQ Settings ............................................................ 8 Data Select .............................................................................. 8 Linking Multiple Units.........................................................10 Connections and Applications .........................................11 Frequently Asked Questions............................................16 Specifications ........................................................................21 Disclaimer .............................................................................22 Accuracy ................................................................................22 Copyright ..............................................................................22 Warranty ...............................................................................22 Important Safety Instructions Please read all of these instructions and save them for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the unit. · · · · Do not obstruct air vents in the rear panel. Do not insert objects through any apertures. Ensure adequate ventilation at all times. Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord. Unplug the unit before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only. Do not spill liquid on the unit. Unplug the unit and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: if the power cord or plug is damaged; if liquid has entered the unit; if the unit has been dropped or the case damaged; if the unit does not operate normally or exhibits a distinct change in performance. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or grounding type plug. A polarised plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wider blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the plug provided does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. · Introduction Thank you for purchasing The Liquid ChannelTM brought to you by the Focusrite team ­ Ian, Trevor, Peter, Martin, Tom, Mick A'C, Phil, Chris G, Micky, Pauline, Melissa, Chris W, Rob J Snr, Simon J, Vernon, Giles, Rob J Jnr, Mick G, Tim, Dave, Nick, Paul, Peter and Simon. The chaps at Focusrite are a jolly hard working bunch and take a great deal of pride in designing, building and delivering products which are considered the best audio units around; we hope your new Focusrite unit lives up to that reputation and that you enjoy many years of productive recording. If you would like to tell us about your recording experiences then email us at: sales@focusrite.com This unit is capable of operating over a range of mains voltages as marked on the rear panel. Ensure correct mains voltage setting and correct fuse before connecting mains supply. Do not change mains voltage settings while mains supply is connected. To avoid the risk of fire, replace the mains fuse only with the correct value fuse, as marked on the rear panel. The internal power supply unit contains no user serviceable parts. Refer all servicing to a qualified service engineer, through the appropriate Focusrite dealer. WARNING: THIS UNIT MUST BE EARTHED BY THE POWER CORD. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE MAINS EARTH BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE MAINS LEAD. Power Connections There is an IEC mains lead supplied with the unit, which should have the correct moulded plug for your country. The wiring colour code used is: For units shipped to the USA, Canada, Taiwan and Japan: Live Black; Neutral White; Earth Green For units shipped to any other country: Live Brown; Neutral Blue; Earth Green & Yellow The Focusrite Team 1 ENGLISH Liquid ChannelTM Architecture The Liquid ChannelTM is fundamentally different from any other Focusrite product previously built ­ and indeed any other dynamics processor currently available. Although The Liquid ChannelTM is extremely simple to use, please take a moment to read this section of the user guide, which gives a brief overview of the signal path and storage capabilities of the unit. Finally, to account for variances in amounts of second, third and fifth order harmonic distortion (usually perceived as warmth) from one pre-amp to the next, a dial is included to permit control over this value. This essential feature ensures satisfaction for even the most hardcore vintage enthusiast, bringing accurate control over the key sonic attributes. Overview The Liquid ChannelTM is the first implementation of Focusrite's groundbreaking `Liquid Technology'. The Liquid ChannelTM transports classic front-end processing into the digital age, removing the need for endless patching and adding fluidity and reliability to the studio environment. Quite simply, The Liquid ChannelTM is capable of being configured to replicate the finest mic-pres and compressors in history, all inside a single 192 kHz, 2U device. This is achieved through a unique two-part process. Firstly, the use of Dynamic Convolution techniques is applied, utilising lightning fast SHARC chips applying unique level-dependent impulse responses to every sample of audio. However, whilst this is more than sufficient to closely emulate a compressor's sonic behavior, in order to replicate subtle nuances of classic units, the pre-amplifier must operate in a suitable physical environment to mirror the way in which any classic unit interacts with a given microphone. The Liquid ChannelTM's solution to this problem lies in its vast analogue front-end. The preamp has the ability to change its impedance and vary its signal path to either transformer or electronic, replicating the interaction characteristics of the original, whilst remaining transparent within the signal path. The Liquid ChannelTM can therefore closely replicate the sound of the classic mic-pres and compressors from history. With entirely digital front panel controls, all parameters can be saved in one of 100 program memories, meaning that entire session setups can all be recalled at the touch of a button. A brand new digital EQ is also available, providing a comprehensive and truly `liquid' channel strip. A USB connection on the rear panel links to the LiquidControlTM software application, enabling the archiving of both replicas and surplus program memories, as well as providing full editing and remote operation of the unit itself. The Liquid ChannelTM comes complete with replicas of 40 classic mic-pres and forty classic compressors but is infinitely expandable, since the USB port also facilitates the upload of further replicas downloaded from a dedicated website ­ www.focusrite.com. Liquid Assets The Liquid ChannelTM ships with 40 pre-amp replicas and 40 compressor replicas as standard. The free LiquidControlTM software allows additional replicas downloaded from www.focusrite.com to be uploaded to The Liquid ChannelTM via USB. Program memories The Liquid ChannelTM has 100 program memories to allow storage of preferred pre-amp/compressor/EQ combinations. These can be saved, archived and reloaded from a remote computer using LiquidControlTM via the USB connection. All channel parameters are stored, offering `total recall' including mic gain. Using LiquidControlTM, a virtually unlimited number of replicas and programs can be stored on your PC or Mac and uploaded to The Liquid ChannelTM hardware as required. You can also email your favourite Liquid ChannelTM replicas and program settings to other users anywhere in the world ­ the ultimate in session recall. Signal Path The Liquid ChannelTM features both analogue (mic and line) and digital (AES-EBU) inputs, plus analogue (line) and digital (AES-EBU) outputs. Analogue signals connected to the mic input are routed through an analogue mic-pre stage, before passing through an A/D and entering the digital pre-amp convolution section. The unique sonic characteristics of the selected preamp replica are then applied to the signal. The signal then passes through the compressor and EQ sections (in that order, unless the EQ `Pre Comp' switch has been engaged ­ see page 7 for details). This processed signal then routes to the digital output, and via the D/A to the analogue output. Analogue signals connected to the line input follow the same signal path as above, but bypass the initial micpre stage routing directly to the A/D. The pre-amp type will be fixed at FLAT trfmr (transformer) whilst the line input is selected on the front panel. Digital signals connected to the digital input are routed directly to the pre-amp convolution section. However this can be bypassed ­ see `Pre-amp and Compressor Select' on page 5 for details. 2 ENGLISH Rear Panel Connections XLR Audio Inputs and Output All 3-pin XLR audio connectors (MIC I/P, LINE I/P and LINE O/P ­ from left to right above) are wired as follows: Pin 1: Screen/Chassis Pin 2: Audio 0° Pin 3: Audio 180° Dynamic Link Bus The DYNAMIC LINK BUS connectors allow two or more units to be linked together for stereo and multichannel applications, whereby one unit (the `master') will control the settings on multiple units. In addition, if using multiple units in digital stereo pairs, the dynamic link connectors also transmit digital audio data between devices. The connectors are both RCA (phono). See page 10 for more details on linking multiple units. AES Input and Output The AES I/P and AES O/P XLR connectors provide The Liquid ChannelTM with AES-EBU format digital input and output. See pages 11-15 for details of digital applications and connectivity. USB The USB connector allows The Liquid ChannelTM to be connected to a computer running the free LiquidControlTM software, which allows remote operation, download and archive management. See the separate LiquidControlTM user guide, downloadable from www.focusrite.com, for more information. For remote operation at a greater distance (up to 45m), contact Focusrite for information about purchasing a USB to CAT5 (Ethernet) converter. Wordclock Input and Output The WORDCLOCK INPUT BNC connector allows The Liquid ChannelTM to be linked to an external clock source. The WORDCLOCK OUTPUT BNC connector allows The Liquid ChannelTM to supply a clock source to external equipment. See page 9 for more details on synchronising The Liquid ChannelTM to an external Wordclock source. Front Panel Controls Digital controls The dials are all tactile rotary encoders, meaning that they can be rotated infinitely and their relative value will be displayed (except for the DATA wheel) by the LEDs surrounding them. The exact numerical parameter values can be seen on the large display when active, in the centre of the front panel. As all controls are digital, the settings can be saved and recalled with ease, and edited from the LiquidControlTM software application (please see the separate LiquidControlTM documentation, available from www.focusrite.com for details). N.B. The hardware's onboard memory will store the last frontpanel settings to have been left standing on the unit for over 10 seconds while powered up, while the unit is turned off. 3 ENGLISH Power Applies power to the unit. Turn on The Liquid ChannelTM before powering up devices to which the outputs are connected. +48V Pressing the +48V switch provides +48V phantom power, suitable for condenser microphones, to the rear panel XLR microphone connector. This switch does not affect the other ...